What Are The Things To Do In Santa Barbara? Know the Things You Cannot Miss
BY Sibashree Feb 2, 2026
I don’t just say it. I really believe that Santa Barbara is the most beautiful city in America. Seldom will you find any other American city with beautiful Spanish architecture and the bright bougainvillea flowers adding pops of color everywhere you look. Also, the sandy beaches connect the town to the ocean. There is a reason why Santa Barbara has the nickname of American Riviera. Along the California coast, the city between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this city grows on you. I have been here five times now, and in this blog, I will talk about the things to do in Santa Barbara. How To Plan A Day Trip In Santa Barbara? I always travel to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles. It takes me around 1.5 hours to cover the distance. You can also travel from Big Sur. Also, San Francisco is at a distance of around 5 hours from Santa Barbara. So, if you are traveling from San Francisco, you will have to stay in Santa Barbara. Meanwhile, San Francisco is one of the best family road trip destinations in the USA. Moreover, a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway is an experience in itself. A Day Trip In Santa Barbara: This Is Where You Will Start You can start your day trip in Santa Barbara from downtown. You will get free parking for the first 1 hour and 15 minutes. Then, visit the Visitors Center on State Street. This is where you will get an overview of the main attractions in the city. The Downtown area is very walkable, and I loved exploring it on foot. 1. Morning In Santa Barbara Downtown Old Mission Santa Barbara became my instant favorite on the first visit. Also known as the Queen of the Missions, it was built in 1786. This is where you will learn about the rich Native American and Spanish history. My next stop was the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. I climbed to the terracotta tile roof of the Clock Tower. From there, the views of the Pacific Ocean were stunning. The Santa Ynez Mountains in the backdrop add to its scenic appeal. Another hidden gem in the area is the Mural Room. It is a place to learn about the history of California. Moreover, if you have the time, you can take a wine tasting tour in the nearby wineries. 2. Midday In Santa Barbara After I came back from the wine tasting, I took a stroll on State Street. I loved the gift shops and art galleries here and collected some souvenirs. Though I had plans of having lunch at La Super-Rica Taqueria after a short drive, I settled for the best Mexican food in Santa Barbara at Santo Mezcal. Then, I headed to the Santa Barbara Harbor and took a tour for $20.You can even go for fishing and whale-watching tours here. Now, with the lunch done and a harbor tour, I was feeling too sleepy to take a walk. So, I rented a bike from Wheel Fun Rentals. Trust me! Exploring the waterfront on a bike is so much fun. 3. Afternoon: The Ultimate Beach Time I was done with my wine exploring in the morning. I loved the Funk Zone neighborhood. So, my afternoon was reserved for the beaches. I took a short ride to Shoreline Park and was mesmerized by the Channel Islands. This is another great spot for whale watching in Santa Barbara. If You Want To Have A Wine Tour In The Afternoon You can explore the Santa Ynez Valley or explore the Urban Wine Trail for wine tasting. As I mentioned earlier, I loved The Funk Zone neighborhood, and it still bears the lifestyle of a former fisherman’s locality. You can even take a short drive to Los Olivos. Moreover, if you want to be at the heart of wine tasting in Santa Barbara, you have to be in Paso Robles. 4. Cultural Explorations In Late Afternoon El Presidio is the offbeat cultural destination I came across in Santa Barbara. It is a historic Spanish fortress that many tourists miss due to its location on an off-beat path. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art and MOXI Museum are the other cultural attractions I visited in Santa Barbara. 5. Sunset View And Dinner In Santa Barbara Shoreline Park is the best place to see the Sun going down in the Pacific Ocean. You can also take a drive for 10 minutes to Butterfly Beach for an amazing sunset view. The Funk Zone was again my go-to place for dinner. I loved the farm-to-table experience at The Lark. Moreover, I ended my day with a McConnell’s ice cream. This organization has been running since 1949. More Places To Explore If you have the time, you can also add a visit to the following places to your Santa Barbara itinerary. 1. Channel Islands National Park A visit to the Channel Islands National Park is going to take a full day. However, if you are short on time, you can take a cruise and enjoy the views of the National Park. 2. Los Padres National Forest Los Padres National Forest is the ideal place for hiking in the wilderness. The Inspiration Point is the best trail here. You can enjoy the panoramic views as you hike on this trail. Moreover, this is a beginner-friendly trail. 3. Santa Cruz Island Santa Cruz Island from Santa Barbara is ideal for an overnight trip. It is the biggest among the Channel Islands. I took a cruise ride from Santa Barbara to the Santa Cruz Island. Cruises are available from the harbor area. What Are The Tips For The Perfect Day Trip In Santa Barbara? The shoulder seasons or the fall and spring months, are the best time for a perfect day trip in Santa Barbara. Also, though whale watching is a year-round activity here, September to October is the best time to spot humpback whales and blue whales. The water of the Santa Barbara Channel becomes nutrient-rich in these months. Moreover, from September to November, you can spot the orcas here.