Overview
Santa Barbara is a city and metropolitan area less than 100 miles (160 km) from Los Angeles but vastly different in pace from its huge neighbor to the south. With a temperate climate and lush natural environs, the "Riviera of the West" is a pleasant day or weekend trip from L.A. Its wide beaches, highly rated wineries, and a large variety of shopping and dining choices enable the town of just 90,000 residents to enjoy the sort of cultural and social amenities which are usually found only in much larger cities.
12 sights · 34 things to do · 32 places to eat · 17 bars & cafés · 23 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Built in 1929 and the grandest building in the town. A working courthouse, this Spanish-Moorish castle has frescoes, murals and Tunisian tilework. The El Mirador Bell Tower provides great views of the city and the bay. T…
Santa Barbara Mission
Known as "The Queen of the Missions," Santa Barbara's "Old Mission" is a superb example of California's Franciscan Spanish architecture. The tenth California Mission to be constructed, it was consecrated in 1786 as the f…
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
This large, well-presented museum is - literally - a hidden treasure. Highlights in the eleven exhibit halls include regional natural history, a life-size Blue Whale skeleton, and a rare skeleton of a pony-sized "pygmy m…
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
A remarkably well-provisioned museum considering the size of the town, Santa Barbara's main art museum features a strong collection of Roman antiquities, as well as an impressive lineup of classical European and modern a…
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Presidio of Santa Barbara
A military fortress founded in 1782, only parts of which remain. Some parts are gradually being rebuilt.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SBA Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Santa Barbara — 7 mi away. Directions
- SMX Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field, Santa Maria — 54 mi away. Directions
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 79 mi away (major hub). Directions
The airport can be pricey, and flight schedules limited; flying to Los Angeles (LAX) or Burbank (BUR) and driving or taking public transportation to Santa Barbara may come out ahead on price, time, or both. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner (see below) stops at Burbank airport 5 times a day on its way to Santa Barbara. From LAX, take the Santa Barbara Airbus for a direct ride or the FlyAway to Union Station and Amtrak to Santa Barbara. Los Angeles is known for its wildly unpredictable traffic, and even the train sometimes experiences delays, so allow yourself extra time if you go this route.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $99–$180 a night (typical $156), from 10 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$210, comfortable ~$290.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Karpeles Museum
- Lunch Restaurant Roy
- Afternoon Fiesta 5 Theatre, Santa Barbara Historical Museum
- Dinner Los Arroyos
- Evening The Andersen's
Day 2
- Morning Stearns Wharf, Wine Tasting in the Funk Zone, Reagan Ranch Center Exhibit Gallery
- Lunch Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
- Afternoon The Harbor, Sanguis
- Dinner Rudy's Mexican Restaurant
- Evening D'Angelo Bakery
Day 3
- Morning Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Upper East Side
- Lunch Opal Restaurant
- Afternoon Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Eagle Paragliding
- Dinner Olio e Limone
- Evening SOhO Restaurant and Music Club
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Santa Barbara does French-inspired California cuisine quite well. Locally sourced food is a point of pride for many chefs, who are able to draw from the bounty of fresh produce grown within a few hundred miles of the city, as well as the fresh seafood that's pulled in from the ocean daily. The town's elevated cultural status attracts high-powered chefs from all over the world, and the selection and sheer variety of local fare is quite astonishing for a community of 90,000.
In addition, Santa Barbara's Mexican food ranks with any other town in California and the food truck scene born in L.A. has emerged in the city as well. Here are just a few of Santa Barbara's culinary choices:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Although the common perception of Santa Barbara is as a playground for the rich and famous, the reality is that the average income within city limits is only slightly higher than California as a whole. Notable for its California Mission-style architecture (a long-standing local ordinance ensures that all commercial construction follows the Mission theme, which results in a plethora of red-tiled roofs and faux adobe supermarkets), local residents are intensely proud of their city's roots and traditions, and a number of hugely popular festivals throughout the year celebrate the many cultures found in the city.
In addition, the city's large Latino population, concentrated in the east side of the city around Milpas Street, means there are a great many tacquerias and Mexican restaurants to be found. Santa Barbara has also been influenced by Los Angeles' food-truck scene.
Orientation
The city of Santa Barbara is part of what's known as the South Coast, so named because the coastline between Point Conception and the city of Ventura faces more south than west. The road that serves as the city's nexus is State Street, which runs northwest-southeast in and near downtown and east-west in the uptown area. It continues west as Hollister Avenue through Goleta. The area immediately to the east of lower State Street, between the waterfront and Highway 101, is known as the Funk Zone and has become one of the premier tourist areas of Santa Barbara, and is home to wineries, breweries, art galleries and restaurants, as well as a more youthful and trendier atmosphere. Just a few blocks above the Funk Zone, State Street becomes car-free (bikes and pedestrians only) for eight blocks before opening up to traffic again. The eight blocks closed to cars, called the State Street Promenade are the core of Santa Barbara's downtown. The Latino part of town is on the east side of the city and has its own main street, Milpas Street, which is almost 1 mi away from, but parallel to, State Street in and near downtown. Upper State Street connects to Highway 154, a state highway that connects Santa Barbara with Los Olivos and wine country.
