Santa Barbara has many fun and exciting activities for visitors, and they don't have to cost much, if anything.
1.Visit the Santa Barbara Mission. Founded in 1786, the Mission is perhaps best known for its beautiful twin bell towers and is considered the "Queen of the Missions". The Mission is located at 2201 Laguna Street. Group and self-guided tours are available.
2.Spend the day at Stearns Wharf pier. Built in 1872, the Wharf is now home to a maritime museum, shops, restaurants, even a vintner where you can enjoy some wine tasting. If you get tired of people watching, you can fish at the end of the pier. Then, if you don't catch anything, you can pick up some fresh seafood at the fish market located on the Wharf.
3.Tour the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. The halls include exhibitions on Chumash Indians and marine life. There's also a space lab/planetarium. The third Sunday of every month is free to the public. The museum is located at 2559 Puesta del Sol Road.
4.Pass through the halls of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Over the years, a number of infamous court cases have been tried here. Built in a Spanish-Moorish style in 1929, you haven't seen Santa Barbara until you've enjoyed the view from the courthouse's clock tower, accessible by elevator. The interior architecture of the building is memorable, with historical displays, beautiful hallways and painted murals.
5.Experience the Santa Barbara Zoo. Western Lowland gorillas, Black-necked swans, alligators and more can be viewed at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Ride the narrow-gauge train around the grounds or take a whirl on the carousel. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Open 10am-5pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
6.Stroll through the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, located at 1212 Mission Canyon Road. Boasting 78 acres, the Botanic Garden is a stunning collection of native plants and displays. A botanic library is also on the grounds and is admissible by appointment. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is actively committed to the conservation of rare and endangered plant species. Guided and self-guided tours are available.
7.Peruse the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Founded in 1941, the museum includes modern as well as antique collections. In addition to permanent and special exhibitions, there is also a Summer Youth Mural. Every summer, local high school students work with a master artist to create a mural. That mural is viewable on the museum's wall by the Park Wing entrance. A small café is on the premises. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is located at 1130 State Street.
8.Walk along State Street where you'll find shops, theatres and historical buildings along the seven-mile stretch of the city's main street. Enjoy espresso at a cafe, lunch at one of the many restaurants, or late evening drinks at one of State Street's nightclubs.
9.Take a hike along Rattlesnake Canyon Trail on Las Canoas Road. This is a 3.5 mile round-trip hike with a 900 foot gain in elevation. After crossing shallow streams and passing by waterfalls, you'll be rewarded with a view of the Channel Islands in the distance.
10.No trip to Santa Barbara is complete without experiencing the beach. Check out East Beach, one of the world's top ten beaches as rated by The Travel Channel. Located near Stern's Wharf, you can enjoy breakfast or lunch on the beach at the Cabrillo Bath House. Nearby, the Sunday art exhibit is held every week and features a variety of artisans selling their crafts.
