Santa Barbara Travel Guide
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Santa Barbara Is Known for...
Five of Santa Barbara's most unique features and characteristics.
Celebrities
What do Oprah, John Cleese, Drew Barrymore, and Justin Bieber have in common? They all have (not so humble) homes in sunny Santa Barbara. The rich and famous have long escaped the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles by driving up the coast to visit - or stay - in this more relaxed beach town. For one thing, it’s beautiful. For another, the locals don’t bat an eyelash when a star appears among them... unless that star cuts in front of us in line at La Super Rica!
Beaches
Santa Barbara has earned a reputation as the “American Riveria” because of its Mediterranean climate and stretches of sandy shores. Publicly accessible white sand beaches run along the inviting coast, perfectly suited to almost every imaginable recreational activity - from bicycling to kiteboarding. Locals take full advantage of Santa Barbara’s most famous natural asset by using the shoreline to stage weddings, craft fairs, music festivals, and more. Each beach has its own personality; spend a lazy Sunday with the beautiful people at Butterfly Beach or try to catch some surf at Rincon.
Wine
Our unique combination of ocean breezes, rolling foothills, and shallow valleys creates a haven of microclimates, responsible for one of the most...
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Celebrities
What do Oprah, John Cleese, Drew Barrymore, and Justin Bieber have in common? They all have (not so humble) homes in sunny Santa Barbara. The rich and famous have long escaped the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles by driving up the coast to visit - or stay - in this more relaxed beach town. For one thing, it’s beautiful. For another, the locals don’t bat an eyelash when a star appears among them... unless that star cuts in front of us in line at La Super Rica!
Beaches
Santa Barbara has earned a reputation as the “American Riveria” because of its Mediterranean climate and stretches of sandy shores. Publicly accessible white sand beaches run along the inviting coast, perfectly suited to almost every imaginable recreational activity - from bicycling to kiteboarding. Locals take full advantage of Santa Barbara’s most famous natural asset by using the shoreline to stage weddings, craft fairs, music festivals, and more. Each beach has its own personality; spend a lazy Sunday with the beautiful people at Butterfly Beach or try to catch some surf at Rincon.
Wine
Our unique combination of ocean breezes, rolling foothills, and shallow valleys creates a haven of microclimates, responsible for one of the most diverse grape producing regions in the country. Famous for our (legendarily fickle) pinots, Santa Barbara is also home to many Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. For a Dionysian sampling, schedule a daytrip to Santa Ynez to visit the vineyards and tasting rooms. Rather stay within city limits? Let our Urban Wine Trail take you to wineries within easy walking, biking, or - let’s be honest - inexpensive cab fare distance of most downtown locations.
Red Tiles
The ubiquitous red tile roofs of Santa Barbara are practically inescapable. After a devastating earthquake in 1925, the majority of the city was rebuilt, taking inspiration from the Spanish style of the California Missions. Spanish red tiles cover the roofs of most downtown buildings, creating a scenic vista from higher vantage points, like the legendary 360-degree view from the clock tower at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Start at the Courthouse to begin the easy, twelve block Red Tile Walking Tour developed by the city’s Chamber of Commerce.
Gardens
Santa Barbara’s coastal location and temperate climate make it a natural home for lush foliage and gorgeous blooms. Pack a picnic and spend a lovely afternoon in the legendary sunken gardens of the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to take a tour of the native floriculture and learn about sustainable agricultural practices. Or schedule a trip to Lotusland to admire the extraordinarily curated gardens of deceased opera singer Madame Ganna Walska - a place where giant cacti rise and tumble toward earth, water lilies bloom in placid pools, and blue leafed plants crowd together in a fantastic monochromatic display.
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About Santa Barbara
Just two hours from LA, this once sleepy California town has been dubbed the "American Riviera." Its coastal beauty, year-round sun, mountainous backdrop, and Spanish/Mexican history attract wealthy residents and plenty of eager tourists. Characteristic of the area are adobe-style houses and old-world architecture — evidenced in the Santa Barbara Courthouse — which also serve to keep the area's Spanish heritage alive. A landmark structure, Santa Barbara Mission (1786), boasts the name "Queen of the Missions" for its stately bearing and longevity. Aside from architecture, visitors enjoy strolls along picturesque State Street and the scenic waterfront, which features Stearns Wharf, the oldest operating wharf on the West Coast. For a town its size, Santa Barbara offers numerous cultural attractions as well: museums, art galleries, outdoor cafes, botanical gardens, and theaters. Even a well-received annual film festival celebrates and continues the city's cinematic history. In addition, the town is home to UCSB, an esteemed branch of the University of California.
Just two hours from LA, this once sleepy California town has been dubbed the "American Riviera." Its coastal beauty, year-round sun, mountainous backdrop, and Spanish/Mexican history attract wealthy residents and plenty of eager tourists. Characteristic of the area are adobe-style houses and old-world architecture — evidenced in the Santa Barbara Courthouse — which also serve to keep the area's Spanish heritage alive. A landmark structure, Santa Barbara Mission (1786), boasts the name "Queen of the Missions" for its stately bearing and longevity. Aside from architecture, visitors enjoy strolls along picturesque State Street and the scenic waterfront, which features Stearns Wharf, the oldest operating wharf on the West Coast. For a town its size, Santa Barbara offers numerous cultural attractions as well: museums, art galleries, outdoor cafes, botanical gardens, and theaters. Even a well-received annual film festival celebrates and continues the city's cinematic history. In addition, the town is home to UCSB, an esteemed branch of the University of California.