The orientation can be confusing to visitors, especially since locals often give directions as though the mountains were east, rather than north, and the ocean west, rather than south. "Go north on the 101" means literally "go west"; and if someone says "south of town" they don't mean in the ocean, but down the coast in the direction of Carpinteria and Ventura.
Santa Barbara's downtown neighborhoods are generally working, middle- and upper-middle-class areas, while Montecito to the east of the city and Hope Ranch to the west are two of the city's wealthy enclaves, known as part-time hideouts for Hollywood celebrities and rich retirees.
Climate
Santa Barbara has a slightly different climate from the rest of the area. It maintains idyllic temperatures for most of the year and it is rare to go a week during any season without at least one day reaching 70°F. There are occasional temperature extremes: heat waves are common in the late summer and early fall, and night time temperatures can reach down into the thirties during the winter. The best times to travel are not always what travelers expect. Spring and early summer are cool and cloudy through the mornings and often into the afternoons, with temperatures in the 60°Fs and low 70°Fs in what the locals call "May Gray" and "June Gloom". During August and early September temperatures get into the 80°Fs and cloudy days are rare. In mid to late September and October daytime temperatures stay mostly in the 70°Fs. The rainy season typically lasts from November through March, but even during the rainy season more days are sunny than not.
Get in
By plane
Go Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)
The local airport for the area, 7 mi west of downtown. There is service from Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Seattle. Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District's Route 11 bus links the airport with downtown Santa Barbara.
The airport can be pricey, and flight schedules limited; flying to Los Angeles (LAX) or Burbank (BUR) and driving or taking public transportation to Santa Barbara may come out ahead on price, time, or both. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner (see below) stops at Burbank airport 5 times a day on its way to Santa Barbara. From LAX, take the Santa Barbara Airbus for a direct ride or the FlyAway to Union Station and Amtrak to Santa Barbara. Los Angeles is known for its wildly unpredictable traffic, and even the train sometimes experiences delays, so allow yourself extra time if you go this route.
By train
- Routes stopping in Santa Barbara:
- Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank.
- Pacific Surfliner operates daily between San Luis Obispo and San Diego via Los Angeles.
260px|right|thumb|Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank.
Santa Barbara railway station.
The ride on these train routes is beautiful on portions near the coast, but delays do occur, especially on the Coast Starlight.
By bus
The [https://www.greyhound.com/bus/santa-barbara-ca/santa-barbara-bus-stop Greyhound] station is downtown, at 224 Chapala, next to the Amtrak station.
The Santa Barbara Airbus operates eight times per day between Goleta, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and LAX.
Central Coast Shuttle also operates an airport shuttle between Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and LAX.
Flixbus serves Santa Barbara on its way to San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles.
VISTA Transit runs regional service from Ventura and Oxnard.
Santa Barbara MTD, the city bus, runs service from Goleta and Carpinteria if you're already in the metro area.
By car
There is only one major highway in and out of Santa Barbara: US 101, which is coterminous with Highway 1 for over 30 miles (48 km) both north and south (well, east, but down the coast) of the city. From the 101, coming from the south, downtown Santa Barbara can be accessed via the Garden St. exit, while the beaches can be found off the Cabrillo Blvd. off ramp. From the north, get off the 101 at either the Mission or Carrillo St. off ramps. Traffic patterns are the opposite from the famous Los Angeles grid lock, as the southbound 101 can come to a grinding halt on Sunday afternoons.
State Route 154 is a secondary road that leads over the mountains to the Santa Ynez Valley, and to towns like Los Olivos and Solvang; it is accurately designated a "Scenic Highway" by the California Department of Transportation. However, it's probably less of a way to get into town and more of a road to take on a day trip from Santa Barbara.
Get around
By bus
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (SBMTD) runs buses all over Santa Barbara proper, and neighboring Goleta, Montecito and Carpinteria. Routes and fares are on their website. It's a cheap and fairly comprehensive way to get around town ($2.50 for a one-way ride or $6 for an unlimited-use day pass; transfers available), but not particularly fast.
The SBMTD also runs shuttle bus services along State St between downtown Sola St and the waterfront, and along the waterfront between the Zoo and the Harbor, leaving every 15 or 30 minutes between 9AM and 6PM (till 10PM F-Sa in summer). As of 2026, the shuttle fare is 50¢ one-way, or $1 for an unlimited day pass if purchased at participating places.
Bill's Bus specializes in transporting the student party crowd safely Downtown from Isla Vista and back again on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. $10 round trip, $7 one way.
By car
Santa Barbara is fairly easy to drive around, and in most areas parking is rarely difficult to find, either in a municipal garage or on the street. One confusing wrinkle is the presence of 3 similarly named major streets, Carrillo St, Castillo St, and Cabrillo Blvd. Don't mix them up. As anywhere, you shouldn't drive under the influence of alcohol, but be aware that Santa Barbara police are particularly merciless about catching and prosecuting drunk drivers.
Budget and Hertz car rental outlets are present at the airport terminal, and several other rental agencies are located in Santa Barbara.
By foot
With a mild climate, walking is a great way to get around town, but might be inconvenient outside of downtown and the funk zone.
By taxi
Taxis are plentiful but expensive, but given the relatively compact size of downtown Santa Barbara, they're viable if you don't need to go out too far into the suburbs.
