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Top Things to Do in Santa Barbara California
If you are planning a trip to Santa Barbara California and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Santa Barbara is located 90 minutes north of Los Angeles and is a must-stop on a West Coast road trip. The city sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean on the American Riviera. You will find amazing weather, palm trees, bougainvillea, Spanish architecture, brick sidewalks, and open-air plazas. Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Santa Barbara bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Santa Barbara trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!
Read The Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles
Read Santa Ynez Valley’s Foxen Canyon Wine Trail
Things to Do in and Around Santa Barbara California
Go wine tasting on the Urban Wine Trail
Check out the architecture of the Presidio neighborhood
Browse the Sunday Art Walk on Cabrillo Blvd
Explore the Old Mission
Ride through town on the trolley
Check out the view from the Santa Barbara Courthouse
Shop for souvenirs on State Street
Take a walk along the boardwalk
Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo
Enjoy a glass of wine on an outdoor patio
Wander through Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
See the lotus pond at Ganna Walska Lotusland
Browse the Funk Zone galleries
Go mural hunting
See the largest fig tree in the world, the Moreton Bay Fig Tree
Grab some fresh fruit at the Saturday Farmer’s Market
Have lunch at the Santa Barbara Public Market
Check out the Arlington Theater
Photograph the Chromatic Gate
Browse the Monet collection at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Take the scenic Alameda Padre Serra drive
See the blue whale skeleton at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Watch the fishing boats unload the day’s catch
Hang out at Montecito’s Starbucks watching for celebrities
Check out La Arcada Plaza
Photograph the flags at Sterns Wharf
Check out Ablitt House
Watch a Sunday polo match
Spend an hour relaxing at Salt Cave
Attend a concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl
Photograph the Lost at Sea Memorial
Bike the waterfront
Go whale watching
Mountain bike the Tunnel Trail
Hike to Nojoqui Falls, Montecito Point, or Inspiration Point
Cruise to the Channel Islands
Go paddleboarding at Stearns Wharf
Surf at El Capitan Beach
Take a beachfront yoga class
Check out 1000 Steps Beach
Watch the sunset over Butterfly Beach
Go for a swim at Seven Falls
Cliff jump from Red Rock
Play volleyball on East Beach
Spend the day at Mesa Lane Beach
Have a picnic with a view at Lookout Park
Stop for a taco at La Super Rica Taqueria
Grab an ice cream at McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream
Eat clam chowder at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Drive out to Cold Springs Tavern for a tri-tip sandwich
Be sure to check the Santa Barbara California Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
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Plan Your Trip to Santa Barbara California
Southern California Travel Guide
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Santa Barbara Attractions and Day Tours
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Have a great vacation!