Best Places to Visit in Santa Barbara

Best Places to Visit in Santa Barbara

With Santa Barbara’s reputation as a beautiful travel destination, complete with beaches, stunning architecture and inviting appeal, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with opportunity — and it’s even easier to even forget about the places that don’t directly meet the eye. But once you do know what’s there, you won’t want to miss out on the chance to build your perfect vacation. Here are the best places to visit in Santa Barbara that you’ll want to add to your list of musts. 

Featured Photo: Courtesy of Haizhan Zheng

An elevated wooden pier extends over turquoise water, with palm trees dotting the shore and small white buildings in the distance. The background features a range of steep mountains under a clear blue sky—a scene reminiscent of the best places to visit Santa Barbara or explore Los Angeles.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
805.962.2526

This marine life experience shares the opportunity to learn about what lives below the water’s surface — specifically, ones that reside in the Santa Barbara Channel. A surfaced jellyfish or piece of kelp will become recognizable after exploring the Sea Center’s exhibit “Dive In: Our Changing Channel,” and even with the smallest interest in marine biology, visitors can use what’s learned to also experiment with common tools used by the experts. The Sea Center is also part of the White Abalone Restoration Consortium, which is working to revive this snail species from its near-extinction status. 

A historic mission with two bell towers and a picturesque garden filled with desert plants is set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a clear blue sky. Perfect for those looking to explore Los Angeles or seeking the best places to visit in Santa Barbara, it is bathed in warm sunlight, highlighting its white facade and red-tiled roof.

Old Mission Santa Barbara

Established in 1786, the Mission now stands as an opportunity to learn about local culture and admire the older architecture and 15 acres of grounds; some even still reside here, mainly being Franciscan Friars. Some of the sights to be seen include the church, cemetery, multiple gardens and a museum, all of which provide an immersive, vast experience that will transport you into Santa Barbara’s history. Self-guided and guided tours are both available and events are also sometimes held, too — sip on some wine or beer and get to know the history even more intimately if that’s preferred. 

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art building, one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara, features a white facade with arched windows and a banner depicting an exhibit. "Museum of Art" is displayed on a stone sign at the front. Steps lead up to the entrance, surrounded by greenery and ambient lighting.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

This art museum has been open to its community since 1941 and is currently home to pieces created in a plethora of mediums and representing many different international origins. In fact, the Museum is home to 25,000 pieces, each of which tells a unique story that hopes to educate and inspire those who choose to visit. Origins for the art can span all over the world, but many of them are specific to China, India, Greece, Rome, Egypt, and the Near East. There is a permanent collection that visitors can rely on seeing, but there are also specialized exhibitions that some will be lucky enough to see as well.

A serene outdoor pool is surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation. Exotic plants with long, spiky leaves and hanging fronds frame the scene. A stone path lines the edge of the clear blue water, creating a tranquil oasis amidst the greenery—one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara.

Lotusland

Lotusland offers over 37 acres of beautifully curated gardens and architecture to be explored, and the peaceful atmosphere isn’t something to miss. While it is home to many specific and special gardens, some include aloe, fern, Australian, Japanese and water gardens. Among all of Lotusland’s gardens are some species that are threatened by habitat destruction, but here, they are protected, researched and conserved, making Lotusland a powerful cause to contribute to in addition to admiring its beauty. The property itself is rich in history and prominence, having been used for similar purposes dating all the way back to the 1880s. 

A picturesque street scene at sunset in one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara, featuring a Spanish-style building with a clock, tall palm trees, and illuminated shopfronts. The sky is tinged with pink and blue as cars and bicycles leisurely explore the charming road.

State Street Promenade

Coming to Santa Barbara means it’s almost necessary to check this off of your list. State Street is at the heart of the city’s downtown and encompasses as many as 10 blocks of shops, restaurants and places to visit, all of which is only available for pedestrians. With so many choices and ways to customize an experience on State Street, it can be easy to fit into any schedule — and it’s worth it just as it is easy. Additionally, there’s a farmer’s market held every Tuesday on blocks 600 and 700 from 2:45 to 6:30 p.m. and a marketplace every Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. that both spotlight local artistry, food and so much more. 

A trailhead leading into a dense shrubland, marked by a sign reading "Coronado Butterfly Preserve" and featuring information boards about the area. This is one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara, where you can enjoy a dirt path lined with greenery on both sides under a clear blue sky.

Coronado Butterfly Preserve

There are 9.3 acres of this preserve, and it’s all dedicated to protecting the native wildlife, insects, trees and plants, including eucalyptus and native coastal sage scrub habitat. Luckily, there are also hiking trails and meadows open to the public so that anyone will have the chance to embrace Santa Barbara as being home to many species. And true to its name, California’s largest Monarch butterfly groves are nearby and can be actively enjoyed during butterfly season. The most ideal time to visit for peak action is from November to February, but any time of the year will still be beautiful and lively. 

A historic adobe building with a red-tiled roof, partially obscured by a large, leafy tree. The structure has multiple windows with iron grilles and signs indicating it is the San Juan Capistrano Historical Museum, one of the best places to visit in Southern California. The sky is clear and blue.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Santa Barbara is rich in history and stories that need to be told, and the Historical Museum has been dedicated to sharing them since 1932. To tell these stories, the Museum showcases anything ranging from art, clothing and furniture — they create an educational experience that will draw anyone in and let them leave as a much more knowledgeable Santa Barbara visitor, or even resident. Just like many other museums, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum frequently hosts events and talks to take their mission to inform beyond their exhibitions.

