Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Santa Barbara, California

Boasting nearly perfect weather year-round, stunning stretches of mountainous coastline, and some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the country, it is no surprise that the splendid Santa Barbara is frequently referred to as America’s Riviera.

This coastal city is home to approximately 100,000 residents and is situated about 140 kilometers northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

While its luxury hotels, resorts, fine dining establishments, and upscale shopping locales are predominantly frequented by the affluent and stylish, Santa Barbara serves as a favored destination for day-trippers eager to experience the luxurious lifestyle before returning to their more modest accommodations in nearby areas.

Outlined below are 15 activities to engage in while visiting Santa Barbara, California.

1. Shoreline Park

While Santa Barbara’s natural attractions receive considerable acclaim, the city’s skyline is equally noteworthy, particularly when viewed from Shoreline Park during the soft glow of evening.

Shoreline Park is situated within the Santa Ynez Mountains and encompasses nearly 15 acres of coastal bluffs, providing panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the city below. Visitors have even spotted playing whales on exceptionally clear days.

The park is equipped with amenities including a playground, picnic and shaded seating areas, and a number of well-marked trails.

Dogs are permitted but must remain leashed unless in designated areas.

2. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Covering nearly 80 acres adjacent to Mission Canyon Road, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden hosts hundreds of species of local plants, flowers, and trees.

This garden has been established for nearly a century and features a grove of majestic California Redwoods that ascend hundreds of feet into the clear blue skies.

Additionally, it showcases a historical Native American dam constructed in the early 19th century across Mission Creek. Various trails connect each unique section; they are primarily flat and marked with informative placards detailing the natural and humanmade artifacts present.

3. Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market

There is no better approach to connect with locals and to learn about a new area than spending some time at a local farmers market.

The Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market has been running since 1983 and is one of many affiliated markets held in nearby communities throughout the week.

Most vendors are local farmers and entrepreneurs, offering a diverse range of products from organic olive oil and California nuts to crafts, jewelry, and prepared food items such as honey and salsa.

The Santa Barbara market operates on Anacapa Street and is open one day during the week and one on the weekend seasonally.

4. The Old Mission

For over a century, Spanish missionaries established multiple outposts in California in an attempt to convert local Native Americans to Roman Catholicism.

Originally founded in the 1780s, Santa Barbara’s Old Mission remains an active place of worship today.

The mission also houses a museum filled with intriguing artifacts and archaeological artifacts, including religious memorabilia, historical photographs, and personal accounts from the missionaries who served the region.

Conveniently situated just a few minutes from downtown, the mission is open seasonally, so it is advisable to check their website or contact them before visiting.

5. Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

It appears that the mild climate along the Pacific coast of Santa Barbara is favorable for cultivating various orchid species, as the region is home to one of the nation’s most esteemed orchid estates.

Founded in 1957, the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate specializes in growing a range of orchids and hybrids that thrive without the controlled conditions of a greenhouse.

Guided tours, guest speakers, and botany exhibitions are frequently offered, and the estate is conveniently located on Orchid Drive in Santa Barbara.

Covering close to five acres, the estate welcomes visitors year-round.

6. Stearns Wharf

With roots dating back to the early 1870s, Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara stands as California’s oldest wooden wharf, remaining in continuous operation since its construction.

Although its peak as a freight port has largely diminished, the area along State Street has recently been transformed into a vibrant dining and shopping hub, featuring over a dozen individual businesses.

Additionally, the wharf hosts a lively fish market, a maritime museum, and some of the area’s finest seafood restaurants.

This destination is perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll or happy hour with friends, and opportunities for water taxi tours are also available.

7. Take a Whale Watching Tour

Although whales are more commonly associated with colder aquatic regions such as the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans, the relatively warm waters off the Santa Barbara coast serve as a prime whale-watching location for much of the year.

The whale-watching season typically spans from spring to early fall when various whale species migrate through the nutrient-rich waters on their way to calving grounds.

Commonly sighted species include humpback, blue, and fin whales, along with several dolphin species.

A variety of tour operators are present in the area, with excursions generally lasting from a few hours to half a day.

8. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Similar to many of Santa Barbara’s premier attractions, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has a rich history that extends back to the early 20th century when the region was significantly more rural.

Positioned within a picturesque canyon just behind the aforementioned Spanish Mission, the museum spans over a dozen acres featuring architecturally distinct outbuildings amidst serene natural surroundings.

As the city’s oldest museum, it includes numerous captivating exhibits that focus on the area’s maritime history, wildlife, and intriguing past.

A nature trail follows Mission Creek, often providing opportunities to observe various wildlife species.

9. State Street

Owing to its lively atmosphere, filled with shops, galleries, eateries, and theaters, State Street is often regarded as the quintessential heart of Santa Barbara.

It was designed to mirror a European outdoor market. For those staying nearby who wish to avoid walking, shuttle buses frequently operate from multiple city locations to facilitate access.

The area typically comes alive in the late afternoon and early evening, when travelers and locals unwind with appetizers and refreshing beverages. During the summer months, live entertainment and art events often enhance the vibrant atmosphere.

10. El Presidio

In addition to its mission, the California coastline of Santa Barbara is also the site of a Spanish fort constructed over 200 years ago.

Although it once served as a frontline defense for Spain’s military, commercial, and religious pursuits in the area, El Presidio now resides within a six-acre state park containing over a dozen renovated buildings arranged around a central fortified plaza.

Visitors will learn about culture and world history, as well as the Native Americans who inhabited the region for generations prior to the arrival of foreign colonizers in the mid-18th century.

The park is conveniently located just a few blocks from downtown Santa Barbara.

11. Los Agaves

Situated on North Milpas Street in Santa Barbara, Los Agaves represents an excellent lunch or dinner venue for tired adventurers seeking to replenish their energy without incurring high costs.

Popular menu items include seafood burritos, chicken enchiladas, and crispy beef tacos—all accompanied by a delightful array of homemade sauces and salsas ranging in flavors from sweet and tangy to rich and spicy.

The restaurant also provides various combination platter options that feature sides like rice and beans, ideal for those wishing to avoid undertaking a sizeable entrée alone.

12. Lobero Theater

As a historic landing site for Spanish explorers long before the United States was formally established, the Santa Barbara region is rich with many of the state’s oldest historical attractions.

Constructed in the 1870s, the Lobero Theater has undergone significant renovations over the years yet remains in continuous use since its inception, rendering it the oldest of its kind in California.

The theater’s calendar features a diverse array of productions throughout the year—from professional to community performances in ballet, traditional dance, and contemporary music genres such as jazz.

Conveniently located on East Canon Perdido Street in downtown Santa Barbara, it serves as a vibrant cultural venue.

13. Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

For enthusiasts of nautical heritage, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum on Harbor Way offers an engaging experience to spend a few hours.

The museum features one of the city’s most remarkable collections of historical memorabilia, including instrumentation, weapons, maps, art, and interactive displays that captivate visitors of all ages.

Guests are free to explore at their leisure or participate in guided tours that typically last about an hour.

The museum staff also coordinates various special educational programs throughout the year, making it advisable to check their calendar of events before planning a visit.

14. Ganna Walska Lotusland

Though Polish opera divas, extravagant California estates, and vast lotus gardens are not typically associated, each plays a pivotal role in one of Santa Barbara’s most distinctive attractions.

During the mid-20th century, Ganna Walska, a Polish opera singer, resided on a 40-acre estate in Santa Barbara, which she transformed into a breathtaking natural oasis before her passing in 1984.

Her estate features expansive grounds filled with thousands of lotus plants from around the globe; when in bloom, the scenery is simply stunning.

The estate is located approximately eight kilometers east of Santa Barbara in Montecito.

15. Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Situated on State Street in the downtown area, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art was established over 70 years ago and now showcases an impressive collection of more than 25,000 works of art.

Spanning tens of thousands of square feet dedicated to exhibition space, it features masterpieces by Asian, European, and American artists.

The venue offers a library, café, gift shop, and an auditorium designated for special events that may include guest presentations, seminars, and live music performances.

Participating in guided tours is an excellent way to enhance your visit, allowing you to benefit from the local docents’ engaging and educational perspectives.