Top 15 best things to do
in Santa Barbara

What is it?
A natural history museum featuring over 3.5 million objects and the Central Coast's only planetarium.

Why should you go?
Spread across 17 acres of oak woodland along Mission Creek, the Museum of Natural History is one of the best visitor attractions in Santa Barbara for kids and adults alike. It boasts state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, both indoor and outdoor, covering everything from zoology to anthropology. You can discover prehistoric and modern animals, catch a free show at its full-dome planetarium, and check out a live shark touch pool at the museum's Sea Center on Stearns Wharf.

Specialization
Natural History

Perfect for
Families and anyone interested in the history and diversity of life

What is it?
A 78-acre botanical garden with a wide range of native Californian plants and over 5 miles of walking trails.

Why should you go?
California is one of the most biologically rich areas in the USA, and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is the best place to admire the diversity of the state's native plants and explore its unique natural landscape. It is easy to spend the whole day taking miles of easy walking trails crisscrossing various sections, from the iconic poppy meadow to the redwood forest with towering trees. As a bonus, you can enjoy the views of the ocean and the Channel Islands from the lookout point.

Specialization
Nature & Horticulture

Perfect for
Nature lovers, plant enthusiasts, families

What is it?
An 18th-century Spanish mission known for its elegant architecture and designated a US National Historic Landmark.

Why should you go?
Often referred to as the 'Queen of the Missions' for its graceful beauty, this photogenic landmark is one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara to go back in time to the Spanish colonial era. Founded in 1786 by the Spanish Franciscans, it still serves as a home for a community of Franciscan friars and also houses a museum. Visit the historical Old Mission to admire its twin bell towers, marvel at hand-painted frescoes, and learn more about California's colonial past.

Specialization
History, Religion & Architecture

Perfect for
History buffs, architecture lovers, culture enthusiasts, religious visitors

What is it?
One of the country's best small zoos, famous for its interactive exhibits and an impressive variety of animals.

Why should you go?
Sitting on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the zoo is one of the most fun places to visit in Santa Barbara for a perfect family outing. A stroll around this zoological park is like taking a journey around the world, accompanied by animals. You can walk around free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies at the Australian Walkabout exhibit, watch the playful antics of the cute Humboldt penguins, feed giraffes, and marvel at big cats, including the rarest Amur leopard.

Specialization
Animals

Perfect for
Families, animal lovers

What is it?
A 90-minute narrated tour of the city's main attractions aboard a nostalgic trolley car.

Why should you go?
Taking a trolley tour of local hot spots is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara if you are short on time or do not feel like walking. Its fine-tuned route covers nearly all the city's must-sees, from the spectacular Spanish-style Courthouse to California's oldest working wharf, just to name a few. Hop on board to explore the city in a fun and relaxing way, learn more about its history and sights, and note places that you might want to return to later.

Specialization
Sightseeing

Perfect for
Everyone

What is it?
A museum that houses a collection of Asian, American, and European art ranging from antiquities to modern installations.

Why should you go?
Strolling through galleries filled with antiquities from China and masterpieces of French Impressionism is among the top things to do in Santa Barbara if you are in the mood for museum hopping. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art boasts an impressive permanent collection spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity and a busy schedule of rotating exhibitions. Get there to marvel at paintings by Claude Monet and a show-stopping mural by Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros.

Specialization
Art & Design

Perfect for
Art lovers

What is it?
A picturesque marina packed with various water-based activities, seafood restaurants, and a maritime museum.

Why should you go?
The Santa Barbara Harbor is a charming recreational spot, offering plenty of activities both in and out of the water. You can wander along the breakwater looking for harbor seals, rent a boat or kayak, catch a thrill jet skiing, or glimpse into California's nautical past at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Take a whale-watching tour, which is one of the most exciting and cool things to do in Santa Barbara, or finish your day with an awe-inspiring sunset cruise.

Specialization
Recreation

Perfect for
Couples, families, water sports enthusiasts

What is it?
A collection of over 20 wineries and tasting rooms located in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Summerland.

Why should you go?
Taking the Urban Wine Trail is one of the best activities in Santa Barbara for wine enthusiasts. It offers you a unique opportunity to taste a wide variety of wines from local producers without having to travel to individual vineyards. The trail stretches across several districts, but the largest concentration of wineries can be found in the Funk Zone area, which is worth visiting not only for wine but also for its creative atmosphere, colorful street art, and vibrant nightlife.

