With so much to see and do in Santa Barbara, it can be tough to know where to start. But don’t worry! In this article, we will list the best ways to see some of the most popular attractions in the area.

Whether you’re looking to get out on the water or explore everything this city has to offer on foot, we’ve got you covered. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to start exploring!

Red Tile Walking Tour

The self-guided Red Tile Walking Tour is an ideal way for city newcomers and tourists to get a quick overview of some of Santa Barbara’s major historical and cultural attractions. The tour covers a wide range of destinations, from well-known landmarks to hidden gems, making it a great way to explore the city and learn about its heritage.

Additionally, the tour route covers approximately twelve city blocks and includes seventeen stops. It provides an opportunity to view a variety of architectural styles including Spanish Colonial, Monterey Colonial, Mission Revival, and California Bungalow. You can pick up a map of the route at the visitors center, which also has information on the 22 notable adobe buildings along the way.

If you’re planning to do the tour, you should allow yourself enough time to enjoy all that it has to offer. An hour or so should be enough time to walk the route, but you’ll also want to take some photos, admire the scenery, and maybe stop for coffee or lunch.

Santa Barbara Trolley

Explore the beautiful city of Santa Barbara in style by taking a ride in one of Santa Barbara Trolley’s charming, open-air trolleys. With its convenient hop-on, hop-off service, you can easily explore all the wonderful sights of Santa Barbara, without having to worry about finding parking or dealing with traffic. The trolleys are equipped with comfortable seats and large windows, providing passengers with an unobstructed view of the city’s attractions.

Santa Barbara Trolley offers fully-narrated 90-minute tours that are affordable and packed with information about the local area. As you ride through the town on the trolley, your tour guide will be pointing out popular landmarks and sharing interesting facts about them. Some of the places you’ll learn about include the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf.

Santa Barbara Trolley’s tour prices are good for the entire day of purchase, so you can hop off at any site that interests you and reboard later in the day. In addition to being a public transportation option for residents and visitors of Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Trolley can also be booked for private events, wine tasting tours, and weddings.

Old Mission Santa Barbara

The Old Mission Santa Barbara, with its twin bell towers, is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. It’s also one of the best places to get a panoramic view of Santa Barbara. The site offers daily tours that allow visitors to view early mission structures, sacred artifacts, and other historical remnants.

Furthermore, the onsite gift shop at the Old Mission Santa Barbara is not to be missed! It features beautiful jewelry, stunning statues, and religious artifacts from across the globe. In addition, the shop offers a wide variety of books, music, and other gifts. Be sure to also check out the gorgeous rose garden located just across the way!

Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf is a historic wooden pier that was constructed in 1872. Originally built to accommodate the influx of freight and passengers arriving by ship, today the pier is a popular tourist destination, home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and even a museum. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the coastline and the nearby Channel Islands, making it easy to see why this landmark has remained one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved attractions for over 150 years.

Be sure to take a photo of the dolphin statue at the entrance of Stearns Wharf. The dolphin fountain is a Santa Barbara landmark and symbolizes your visit to this wonderful city by the sea.

Santa Barbara Water Taxi

The best way to see Santa Barbara’s stunning waterfront is by boarding the charming yellow boat, Lil’ Toot. As Santa Barbara Water Taxi’s only vessel, the Lil’ Toot offers guests a unique and memorable experience to see the sights and sounds of the city from the water.

The Lil’ Toot provides a number of different types of cruises for its passengers to enjoy. During the day, guests can take advantage of the sun and go for a daytime cruise. As the sun begins to set, passengers can experience the stunning views during a sunset cruise. For those who need transportation between Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Harbor, the Lil’ Toot offers service every half hour.

Whale watching

Between Santa Barbara’s mainland and the offshore Channel Islands exists a stretch of ocean that is popular among migrating whales. In fact, over 26 varieties of whales and dolphins can be found in these waters throughout the year, making it a great place to go whale watching.

Between February and April, you can see California gray whales migrating northwards to their respective Alaskan feeding grounds from the Santa Barbara sea. Whale watching tours in Santa Barbara also offer the unique opportunity to see porpoises, seals, and dolphins in their natural habitat. These tours provide an up-close look at these amazing creatures, and allow you to learn more about them.

Inspiration Point

It’s no wonder that Inspiration Point is one of the most popular hiking spots in the Santa Barbara area – the view from up there is absolutely stunning! On a clear day, you can see the town, the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands in the distance.

Inspiration Point is definitely worth a visit if you’re in Santa Barbara as it is one of the best hikes in the area. The trail is moderate and easy to follow, making it a great option for all levels of hikers. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Lotusland

Do you want to visit a botanical garden that is not only unique and beautiful, but also bizarre? Then Lotusland in Santa Barbara is the right place for you! This garden was cultivated by an opera-singing heiress, so you know it will be unlike any other garden you have ever seen.

Spanning multiple decades, the creation of Lotusland is the result of Polish opera singer GannaWalska’s tireless efforts and attention to detail. Located in Montecito, it features an array of gardens, including a cactus garden, topiary garden, and Japanese garden. Lotusland frequently offers group tours that are perfect for children aged 10 or older. They also have family tours available that can accommodate younger kids.

Land and Sea Tours

Land Shark is a tour like no other in Santa Barbara. Guests will board a huge open-air truck and enjoy views of the city for the first half of the tour. Then, the vehicle will transform into a boat and launch into the sea for an even more unique experience. This 90-minute tour is sure to be a blast for everyone involved.

The Land Shark leaves the entrance to Stearns Wharf every day. You can take this tour to see the Santa Barbara waterfront, the natural beauty of the area, and some of the unique landmarks.

We hope this article has given you a comprehensive guide on the best things to see in Santa Barbara. Trust us, spending a few days in this beautiful city is an experience you won’t want to miss out on!