By bike or inline skate
Bicycling is a nice way for a visitor to see Santa Barbara. There's a lovely bike path along the waterfront, and a large chunk of downtown State Street is car-free.
Along the waterfront, many businesses offer bicycle or inline skate rentals for exploring the beach areas, and "rickshaw" taxis are also common.
Electric bikeshare program BCycle has docks all over Santa Barbara.
See
See Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Built in 1929 and the grandest building in the town. A working courthouse, this Spanish-Moorish castle has frescoes, murals and Tunisian tilework. The El Mirador Bell Tower provides great views of the city and the bay. The grounds contain a collection of palms and specimen trees from more than 25 countries, and a printed guide to the plants is available.
See Santa Barbara Mission
Known as "The Queen of the Missions," Santa Barbara's "Old Mission" is a superb example of California's Franciscan Spanish architecture. The tenth California Mission to be constructed, it was consecrated in 1786 as the first of Father Lasuen's nine missions. Today, Mission Santa Barbara is both a scenic wonder and a fine anthropological study of original native culture in the surrounding area. Santa Barbara is the only California mission with twin bell towers, owing to its status as a cathedral in the early days of California statehood. It also has had a longer continuous association with the Franciscans than any other mission, and a longer continuous history of choral music than any other mission. The headquarters of the mission system in the 1830s and 40s, it is where many of the archives of the California missions are held. Note the adjacent pottery kiln and tanning vat ruins. The mission also features a small but well-regarded rose garden. The mission continues to be used as an active church, with regular masses on Wednesdays, Sundays, and holy days. Admission to Masses is free, but a small donation is customary.
See Santa Barbara Museum of Art
A remarkably well-provisioned museum considering the size of the town, Santa Barbara's main art museum features a strong collection of Roman antiquities, as well as an impressive lineup of classical European and modern art. Frequently rotated exhibitions are among the strongest in California.
See Stearns Wharf
This picturesque 1872 wharf - the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco - has lots of history. It is named after its builder, local lumberman John P. Stearns. Badly damaged several times by fire, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and today features more than a dozen shops and restaurants, and one of the best views in California from the end of its pier. There's also a small public aquarium, the Sea Center, that's associated with the Museum of Natural History. You may see brown pelicans at the end of the wharf. There's a bait and tackle shop, and no fishing license is required to fish from the wharf. It was once owned by Hollywood legend James Cagney.
See Karpeles Museum
The Karpeles Library is the world's largest private holding of important original manuscripts & documents. Among the items on permanent display in the museum is an original Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence, a replica of the globe used by Columbus (sans the Western Hemisphere), handwritten scores by a dozen leading composers, and the computer guidance system used on the first Apollo lander flight to the moon.
See Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Located on 65 acres in the foothills just above the city, the Garden features exquisite exhibits of California native plants displayed in beautiful landscaped settings. Walk along a meadow, through a canyon and redwood forest, across a historic dam, and along ridge tops that offer sweeping views of the Channel Islands. Established in 1926 as an educational and scientific institution, it is the oldest botanic garden in California dedicated to the study, conservation, and display of native flora.
See Reagan Ranch Center Exhibit Gallery
Features original Reagan Ranch artifacts matched with state-of-the-art, interactive, multimedia exhibits that highlight the history of Ronald Reagan's quarter-century at Rancho del Cielo and the accomplishments of his presidency. Over six hours of dynamic multimedia exhibits provide access to exclusive speeches, interviews, radio addresses, and original video presentations. The centerpiece is a 28 ft-long interactive "timeline" that gives users the ability to explore the "Western White House" during the 1980s.
See Upper East Side
Roughly bounded by State St to the west, Micheltorena Street to the south, Olive and Laguna Streets to the east, and Constance Ave to the north, this area was where most well-to-do residents lived when Santa Barbara first started to attract that class. As a result you'll see large, impressive houses in a variety of architectural styles, including late Victorian, Craftsman, Mission Revival, Romanesque, and even including a couple of eye-catching Mid-Century Moderns. As anywhere if you're looking at residential architecture, please respect the residents' privacy.
Do
Although Santa Barbara is an atypical coastal town, it offers the typical Southern California variety of outdoor activities, from surfing to whale-watching.
Do Golf
Santa Barbara has numerous private and public golf courses located in and around the city. [https://hiddenoaksgolfcoursesb.weebly.com/ Hidden Oaks] and [https://www.twinlakesgolf.com/ Twin Lakes] are nine-hole courses that provide budget prices for a round of golf. For those wishing to play 18 holes without spending a lot, the [https://www.playsantabarbara.com/ Santa Barbara Golf Club], located at 3500 McCaw, provides reasonably priced rounds. For those wishing to spend more, [https://www.sandpipergolf.com/ Sandpiper Golf Course], located north of Goleta on Hollister, or Rancho San Marcos, located about 15 mi up the 154, provide a world class golf experience.
Do Hiking
From the Mesa to the Santa Ynez Mountains, the unique geography of Santa Barbara provides amazing opportunities to see panoramic views and abundant wildlife. Hiking guides and maps are easily obtained at any local bookstore, well-equipped newsstand, or selected stores in tourist-heavy locations such as downtown. Examples include the [https://sbparksandrec.santabarbaraca.gov/parks/douglas-family-preserve Douglas Family Preserve], a great off-leash open space that often serves as the backdrop for numerous weddings, and East Camino Cielo Road off of Highway 154, which has several spots one can park and find a little trail to hike on, or even just sit and enjoy the view.
