Santa Barbara

Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

If traveling the Pacific Coast Highway then you can't avoid seeing Santa Barbara as US 101 runs right through it.

It's about 90 miles north of Los Angeles (an easy 90-minute drive), and just over 10 miles south of San Luis Obispo. If traveling from San Francisco, you should allow a good six hours. If headed for Los Angeles Airport, this makes a perfect final stop, as it's only two hours away.

The Santa Barbara Mission

It makes an ideal stopping place for one or more nights, whichever direction you're headed, as there's plenty to do, lots of hotels and other accommodations, and some great eating places too.

Our Pick of the Guides

You'll see why it's been called the American Riviera. It has that laid-back charm you also get in the South of France, with attractive architecture, long sandy beaches, lots of art and history, and fine restaurants too, with plenty of seafood and local wine. Though it also has something the French Riviera can't match – whale-watching!

Whale Watching in Santa Barbara
Photo (c) Donna Dailey

Things to Do in Santa Barbara

Andree Clark Bird Refuge

Just behind the East Beach at 1400 E. Cabrillo Blvd is this lovely bird refuge in beautiful gardens set around a lagoon, with hiking and biking trails, and notices picking out the birds that can be seen there. In all there are some 42 acres of saltwater marshes, and it's one of the largest bird reserves in the area.

Beaches

The Beach at Santa Barbara

East Beach runs east from the wharf and is the best and busiest beach in town. It's nice and sandy and with lots of facilities like volleyball courts, rest rooms, showers, and picnic spots, where you can grab yourself a barbecue grill. A little less well-equipped is Leadbetter Beach, west of the center, but it does have picnic areas, rest rooms and showers. It's more popular with surfers as it gets stronger winds and waves.

If you want to get more out of town then further west is Hendry's Beach (aka Arroyo Burro Beach County Park). This is another great beach, sometimes a little less busy, and also has decent surfing, picnic areas, rest rooms, showers, volleyball courts, free parking, and a terrific setting with white sands and cliffs.

Must Read: Best Time to Visit Santa Barbara

Golf

See The Best Golf Courses in Santa Barbara

Museums

See our page on the Best Museums in Santa Barbara.

El Presidio State Historic Park

This is the historic heart of Santa Barbara in downtown, housing its oldest building (and the second oldest in the whole of California), the adobe guardhouse. It was part of a Spanish fort founded in 1782, one of four that they built to guard the California coast.

Historic Downtown

A lot of Santa Barbara was destroyed in an earthquake in 1925, but it gave the city chance to rebuild. They did so using Spanish/Mexican architectural styles, giving the downtown an attractive and cohesive look that many California towns and cities lack. Go to the Santa Barbara CVB office at 1601 Anacapa and pick up a 'Red Tile Tour' leaflet that walks you around the most interesting features of downtown.

Karpeles Manuscript Library

This might sound a bit dry and dusty but old Walt Disney cartoons are among over a million items in this amazing collection of rare manuscripts, only a fraction of which can be put on display at any one time. They include such documents as the Thanksgiving Proclamation signed by George Washington, the original draft of the Bill of Rights, a Mark Twain manuscript, the Custer's Last Stand Treaty, and other important historic papers.

Lotusland

Lotusland near Santa Barbara

This 37-acre estate of rare plants and exotic gardens is actually in Montecito, a 3-mile drive east of Santa Barbara along the Pacific Coast Highway. It's a more exclusive place where celebrities like Oprah Winfrey have homes. Lotusland once belonged to opera singer Ganna Walska, and goes back to 1882.

There are lush lotus ponds and cactus collections, and even plants that have been around since dinosaurs ruled the earth. It's important to note that you must book in advance on one of the guided tours, which take two hours and are the only way to see the gardens. Check the website or call (805) 969-9990.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

From delicate flowers and small cacti to giant redwoods, this incredible 78-acre garden concentrates on native California species. There are over 5 miles of walking trails, which take you to the 1806 Mission Dam and the aqueduct which used to bring water to the Santa Barbara Mission.

There are also fascinating displays on the plants used by Native Americans for building and for making clothes and baskets. The Botanic Garden should be high on your list of things to do in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

The Courthouse was built in 1929 as part of the post-1925 earthquake reconstruction. It's an architectural gem, and if it looks strangely familiar you probably saw it on TV during the Michael Jackson trial. You can visit to take an elevator to the observation area at the top of the 85-foot clock tower, and there are also guided tours at set times. See the website or call (805) 962-6464.

Santa Barbara Mission

Top of the list of Santa Barbara visitor attractions is its impressive Mission, one of the most beautiful in California. It stands atop a hill overlooking the town and the Pacific Ocean, and dates from 1786. When an earthquake in 1812 destroyed one of the three churches at the Mission, it was rebuilt and is still in use today. Known as the Queen of the Missions, it is one of the many California Missions founded by Father Juniper Serra (see the Pacific Coast Highway Travel Carmel page.)

Santa Barbara Zoo

Californian Condor at Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is not a large-scale zoo like the one in San Diego, but despite its small size it has big appeal, especially for children. There's a petting zoo, a railroad ride, and a carousel. Adults might appreciate the scenic setting on a hilltop behind the East Beach and right by the Pacific Coast Highway. There are about 700 animals in all, including rarities like a snow-leopard, as well as favorites such as giraffes, elephants, and gorillas, most living in good-sized natural habitats.

Stearns Wharf

Tuck In at Stearns Wharf

This 1872 wharf is Santa Barbara's most visited attraction, definitely one of the top few things to do. It's the oldest working wharf on the California coast, though the work today is limited to local fishing boats and pleasure cruises. There's plenty of shopping too, a choice of restaurants, and the Sea Center. There are also lovely views of the town, the coast, the sea, and the mountains.

Whale Watching

Whale Watching in Santa Barbara

During the whale-watching season from about December to March you can see the whales passing by Santa Barbara. Head for Shoreline Park, to the west of the harbor, where the high cliffs provide a good look-out spot. You can also book whale-watching cruises through Condor Express, based at the harbor. Read our account of our own experience with Condor Express on this Santa Barbara Whale Watching page. See also the Whale Watching in California page.

More Information
For further information on things to do in Santa Barbara
visit the website of the
Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau

Other Santa Barbara pages

Santa Barbara Guidebook
The Santa Barbara Guidebook from Moon Handbooks also covers California’s Central Coast with Ventura, San Luis Obispo, wine country, and Hearst Castle.
Carlsbad
Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Best Time to Visit Mendocino
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Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara
Pacific Coast Highway Travel visits the best restaurants in Santa Barbara and recommends where to eat for the finest food and top local wines.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, California, on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Best Time to Visit Santa Barbara
PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Santa Barbara, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Bixby Bridge
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.
California Coast Guide
One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.
Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos
A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.
Santa Cruz
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Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway
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Pismo Beach
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Encinitas
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Santa Monica Pier
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Coastal California Guidebook
Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.
Laguna Beach Inn and Spa
The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.
Morro Bay
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Eureka Inns
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Mendocino
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San Simeon
San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Santa Barbara Whale Watching
Santa Barbara whale watching cruises in southern California can be booked through Condor Express, with whale watching trips leaving from the harbor.
Visiting Hearst Castle
This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.
Scenic Spots on the Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.
Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotel
The Oceana Santa Barbara beachfront hotel has a perfect seafront location, close to Stearns Wharf and State Street, and whale watching cruises.

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