Discover Santa Barbara

LOTUSLAND

Tucked away in the beautiful hillside of Montecito, Lotusland spans over 37 acres of whimsical gardens and timeless architecture.The Garden is the former estate of opera singer and socialite, Madam Ganna Walska, who transformed the garden into thematic displays. ‘For Walska, plants were more than plants; they were colors to paint with, a family to nurture, characters to direct.’

THE FUNK ZONE

The Funk Zone is one of Santa Barbara’s most vibrant neighborhoods, brimming with artist studios, cafes, wineries, breweries, and galleries. Once an industrial district, it has transformed into a flourishing hub of creativity, blending a lively artistic spirit with its coastal setting where the streets meet the ocean.

OLD MISSION SANTA BARBARA & ROSE GARDENS

The Santa Barbara Mission, often called the “Queen of the Missions,” is a must-see landmark dating back to 1786. Its stunning gardens feature more than 1,500 varieties of roses, typically in bloom from April through November, making it a favorite spot for both locals and visitors to enjoy a leisurely stroll or picnic.

SANTA BARBARA BOWL

The Santa Barbara Bowl concert season runs from April through October, set in a stunning open-air amphitheater nestled against the foothills. You can view their concert calendar here: sbbowl.com/concerts.

LOCAL FARMER'S MARKETS

The Santa Barbara Farmers Markets are a beloved local tradition, offering the freshest seasonal produce and artisanal goods.

• Downtown Santa Barbara: Every Saturday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM at 119 E Cota Street.

• Montecito: Every Friday, 8:00 – 11:15 AM on Coast Village Road.

• Old Town Santa Barbara: Every Tuesday, 3:00 – 6:30 PM along lower State Street between Cota and Canon Perdido.

SANTA BARBARA MUSUEM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Founded in 1916, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History invites visitors to connect with nature across its beautiful grounds while exploring more than 3.5 million artifacts and specimens. Home to one of California’s largest collections, the museum showcases outstanding exhibits in anthropology, archaeology, biology, geology, and paleontology.

BOTANIC GARDENS

The allure of Santa Barbara is beautifully captured in the enchanting Botanic Garden, home to more than 1,000 species of native plants and flowers. Often described as a “living museum,” the Garden spans 78 acres of diverse California landscapes. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful self-guided walk or join a docent-led tour for an inspiring afternoon surrounded by the richness of the region’s natural beauty.

Alick Keck Memorial Garden

Once the site of the elegant El Mirasol Hotel, this downtown oasis is often referred to as the “crown jewel” of Santa Barbara’s city parks. The Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden showcases a rich botanical collection with more than 75 tree and plant species, along with winding pathways, a charming koi pond, and plenty of serene spaces to relax and enjoy nature.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY COURTHOUSE

The Spanish Colonial Revival style building that houses the courthouse was designed completed in 1929. Architect Charles Willard Moore called it the "grandest Spanish Colonial Revival structure ever built," as it beautifully displays Santa Barbara's adoption of the Spanish Colonial style.

Casa del HerrerO

Casa del Herrero, “House of the Blacksmith,” is a time capsule of Montecito, California in the 1920s and 1930s. Designed by George Washington Smith, the Casa is one of the finest standing examples of Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture in America. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places and maintains National Historic Landmark status, partly due to its eclectic mix of Country Place Era and Moorish-inspired gardens.

EL PRESIDIO DE SANTA BARBARA

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park is where Santa Barbara’s story began in 1782. A visit here offers a glimpse into the city’s early history through its restored Spanish fortress, and it also places you right in the lively Presidio Neighborhood with its historic adobes, distinctive architecture, and cozy family-run shops and cafés.

STEARNS WHARF

Completed in 1872, Stearns Wharf is California’s oldest wooden wharf still in use today. It’s home to more than 17 unique shops and restaurants, making it a lively spot to stroll, dine, and take in ocean views.

the Sacred Space

Relax with a cup of tea in the idyllic Thai Gardens of Sacred Space in the charming seaside town of Summerland. Lush plants, a tea room and a lily pond complete the tranquil experience. This truly transforming shop is brimmed with artifacts which the owners have accumulated during their travels, reflecting their vision of the human journey through time and space.

OUr favorite BEACHES

Butterfly Beach & Hammond’s Beach

From surfing to sunbathing, Santa Barbara’s beaches are endless in beauty. In Montecito, Butterfly Beach is a favorite for peaceful sunsets, while at low tide you can walk to nearby Hammond’s Beach and take in panoramic views of the Channel Islands, Foothills, and meadows.

Santa Claus Beach

Tucked away in the charming beach town, Carpinteria, Santa Claus Beach, is one of Santa Barbara’s low-key sandy secrets, where you’ll find a dreamy stretch of soft white sand and clear blue water. Enchanting slopes of sand and elegant beach homes set the perfect ambiance for unwinding.

Loon Point Beach

A 15 minute drive to Summerland will bring you to Loon Point Beach, where towering cliffs, warm golden sand and a lack of crowds make it the perfect summer spot for a beach day. As you continue down a canyon path to this secluded shoreline, you’ll discover bare, untouched California beauty.

Day Trips

Explore 200+ vineyards and tasting room in the santa Ynez Wine Country

Rooted in the heart of Santa Ynez,  and modeled on a French villa with a lavender-filled courtyard & wine caves, Sunstone Winery will transport you to Provence. As you travel the twisting country roads of Santa Ynez, you’ll be treated to vistas featuring idyllic rural life, rolling fields of flowers, grazing cows and alpacas, and waves of vines that stretch out in all directions. Nestled in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley, is the charming town, Solvang with a rich Danish heritage, charming shops and flower boxes brimming with color.

CHANNEL ISLANDS

The Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands. Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, these islands possess not only biological diversity but incredible geologic wonders such as Painted Cave, one of the largest and deepest sea caves in the world. Plan a trip to experience coastal southern California as it once was and revel in the the beauty and richness of the islands, whether it be leaping dolphins, undulating kelp or soaring bald eagles.

DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING

A whale watching excursion here brings together nature, adventure and a potential glimpse of the biggest mammals on Earth, as well as dolphin sighting. There is no better way of taking in ocean views than toasting the sun as it sinks below the horizon on a sunset adventure.