Santa Barbara CA is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. With so many amazing places to choose from, it can be hard to know where to go. To help make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in Santa Barbara CA based on traveler ratings and reviews. So whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway spot or an adventure playground, there’s something for everyone in this metropolis area!
The Best Place to Visit in Santa Barbara CA
Stearns Wharf
- Address: 217 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (9683)
- Phone: +1 805-698-5600
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
5 Replies to Top 15 Places To Visit in Santa Barbara CA
Leave Reply
Top 15 Tourist Attractions in Santa Barbara CA
Santa Barbara Zoo
- Address: 500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (5213)
- Phone: +1 805-962-5339
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
Beautiful Zoo! Our hotel was 5min away so of course we had to make a visit. They had a lot of animals and quiet a few exhibits closed. We read it was a small zoo but it was white bit! Not LA Zoo big lol but lots of walking and sightseeing. Good prices and awesome play area for the kids to run around. We also loved the train ride! The conductors commentary was pleasant ?By Amber M.A (3 months ago)We love this zoo! We visit from Corona, CA, just about every year as we stay in Ventura at our family’s timeshare. It’s small enough not to be tiring and take all day, but has a great variety of animals and exhibits. You currently need to make reservations ahead of time, but it’s super easy to do online and you can just show the codes on your phone- no need for a printer. We haven’t had any issues buying tickets the last 2 times we’ve visited under these new terms.
They’ve opened an Australian Walkabout encounter where you get to walk into an open animal exhibit with kangaroo, wallaby & emu. You can’t touch them, obviously, but it’s neat to be at their level walking around them.
There’s a kid play zone to let the kids burn off some energy while the adults relax a bit. Equipped with sandbox, egg features to play/climb on, musical instrument installations, sliding/sledding hill, and cargo net spider web.
Something new they’ve added is a trading card feature inside the gorilla observation post. You go here to pick an animal to learn more about. Grab a sheet and pencil, find the animal on your sheet at the zoo & answer some questions about it. Once it’s filled in, take it to the front gate and you get a trading card of that animal.
By Lauren Rios (7 months ago)Beautiful zoo. Not huge, but compared to other zoos it was extremely scenic and detailed. A very enjoyable day. The food we had was very good. We got some very good carnitas tacos from the restaurant in the courtyard for a surprisingly good price. The train ride was extra but worth it. Overall, our favorite zoo nearby, compared to the LA and Fresno Zoos.By Mr. Grant (7 months ago)First time visiting this zoo for my daughters second birthday and to be honest it has to be my favorite zoo so far. It’s not very big, but it is very beautiful and well kept. The plus side is it’s right by the beach so it’s very fresh. They have a really cool section where you can walk in and see emu and kangaroos up close and personal. My daughter also loved the train ride, it’s $7 per person for a 15 min ride through the back of the zoo & the conductor provides you with a lot of information the whole ride. I would love to visit again. Very toddler friendly.By Valerie R (2 weeks ago)Great excursion… Strolled the park in 75 minutes, stopped to enjoy each exhibit. Got up close to Lion, Giraffe, Gorilla, Leopard, Kangaroo, beautiful tropical birds… $20.00 was worth it. Now I get why they limit capacity for 2hour time slots. We went from 3-5pm andBy derek swales (7 months ago)Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786
- Address: 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (3439)
- Phone: +1 805-682-4713
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PMWednesday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PMThursday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PMFriday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PMSaturday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Reviews:
My experience was awesome, the tour is a must, take time to scan the tour barcode for maximum info. I really got the chills walking these hallways, garden and cemetery… inside the church was just as beautiful and moving. I was thrilled to get my new rosary blessed. Take lots of pictures, take your time and say your prayers there’s something absolutely special here.By Dammz33 (4 months ago)Don’t rush through – take your time and absorb the beauty of this Mission. So much to see here. You can visit the crypts and walk around the gardens. Such a stunning place with gorgeous architecture. I wish we got the chance to attend a service here – next time for sure.By Helen Di Domenico (7 months ago)Santa Barbara mission is one of my favourite historical places. Easy to reach from the freeway. Huge parking lot. The church is well maintained. You can pay the entry fees and visit this place. You can scan the QR code so that you can do a self guided tour. Very informative. Docents are there to answer your questions. Please pay respect to the people who are buried here. Learn more about early settlers and the chumash people. Amazed by their art and food habits. Easily spend one hour. A food truck was there near the entrance. Clean restrooms are there. It’s a good place for families. Gift shop has unique items to buy.By Juliet Joyee (5 months ago)A true historic place with great view of Santa Barbara! We love going there. It’s located just 1.5 miles from 101 off Mission Street exit. There is big lawn in front of the Chapel! It is a working church. We went during Christmas and there was a small display on the lawn with small farm animals. Huge parking lot on the side. Free parking. Go visit the mission for the history and a wonderful view from the hill.By Ravi Govil (11 months ago)All mission Santa Barbara is a place that should not be missed if you’re visiting Santa barbara. The fee for most people is $15 but there are certain discounts for certain people.
I would say you should plan on spending one to two hours here walking the tour. They have also added QR codes that make it really nice to be able to here an audio tour. The grounds are simply beautiful and serene.
Don’t forget to also walk the outside grounds and take that in while you’re there.