Specialization
Wine Culture

Perfect for
Wine enthusiasts, couples, groups of friends

What is it?
A popular hiking destination and a beautiful lookout offering panoramic views of the ocean and the cityscape.

Why should you go?
A hike to Inspiration Point is one of the most popular things to do in Santa Barbara for outdoor enthusiasts, and the name of this destination says it all. Sitting at about 1,800 feet in the Santa Ynez Mountains, it opens spectacular views of the ocean and the entire city of Santa Barbara. This point can be reached via different trails, the shortest of which will make for about a 3.5-mile roundtrip with scenic overlooks and opportunities to spot local wildlife.

Specialization
Nature & Recreation

Perfect for
Hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, nature lovers

What is it?
The oldest continuously operating theater in California and one of the city's architectural landmarks.

Why should you go?
Santa Barbara boasts a number of beautiful theaters offering plays, music shows, and dance performances, but the Lobero is the jewel in this crown. Founded in 1873 and rebuilt in 1924, this historic venue is beloved for its old-world charm and intimate atmosphere. The theater offers a diverse array of performances year-round, and you can catch almost any type of show, from a jazz concert to a ballet or even a magic show.

Specialization
Performing Arts

Perfect for
Theatergoers, jazz lovers, architecture lovers

What is it?
A hands-on museum featuring several themes related to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

Why should you go?
Visiting the interactive and playful Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation, also known as MOXI, is one of the most fun things to do in Santa Barbara. The museum houses plenty of hands-on exhibits and installations spanning three floors. You can build a race car and race it on the Speed Track, create sound effects for popular film clips in the Sound Studios, and check out the Sky Gallery on the rooftop, which offers fantastic views of the city.

Specialization
Science, Technology & Entertainment

Perfect for
Families, science geeks, and curious kids of all ages

What is it?
California's oldest working wharf, famous for its long wooden pier, bustling fish market, and plenty of dining options.

Why should you go?
Built in 1872, the historic Stearns Wharf has turned into one of the city's landmarks and most popular spots in the area. In the early morning, it offers a chance to buy fresh seafood straight from the fishing boats. A couple of hours later, it turns into a hip dining and shopping attraction. Best of all, it provides stunning views of the impossibly blue ocean, the bustling harbor, and the Santa Ynez Mountains at any time of the day.

Specialization
Recreation, Dining & Shopping

Perfect for
Everyone

What is it?
A long, narrow ocean-side park providing stunning views, BBQ and picnic facilities, and a whale-watching area.

Why should you go?
One of the city's most popular parks, Shoreline Park offers some of the best things to do in Santa Barbara. Its expansive lawns are equally great for playing Frisbee or laying back and taking in the scenery. The numerous meandering paths and fascinating ocean views make it an amazing place for romantic strolls. The stairway will lead you to the beach and tidal pool, and the area with binoculars will give you a chance to see whales.

Specialization
Nature & Recreation

Perfect for
Everyone

What is it?
A scenic bike trail stretching from Leadbetter Beach west of the Santa Barbara Harbor to Butterfly Beach in Montecito.

Why should you go?
Biking is an extremely popular activity in the city, and riding the flat and easy Cabrillo Boulevard Bike Path with scenic ocean views is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara. You will bike about 4.5 miles along the beautiful coastline, passing by a number of attractions and stopping for souvenir shopping at Stearns Wharf, for a picnic at Chase Palm Park, and for taking photos almost everywhere because this ride is as picturesque as a postcard.

Specialization
Recreation & Sightseeing

Perfect for
Cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, families

What is it?
A stunning 37-acre botanical garden in the hills of Montecito recognized as one of the world's best gardens.

Why should you go?
The former estate of Polish opera singer and garden enthusiast Ganna Walska, located just a 10-minute drive from Santa Barbara, is a tropical and subtropical garden wonderland with over 3,000 plant species from all over the world. In addition to the garden's namesake lotus flowers, you will see a collection of rare, prehistoric-looking cycad plants, walk through a silvery-blue forest, explore the 'zoo' of topiary animals, and many more.

Specialization
Nature & Horticulture

Perfect for
Nature lovers, plant enthusiasts