Is Santa Barbara worth visiting?
Yes, you'll find numerous reasons to visit Santa Barbara, and it's a coastal town that everyone should see. We had an amazing time here. We first visited in 2011 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with beautiful beaches and great restaurants.
Whether you're a traveling as a family or a couple, this coastal town has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the amazing beaches and fantastic hiking.
It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in BuzzFeed's Most Under-rated Travel Destinations For 2023.
Santa Barbara is a university town that's beautifully located on the central California coast. The town is breathtakingly beautiful with pristine beaches and stunning views. There are scenic missions that you can explore as well as fun water sports and world-class shopping.
The Santa Barbara Courthouse
8 Reasons to Visit Santa Barbara
1. Beaches
The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.
2. Hiking
Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.
3. Shopping
The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.
4. Museums and Attractions
The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is known for its extensive exhibits on local maritime history and shipwrecks. ($12)
Santa Barbara Museum of Art is known for its extensive and diverse art collections and engaging exhibitions. ($15)
Stearns Wharf is known for its scenic ocean views, fresh seafood restaurants, and historic significance as one of Santa Barbara’s oldest piers. (Free)
Santa Barbara County Courthouse is known for its exquisite Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, scenic gardens, and panoramic views from the clock tower. (Free)
5. Food
The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.
6. Resorts
Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.
7. Nightlife
For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.
8. Historical Sights
The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Santa Barbara Mission is known for being a well-preserved Spanish mission with beautiful gardens and rich history. ($15)
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park is known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial military structures and historical exhibits showcasing early California history. ($10)
Carrillo Ranch Historic Park is known for its well-preserved adobe ranch home and gardens that illustrate California’s ranching history. (Free)
Is Santa Barbara worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Santa Barbara, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 19°C (65°F).
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable coastal town, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to lounge on the beach, go hiking, and spend time at the museums. Also, you can relax at a luxurious resort, discover the big city activities, browse around the old town, and enjoy an evening out.
Summer Weather in Santa Barbara
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 19°C (65°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| August | 19°C (67°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| September | 19°C (66°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
Is Santa Barbara worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Santa Barbara. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 17°C (62°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. During this season it's fun to experience the beautiful scenery, the historic old town, and the museums and landmarks. Also, you can check out the quaint atmosphere, the big city activities, and the hiking.
Autumn Weather in Santa Barbara
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 17°C (62°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| November | 14°C (57°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| December | 11°C (52°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Santa Barbara worth visiting in the Winter?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 11°C (52°F).
The low season for travel in Santa Barbara is during the winter. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices. Santa Barbara is a very pleasant place to visit in the winter.
This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and admire the historic sights. Also, you'll be able to dance the night away and enjoy the city's energy.
Winter Weather in Santa Barbara
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 11°C (52°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| February | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| March | 13°C (55°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Santa Barbara worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Santa Barbara. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 14°C (57°F).
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, browse through museums, and admire the quaint atmosphere. Also, you can experience the beautiful scenery, the historic old town, and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Santa Barbara
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 14°C (57°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| June | 17°C (62°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
Related
What is Santa Barbara most famous for?
Santa Barbara is most famous for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. The coastal town is very popular for its beaches, hiking, and shopping. Also, it's known for museums and attractions, food, and resorts. Many people love the nightlife and historical sights, too. It is often described as wealthy, opulent, pristine, affluent, scenic, and stunning.
What is the most famous sight in Santa Barbara?
The most popular sight in Santa Barbara is The Old Mission Santa Barbara. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Santa Barbara on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Old Mission Santa Barbara and other attractions here.
How touristy is Santa Barbara? Is it a popular coastal town to visit?
Santa Barbara is a popular coastal town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Private Guided Tour in Santa Barbara on Electric Bikes: $90
- Beginner or Intermediate Mountain Bike Tour of Santa Barbara: $125
- Santa Barbara Ice Cream Tour 4 Stops Samples Full Scoops: $99
- The Original Group Electric Bike Tour of Santa Barbara: $85
- Sideways Movie Wine Trail: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $20
- Solvang Kids Viking Tour with Viking Museum Entry: $45
- Meet the Bees Guided Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting: $225
- Guided Biking Experience in Ojai: $115
How long should I spend in Santa Barbara?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Santa Barbara is two to three days. Since Santa Barbara has a variety of activities such as beaches, hiking, and shopping, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Santa Barbara?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Santa Barbara?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Santa Barbara?.
More Things to Do in Santa Barbara
- Is Stearns Wharf Worth Visiting?
- Is Santa Barbara County Courthouse Worth Visiting?
- Is Funk Zone Worth Visiting?
- Is Santa Barbara Mission Worth Visiting?
- Is Santa Barbara Zoo Worth Visiting?
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Family-Friendly Tours to USA and The Best Wildlife Tours to USA.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Santa Barbara.
Why would you recommend Santa Barbara to budget travelers? Or, why not?
Beautiful? Absolutely! But Santa Barbara is not a cheap destination. If you want to safe money, try to find an affordable Airbnb.
What makes Santa Barbara a budget-friendly destination? Or not?
It was so much more expensive than we expected, but it really is a spectacular place to visit.