The Top Fun Things To Do In Santa Barbara

1. Hikes and Hand-Gliding At Arroyo Burro Beach

Straight from a postcard, the dramatic landscape of Arroyo Burro Beach is shaped by rocky bluffs, tree covered slopes, and hiking trails. Just atop Arroyo Burro is the Douglas Family Preserve. Named after Kirk Douglas, the park has over 70 acres of hiking trails and is home to many species of flora and fauna for bird-watching and nature-seeing. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, take off from their hand-glider launch and fly over the beach. Hungry? We love the Boathouse Restaurant with beachfront views and bright seafood fare.  Pro-Tip: their small parking lot fills up quick! Head over before 10:30am or after 6:30pm to secure a spot.

2. Sip and Swirl Fine Wines at The Hilt Estate

Venture into a world-class winery disguised as a glamorous estate at The Hilt in the Sta. Rita Hills. Whether you love a Pinot Noir or a Chardonnay, The Hilt offers refined red and white varietals in their unpretentious “tasting barn” with views of their expansive vineyard for as little as $40. But if you want some VIP treatment, we love their Private Library Tasting. In private seating near a fire, you can venture into rare wines from The Hilt, as well as varietals from their sister winery, JONATA.

3. Surfing and Boating at Santa Barbara Harbor

Atop the Santa Barbara Waterfront, there are plenty of fun things to do at The Harbor. Adjacent to Leadbetter Beach, the Harbor is an epicenter of water adventures like sailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding! If you were looking for a more chill day on the water, try renting a boat from the Santa Barbara Sailing Center. They offer both sailboats and powered boats for rent, but if driving your own boat isn’t up your alley, you can still enjoy the water on a guided cruise tour. We love Condor Express’ whale-watching tour. But if you ever need a spontaneous beach excursion, Leadbetter beach is right next door. Pro-tip: the Harbor offers seasonal parades, markets, and live music throughout the year. Click here for a schedule of upcoming events. 

4. Dinner, Drinks, and a Show at the State Street Promenade

You can do more than see fantastic art on State Street. This downtown street stretches ten blocks and is bustling with nightlife from trendy restaurants to upscale wine bars. Not to mention, the Santa Barbara Public Market embraces food and drink from the central California coast with artisan eateries in a food hall setting. And if you want to catch a show, check out the Arlington Theatre for live music, and the 1924 Granada Theatre for a play.

5. Flora and Fauna at Santa Barbara Zoo and Botanic Garden

Home to over 100 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, the Santa Barbara Zoo is a fun thing to do with the whole family. We just visited and fell in love with this Zoo!! Spend about 2-3 hours here and you will see kangaroos, lions, giraffes and more! Tickets are $15 for kids and $25 for adults, and unlike most Zoos, the Santa Barbara Zoo has an expansive botanical garden over 78 acres wide atop the Pacific Ocean. Featuring over 1000 native plants to California, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is split into 11 distinct sections, each showcasing an entire ecosystem like the Redwood forrest, the California desert, and the tropics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6. Sight Seeing and Picnics at Old Mission Santa Barbara

Some of the most beautiful architecture in the west can be found at Old Mission Santa Barbara. Also known as the “Queen of the Missions”, this historic landmark features their mission church, cemetery and gift shop. The historic charm of its Spanish-style architecture, and lush landscape of the San Ynez mountains and Pacific Ocean makes Old Mission worth the stop. But grab your picnic basket and your friends for a beautiful lunch on the lawn of the Mission Rose Garden. Self-guided tours start at $10 for children and $15 for adults, but for more information, click here.

7. Sunbathing and Volleyball At East Beach

We could dedicate an entire article to how much we love Santa Barbara’s beaches. East Beach is perfect for friends and families to explore the best of Santa Barbara’s culture and scenery. Sandwiched between Stearns Wharf and the historic Bellosguardo Estate, East Beach is everyone’s favorite spot for a day of fun in the sun in Santa Barbara. Lined with volleyball courts and sandcastles, East Beach has fun things to do whether you’re a beach sports aficionado or just down for a long afternoon of sunbathing.

8. Shopping and Seafood at Stearns Wharf

This charming waterfront in Santa Barbara is smaller than Fisherman’s Wharf and the Long Beach Waterfront, but has just enough fun things to do! Kick off the day at Moby Dick for their Santa Barbara Omelets and oceanfront views. Then, walk down the boardwalk to Old Wharf Trading, where you’ll find racks of cute clothes and souvenirs. If you want to take a dip, our beloved East Beach is next door. But if you’d rather stay out of the sun, we love stopping for treats at Mother Stearns Candy Shop and at the Great Pacific Ice Cream Company. Need more to eat? The lobster roll at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is to die for, complete with oceanside views and good drinks.

9. See World Class Art at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Smack in the middle of State Street, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art hosts over 25,000 artworks from around the world, with a flare for sculptures, paintings, and ceramics. Tuesday through Sunday, they are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pro-tip: Thursday night is the time to go! With free admission during extended museum hours from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday. 

And for more to do in Southern California, check out our list of The Best Things To Do in Coronado Island here