- [https://skydivesantabarbara.com/ Skydive Santa Barbara] are based at Lompoc City Airport.
Do Surfing
There are numerous beaches in the area fit for surfing and several companies that rent surfboards. Although the surf tends to be much smaller in the summer, it is perfect for beginners. There are also several nice long board breaks that are suitable year round.
Do The Harbor
Cruises, kayak and paddleboard rentals, learn to sail, you name it. Or just take a pleasant stroll along the breakwater. Lil' Toot, a bright yellow water taxi, runs back and forth between the Harbor and Stearns Wharf every 30 minutes. If you're lucky, you'll see one of Santa Barbara's sea urchin fishing boats come in. In years past, almost all the catch ended up in Japan, but uni has caught on in the west, and some of the crews will even sell the spiky but tasty little creatures right off the pier, and show you how to crack them open.
Do Wine Tasting in the Funk Zone
Santa Barbara has a number of wineries all within blocks of downtown and mostly within the area known as the Funk Zone for its earlier, funkier roots as the industrial part of town. Some smaller wineries have set up shop, many in converted industrial buildings, in the Funk Zone, which is in the blocks just east of State Street and between the waterfront and the Highway 101 overpass. This up-and-coming part of the city now features a large number of wineries, including Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail, restaurants, craft breweries and craft distillers, making it a popular destination for foodies and those wishing to escape the shopping scene on State Street. Most wineries have tasting rooms and are open to the public.
Do Wine Tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley
For those who want to escape the city limits and get out in to wine country, the Santa Ynez Valley is just a short drive north of Santa Barbara, accessible either via U.S. Highway 101, or by State Highway 154. Here in north Santa Barbara County are hundreds of wineries and vineyards, and the fall harvest period is an especially scenic time to make the trip. Most of the wineries are part of the Santa Barbara County Vintner's Association. Pinot noir, and to a lesser extent, chardonnay, are the signature varietals of Santa Barbara wine country. Just pop up to Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos or Buellton and enjoy. The region takes responsible consumption very seriously, and since the February 2008 launch of the CHP Designated Driver Program, DUI checkpoints have been frequent. Consider hiring a limo or signing on for a wine tour.
Do Wine Tours
Daily wine tasting excursions depart from most area hotels, and you can pick from several different approaches. The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle, (888) 8-WINERY, offers a flexible day aboard shuttles. Stagecoach Wine Tours offers wine tasting tours in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours offer a wine tour in open air jeeps. Sustainable Vine, +1 805 698-3911, focuses on the producers employing sustainable practices,Golden Rooster Transportation & Wine Tours offers wine tours in limousines and party bus vehicles. Golden Limo Santa Barbara offer limousines and conduct wine and other tours. Destination Drivers offers wine tour planning and referrals to local drivers.
Do An easy walking tour
Find some free parking on the side streets from Cabrillo Boulevard after passing State Street (i.e. on Bath Street and Yanonali St). Then walk on the sidewalk or the beach to State Street. At the intersection of Cabrillo Boulevard and State Street you will find the pier which will give you great views of the city. After walking on the pier, take State Street up past the train station. Shops and restaurants line up State Street up and down providing a great visitor experience. Take a right on West Carrillo St and go one block and then take a left on Anacapa St. This should get you to the Santa Barbara Courthouse (details above under See) opposite the public library Main Branch, where you can enjoy the pleasant views from its tower. Next, walk up the street to Anapamu St and take a left. This will put you back on State Street. If you're not tired yet you can keep walking up State Street to Mission St and take a right. If you follow the street to Laguna St and take a left and after three blocks take a right on Los Olivos. This will get you to the Santa Barbara Mission. After visiting the mission and the delightful rose garden in front of the Mission, you can walk back to Cabrillo Boulevard or take the shuttle back to the waterfront.
Do Red Tile Walking Tour
The Santa Barbara Visitors Center gives out a nice free guide to Santa Barbara that includes a suggested self-guided walk that's about 1.2 mi long in total. It features historic red-tiled adobe buildings in Downtown Santa Barbara but also helps visitors to get a sense of the lay of the land and see some of the stores and restaurants on State St. and a few paseos. Not to be viewed as a substitute for the easy walking tour listed above, as that is a longer walk and encompasses parts of the city not included in this one.
Do Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show (Santa Barbara Art Walk; the Beach Show)
Every Sunday, over 100 local artists display their work on Cabrillo Boulevard along the beach. The "Art Walk" stretches for several blocks along the ocean and begins at the intersection with Stearns Wharf. Everything must be handmade by the local artist or craftsperson you will meet, no assemblage or "buy and re-sell" is allowed. Fine art features paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints made personally by the artist. Functional art is featured in the fields of ceramics, leather, fine and craft jewelry and more. This show offers a great opportunity to have something custom made. The Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show is also adjacent to the "Funk Zone" and offers a great opportunity for fun before or after you go wine tasting!