An outdoor restaurant with several patrons seated at tables under large green umbrellas. The tables have wicker chairs with red and white patterns. The building features large windows and a sign reading "Margerum." A host stand is present near the entrance, making it one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara.

The Funk Zone

137 Anacapa St. (near lower State Street), Santa Barbara
Contact them here.

Unique to other famed Santa Barbara locations, the Funk Zone encompasses multiple historic buildings, businesses and creatively educational art installations. Visitors can build their own experience based on preference, such as by exploring art via local galleries, tasting the food of popular cafes and restaurants, or perhaps even indulging in a combination of both. To fully commit to the Funk Zone experience, they provide a mapped guide so that each location can be fully appreciated in a way that will be memorable yet efficient. The Funk Zone even hosts the occasional event to spotlight the different participating artists and create a deeper experience for anyone interested. 

A historic mission with two bell towers and a picturesque garden filled with desert plants is set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a clear blue sky. Perfect for those looking to explore Los Angeles or seeking the best places to visit in Santa Barbara, it is bathed in warm sunlight, highlighting its white facade and red-tiled roof.

Old Mission Santa Barbara

Established in 1786, the Mission now stands as an opportunity to learn about local culture and admire the older architecture and 15 acres of grounds; some even still reside here, mainly being Franciscan Friars. Some of the sights to be seen include the church, cemetery, multiple gardens and a museum, all of which provide an immersive, vast experience that will transport you into Santa Barbara’s history. Self-guided and guided tours are both available and events are also sometimes held, too — sip on some wine or beer and get to know the history even more intimately if that’s preferred. 

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art building, one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara, features a white facade with arched windows and a banner depicting an exhibit. "Museum of Art" is displayed on a stone sign at the front. Steps lead up to the entrance, surrounded by greenery and ambient lighting.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

This art museum has been open to its community since 1941 and is currently home to pieces created in a plethora of mediums and representing many different international origins. In fact, the Museum is home to 25,000 pieces, each of which tells a unique story that hopes to educate and inspire those who choose to visit. Origins for the art can span all over the world, but many of them are specific to China, India, Greece, Rome, Egypt, and the Near East. There is a permanent collection that visitors can rely on seeing, but there are also specialized exhibitions that some will be lucky enough to see as well.

A serene outdoor pool is surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation. Exotic plants with long, spiky leaves and hanging fronds frame the scene. A stone path lines the edge of the clear blue water, creating a tranquil oasis amidst the greenery—one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara.

Lotusland

Lotusland offers over 37 acres of beautifully curated gardens and architecture to be explored, and the peaceful atmosphere isn’t something to miss. While it is home to many specific and special gardens, some include aloe, fern, Australian, Japanese and water gardens. Among all of Lotusland’s gardens are some species that are threatened by habitat destruction, but here, they are protected, researched and conserved, making Lotusland a powerful cause to contribute to in addition to admiring its beauty. The property itself is rich in history and prominence, having been used for similar purposes dating all the way back to the 1880s. 

A picturesque street scene at sunset in one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara, featuring a Spanish-style building with a clock, tall palm trees, and illuminated shopfronts. The sky is tinged with pink and blue as cars and bicycles leisurely explore the charming road.

State Street Promenade

Coming to Santa Barbara means it’s almost necessary to check this off of your list. State Street is at the heart of the city’s downtown and encompasses as many as 10 blocks of shops, restaurants and places to visit, all of which is only available for pedestrians. With so many choices and ways to customize an experience on State Street, it can be easy to fit into any schedule — and it’s worth it just as it is easy. Additionally, there’s a farmer’s market held every Tuesday on blocks 600 and 700 from 2:45 to 6:30 p.m. and a marketplace every Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. that both spotlight local artistry, food and so much more. 

A trailhead leading into a dense shrubland, marked by a sign reading "Coronado Butterfly Preserve" and featuring information boards about the area. This is one of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara, where you can enjoy a dirt path lined with greenery on both sides under a clear blue sky.

Coronado Butterfly Preserve

There are 9.3 acres of this preserve, and it’s all dedicated to protecting the native wildlife, insects, trees and plants, including eucalyptus and native coastal sage scrub habitat. Luckily, there are also hiking trails and meadows open to the public so that anyone will have the chance to embrace Santa Barbara as being home to many species. And true to its name, California’s largest Monarch butterfly groves are nearby and can be actively enjoyed during butterfly season. The most ideal time to visit for peak action is from November to February, but any time of the year will still be beautiful and lively. 

A historic adobe building with a red-tiled roof, partially obscured by a large, leafy tree. The structure has multiple windows with iron grilles and signs indicating it is the San Juan Capistrano Historical Museum, one of the best places to visit in Southern California. The sky is clear and blue.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Santa Barbara is rich in history and stories that need to be told, and the Historical Museum has been dedicated to sharing them since 1932. To tell these stories, the Museum showcases anything ranging from art, clothing and furniture — they create an educational experience that will draw anyone in and let them leave as a much more knowledgeable Santa Barbara visitor, or even resident. Just like many other museums, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum frequently hosts events and talks to take their mission to inform beyond their exhibitions.

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Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

This marine life experience shares the opportunity to learn about what lives below the water’s surface — specifically, ones that reside in the Santa Barbara Channel. A surfaced jellyfish or piece of kelp will become recognizable after exploring the Sea Center’s exhibit “Dive In: Our Changing Channel,” and even with the smallest interest in marine biology, visitors can use what’s learned to also experiment with common tools used by the experts. The Sea Center is also part of the White Abalone Restoration Consortium, which is working to revive this snail species from its near-extinction status. 

More info: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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