6 attractions in Santa Barbara - California

Index

Santa Barbara is one of the most interesting destinations to visit in california coast . It is a typical seaside resort with beautiful beaches, palm trees and its characteristic marina, but the charm of this city goes far beyond the classic seaside attractions. Let's discover the 6 attractions in Santa Barbara – California and what are the places to visit.

Here you will also find a lot of history and architecture, with many historic Spanish colonial buildings rising from the hills of the Pacific coast. So get ready!

Santa Bárbara is a small town, but when you visit any tourist destination, you need to plan well and know exactly what do you want to see and visit . Here is our list:

Stearns Wharf Pier in Santa Barbara, California

Stearns Wharf, located on Santa Barbara's beautiful boardwalk (ideal for an afternoon stroll), is the oldest wooden pier in the state of California (dating back to 1872).

Here, in addition to a beautiful view of the ocean, you will find several restaurants and shops. I suggest you stop to eat at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company . Don't be put off by the long lines at the entrance. The giant crabs served here will be a reward worth waiting for!

Stearns Wharf Pier in Santa Barbara - California — Stearns Wharf Pier in Santa Barbara, California

If you are not too full and tired after your meal, you can also stop by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center , where you can see real whale skeletons!

state street

If you're looking for a little Night life , you might be disappointed as the waterfront is almost deserted at dusk. The reason is that young people and those who want to have fun crowd the state street , the main artery of the city, where bars, shops, restaurants and nightclubs abound.

State Street is a charming, well-maintained street and is a good place to stroll even during the day.

county court

This is a beautiful Spanish colonial style building, still in operation (even though it was built in 1929) and defined by Charles Moore as “the most magnificent Spanish colonial structure ever built”. Inside you will find many things to see , including murals, tiles, elegant furniture and various references to the style of the old missions with bright and vibrant colors.

Take a nice guided tour (it's free!) and don't miss the chance to climb to the top of the clock tower ( El Mirador ) to admire one of the most beautiful views of Santa Bárbara.

Santa Barbara Prison – California

Like many other coastal cities in California, Santa Barbara was originally a mission , whose remains are still preserved in the Santa Bárbara Presidio, where you can also visit the halls of El Cuartel , a fortress that is also one of the oldest buildings in California.

The garrison is part of a complex of fortresses built by the Spanish on the coast of California in 1782. Visiting El Presidio can be an interesting experience, especially for its historical significance.

Mission Santa Barbara: The Queen of All Missions

THE Historic Santa Barbara Mission it forms part of the Camino Real and is one of the most beautiful sacred buildings on the California coast. The mission dates back to 1786, but the Catholic Church, with its majestic double-bell facade, was built in 1820 and is still the most visited mission in California.

The church always holds religious services and in the building next door, there is a very interesting museum where you can learn more about the history of the relationship between the Franciscan friars and the Native Americans through historical artifacts and sacred and secular objects of the time.

Santa Barbara Museums

Two particularly interesting museums in Santa Barbara are the Art Museum of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History .

I recommend that art history lovers visit the first museum, which has ancient Greek and Egyptian sculptures and two notable collections (one dedicated to the impressionists and the other to American painters).

The second museum houses Native American artifacts, scale models of various animal species, as well as skeletons of rare or extinct animals.