Performance venues and organizations
The events calendar of the Santa Barbara Independent (a local weekly newspaper) is a good source for the latest events in town.
Do Arlington Theater
A 2,000-seat single screen movie theater, used mainly for blockbuster films, but also hosts occasional live performances. Also has a restored theater organ, that is used occasionally for solo performances or to accompany silent movies. Even if nothing special is going on, it's worth catching a flick there just for its charming interior design, with a faux "Spanish" village around the walls and a dark blue ceiling that even has a few pinpricks of light to represent "stars"
Do Santa Barbara Bowl
Still often referred to as the "County Bowl," this 6,000-seat amphitheater hosts some surprisingly big-name acts for a city the size of Santa Barbara, including Bob Dylan, Norah Jones, and Radiohead, and you'll get to see them in a smaller venue than you might if you caught them in L.A. or San Francisco.
Do Granada Theater
Opulent theater hosting musicals, opera, ballet, and the Santa Barbara Symphony
Parks
Santa Barbara has numerous attractive public parks. A few notable ones are listed below.
Do Alameda Park
Upper East Side Park covering two city blocks. Includes a popular community designed playground, and picnic tables popular for family celebrations (no alcohol is allowed, though). The western half of the park has a somewhat sketchy reputation for being a hangout for drug addicts, but it has been cleaned up a lot in the mid-2010s.
Do Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden
Across the street from Alameda Park. Something of a cross between a park and a botanical garden, it features a large pond with ducks and turtles, as well as numerous differently themed plantings, most with labels describing the different plant species. Local wags sometimes refer to it as "Alice Keck Park Park," but you'll often hear it just called "Alice Keck Park" since many people are unaware that "Park" was Alice's last name.
Do Chase Palm Park
This is a long, narrow park that stretches along East Beach. Features pedestrian and bike paths, as well as a skate park.
Do Skofield Park
Small rural park that contains the trailhead for Rattlesnake Canyon, one of the most popular local hikes. Its name comes from the sinuous nature of the trail, not any particular concentration of rattlesnakes, although like anywhere in the California backcountry, you should be alert for them.
Beaches
Do East Beach & West Beach
Separated by Stearns Wharf, for all practical purposes these are one continuous beach, usually referred to just as East Beach. This is Santa Barbara's most popular beach, and most easily accessible from the tourist amenities on State St. Popular sand volleyball spot.
Do Leadbetter Beach
On the other side of the harbor from West Beach and near Santa Barbara City College, this beach tends to be less crowded than East Beach. It usually has a fairly mellow break that is suitable for beginner surfers.
Do Arroyo Burro Beach
Almost universally referred to by locals as "Henry's" or "Hendry's" beach, and more isolated than the downtown beaches. Dogs are permitted to be off-leash, and one end is a nude beach, where you'll often see nude dudes frolicking.
Do Butterfly Beach
Tucked away in Montecito by the fancy Biltmore Hotel, and something of a hidden gem. Depending on tides and fluctuations of the sand, some parts of the beach may not be easily accessible. Though you'll often see off-leash dogs here, unlike Arroyo Burro beach, this isn't officially sanctioned.
Do Hammonds
Tucked away between Miramar and Butterfly in Montecito, this beach is a hidden gem. To get there park at Miramar beach parking and then walk along the path adjacent to edge cliff drive, cross over the creek. It is also accessible from butterfly during low tide. While the waves here are subpar is it a great place for families, sunset watching and is a popular date spot among locals.
Festivals and events
Do Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Held annually towards the end of January/beginning of February - an eleven day celebration at several historical theaters, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival welcomes some of the biggest names in Hollywood with awards ceremonies and world premier screenings. SBIFF has gradually built a reputation for its growing program that features some of the industry's top distributors in attendance. Individual tickets are available for the tribute events.
Do Summer Solstice
In 1974 friends of local artist Michael Gonzalez dressed up in costumes and ran down State Street, without a permit, to celebrate his birthday. Several decades later this has turned into a civic celebration of the first day of summer. There's a carnival-like parade on State Street, and a festival with live music in Alameda Park. Check the website for exact dates.
Do Old Spanish Days (Fiesta)
In the 1920s, the Chamber of Commerce decided that there should be a reason to visit Santa Barbara in August, and so invented "Old Spanish Days." Nowadays it's universally referred to as "Fiesta" and is still held in early August. In modern times it's probably more popular among locals than among visitors, but worth a look-in. There's a parade, "El Desfile Historico," that features pretty impressive costumes and horsemanship. De La Guerra Plaza downtown becomes "El Mercado," with live bands and stalls selling food. "El Mercado Del Norte" in MacKenzie Park has a county fair ambience with carnival rides. "Las Noches de Ronda" is the collective name for numerous performances around town of traditional Spanish and Mexican performances such as flamenco dances and mariachi bands. There's also a horse show and rodeo at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Buy
Santa Barbara is a shopping paradise. State Street alone offers more than a mile stretch of everything from trendy boutiques to popular chain stores like Restoration Hardware. El Paseo (812 State St., downtown) is an upscale mall that bills itself as "California's First Shopping Center," while lushly themed and nearby [https://www.paseonuevosb.com/ Paseo Nuevo] (651 Paseo Nuevo) offers Nordstrom's and more than 50 specialty shops. Whatever you're looking for, you'll likely find it on State Street. There is plenty of parking downtown with the first 75 minutes free in most lots (except at the beach). A good bet is the parking structure on Ortega.
