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Santa Barbara Attractions
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State Street
Santa Barbara CA, 93101
805-963-4364
Tues-Sat 11:00am-5:00pm, Fri 11:00am-9:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-5:00pm
Fax: 805-966-6840
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, one of southern California's finest art museums, features nationally recognized collections and special exhibitions of international importance. Highlights of the museum's remarkable permanent collection include antiquities; 19th century French, British, and American art; 20th century and contemporary European, North American and Latin American art; Asian art; photography, and works on paper. Recent special exhibitions of significance include Nam June Paik: Video Art Pioneer, Copy Work: The Dictionary Pages and Other Diversions by Gilles Barbier, and The Jefferson Suites: An Audio-Visual Installation by Carrie Mae Weems. Museum visitors will also enjoy the interactive children's gallery, the café and the Museum Store.
Los Carneros County Park
Los Carneros Rd. at Calle Real
Goleta CA,
805-568-2461
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
1100 Anacapa St. at Anapamu St.
(805) 962-6464
Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM
Sat & Sun 9 AM to 5 PM
Tours Mon- Sat at 2 PM, & Fri 10:30 AM and 2PM
Free hour-long guided tours are offered.
Free admission.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a magnificent Spanish-Moorish structure is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. Completed in 1929 (fortuitously just before the stock market crash), the ornate structure features hand painted ceilings, a spiral staircase, wrought iron chandeliers, imported tiles, carved doors and beautiful historical murals.
Santa Barbara Harbor and Breakwater
Cabrillo Blvd. west of Castillo St.
7 Days/Week
Admission Free
You'll find everything from rowboats to expensive yachts tied up at the harbor, which is nestled inside a protective breakwater. Watch the boats come in, observe windsurfers offshore, browse the shops or visit one of the harbor's restaurants. The breakwater, constructed in 1924, is paved and wide enough to accommodate a whole family. At the east end of the harbor is Sea Landing, where the seagoing Condor departs for seasonal whale-watching excursions.
Santa Barbara Historical Society/Museum
136 E. De La Guerra
Santa Barbara CA, 93101
805-966-1601
Tues-Sat 10:00am-5:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-4:00pm
Guided tour offered Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM.
Admission Free, but a donation is appreciated.
Art, textiles, furniture, clothing and other artifacts from Santa Barbara's rich multicultural past have been preserved in this complex of adobe structures under the auspices of the Santa Barbara Historical Society. Step back in time as you view the collected remnants of the area's Spanish, Mexican and American periods, or stroll the inner courtyard, which seems far removed from the busy streets that surround the museum and adjacent historical adobes The Gledhill Library, on the museum grounds, houses an impressive collection of books, maps and photographs chronicling Santa Barbara's history. 10 - 4 Tues. - Fri.; 10- 1 the first Saturday of the month. An hourly library research fee is charged for persons who are not members of the Historical Society.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta Del Sol Road
Santa Barbara CA, 93105
805-682-4711
Mon-Sat 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 10:00am-5:00pm
Admission charged.
Admission is free to all on the first Sunday of each month. nominal charge in addition to the museum admission fee for planetarium shows. Tucked inconspicuously among the oaks in Mission Canyon, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful small museums in the country. Founded in 1916 on the banks of Mission Creek, the low-roofed, Spanish-style structure includes several exhibit halls dedicated to the study of California and Santa Barbara County natural history.
Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens
805-962-5339
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara CA, 93103
Open every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 10 - 5 ( ticket sales end at 4) Mon-Sun 10-5
Admission charged.
A year's family membership of $45 provides a quarterly newsletter, discounts on education programs and the Gift Shop and free admission to dozens of other zoos across the country (including the Los Angeles Zoo). Over the years the zoo has added an impressive number of new animals and exhibits, and it continues to be dedicated to preserving a quality environment for both visitors and the zoo's permanent residents. More than 700 animals currently reside at the zoo, which hosts more than a half-million visitors every year.
Sea Center
805-963-1067
The Andree Clark Bird Refuge (1400 E. Cabrillo Blvd.) is home to water and land loving birds of all kinds. Especially interesting are the rare species of grackles and wood ducks. Observation platforms and educational signs enhance the bird watching. A walkway and bike path allow exploration. A drive through the exclusive residential neighborhood of Hope Ranch (west of the city) along palm lined Las Palmas Drive passes secluded luxurious homes, miles of bridle paths, a private country club and golf course, and Laguna Blanca, its private lake.
Arlington Center for the Performing Arts
1317 State St.
(805) 963-4408
The Arlington Center is one of Santa Barbara's most beloved performance venues, and both its name and its location speak volumes about Santa Barbara history. In 1875 the site was occupied by the tony Arlington Hotel, a magnet for the rich and famous of the day, including several presidents, movie stars, military heroes and foreign guests. In 1909, however, a fire of undetermined origin burned the hotel to the ground. A "new" Arlington was built on the site, but it never quite lived up to the original and was razed in 1925.
El Paseo
15 E. De la Guerra St.
(805) 965-0093
Browsing is free anytime at El Paseo, but most shops and galleries don't open until 10 AM. Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture is shown off beautifully in El Paseo, a small shopping complex (reportedly America's first "shopping center") built in the 1920s around the historic De la Guerra adobe. The adobe was built between 1819 and 1826 by Jose de la Guerra y Noriega, who was at the time commander of El Presidio de Santa Barbara. De la Guerra and his wife, Doņa Maria Antonia, raised 12 children here, and the house was the social center of Santa Barbara for years.-includes shops, galleries and restaurants. The main entrance is on the 800 block of State Street, but access is also available on De la Guerra and Anacapa streets.
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