What to do in Santa Barbara, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

A vineyard with rows of grapevines and a hilly landscape with trees and mountains in the background.
A historic building with a clock tower, arched windows, and a central archway.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara

Things to do

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

฿1,215
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara Trolley Tour
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

฿1,150
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map
Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

฿821
per adult
Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

฿1,248
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara
Helicopter Beach Tour

Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour

฿2,267
per adult
Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour
Solvang In-App Audio Tour: a Little Slice of Denmark Hidden in California

Solvang In-App Audio Tour: a Little Slice of Denmark Hidden in California

฿322
per traveller
80% of travellers recommend
Solvang In-App Audio Tour: a Little Slice of Denmark Hidden in California
Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

฿506
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental
See all activities in Santa Barbara
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Most fun & popular experiences in Santa Barbara

Tours & day trips

See all 103 activities
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.2 out of 10 with 18 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿1,268 per adult
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa BarbaraOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 50 activities
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

Activity duration is 7 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 15 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿4,637 per adult
Santa Ynez Wine ShuttleOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 29 activities
Private Harbour Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara

Private Harbour Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.8 out of 10 with 28 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿6,305 per traveller*
Private Harbour Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa BarbaraOpens in new tab

Water activities

See all 10 activities
Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)

Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 45 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿1,968 per adult
Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)Opens in new tab

Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 5 activities
Solvang: Ghost Hunting and Dark History Tour

Solvang: Ghost Hunting and Dark History Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿1,835 per adult
Solvang: Ghost Hunting and Dark History TourOpens in new tab

What to do in Santa Barbara

Stay near popular Santa Barbara attractions

A giraffe with a patterned coat and a brown mane, set against a backdrop of lush greenery and a clear blue sky.

Santa Barbara Zoo

9.0/5 (1,101 reviews)
Perched along California's coastline, the Santa Barbara Zoo offers intimate wildlife encounters in a compact 30-acre setting. Feed Maasai giraffes or ride the Zoo Train while enjoying panoramic ocean views.
See properties

Where to stay in Santa Barbara

Find the best Santa Barbara areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Santa Barbara
Learn more about Santa Barbara
A marina with multiple boats docked, calm water, and a clear sky.
Photo by Adam Hoggatt
Open Photo by Adam Hoggatt

Waterfront

If you're spending some time in Waterfront, West Beach and East Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Sunset on the pier beach

The Funk Zone

Travellers come to The Funk Zone for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Santa Barbara Art Foundry while you're in town.

Arroyo Burro Beach

The Mesa

While visiting The Mesa, you might make a stop by sights like Leadbetter Beach and 1000 Steps Beach.

Butterfly beach along Channel Drive in Santa Barbara, California., Shutterstock ID 23776711, SF SSA Case with Manager Approval: Case 07151371, Job: Prepay credit, Client/Licensee: , Other:

Montecito

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Montecito. A stop by Miramar Beach or Butterfly Beach might round out your trip.

Santa Barbara Aerial Panorama. Scenic shot of Pier and beach

Santa Barbara Beach

Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Stearns Wharf and West Beach.

Day trip destinations from Santa Barbara

Highway 101 Carpinteria. Coast Road close to Santa Barbara. Aerial Panorama

Carpinteria

Patchwork Of Vineyards Is Seen In Early Summer, Trees, Farm Buildings And Rolling Hillsides In The Background, Santa Ynez Valley; Los Olivos, California, United States Of America

Santa Ynez

A sunset over a beach with waves and a distant shoreline.

Lower Village

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Barbara worth visiting?
Santa Barbara has a unique blend of culture, attractions and local charm. Whether you're into history, the outdoors or traditional food, there are many things you'll find here.
How do I spend a day in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara Zoo and Stearns Wharf are two great places to begin your holiday adventures. Be sure to explore the shopping and dining options in Santa Barbara while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Barbara?
The top tourist attraction in Santa Barbara is Santa Barbara Zoo, so don't forget to put it on your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Barbara?
Three days in Santa Barbara is more than enough to visit the city's key attractions. Many guests book for two days on average. Santa Barbara Zoo, Stearns Wharf and Butterfly Beach are top-rated sights. Like to discover more? Stick around a bit longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Ventura.
Is Santa Barbara a walkable city?
Some top sights in Santa Barbara, such as Santa Barbara Zoo and Stearns Wharf, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Just 2 kilometres from central Santa Barbara is Santa Barbara Beach and West Beach is 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Santa Barbara with kids?
Whether you're travelling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, a fun-filled itinerary makes a big difference. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Santa Barbara with kids.

What to do in Santa Barbara for adults?
UC SB Events Centre and Santa Barbara County Courthouse are just two of the things to do in Santa Barbara. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Santa Barbara?
From checking out parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Santa Barbara. If you need inspiration, ask for tips from a local tour guide. Stearns Wharf is a top spot for anyone wishing to save on their travel adventures.