Shop Mama's Preserves (2 Peas in a Pod)
This stand sells extraordinary homemade jams and marmalade. Mama recommends the sweet and spice Jalapeño along with cheese. The nectarine, blueberry are delicious too. One is always welcomed to taste on their stand. Their fresh berries are excellent too and vary in taste according to season.
Eat
Santa Barbara does French-inspired California cuisine quite well. Locally sourced food is a point of pride for many chefs, who are able to draw from the bounty of fresh produce grown within a few hundred miles of the city, as well as the fresh seafood that's pulled in from the ocean daily. The town's elevated cultural status attracts high-powered chefs from all over the world, and the selection and sheer variety of local fare is quite astonishing for a community of 90,000.
In addition, Santa Barbara's Mexican food ranks with any other town in California and the food truck scene born in L.A. has emerged in the city as well. Here are just a few of Santa Barbara's culinary choices:
Eat East Beach Tacos
Innovative taco spot with great tacos, good prices and a weird location attached to batting cages. Don't let the location fool you, this place stands out in a city bursting with great tacos. While classic taco staples like carnitas and carne asada are on the menu, the real gems are the Asian inspired tacos, reminiscent of the LA food truck scene. The triple play, 3 tacos of your choice for $11.50, is the way to go and is what most people order. Be warned the parking lot is poorly designed and always crowded.
Budget
Eat Cajun Kitchen
Very popular breakfast and lunch place. The best breakfast in town. Delicious sausages. Good price. Another location at 1924-A De la Vina St.
Eat The Habit
Stop by for a cheap, charbroiled sidewalk burger at this regional chain, which has roots in Santa Barbara. Also 216 S. Milpas St. and 5735 Hollister in Goleta. (+1 805 962 7472).
Eat Los Arroyos
The restaurant serves popular and very good Mexican food.
Eat The Natural Café and juice bar
Outdoor, sidewalk dining that is healthy and good. If there is a vegan/vegetarian in the group, they will be happy here. Part of a small regional chain; there's another location further out at 361 Hitchcock Way.
Eat On The Alley
Burgers, seafood, and other simple but tasty meals right at the harbor. You can take your food around the corner to sit on the beach or the sea wall and enjoy the ocean view while you eat.
Eat Panino
Good variety of sandwiches, part of a local chain.
Eat Rudy's Mexican Restaurant
Very good tamales, chimichangas and burritos. Charming family-owned business. A total of six locations.
Eat La Super-Rica Taqueria
Once named "Best Mexican Food in the Country" by the New York Times. You won't come here for the atmosphere. There is no sign on the building, and seating is first come-first served, but you'll be happy you stood in the long line forming outside the door once you taste what's served up here. Julia Child is said to have named this her favorite Mexican restaurant, but other reviews call it pleasant but not extraordinary. Cash only. After you order, keep the tab with your order, and wait in the dining area for your number to be called.
Eat Super Cuca's Restaurant
Two Locations. Big burritos, vegetarian recommended even for those die-hard carnivores.
Eat Rusty's Pizza Parlor
Favorite local pizza chain. Pizzas have quality toppings and a thin but fluffy crust. 7 other locations around town (see website). The Carrillo St location has the most character, as it's in an authentic Tudor-style building that used to be a pub. Great place to take the kids. They also deliver.
Eat Goodland Waffles & Melts
Café specializing in waffles, including a delicious vegan waffle loaded with veggies.
Mid-range
Eat Arigato Sushi
Good sushi. They don't take reservations and are usually packed Thursday through Saturday nights with people queuing up. While they serve also US-style sushi combinations like grilled stuff and with funny sauces on top, they have a great choice of traditional sushis and rolls with for example mackerel, salmon, tuna or yellowtail. The choices of sake are excellent.
Eat Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
The restaurant serves local seafood. One can either have a breakfast, brunch or dinner. For the happy hour selection there is a designated outdoor seating area. Its choices include cheeseburger, tuna and black mussels plus local wine choices.
Eat Brophy Bros
Breakwater at the Harbor, great seafood, known for seafood and particularly clam chowder, the setting cannot be beat. Longstanding local favorite.
Eat Cold Spring Tavern
Located off of Highway 154 near wine country (from downtown Santa Barbara, the trip is approximately 15 mi, and may last as long as 30 minutes or so), this historic rustic tavern, restaurant and coach stop is a touch of Old West and a world away from the glitz of lower State Street. Stop for lunch at this family-friendly historic tavern and restaurant that's also popular with the weekend biker crowd. The place serves up some of the best tri-tip sandwiches on Sundays, when outdoor live music from local bands is usually on tap as well. Great location and great food. It also offers a fun atmosphere on weekend nights with live music. It can be very crowded especially on Sunday when various car and motorcycle clubs will stop by.
Eat Chuck's of Hawaii
The watergrill is found on 113 Harbor Way, A great cut of beef. Try anything with artichokes.
