10 Top Rated Things to Do in Santa Barbara, California
Photograph by Niranjan Arminius, via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Barbara Beaches
#1 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Santa Barbara
East Beach and West Beach separated by Stearn's Wharf are popular tourist beaches of Santa Barbara. East Beach has many known hotels facing the beach. East Beach also hosts volleyball tournaments each year. West beach is known for hosting events such as New Years and 4th of July Fireworks shows. West Beach is also home to the West Beach Music & Arts Festival. Other beaches of Santa Barbara include Butterfly Beach, Hendry's Beach, and Leadbetter Beach.
Photograph by D Ramey Logan, via Wikimedia Commons
Stearns Wharf
#2 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Santa Barbara
Stearns Wharf is a pier located in the harbor in Santa Barbara. It is the longest deep water pier between San Pedro and San Francisco. The wharf served the passenger and freight shipping needs of California’s South Coast. Stearns Wharf is popular for many recreation activities including 42-Passenger Cruises, Sea Center, and Water Taxi. The wharf is also known for specialty shops and restaurants.
Photograph by Dakart, via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Barbara Zoo
#3 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Zoo is home to more than 500 animals of 146 species. The 30 acres zoo features mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. The zoo exhibits include African Plains, Cats of Africa, The Congo Forest's Edge, California Trails, and The Crawford Family Penguin House. Other attractions include Zoo Train and giraffe feeding deck.
Photograph by Bernard Gagnon, via Wikimedia Commons
Mission Santa Barbara
#4 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Santa Barbara
Mission Santa Barbara is a Spanish mission and parish church overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The 15 acres Mission grounds include the Mission church, Historic Cemetery and Mausoleum, a museum, gift shop, and gardens. Self-guided tours are available with admission. The tour includes the Sacred Garden, Historic Cemetery, Mission Church and Museum.
Photograph by Konrad Summers, via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
#5 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Santa Barbara
Located in downtown, Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a Spanish Colonial Revival style building. The historic courthouse is known for its unique architecture. The entire courthouse includes four buildings and a Jail Wing which is not in used. Visitors are allowed to go up to 85 ft top "El Mirador" clock tower that offers views in all directions. Sunken Garden surrounding the courthouse grounds features palms and trees from more than 25 countries.
Photograph by Vahe Martirosyan, via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
#6 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History include more than 3.5 million specimens of natural history. The museum features 10 indoor exhibit halls featuring geology, astronomy, paleontology, and anthropology. Current exhibits of the museum include Dinorama, Prehistoric Forest, Nature Club House, and Blue Whale Skeleton. Santa Barbara Museum is home to the only planetarium on the Central Coast. Sea Center located at Stearns Wharf managed by the museum features small aquarium and marine education facility.
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Sea Center
#7 in Best Top 10 Places to Visit in Santa Barbara
Sea Center is a museum owned and operated by Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The Sea Center is located on Stearns Wharf. The center is focused on the marine life of the Santa Barbara Channel.
Santa Barbara Museums
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Sea Center
Santa Barbara Parks
- Arroyo Burro County Park