Soak up Life in the American Riviera
Just two hours north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara has a small town vibe, enriched with a lush sense of historical and cultural understanding. Its upscale environment is a feast for the senses, whether you’re relaxing at a resort, going wine tasting, or learning about the area’s ancient and modern origins.
No matter who you go with and what time of year you visit, the city will sweep you off your feet with its gorgeous ocean views and charming Spanish architecture. Here are some of the best things to do in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Fun for the whole family, the Santa Barbara Zoo has over 146 species on display amid 30 acres of land. Sandwiched between a bird refuge and a public beach, the zoo is compact but offers a lot of bang for your buck. Apart from viewing animals like penguins, giraffes and monkeys, there are also plenty of activities designed to keep even very small children entertained.
You can feed sheep in the barnyard, ride a steam train around the park and enjoy live performances and animal-themed art exhibits all year long.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Just outside downtown Santa Barbara lies a 16th-century Spanish mission founded by a Franciscan priest. While its original purpose was to convert the indigenous population to Catholicism, these days it functions as more of a relic of the past, although it does have an active church congregation still.
Docent-led and self-guided tours are available of the facilities, which include nine rooms of period artifacts, a garden full of mission-era plants, and stunning Spanish art and architecture. This Santa Barbara attraction is a fascinating look into the history of the area amid a peaceful setting with views of the Pacific Ocean.
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State Street
Known for its upscale shops and restaurants, Santa Barbara’s State Street runs straight through the heart of the city’s downtown district. Stroll along the pedestrian-friendly area full of recognizable stores like Saks Off Fifth and Apple, where you’ll also find local boutiques stocked with artisan goods and handmade clothing.
Shopaholics will especially enjoy Paseo Nuevo, the outdoor shopping mall at the south end of the street. Once you shop ’til you drop, enjoy a beverage or a bite to eat at one of the unique local eateries. Aside from a variety of international cuisines, State Street is also home to the famous McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, once called “the best in the world” by TIME magazine.
Lotusland
The former estate and gardens of eccentric international opera singer, Madame Ganna Walska, Lotusland offers one of the most unique and exotic botanical gardens in the world. From its Japanese garden to its collection of dinosaur-era cycads, Lotusland has an immensely diverse collection of plants, trees and flowers.
Stroll through fruit orchards and cactus gardens, observe monarch butterflies in the insectary and revel at the natural theater full of garden gnomes. It’s the perfect place to spark an interest in botany or simply enjoy the wondrous variety of plant life that Madame Walska so carefully curated (and sold her expensive jewelry collection for).
Urban Wine Trail
Forget Napa, go wine tasting in Santa Barbara along the Urban Wine Trail. 29 different wineries can be found in the downtown area, along State Street and near the beach. Enjoy tasting flights with delicious food pairings amid dog-friendly outdoor patios. Learn about each vineyard’s growing process and unique take on wine-making.
Many of the wineries also provide live music or vinyl selections to further immerse you in the experience of their facilities. If you have a lot of time (or money) on your hands, consider splurging on the membership card, giving you access to free tastings at all the wineries, in addition to special discounts and events throughout the year.
Visiting these historical sites of the world will grant you a new perspective on life. Walking through the history of these places is a surreal experience.
Stearns Wharf
One of Santa Barbara’s top tourist attractions, you can easily spend a whole day or two exploring all Stearns Wharf has to offer. Eat your weight in seafood at one of the onsite restaurants that boast some of the best views of the ocean. Enjoy the scenery with a private cruise or get up close and personal with marine life at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center.
Shop at one of the clothing and souvenir shops or go fishing off the pier. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, don’t leave without getting your palm read at Madame Rosinka’s, Santa Barbara’s local spiritual adviser.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Wondering what to do in Santa Barbara with kids? Families should definitely check out the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. In addition to housing millions of plant and animal specimens, the museum also features an art gallery of natural history prints, a collection of Chumash Indian baskets and a planetarium.
However, one of the museum’s highlights has to be its Instagram-friendly, 72-foot-long blue whale skeleton. Kids can explore and interact with what they’ve learned on site at the Curiosity Lab, where naturalists will answer their burning questions about nature.
Special tours and events are also available for both children and adults to further educate on the natural world and encourage careers in the sciences.
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East Beach
A popular beach for swimming and water sports, East Beach marks the beginning of a small stretch of intimate beaches and parks along the Santa Barbara shoreline. With volleyball nets, picnic facilities and a playground, it’s easily a favorite beach for tourists and locals alike.
As it’s a particularly wide beach, there’s plenty of room for sunbathing, games of Frisbee and building sand castles. It also plays host to a beach-side grill, where you can eat breakfast, lunch or an early dinner, with your toes planted firmly in the sand.