Santa Barbara is a coastal city on California's Central Coast, about a hundred miles northwest of Los Angeles, where the Santa Ynez Mountains rise steeply behind a south-facing shoreline.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
September and October for warm, clear days; spring for green hills and wildflowers.
How long
Three days for the city, beaches and a day in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Getting there
Fly into Santa Barbara Airport, ride Amtrak along the coast or drive US Route 101.
Why visit Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara manages to feel both relaxed and cultured. You can walk from a palm-lined beach to a world-class small museum, then on to a tasting room pouring wine from vineyards less than an hour away.
History runs deep. The Chumash people lived along this coast for thousands of years before Spanish soldiers founded a presidio in 1782 and Franciscan missionaries established the mission four years later.
Food and wine are another reason to come.
The Mission, the Courthouse and historic downtown
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Known as the Queen of the Missions, Mission Santa Barbara stands on a rise above the city with the mountains behind it. The current stone church, completed in 1820, has a facade inspired by a Roman temple and is the only California mission with twin bell towers.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Often called one of the most beautiful public buildings in America, the courthouse was completed in 1929 and still houses working courtrooms.
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
A few blocks from State Street, this park preserves and reconstructs parts of the Spanish military outpost founded in 1782, the last of four presidios built in Alta California. El Cuartel, one of the original adobe buildings, is among the oldest structures in the state.
State Street and the paseos
State Street is the main artery of downtown, and its central blocks have been turned into a pedestrian promenade with outdoor dining. Duck into the paseos, Spanish-style arcades and courtyards such as El Paseo, to find shops and cafes away from the street.
The waterfront and the beaches
Stearns Wharf
At the foot of State Street, Stearns Wharf was built in 1872 and is one of the oldest working wharves on the West Coast.
The Funk Zone
Between the beach and the railroad tracks, a few blocks of old warehouses have become the Funk Zone, an arts and food district with murals, galleries and many wine tasting rooms.
East Beach and the beachfront path
East Beach is the city's main sandy beach, stretching east of the wharf with volleyball courts, a bike path and the Cabrillo Boulevard promenade. On Sundays, the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show sets up along the waterfront.
Butterfly Beach and Montecito
In neighboring Montecito, Butterfly Beach is a narrow strip of sand below a low seawall, one of the few local beaches that faces west toward the sunset. Montecito's Coast Village Road and the Upper Village have upscale shops and cafes under oak trees.
Shoreline Park and Arroyo Burro Beach
West of the harbor, Shoreline Park runs along the bluffs of the Mesa neighborhood, with grassy lawns and views where you may spot dolphins and, in season, whales.
Gardens, trails and day trips
Ganna Walska Lotusland
Lotusland is a famously eccentric botanical garden in Montecito, created over several decades by opera singer Ganna Walska.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
In Mission Canyon above the Old Mission, this garden focuses on California native plants, with trails through meadows, a redwood grove and a historic mission dam built by Chumash laborers. Allow one to two hours.
Front country trails
The Santa Ynez Mountains rise right behind the city. Popular trails such as Inspiration Point, Rattlesnake Canyon and Cold Spring offer views over the city and coast in a few hours.
Santa Ynez Valley
About forty-five minutes over San Marcos Pass, the Santa Ynez Valley is a landscape of oak-dotted hills, horse ranches and vineyards.
Food and local flavors
Seafood is the star. Santa Barbara spot prawns, sweet and delicate, are prized by chefs, and local sea urchin, or uni, is shipped to sushi bars around the world.
Farmers markets are a way of life here.
Mexican food has deep roots in the city, with taquerias along Milpas Street on the Eastside. La Super-Rica Taqueria, a small, long-established spot famously praised by Julia Child, still draws lines for its handmade tortillas.
Popular dishes to try in Santa Barbara
Where to stay
Downtown suits first-time visitors who want to walk to museums, restaurants and nightlife along State Street.
The waterfront and West Beach put you between the beach, the harbor and the Funk Zone.
Montecito is quieter and more exclusive, with luxurious resorts and Butterfly Beach close by.
The Mesa and the Riviera are residential hillside areas with vacation rentals, views and a local feel, best if you have a car.
Where to stay in Santa Barbara
Best time to visit
Santa Barbara is pleasant year-round, but late summer and autumn, from August to October, often bring the warmest, clearest days.
Spring is a fine time for green hills, wildflowers and fewer crowds.
Major events include the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in winter, the Summer Solstice Celebration and parade in late June, and Old Spanish Days, known as Fiesta, in early August with music, dancing and markets.
Getting there and getting around
Santa Barbara Airport, in Goleta, has direct flights from several western hubs and is about fifteen minutes from downtown. Many travelers fly into Los Angeles instead and drive about two hours north on US Route 101, or take a shuttle bus.
Downtown and the waterfront are easy to explore on foot, by bike or on the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District buses and shuttles that connect State Street with the waterfront.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start at the Old Mission, then walk or drive to the County Courthouse and climb El Mirador. After lunch on State Street, explore the paseos and El Presidio.
Second day
Hike Inspiration Point or visit the Botanic Garden in the morning. Spend the afternoon on East Beach or biking the waterfront path, then taste wine along the Urban Wine Trail before dinner.
Third day
Visit Lotusland if you have a reservation, followed by lunch in Montecito and an hour on Butterfly Beach.
Practical tips
- Reserve Lotusland visits well in advance, as spaces are limited.
- Book hotels early for summer weekends, Fiesta in August and holiday periods.
- Pack layers; mornings and evenings near the coast can be cool even in summer.
- Start hikes early, carry water and check for trail closures after fires or rain.
- Use a designated driver, shuttle or tour for wine tasting in the Funk Zone or Santa Ynez Valley.
- Arrive at the Saturday farmers market early for the best produce.
Find local businesses in Santa Barbara on WiserMap
Planning meals, bike rentals, wine tours or a beach day?
