Things to do in Santa Barbara

Activities, attractions and tours

Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County Courthouse featuring heritage architecture and a luxury hotel or resort
Channel Islands National Park
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park which includes a church or cathedral
Santa Barbara County Courthouse which includes an administrative buidling, heritage architecture and a garden
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Most popular experiences in Santa Barbara

Tours & day trips

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Los Angeles Day Trip to Santa Barbara via Oxnard-Amtrak Coast Starlight

Los Angeles Day Trip to Santa Barbara via Oxnard-Amtrak Coast Starlight

Activity duration is 10 hours and 55 minutes
6.6 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is P 11,452 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara

Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara

Activity duration is 1 hour
Free cancellation available
Price is P 11,156 per traveler*
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Adventure & outdoor

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Santa Barbara: Zipline Tour with 4x4 Humvee Ride

Santa Barbara: Zipline Tour with 4x4 Humvee Ride

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is P 8,592 per adult
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Water activities

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Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is P 5,254 per adult
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Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 3 activities
Solvang: Ghost Hunting and Dark History Tour

Solvang: Ghost Hunting and Dark History Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is P 3,247 per adult
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What to do in Santa Barbara

Popular places to visit

West Beach

West Beach

Nothing says vacation like spending a lazy day at West Beach, a popular beach in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the seaside or seek out the biking trails.

West Beach
Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

Why not visit the native and exotic animals who call Santa Barbara Zoo home during your trip to Santa Barbara? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Harbor

Santa Barbara Harbor

Explore the waterfront in Santa Barbara with a trip to Santa Barbara Harbor. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Santa Barbara Harbor
Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf

Explore the waterfront of Stearns Wharf and enjoy other activities such as biking in Santa Barbara. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Stearns Wharf
Santa Barbara County Courthouse featuring heritage architecture and a luxury hotel or resort

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

See the best views of Santa Barbara and enjoy a stunning variety of architectural styles at the city’s historic courthouse.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Upper State Street

Upper State Street

During your visit to Santa Barbara, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Upper State Street. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its charming coffeehouses.

Upper State Street
Butterfly Beach

Butterfly Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Butterfly Beach during your travels in Santa Barbara? Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this romantic area.

Butterfly Beach
Mission Santa Barbara

Mission Santa Barbara

Learn about the local history of Santa Barbara with a stop at Mission Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Mission Santa Barbara
Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Miramar Beach during your trip to Santa Barbara? Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this romantic area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

Miramar Beach

Areas of Santa Barbara

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Montecito

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Montecito. A stop by Miramar Beach or Butterfly Beach might round out your trip.

Montecito
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Santa Barbara Beach

Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Stearns Wharf and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.

Santa Barbara Beach
Santa Barbara showing a coastal town

Downtown Santa Barbara

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Granada Theatre might round out your trip.

Downtown Santa Barbara
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West Beach

While visiting West Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Barbara Harbor and West Beach.

West Beach
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East Beach

East Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like East Beach and Santa Barbara Zoo.

East Beach
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The Mesa

While visiting The Mesa, you might make a stop by sights like Leadbetter Beach and Arroyo Burro Beach.

The Mesa
Carpinteria

Carpinteria

Goleta

Goleta

Santa Ynez Valley which includes mountains and tranquil scenes

Santa Ynez

Summerland

Summerland

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Barbara worth visiting?
Santa Barbara has a unique blend of culture, attractions and local charm. Whether you're into history, the outdoors or traditional food, there are many things you'll find here.
How do I spend a day in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara Zoo and Stearns Wharf are two great places to begin your vacation adventures. Be sure to explore the shopping and dining options in Santa Barbara while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Barbara?
The top tourist attraction in Santa Barbara is Santa Barbara Zoo, so don't forget to put it on your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Barbara?
Three days in Santa Barbara is more than enough to visit the city's key attractions. Many guests book for two days on average. Santa Barbara Zoo, Stearns Wharf and Butterfly Beach are top-rated sights. Like to discover more? Stick around a bit longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Ventura.
Is Santa Barbara a walkable city?
Some top sights in Santa Barbara, such as Santa Barbara Zoo and Stearns Wharf, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's neighborhoods on foot. Just 2 kilometers from central Santa Barbara is Santa Barbara Beach and West Beach is 2 kilometers away.
What are some activities to do in Santa Barbara with kids?
Whether you're traveling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, a fun-filled itinerary makes a big difference. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Santa Barbara with kids.

What to do in Santa Barbara for adults?
UC SB Events Center and Santa Barbara County Courthouse are just two of the things to do in Santa Barbara. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Santa Barbara?
From checking out parks to wandering around hip neighborhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Santa Barbara. If you need inspiration, ask for tips from a local tour guide. Stearns Wharf is a top spot for anyone wishing to save on their travel adventures.