Things to do in Santa Barbara
Patios, missions, great-value dinners and the beaches locals actually use.
This is Santa Barbara without the resort-strip numbness: mornings in neighbourhood coffee shops, afternoons at beaches where people actually swim, and evenings that range from a brewery patio to an acclaimed kitchen. It suits anyone who wants to spend real money only when it counts, and otherwise move through the city the way a local would on a good week off.
Day 1: Funk Zone, waterfront, Lower State
The day opens at a proper downtown bakery, climbs the courthouse clock tower for the best free view in the city, lands on a tri-tip sandwich, and closes with Spanish small plates in the Funk Zone.
- 9:30 AM
Lilac Pâtisserie
Gluten-free pastries and proper coffee in a charming downtown bakery-café to start the day right.
Map - 10:15 AM
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Free entry to the stunning 1929 Spanish Colonial courthouse, hand-painted ceilings, murals, and a clock tower with panoramic views.
Map - 12:30 PM
Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio
Legendary tri-tip sandwiches on the Funk Zone patio, exactly the casual, local lunch this day calls for.
Map - 2:30 PM
- 7:30 PM
Loquita Santa Barbara
Spanish tapas and paella in the Funk Zone; order the pan con tomate and a paella to share.
Map - 8:45 PM
Third Window Brewing
A small brewery taproom off lower State for a last pint; closes 9pm Monday to Thursday.
Map
Day 2: Mission Canyon and North State
A morning in 78 acres of California native plants, lunch tacos in Oak Park, the twin-tower mission on the hill, and a relaxed Italian dinner followed by a self-guided tour of State Street's wine bars on your own schedule.
- 10:15 AM
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
78 acres of California native plants, a redwood grove and trails with views out to the Channel Islands.
Map - 12:30 PM
Maiz Picante Taqueria
Quick, cheap tacos in Oak Park, halfway between the botanic garden and the mission.
Map - 2:15 PM
Old Mission Santa Barbara
The 1786 twin-tower mission with museum, church and cemetery, a genuine piece of California history.
Map - 7:30 PM
Via Maestra 42
Casual Italian on North State, relaxed, mid-range, and a good step up for the one memorable dinner of the day.
Map - 9:15 PM
State Street Promenade
Car-free State Street after dinner: wine bars, cocktail rooms and the Granada's lit marquee.
Map
Day 3: East Beach, the zoo and Montecito
The day starts at a local coffee favourite before the zoo earns its two hours, then slides south to Montecito for a sandwich, golden-hour light at a west-facing beach, and great-value pizza to finish.
- 9:30 AM
Little King Coffee
Start the morning right at this East Beach local favourite for a proper coffee before the zoo.
Map - 10:30 AM
Santa Barbara Zoo
Friends swear by this 30-acre hilltop zoo, giraffe feeding, 500 animals, and ocean views; plan 2 to 3 hrs.
Map - 1:00 PM
Panino Montecito
Casual Montecito sandwich spot, quick, local and $$ keeps budget in check after the zoo.
Map - 3:00 PM
Butterfly Beach
One of the few west-facing beaches in Santa Barbara, across from the Biltmore; stay for the late light.
Map - 7:30 PM
- 9:30 PM
Institution Ale Co. - Santa Barbara
House-brewed pints in a big taproom on lower State to end the trip.
Map
Where to stay
Drift Santa Barbara
Drift sits squarely between the Funk Zone and the beach, matches the casual-but-considered tone of this trip, and keeps the price honest.
Moxy Santa Barbara
A mid-priced base on lower State, walkable to the Funk Zone, the wharf and State Street.
Make Santa Barbara your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: a few days ahead
- Santa Barbara Zoo: a few days ahead
- Santa Barbara Harbor sunset cruise: weeks ahead
- Lotusland: weeks ahead
- Santa Cruz Island: weeks ahead
- Anacapa Island: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Full dinners on Stearns Wharf by default. The wharf is for the walk, the view and the Sea Center, plus Shellfish Company specifically.
- Paying Funk Zone hotel prices then driving everywhere anyway. The premium is walkability.
- Driving yourself between Santa Ynez tastings. Highway 154 over the pass is winding and patrolled. Use tours, shuttles or a designated driver.
- Expecting a tropical swim. The water is cold and June can stay grey until midday.
The full Santa Barbara travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around