Santa Barbara is a Californian city that boasts a rich history and offers stunning beaches, delicious dining, and plenty of fun activities. Whether you’re thinking of going on a city tour or want to enjoy the great outdoors – be it in the canyon or down on the shoreline, Santa Barbara offers cool activities form both worlds.

Families with kids are also treated to plenty of options with Santa Barbara Zoo and a number of museums and parks. After sunset, the city shows its dazzling skyline under which a fun nightlife pulsates. Check out our top choices for things to do in Santa Barbara to help you plan your itinerary and make the most of your time in this vibrant city on the central Calfornia coast.

What are the best things to do in Santa Barbara?

  • 1

    East Beach

    Relax on one of Santa Barbara's most popular shores

    East Beach
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    East Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Santa Barbara. It's typically the first beach you see when you enter the city and is found near city centre. Separated from West Beach by Stearns Wharf, East Beach is a desirable spot for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.

    One of the most popular activities on East Beach is volleyball, and the beach even hosts tournaments during the year. Ideal for families, East Beach has soft sand, gentle waves, and an excellent lifeguard patrol on duty.

    Location: Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA

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  • 2

    Old Mission Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara's national historical landmark

    Old Mission Santa Barbara
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    Visiting Old Mission Santa Barbara, you’ll travel back in time to the 18th century as you admire this gorgeous church with its period art and architecture. The historic Santa Barbara landmark dates back to 1786 and features gorgeous elements like grand bell towers and a lush garden – all of which you can see on a tour.

    Within the church's on-site museum, you can see period artwork, artefacts, and recreations of the Mission's old rooms. Outside, you can explore the gardens, which can be a romantic experience and photo spot for couples, and see the views of the coast and the Santa Ynez Mountains.

    Location: 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 805-682-4713

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  • 3

    Go on a whale watching tour

    Spot majestic cetaceans in the Santa Barbara Channel

    Go on a whale watching tour
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    Whale watching around the Santa Barbara Channel offers exciting encounters with one of the world's most majestic aquatic mammals. The waters are home to a variety of sea life and birds that bring all manner of sea creatures nearby, including playful dolphins and migrating whales. 

    If you're visiting Santa Barbara, taking a whale watching tour is a must to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close to these impressive creatures. From winter into spring, Pacific grey whales are migrating and often seen on tours, but you can also spot blue whales, humpback whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, coastal bottlenose dolphins, Risso's dolphins, and more on a tour with one of the many tour companies.

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  • 4

    Santa Barbara County Courthouse

    Explore the historic Superior Court and its beautiful gardens

    Santa Barbara County Courthouse
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    The Santa Barbara County Courthouse with its Spanish colonial style and historic charm is one of the most beautiful public buildings in the country. With its red-tile roof, a 4-faced clocktower, elegant architectural details, and a lush sunken garden, it’s one of the must-sees in the city.

    Inside, you can see the ornate wrought-iron decor and painted murals before venturing to the clock tower to see spectacular views of the city. After touring the interior, you can head out into the gardens to see the landscape and enjoy the sunshine.

    Location: 1100 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA, USA

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm, Friday from 10 am to 4.45 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

    Phone: +1 805-882-4520

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  • 5

    State Street

    Shop and dine along Santa Barbara's city centre road

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    State Street in City centre Santa Barbara is a beautiful palm-lined route that’s lined with a variety of shops, art galleries, boutiques, and eateries. You can spend hours just wandering in and out of the shops to see unique offerings from local vendors.

    State Street is also close to other attractions in the city centre area, such as the Granada Theatre, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and more shopping at La Arcada Courtyard. Even if you don't buy anything, just wandering through the area to see all the rare and one-of-a-kind goods is a great way to spend the afternoon in Santa Barbara.

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  • 6

    Santa Barbara Museum of Art

    From 20th-century paintings to modern ceramics

    Santa Barbara Museum of Art
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    The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is a fascinating art museum in the city centre area that boasts permanent and special collections of thousands of years of global artwork. The permanent collection holds paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, textiles, and other artwork from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

    Some of its highlights include Buddhist art, Western Pacific Rim photography, and 19th-century French art. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art also hosts events and special exhibitions highlighting particular artists or artistic periods.

    Location: La Arcada Courtyard, 1130 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

    Phone: +1 805-963-4364

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    photo by Jllm06 (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 7

    El Presidio de Santa Barbara

    Stroll inside an 18th-century Spanish fortress

    El Presidio de Santa Barbara
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    El Presidio Real de Santa Barbara is an intriguing museum within a former military installation that's meant to preserve the last Spanish fortress founded in Alta California in 1782. There are 2 of the fort’s original adobe buildings that stand today and are available for public tours.

    Throughout the park's various buildings, you'll see exhibits on the history of the presidio, different cultural influences in the city, and more. On a tour, you can visit the chapel, the Comandancia, Padre's Quarters, the Whittaker orchards, and the preserved archaeological site of the outer defence walls.

    Location: 123 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

    Open: Daily from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm

    Phone: +1 805-965-0093

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  • 8

    Arroyo Burro Beach

    Go on a picnic by the Pacific Ocean

    Arroyo Burro Beach
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    Arroyo Burro Beach is a beautiful sandy shore off the coastal bluffs in Santa Barbara that's popular for families and pet owners. The beach is dog-friendly, and many locals bring their pets to play in the sand.

    Surfers also flock to the waters for their spectacular breaks. For families, the beach has a grassy picnic area with barbecue grills and tables. After sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying some water sports, you can venture off the beach and have delicious seafood at one of the many waterfront restaurants.

    Location: 2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, USA

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 7 pm

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  • 9

    Fishing near Stearns Wharf

    Go fishing near Santa Barbara's historic pier

    Fishing near Stearns Wharf
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    Stearns Wharf is one of the longest deep-water wharves between San Francisco and San Pedro, making it one of the top fishing spots in Santa Barbara. The historic wharf is still in operation and is great for experiencing a little local heritage while enjoying seaside views.

    Along with fishing, you can wander the boardwalk to find souvenir shops, ice cream shops, indie boutiques, seafood restaurants, and tour operators for all types of water sports. The wharf is also home to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Centre, which teaches about local sea life with interactive exhibits.

    Location: 217 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

    Open: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 805-564-5530

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