Things to Do in Santa Barbara

Embodying beauty, rustic charm, tourism, and a feel of the ocean, Stearns Wharf is Santa Barbara’s number one tourist attraction. Built by lumberman John P. Stearns in 1872, Stearns Wharf has a long and decorated history including naval appropriation and one great conflagration which all but destroyed it. Nowadays the pier is a bustling center for shops, restaurants, and fishermen.

Santa Barbara’s historic three-dolphin statue marks the pier’s entrance at the bottom of State Street, where cars and pedestrians alike head out over the deep blue water to do a bit of wine tasting, souvenir shopping, pay a visit to the Ty Warner Sea Center, or just to get a great view of Santa Barbara from a different angle. Bring a camera and the kids – enjoying the beauty of Stearns Wharf is one of Santa Barbara’s highlights.

The most beautiful zoo in the world?  While this might sound like a bold statement, the lions with their oceanfront view wouldn’t likely quibble about it. Located on 30 acres right across from the ocean, this small zoo has repeatedly been voted one of the best in the nation, particularly for children.

Over 600 animals fill the zoo’s various exhibits. Cats of Africa feature African lions and black-footed cats, while The Forest’s Edge features western lowland gorillas of Congo fame, while California Trails proudly displays the fauna of California, including the ultra-rare Californian Condor. Also popular are the Asian elephants, the giraffe exhibit, 100-year old tortoises, a petting farm, and a colony of Humboldt penguins.

Founded in 1916 and nestled into the rock and oak of the surrounding area, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a cluster of Spanish-Revival buildings surrounding a beautiful courtyard, all set to inspire the love of nature and passion for the natural world.

Children and adults alike will enjoy the expertly preserved displays of birds, insects, mammals, and sea life of the area, while the newly renovated full-dome planetarium always inspires wonder with nightly voyages through the stars. Kids especially enjoy clambering over boulders, building forts, and making mud-pies in the Museum Backyard, while a to-scale replica of a blue whale skeleton makes for interesting games of freeze tag. Let your inner child out, and explore the natural wonder of the world we live in at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

One of the most famous Catholic monuments in the city, Mission Santa Barbara has come to represent all that is historic and cultural in the area as one of the longest continuously operating missions in California. Visitors who venture to this 1786 Catholic outpost will find beautiful construction of stunning stonework, impressive columns and two sky-high domed towers, as well as plenty of local history.

After the great earthquake of 1925 ruined much of the city, an opportunity arose to give this beloved city by the sea something that would reflect the areas culture and beauty; something that would both honor and impress its residents. Designed in Spanish-Moorish style and completed in 1929, the Santa Barbara Courthouse is now one of the main tourist attractions on a visit to the American Riviera.

One of the most beautiful government buildings in all of the United States, the Santa Barbara Courthouse is a working courthouse, but visitors are encouraged to explore what its grounds hold in store for them. Here you’ll find the Sunken gardens where many weddings take place, an elevator to the 85-foot “El Mirador” clock tower for a panoramic view of downtown Santa Barbara, many hand-painted rooms full of detail (including the fantastic Mural Room), the Spirit of the Ocean fountain, and many wrought-iron hand-rails and window coverings which make the courthouse what it is – spectacular.

It should come as no surprise that a city hailed for its beautiful coastline should consider its waterfront the #1 tourist attraction in the area. With a variety of restaurants, boating and sport fishing tours, a bird sanctuary, bike path, and a beautiful promenade connecting the Waterfront to the rest of the downtown area, the Santa Barbara Waterfront is, without a doubt, one of the glittering gems of Santa Barbara.

From State Street (the area’s main business street) head East to see Chase Palm Park (home to Sunday art-walks and where many a pickup soccer game begins), the Santa Barbara Skate Park, and the Bird Sanctuary. Head West from State Street and find the Harbor, Waterfront Museum, several restaurants, and water sports adventure tours.

Whether it be shopping, dining, art viewing, people viewing, or a night out on town – if you’re in Santa Barbara, State Street has got what you’re looking for. With so many restaurants, art galleries, boutique outlets, coffee shops and bars, Santa Barbara’s main thoroughfare attracts visitors year-round.

A lively downtown ambiance, these brick-lined sidewalks are the pride of the city and boast public artworks, lit palm-trees and lively street performers. See a show at the newly refurbished and grand Granada Theater, have a mojito in the open air at Carlitos, or catch the lovely farmers’ market Tuesday afternoons – it’s all glitz on Santa Barbara’s State Street.