TEN FUN THINGS TO DO IN SANTA BARBARA


The museum focuses on education with its 40 programs and presents lectures, performances, and seminars, and is one of the top Santa Barbara attractions.

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Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Lotusland is a magnificent exotic garden located on the private property that used to be home to the well-known Polish opera singer and socialite Madame Ganna Walska. The acre property features spectacular collections of exotic plants that Madam Walska collected and tended during her life. Her friends and admirers have also donated some of the collections. The whimsical tone of the garden reflects her taste for the dramatic and the unexpected.

After Madam Walska died in , Lotusland became a nonprofit public botanical garden, and its exceptional educational programs continue to benefit the local community. If you are looking for things to do in Santa Barbara for garden lovers, this is a must-see attractions. Its numerous innovative horticultural practices are admired and shared by botanic gardens all over the world. It is a magical, breathtakingly beautiful place to visit and to feel the spirit of one exceptional woman. The Santa Barbara Zoo provides open, naturalistic habitats to more than animals from species of reptiles, mammals, birds, and insects.

The zoo is located on thirty acres of lush botanic gardens that feature many native plants, ornamentals, trees, cacti, succulents, and exotic species.

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The zoo is considered one of the best small zoos in the country and is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids. Since its opening in , the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens has been fulfilling its mission of preserving, conserving, and enhancing the natural world through research, education, and recreation. The zoo organizes numerous special events and programs such as Zoo camp and monthly multidisciplinary hand-on activities for kids such as Be A Zookeeper for a Day.

What young person would not love spending a day playing with baby meerkats? The Lobero is the oldest continuously performing theatre in California and one of the top Santa Barbara points of interest.

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Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Santa Barbara, California on We have reviews of the best places to see in Santa Barbara. 10 West Gallery. Here are the best things to do in Santa Barbara during your getaway, including a botanic boats and take your fish home with you on ice—it's cheaper, fresher and way more fun. The 10 best restaurants in Santa Barbara.

From its glory days to today, the Lobero has presented jazz in a variety of formats, hosting jazz greats such as Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Dave Holland, among others. Some truly great names have graced the stage of the Lobero: The best reasons to visit the Shoreline Park are the magnificent views of the city, the Santa Barbara coastline, and the Santa Ynez Mountains.

If you are lucky, you even might spot some passing whales and the attraction is completely free. If you are wondering what to do in Santa Barbara with kids, this is a great place to visit. To enter the park, visitors pass through the beautiful Torii gate and down the Shoreline Park staircase that leads to the bluff and the beach below. You can let your dog splash through the waves from the Shoreline Park Staircase to the eastern edge of the Arroyo Burro Estuary. The Santa Barbara Orchid Estate was established in on five acres of spectacular coastal Santa Barbara landscape, just a few steps from the ocean.

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It is now owned and managed by Paul Gripp and his two children, Parry and Alice, all of whom are world-known propagators and collectors of orchid species and hybrids. Their specialty is outdoor temperature-tolerant orchids.

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The Estate welcomes visitors, and once you see the profusion of colors, shapes, sizes, and forms of these flowers, it is easy to get hooked on their magnificent exotic blooms. There are hundreds of varieties of orchids for sale, directly or by mail, and the owners provide you with all the information you need on growing and nurturing your new blooms. The owners offer detailed advice on how to grow orchids and frequently organize lectures and exhibitions. Taking a tour of Santa Barbara County wineries with two certified and experienced sommeliers is an absolute treat for any wine lover.

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When Scott Bull and Bryan Hope, the owners of the Sustainable Vine Wine Tours , take you on a tour, they will personally drive you in one of their Mercedes-Benz luxury vehicles and take you on a trip through some exceptional local wineries, vineyards, and barrel rooms. They will also educate and entertain you. Tour groups are small — six to nine people — and the outings last almost the whole day — from 10am to about 5pm. The tours include not only wine tasting but an organic lunch in one of the vineyards.

There are many occasions for which chartering a sailboat would be a great idea: With Captain Arthur and Chef Sherri you are sure to have an unforgettable time. This cruise includes not only a sea adventure but also some very fine foods prepared by Chef Sherri. Green Flash is a Catana , and it is famous for its speed and comfort. The ship is luxuriously appointed and tastefully decorated.

The charters can take a maximum of six people Phone: Completed in , Stearns Wharf is the oldest wooden wharf in continuous use in California. In the past, it was used for passenger and freight services for about 25 years, and it is named after its builder, John P.

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The wharf is located at the end of State Street and is one of the most visited places in Santa Barbara. Today, there are 17 businesses on Stearns Wharf including shops and restaurants, a shellfish market, and two educational facilities: Visitors also have the option of taking cruises and water taxis from the wharf. The three and a half hour lunchtime tour includes food tastings at six different restaurants and shops in the downtown area. In addition to the food tastings, tour guides point out interesting historical sights such as the Arlington and Granada Theaters, Santa Barbara Presidio , and the city courthouse.

The tastings include restaurants as well as delis, cheese shops, wineries, chocolate shops, and other places for desserts.

Private tours are also available The museum uses its man artifacts, exhibits, and events to achieve this goal. Exhibits include interesting features like cannons, paintings, interactive maps, seaplanes, and much more. The museum also offers educational opportunities for children and adults, allowing them to learn about local maritime history. The museum can be rented for special occasions like weddings and parties. Tours led by experienced docents are available and generally last about 45 minutes.

25 Best Things to Do in Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. The park has a long history that dates back to when the first six acres were bought to start a park. Today it features a large parking lot, picnic tables and BBQ grills, and is one of the top Santa Barbara attractions. Old Mission Santa Barbara Photo: Founded in , it is the oldest museum in the city and sits on 12 acres along picturesque Mission Creek. Condor Express Whale Watching. Santa Barbara Harbor Private Kayak Santa Barbara Kayak Tour.

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Santa Barbara Stand-Up Paddle Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Au Bon Climat Tasting Room. Santa Barbara Classic Wine Tours. Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room. Santa Barbara Electric Bike History Santa Barbara Vineyard to Table Taste Historic Santa Barbara 3. Santa Barbara Wine Country Tour. Santa Barbara Art Glass. Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens. Santa Barbara Harbor Kayak. We found great results outside Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Old Mission Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Santa Barbara Visitor Center. The Historic La Arcada Courtyard. Previous Next 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. TripAdvisor LLC is not responsible for content on external web sites. Taxes, fees not included for deals content. About Us Help Center.

5 Fun, Free & Fascinating Sights in Santa Barbara