What to Do in Santa Barbara, California
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Santa Barbara has a rep. It’s an escape for the extremely rich and Californian, an idyllic town nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Santa Barbara Harbor, 95 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It’s where Hollywood stars and L.A. tycoons buy a house when they want to get away from the city. It’s where almost all of downtown—from the courthouse, to the stores and hotels, to the public spaces—bears the distinctive red tiles and white walls of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It’s where the Old Mission Santa Barbara itself can be found, a Spanish jewel that might be the most breathtaking mission on California’s storied Camino Real.
It’s where Dick Wolf keeps his boat.
Santa Barbara doesn’t just have a reputation. It has a mystique. It’s where the tony, upscale California of the 20th century unites with the state’s Spanish heritage, and where celebrities as disparate as Steve Martin, Oprah Winfrey, tennis champ Jimmy Connors, and Depeche Mode member Martin Gore have settled after getting rich. And although guests will never forget that this is a town of great wealth, they’ll find that it’s gracious, hospitable, and surprisingly modest. Santa Barbara isn’t a playground for the rich and famous; it’s a place where people from all walks of life can find relaxation and enrichment—even if it’s also where Batman just couldn’t find a place to get rid of a bomb in the 1966 Batman movie.
I recently spent almost a week in Santa Barbara, and sure, I want to move there now. Who wouldn’t? That will probably never happen, but at least I can think back on my time there whenever I get wistful—and pull the photos up on my phone.
If you ever find yourself in Santa Barbara, here’s what you need to put on your to-do list.
What to Do
With Santa Barbara it’s best to start downtown—particularly at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Although Santa Barbara’s courthouse has sat on this plot of land since 1872, the current building, and its distinctive Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, date back to 1926, when construction was started the year after an earthquake leveled much of the town. This National Historic Landmark is more than a courthouse; it’s been a meeting place for Santa Barbarans for almost a century, home to countless functions and a daily procession of weddings. You will see a line of people getting their wedding photos taken at the courthouse, and it’s no surprise why: this building and its grounds are absolutely gorgeous, and make the best possible introduction to Santa Barbara.
While you’re downtown, stop by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, just a short walk away from the courthouse. Located in one of the buildings that survived the earthquake, the museum is home to a wide-ranging collection of 19th and 20th century art, with a notable collection of French Impressionist paintings and American Modern art. You’ll find everything from 3000 year old Persian artifacts to 21st century mixed media. And although the museum’s purview is international, it does take a special interest in Californian art. During our visit, exhibitions examined Texas-based artist Dario Robleto’s fascinating interdisciplinary work about the search for extraterrestrial life, and a collection of art by US-based women from Latin American cultures; they were a nice complement to the museum’s primary ongoing exhibit of international art from 1850 through 1950.
Beyond the courthouse and museum, downtown Santa Barbara is easily walkable, and full of both unique local shops and national chains. Take a day to leisurely stroll down State Street and explore its shops, cafes, and restaurants. Drop in on the shopping complexes at La Arcada Plaza and Paseo Nuevo, or take in a film at the Arlington Theatre or the Metro 4. The Arlington also features live performances, from fine arts to pop to speaking engagements, while the Granada Theatre supplements its largely fine arts programming with live theater and touring Broadway shows.
Less than two miles from downtown, the historic Stearns Wharf Pier stretches 2300 feet into the harbor. Although various fires and earthquakes have caused great damage to the wharf, it continues to serve the community as it has since 1872. If you’re an angler, rent some gear and post up on the harbor for some top notch fishing action. Get ice cream at Great Pacific Ice Cream Co., or grab a drink and some oysters at the famous Moby Dick Restaurant. And make sure you make time for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, which will give you a deep dive into the flora, fauna, and ecosystem of the Santa Barbara Channel.