Eat Los Agaves
Los Agaves is one of the favorites of Milpas and often earns the coveted Best Of Santa Barbara award from the Santa Barbara Independent in the Mexican food category. Many of the dishes are seafood-centric, and the seafood enchiladas are a regular favorite. The restaurant was so popular in its Milpas Street location that it opened a second location in Santa Barbara in 2013. The new location is located on upper De La Vina St, in the Mid-Town District.
Eat Opal Restaurant
A great example of typical mid-range Santa Barbara cuisine, with an innovative, California-French menu and lovely atmosphere. The salmon with Thai curry sauce is a good bet.
Eat The Palace Grill
This place celebrates the cuisine of New Orleans. It has a fun, yet laid back atmosphere with great service. Try the Caribbean coconut shrimp.
Eat Pascucci
Santa Barbara's best affordable Italian food from local producers. Often a local band plays during dinner.
Eat Restaurant Roy
Good "off State St." bar. Serves great food late at night, focus on local ingredients.
Eat La Playa Azul Cafe
Not perhaps the most authentic Mexican food, but very tasty and popular. Excellent margaritas.
Eat Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Rustic little spot with mostly counter seating. Excellent views. Probably the best food on the wharf, but it's shellfish only - if it's got scales and a backbone, it's not on the menu.
Eat Finch & Fork
Progressive, New American food. Excellent cocktails.
Eat Arnoldi's Cafe
Quaint little Italian joint, serving homey Italian classics and espresso. Has a lovely patio. The bocce courts out back have some fairly serious league play.
Eat Via Maestra 42
Delicious Italian restaurant in a little strip mall on upper State St. They also do catering and takeout.
Splurge
For a city as wealthy as it is, Santa Barbara has fewer real fine dining options than you might expect. A few good options are below.
Eat Wine Cask
As the name implies, Wine Cask has an extensive wine list, much of it drawn from co-owned and neighboring Margerum Wine Co. The French-inspired menu is quite pricey, and the restaurant is a favorite among the city's movers and shakers. It is located in the gorgeous El Paseo building, one of the city's earliest Spanish Colonial Revival structures. If you're looking for a cheaper taste of the menu and a more casual atmosphere, try Intermezzo Bar + Café, the bar area off to the side. They offer delicious, fresh-baked flatbreads.
Eat Olio e Limone
Upscale Italian. Excellent wine list. The Dover sole, when available, is particularly good. Also has a lower-priced pizzeria connected to it.
Eat Bouchon
Innovative California French cuisine. Extensive local wine selection. Affiliated with the Wine Cask
Drink
Bars
In addition to Santa Barbara wine tasting, the region is also full of bars. Many of them cater to crowds of students from the nearby university. Thursday nights are the official college night of downtown bars at which time the drinks are particularly cheap. Really any bar on lower State Street is Fun on Thursday nights to relive those college days.
Drink Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Sportsbar with Irish music. Good lamb stew.
Drink Elsie's
Neighborhood beer and wine joint with good music. Meet the locals out back in the outdoor smoking area or over rounds of pool inside. It is a former bike shop turned into a comfy bar. It can get very crowded.
Drink Intermezzo Bar + Cafe
The place has a wide selection of wines per glass. It's the bar of the upscale wine cask restaurant. It serves simple food plates too.
Drink The James Joyce
Yes, it's an Irish pub, or "A Traditional Irish Bar." Free peanuts, karaoke, a fireplace and dixieland jazz bands on the weekend. Guinness flows freely.
Drink Joe's Cafe
This upbeat bar and steakhouse severs the stiffest drinks on State St. Have a couple at the beginning of the night.
Drink Cruisery
The revamped location of the old Santa Barbara Brewing Company; still features good quality beer but has a significantly more interesting and better, though still reasonably priced, food menu. The name refers to its bicycle themed decor.
Drink SOhO Restaurant and Music Club
Jazz/live music club above Victoria Court.
Drink Wildcat Lounge
Danceclub.
Drink The Press Room
Small, friendly bar with a very English vibe. Popular spot for watching European soccer. Sometimes keeps fairly oddball hours to accommodate important matches in distant time zones.
Cafés
There are several good places to relax in Santa Barbara:
Drink The Andersen's
Very perfect café and pastries, the place is ideal for breakfast. On the happy hour they serve wine for special prices. It established itself in 1976 and expanded since. One can dine here too. Many people stop by for pastries on the go.
Drink D'Angelo Bakery
Great place to start the day with a breakfast. It offers poached eggs, delicious omelets all accompanied with their bread or home made pastries.
Drink Dune Coffee Roasters
The café serves fine espressos, chocolate chais, various leaf teas and also fine pastries. One can buy great coffee beans.
Drink Handlebar Coffee Roasters
The Handlebar is owned by two former pro-cyclists. They bring that same focus and dedication to detail to in-house roasting, espressos, brewed coffees, teas and their selection of baked goods from local bakers. You'll find baristas and extremely friendly stuff doing excellent coffee together with fine croissants.
Drink Savoy Cafe & Deli
Good breakfast with large selection of leaf teas. Serves great sandwiches to go.
Other
The local ice creams or blenders are great for the go or to relax on one of the state street benches.
Drink Blenders In the Grass
The juice shop sells pressed fruity juices with several possible supplements for the go. The local chain has 12 shops in and around Santa Barbara.