By Jonathan (9 months ago)Arroyo Burro Beach County Park
- Address: 2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (2601)
- Phone: +1 805-687-3714
- Website: Link
- Reviews:
Beautiful! Small sandy public beach framed by rocky bluffs with facilities, free parking, off-leash dog area and excellent restaurant/bar right on the beach all located adjacent to affluent community. Water is clean. Surf is gentle. Breeze is light. Plan ahead, as one can imagine, these wonderful features draw a crowd.By Stacy VanAbrahams (4 months ago)Great place to take your dog off leash to the beach in Santa Barbara Ca. One side is for dogs off leash and the other is on leash. Restaurant and bathrooms, feet washing station and down the parking lot from the beach is a self pay dog washing station…brilliant! It got pretty crowded so go early if you want to find parking. Have fun.By Rita Figueroa (4 months ago)Fantastic small local Beach also known as Hendry’s Beach. Parking can be tight on beautiful days. It is dog friendly going to the left, not dog friendly going to the right. Make sure if you bring a dog ,that it’s well socialized off leash. And don’t forget to visit the doggie bath wash so that you can get the sand off of your dog when you’re done enjoying the day.
It is also home to The Boathouse restaurant which has great food but they’re always seems to be an hour long wait.By * dnainsb (4 months ago)Took my baby girl Cleo here for her last trip and she seemingly enjoyed it. She made plenty of friends, enjoyed the open area with all the smells. It’s a really great place to bring your fur babiesBy Superfly Juggalo (7 months ago)The most fantastic off leash dog are we have ever been to !
There is parking and if it’s full – just park on any street!
There is a $10 dog wash station if you’re into that !By Veronika K (9 months ago)Shoreline Park
- Address: Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa Place, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1994)
- Phone: +1 805-564-5418
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PMTuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PMWednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PMThursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PMFriday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PMSaturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PMSunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Reviews:
Beautiful view, highly recommended to go. Place is relaxing, I recommended to go during sunset, best view and really beautiful. There’s a stair way you can take that will take you to the shore next to the rocks where you can just sit down and enjoy the peaceful breeze and sunset! You won’t be disappointed, believe meBy Jesse Silva (7 months ago)Beautiful park overlooking the ocean where you see people walking their many fine dogs. You see many beautiful breeds! It also has some stairs that take you straight down to the beach where, depending on tide conditions, you can walk a great deal. This beach is leash free as you head west but dogs must remain in a leash as you head east toward the warf. Great location for watching the sun rise and set.By Carlos E. Ramirez (7 months ago)Awesome park and great view of Sunset if you access beach using the wooden staircase. Great for picnic or just walking around with a view.By Prasenjit Das (2 months ago)Very nice place to have a picnic. Dog friendly. Playgrounds, restrooms, picnic tables and grills on site. Beautiful view!By Mayra Amezcua (a month ago)I had fun walking here with the view of the ocean.
Overlooking the beach was awesome!
Restrooms are clean.
Parking was difficult so I parked my car on the streets nearby and just walked back.By Ycel Diego (a year ago)Leadbetter Beach
- Address: 801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (1539)
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Address: 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1151)
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
- Address: 125 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1081)
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
- Address: 211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (663)
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
- Address: 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (636)
Santa Barbara Museum Of Art
- Address: 1130 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (423)
Moreton Bay Fig Tree
- Address: Chapala St & Montecito Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (412)
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
- Address: 1100 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (319)
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park
- Address: 123 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (313)
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Address: 113 Harbor Way STE 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (312)
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
- Address: 136 E De La Guerra St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (192)
The best place to visit in Santa Barbara CA Although Santa Barbara CA is a large state with many amazing places to visit, these 15 locations stand out as the best according to traveler ratings and reviews. Did your favorite spot make the cut? Let us know in the comments above!
You might also like
Very relaxed and clean compared to many other beaches here in California! Great atmosphere and very nice ocean views from the pier. Great getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will most likely see some birds up close if walking the pier. Good amount of parking so it should not be a problem at least when I went in the morning. Coffee and food options all within walking distance as well.
This is the third time I have been to Santa Barbara. It is absolutely gorgeous by the water! My wife, my mother, and I walked back and forth on Stearns Wharf. The views of the mountains and palm trees in the distance are so beautiful that no photo can really do it justice.
You can park on the pier, but you have to pay for it after a certain amount of time. There are some great restaurants there in case you get hungry. It is best to just take a seat and take in the view.
Magnificent place in Santa Barbara, got to spent the evening here watching the mesmerizing sunset with the backdrop of the palm trees. The boardwalk has a parking area with many shops and restaurants.There are also paid parking lots in the hotels nearby. The town is very well maintained.
As a Santa Barbara local, we like to take our visitors to the wharf. It can get very crowded and not always a good idea to drive if you’re in a hurry. Walking is an option. There are some reasonably priced souvenir shops and some decent restaurants. If you drive the first 90 minutes are free. You can also rent fishing equipment at the end. Great place to catch a sunset as well!
I live in the mountains, so it’s exciting for me to be near an ocean. I enjoyed a sunburned afternoon at Stearn’s Wharf. I was on my own so I could take my time and enjoy the wharf and Santa Barbara.
I did not know where to park when I arrived, so I was pleasantly surprised to see parking is available on the wharf. The first spots I eventually determined (from vendor websites) are for businesses, not sure that is still the case (it’s labeled valet parking on a wharf map). So I moved my car to a spot further along the wharf. Parking was plentiful Saturday morning, but quickly filled up by late morning. I was worried about expensive parking, but after seeing the parking prices in town, it turned out to work for me so I didn’t have to move the car throughout the day.
There are a variety of restaurants and at least one dessert vendor. There are also museums and boat tours. I took advantage of a boat tour (again, I’m not a water person) and enjoyed the laid back hour on the water.
It’s a bit rough if you are in a wheelchair, but doable. I didn’t plan ahead with sunscreen. This is little shade during the day.