Location: Santa Barbara
Top Things to do in Santa Barbara
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Santa Barbara, California (CA)
Nestled between the shrub-covered slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the clear blue shores of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is California at its best. Mission Santa Barbara is an example of 18th-century religious architecture, boasting beautiful grounds and a wonderfully detailed interior. Work up an appetite with a walk through Shoreline Park, then dine above the water on Stearns Wharf. Fig trees, parks, waterfalls, and botanical gardens round out Santa Barbara’s natural beauty.
Restaurants in Santa Barbara
1. Chaucer's Bookstore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By gaylem113 - Chicago, United States
Best thing for me was the extensive collection of cook books...crowded, cozy independent book store with something for everyone.
2. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 68 reviews
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, is a one-of-a-kind museum for all ages designed to ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity. The museum's three floors are filled with 17,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits that encourage open-ended discovery, analytical assessment, experimentation, play and just plain fun.
Reviewed By TERR23
I was one of two grandmas who took our granddaughters, ages 10 and 14, to the MOXI. We all had a great time for a couple of hours. There were lots of hands on activities. One of the highlights were the sound booths where we all experimented with making different sounds to correspond with a film clip. We were there on President's Day, but it wasn't too crowded.
3. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 298 reviews
Founded in 1916 as the Museum of Comparative Oology, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has evolved to include more than 3.5 million specimens covering every aspect of natural history—from mammals, birds, and marine life to geology, astronomy, paleontology, and anthropology. Newly renovated in 2018, the Museum boasts state-of-the-art interactive exhibits for all ages, paired with the Central Coast’s only planetarium, on 17 acres of oak woodland along Mission Creek. Guests learn about the Santa Barbara region’s unique and diverse natural history and then go outside to explore nature in the Museum Backyard. Museum education programs serve all ages to promote scientific literacy and instill a passion for nature and learning. Visit the website for current daily admission prices and hours. Parking is free.
Reviewed By hapsterpolly
The Museum hosted an event in the evening. The displays were available and outstanding. The catered food was perfect. and the entertainment--a trio-- was excellent. The museum is a true treasure in Santa Barbara.
4. Cold Spring Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 581 reviews
A popular mountain for hiking outside of Santa Barbara.
Reviewed By deakengv7 - Guerneville, United States
Surprised was able to secure a same-day reservation for lunch on a Friday since it's such a popular place. Great place to stop for lunch if you're traveling from SB to Los Olivos/Santa Ynez for wine-tasting. Mostly outside dining due to C19, but had just opened partial inside dining during our visit (10/23/2020). Two tri-tip french dips and a burger later (there were three of us) ~ stuffed! All tasty - good portions! Service leisurely, but accommodating. We were initially seated in a room where a large party was celebrating a special occasion that made it hard for us to carry on a conversation (no offense - they were a fun group!), and our server offered to move us. Very much recommend the Wild Game Black Bean Chili.
5. Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,969 reviews
Visit the Santa Barbara Courthouse to enjoy a free Self-Guided Exterior Tour and a virtual tour of the Mural Room interior. Use your cell phone or tablet to explore Santa Barbara’s iconic Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse. The web-based tours can be found at sbcourthouse.org. The Courthouse is closed to visitors during Covid.
Reviewed By cresapsd - San Diego, United States
Coincidentally our stay in Santa Barbara was during the annual Fiesta Days and we enjoyed free concerts in the courthouse sunken garden as well as a docent led tour. The tour was very interesting and entertaining. The courthouse is not to be missed and don’t forget to check out the breathtaking view from the courthouse clock tower
6. Old Mission Santa Barbara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,679 reviews
Visitors can tour this historic Franciscan mission that features twin bell towers and lovely gardens.
Reviewed By PetriHat - Los Angeles, United States
The historic mission is both working monestary and historic landmark. Take a self guided tour for $9 and experience the inner gardens, cemetery, and church before entering the museum to see the history of the missions and how they interacted with and impacted the native Chumash culture.
7. Santa Barbara Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,365 reviews
This zoo with a view was once a posh estate owned by a coffee and tea merchant; now it's the lush domain of animals representing 160 species. The pink stucco mansion that once presided over manicured lawns and gardens is gone—replaced by open-air habitats built for the less refined but still exacting tastes of giraffes, gibbons, snow leopards, and gorillas. What hasn't changed is the surrounding scenery; the Pacific and Santa Ynez Mountains are just as spectacular as they were back when this was the setting for civilized galas instead of the wild antics of monkeys and meerkats.
Reviewed By 2makes4 - Santa Barbara, United States
I always enjoy time spent at the S,B. Zoo. Whether I am wandering up and down the beautiful paths to visit all of the marvelous animals in their different homes (particularly love the monkeys, giraffes and gorillas), enjoying the wonderful train ride that travels all around the zoo property, sharing a nice hot lunch or snack with family and friends at any of the food venues or checking out the latest games, stuffed animals, clothes and other great gifts at the store, there is always plenty to see and do at the S.B. Zoo.
8. Arroyo Burro County Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
The locals call it Hendry's Beach, a place to meet for breakfast or a cocktail at sunset, stroll or jog the sandy shore, watch for whales, fish or ride the wild surf.
Reviewed By talkslikeaduck - Santa Clarita, United States
This is the place to let your dog run free at the beach in Santa Barbara. people were exercising with their dogs and everyone was respectful of there animals interactions with other dogs. Of course, you are on the beach in Santa Barbara so what's not to like! Anyway it was a great experience for us and our pups!
9. State Street Underpass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,386 reviews
Seven straight miles of shops.
Reviewed By christinam22018 - San Diego, United States
Visiting Santa Barbara is always fun. The city has great shopping, dining and the beach! We walked from one end of State Street all the way for the Wharf. We went into the antique shops and record shops. It’s a nice stroll so bring comfy shoes and your credit card! We stopped into a store; I can’t remember the name; but she sells slightly used high end items. I found a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta silk scarf for $100. It was a good find! There are numerous local businesses up and down the street. There is also a ‘mall’ with all the typical stores. It’s was very enjoyable.
10. Rattlesnake Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
A popular, moderate rated, multi-use trail, good for hiking, biking and horseback riding, three and a half miles round trip.
Reviewed By bewickswren - California, United States
We recently came through Santa Barbara on a road trip (stayed at the Spanish Garden Inn - excellent!). We are hikers and wanted a good day hike in the Santa Barbara mountains. This trail was fantastic - out and back, we did about 7 or 8 miles. You could go much further if you wanted. Parking was along the street at the trailhead, and the trails was mainly easy to follow. The few side trails that we encountered either linked back up to the main trail, or went to the creek. Totally recommend this hike!