Drink McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
Selling handcrafted local ice creams from Santa Barbara since 1949. Dairy-free options available.
Drink Cuso's Creamery
Delicious ice cream with creative flavors. Great dairy-free/vegan options.
Sleep
Santa Barbara has a huge number of hotels and motels, ranging from Motel 6 to the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. One thing you won't find here is dives. Prices are before tax; allow another 8% for tax.
Budget
Mid-range
Stay Inn by the Harbor
The Inn by the Harbor is an enchanting Spanish colonial hotel and resort offering vacation packages from wine country to whale watching. Extended stay lodging is also available.
Splurge
Stay Cheshire Cat Inn
The Cheshire Cat Inn features three stately Queen Anne Victorians, an elegant Coach House, three cottages, all surrounded by flower-filled gardens and patios. The Inn is located in a residential area, one block from Santa Barbara's main shopping street. Each of the sunny guest rooms and cottages is uniquely furnished and ranges from the elegant to the whimsical. Some are larger split-level junior suites with private balconies; others have in-room Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces. Amenities may include TV/DVD, ironing boards and refrigerators. All the rooms have private baths and telephones. Breakfast is served daily and is included in the rate.
Stay Simpson House Inn
A historic Italianate Victorian manor considered one of the best preserved and restored homes of its era in California. Guestrooms inside the estate house, private English style cottages and four rooms in the Carriage House. Landscaped gardens, wood-burning fireplaces and personalized service. All rates include daily gourmet breakfast, evening wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres and complimentary parking. Rates from $235 to $615.
Stay Rosewood Miramar
Located directly on the beach, the Miramar competes for the title of most luxurious (and expensive) hotel in Santa Barbara and is a favorite among celebrities. The price is steep but the location is unbeatable with some rooms having direct beach access and Coast Village Road a short walk away. The only downside are the train tracks that bisect the property and the noise that comes with them.
Go next
Although Santa Barbara is somewhat geographically isolated, with only one major route in or out of the city, the surrounding area is rife with fascinating side-trips.
- Cachuma Lake Recreation Area – This rural county park in the hills, about 18 mi up Route 154, makes for a pleasant day trip for kayaking or hiking, or you can arrange to camp there.
- Channel Islands National Park – Channel Islands National Park is a series of islands that are home to incredible marine life, beautiful and remote scenery, and the wily Channel Islands fox. While most trips to the Channel Islands depart from Ventura, Channel Islands Expeditions runs trips from Santa Barbara.
- Goleta – Neighboring Santa Barbara to the west, Goleta offers similar beaches and resorts to its more famous neighbor. It is also home to a grove of trees that is an overwintering area for monarch butterflies, with the insects gathering in huge numbers each year from mid-November until mid-February.
- Los Olivos – About 50 mi north of Santa Barbara on Highway 154. This is a cute little one-horse town with about 20 local winery tasting rooms lined up on Grand St. A great place to go wine tasting without having to drive a zillion miles from winery to winery.
- Montecito – This affluent town is located just east of Santa Barbara along the coast and is home to many rich and famous, including Oprah Winfrey. Montecito Village is home to some interesting shops and markets, while upscale resorts can be found on the coast.
- Solvang – Located approximately 40 mi north of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang is a gingerbread town. What must have started several decade back as a small "Little Denmark" tourist trap has grown into an entire town and surrounding community obsessed with its own overwhelming Danishness. Every sign, roof, light post and pothole is Danish-themed here, and reports of wandering bands of drunken men in plastic Viking helmets are firmly founded in reality. Take Highway 101 north/west to Buellton (the home of the original Pea Soup Andersen's), exit at the Highway 246 offramp and follow the destination signs to Solvang. If you're up for a twisty drive, take Highway 154 (also known as the San Marcos Pass) back to Santa Barbara at sunset and enjoy an unforgettable view.
- Santa Ynez – 31 mi northwest of Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez sits at the heart of the rural Santa Ynez valley, an area that attracts travelers to its many wineries. The valley was the setting for the 2004 film Sideways, and fans of the film are known to make pilgrimages to the inns and restaurants from the movie.
- Wine Country. North on US 101 or Highway 154; pretty much all of the county north of the mountains.
- Los Angeles is about 90 mi down the coast, but whether you take the 101 or the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1), be prepared for a major tie-up somewhere along the route in the best of times. With no traffic, the trip could take you 90 minutes, but actual driving time is often easily twice that and can be more. Both routes have their appeal, though, as after they diverge in Ventura, Route 1 goes past beautiful coastline and the Malibu Cliffs, whereas the 101 climbs over the Conejo Grade into Thousand Oaks and then the San Fernando Valley. Also accessible by Amtrak, Flixbus, or Greyhound. Contrary to popular belief, Los Angeles does have decent public transportation and a car-free weekend can be had at places like Hollywood or Santa Monica.
Nearby
Montecito
City / town · 5 listings · 5 mi away
Goleta
City / town · 21 listings · 6 mi away
Carpinteria
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Park · 18 mi away
Santa Ynez
City / town · 6 listings · 25 mi away
Ojai
City / town · 11 listings · 26 mi away
Solvang
City / town · 26 listings · 27 mi away
Los Olivos
City / town · 11 listings · 29 mi away
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