Things to do in Santa Barbara
Places to go with kids
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos DrMOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
125 State StAlameda Park
1400 Santa Barbara StThis downtown park has a wonderful climbing structure.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
211 Stearns WharfQuaint museum in historic Santa Barbara style hacienda.
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Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (Naturkundemuseum)
2559 Puesta Del SolQuaint museum in historic Santa Barbara style hacienda.
La Mesa Park
295 Meigs RdWalkable park from our home with play structures for young kids
Blufftop grassy park with amazing views, children’s play area, bbq areas and beach access. Great place for a long walk or run; comtinues to the harbor, wharf and beaches.
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Shoreline Park
Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa PlaceBlufftop grassy park with amazing views, children’s play area, bbq areas and beach access. Great place for a long walk or run; comtinues to the harbor, wharf and beaches.
Rent bikes or a surrey and coast along the beachfront bike path that travels from the harbor to the bird refuge.
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Wheel Fun Rentals
24 E Mason StRent bikes or a surrey and coast along the beachfront bike path that travels from the harbor to the bird refuge.
Favorite walks
Walkable from our home. Bluff top open space that overlooks Arroyo Burro (“Hendry’s”) Beach.
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Douglas Family Preserve
Walkable from our home. Bluff top open space that overlooks Arroyo Burro (“Hendry’s”) Beach.
Walk to the beach access staircase (249 steps!) at the end of Mesa Lane. Check the tide first!
Mesa Lane
Mesa LaneWalk to the beach access staircase (249 steps!) at the end of Mesa Lane. Check the tide first!
Botanischer Garten Santa Barbara
1212 Mission Canyon RdPark in the free lot and walk on the beach up towards Hope Ranch. Check out the tide pools at low tide. Grab a drink at the Boathouse restaurant and watch the surfers.
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Arroyo Burro Beach
Cliff DrPark in the free lot and walk on the beach up towards Hope Ranch. Check out the tide pools at low tide. Grab a drink at the Boathouse restaurant and watch the surfers.
Sightseeing
Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StBe sure to check out the views from the clock tower!
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Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StBe sure to check out the views from the clock tower!
Stroll along State Street for shopping and dining.
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State Street shops, restaurants & nightlife
State StreetStroll along State Street for shopping and dining.
Coast Village Road
Coast Village RoadGreat shopping and dining along Montecito’s Lower Village.
Explore the Santa Ynez Valley towns of Los Olivos and Solvang.
Visit the wineries that dot the area. Maps or tours are available online. Our favorites are listed in this guide.
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Santa Ynez
Explore the Santa Ynez Valley towns of Los Olivos and Solvang.
Visit the wineries that dot the area. Maps or tours are available online. Our favorites are listed in this guide.
Nightlife
Check out the schedule online for an evening of music under the stars.
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Santa Barbara Bowl
1122 N Milpas StCheck out the schedule online for an evening of music under the stars.
Explore Santa Barbara’s artsy area with urban wine tasting rooms, restaurants and bars.
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The Funk Zone
137 Anacapa StExplore Santa Barbara’s artsy area with urban wine tasting rooms, restaurants and bars.
Favorite places to eat
Local gourmet burger place, walkable from our home.
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Mesa Burger - Santa Barbara, Mesa
315 Meigs RdLocal gourmet burger place, walkable from our home.
Walkable from our home, new tavern with draft beer and outdoor fire pits.
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Corner Tap Beer Bar and Eatery
1905 Cliff DrWalkable from our home, new tavern with draft beer and outdoor fire pits.
Walkable from our home. Great for kids with hearty portions.
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Mesa Cafe & Bar
1972 Cliff DrWalkable from our home. Great for kids with hearty portions.
Walkable from our home. Good selection of sushi, udon, tempura and combination plates.
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Ichiban Sushi
1812 Cliff DrWalkable from our home. Good selection of sushi, udon, tempura and combination plates.
Good thin or thick crust pizza - perfect for take-out and walkable from our home. They deliver too!
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Mesa Pizza Co
315 Meigs RdGood thin or thick crust pizza - perfect for take-out and walkable from our home. They deliver too!
Popular vegetarian restaurant within walking distance of our home.
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Mesa Verde Restaurant
1919 Cliff DrPopular vegetarian restaurant within walking distance of our home.
Beachfront seafood dining. Good place to watch the sunset and happy hour.
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Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
2981 Cliff DrBeachfront seafood dining. Good place to watch the sunset and happy hour.
Great seafood restaurant on the harbor. Very busy on weekends.
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Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor WayGreat seafood restaurant on the harbor. Very busy on weekends.
Good seafood restaurant on Upper State Street with an oyster bar as well as a full seafood menu and bar.
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Lure Fish House
60 S California StGood seafood restaurant on Upper State Street with an oyster bar as well as a full seafood menu and bar.
A wonderful place for special occasions in Montecito. The Plow and Angel is also located at the San Ysidro Ranch and is a cozier restaurant.
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The Stonehouse Restaurant
900 San Ysidro LnA wonderful place for special occasions in Montecito. The Plow and Angel is also located at the San Ysidro Ranch and is a cozier restaurant.
Oceanfront restaurant in the Rosewood Miramar resort in Montecito. Good for special occasions.
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Caruso's
1759 S Jameson LnOceanfront restaurant in the Rosewood Miramar resort in Montecito. Good for special occasions.
Good Mexican food and margaritas. Additional location downtown that’s good for informal dining and takeout.
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Los Arroyos Montecito Mexican Restaurant & Take Out
1280 Coast Village RdGood Mexican food and margaritas. Additional location downtown that’s good for informal dining and takeout.
Made famous by Julia Childs, authentic Mexican food. Cash only; there’s always a line to order at the window. Closed on Wednesday; we go on the weekdays as there are crowds on the weekends.
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La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StMade famous by Julia Childs, authentic Mexican food. Cash only; there’s always a line to order at the window. Closed on Wednesday; we go on the weekdays as there are crowds on the weekends.
Beaches and water activities
See whales and dolphins! Excursions to the Channel Islands also available from Ventura harbor.
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Condor Express Whale Watching
See whales and dolphins! Excursions to the Channel Islands also available from Ventura harbor.
Santa Barbara Harbor Cruises, Sailboat Rentals and Charters, Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Rentals
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Santa Barbara Sailing Center
302 W Cabrillo BlvdSanta Barbara Harbor Cruises, Sailboat Rentals and Charters, Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Rentals
Butterfly Beach
Arroyo Burro Beach
Cliff DrEast Beach Tacos
226 S Milpas StWest Beach
Coffee, smoothies, bakeries
Local coffee shop in the Lazy Acres shopping center. Walkable from our home.
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Lighthouse Coffee
1819 Cliff DrLocal coffee shop in the Lazy Acres shopping center. Walkable from our home.
Crushcakes & Cafe
1315 Anacapa StGreat cupcakes and coffee - try the dirty chai!
Backyard Bowls
331 Motor WayGreat açaí bowls and all kinds of smoothies.
Local smoothie shop within walking distance from our home.
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Blenders In The Grass - Mesa
315 Meigs RoadLocal smoothie shop within walking distance from our home.
Great bakery in the Funk Zone. Also has breads, sandwiches, etc.
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Helena Avenue Bakery
131 Anacapa StGreat bakery in the Funk Zone. Also has breads, sandwiches, etc.
Delicious downtown place for coffee, pastries, breakfast and lunch (salads, sandwiches).
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D'Angelo's Bread
25 W Gutierrez StDelicious downtown place for coffee, pastries, breakfast and lunch (salads, sandwiches).