Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Sightseeing
World famous architecture. Free access and docent tours. Climb the clock tower for a free 360-degree overview of Santa Barbara.
162 locals recommend
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StWorld famous architecture. Free access and docent tours. Climb the clock tower for a free 360-degree overview of Santa Barbara.
The only Mission of the chain of 21 that has been in continuous service since its founding.
201 locals recommend
Old Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StThe only Mission of the chain of 21 that has been in continuous service since its founding.
Santa Barbara Visitor Center
1 Garden StPleasant help and lots of information. Ask them about hiking trails.
Being restored over the years with adobe bricks made the old-fashioned way on site. This and the Mission are where Santa Barbara started.
23 locals recommend
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
123 E Canon Perdido StBeing restored over the years with adobe bricks made the old-fashioned way on site. This and the Mission are where Santa Barbara started.
Everything Else
Big-name performances in an outdoor amplitheatre. Just around the corner from Casa Granadita.
122 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Bowl
1122 N Milpas StBig-name performances in an outdoor amplitheatre. Just around the corner from Casa Granadita.
A library and meeting hall in a very interesting building.
8 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Public Library
40 E Anapamu StA library and meeting hall in a very interesting building.
Beach-side restaurant, sand, and, usually, volleyball to watch. A week-day pass at the Gym & Spa gets you a locker and a shower, as well as gym equipment.
18 locals recommend
East Beach
Beach-side restaurant, sand, and, usually, volleyball to watch. A week-day pass at the Gym & Spa gets you a locker and a shower, as well as gym equipment.
One of the first wineries in Santa Barbara, it's pretty much in the middle of The Funk Zone, the new trendy arts. wine tasting and eating venue.
50 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Winery
28 Anacapa StOne of the first wineries in Santa Barbara, it's pretty much in the middle of The Funk Zone, the new trendy arts. wine tasting and eating venue.
For sports-oriented guided tours such as kayaking. Tell them Susan-Claire recommended them.
40 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Adventure Company
520 E Haley StFor sports-oriented guided tours such as kayaking. Tell them Susan-Claire recommended them.
A small but interesting zoo. Had a baby giraffe, who is now a "teen ager".
169 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos DrA small but interesting zoo. Had a baby giraffe, who is now a "teen ager".
Santa Barbara abalone divers pioneered the deep-sea bell and became known worldwide. See their history.
21 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
113 Harbor WaySanta Barbara abalone divers pioneered the deep-sea bell and became known worldwide. See their history.
Long-time purveyor of locally originated ice cream. Don't count calories here. Sometimes they have Chocolate Burnt Almond, my decades-long favorite.
36 locals recommend
Mission Street Ice Cream & Yogurt - Featuring McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
201 W Mission StLong-time purveyor of locally originated ice cream. Don't count calories here. Sometimes they have Chocolate Burnt Almond, my decades-long favorite.
Arts & Culture
California's oldest continuous performance house. Original adobe was replaced by a George Washington Smith design. Charming 600-seat theatre that's perfect for jazz and dance.
20 locals recommend
Lobero Theatre
33 E Canon Perdido StCalifornia's oldest continuous performance house. Original adobe was replaced by a George Washington Smith design. Charming 600-seat theatre that's perfect for jazz and dance.
The region's premier performance theatre. 1600 seats for symphonies, Broadway musicals, etc.
55 locals recommend
The Granada Theatre
1214 State StThe region's premier performance theatre. 1600 seats for symphonies, Broadway musicals, etc.
Enjoy first-run movies and popular performances in the 2200-seat theatre. It's as if you watch from the plaza of a small spanish town.
84 locals recommend
The Arlington Theatre (Metropolitan Theatres)
1317 State StEnjoy first-run movies and popular performances in the 2200-seat theatre. It's as if you watch from the plaza of a small spanish town.
Junior High School auditorium upgraded by grateful student of long-time drama teacher to be a performance theatre. Wonderful Spanish/Mediterranean architecture. Eclectic offerings
Marjorie Luke Theatre
721 E Cota StJunior High School auditorium upgraded by grateful student of long-time drama teacher to be a performance theatre. Wonderful Spanish/Mediterranean architecture. Eclectic offerings
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
136 E De La Guerra StMore city history, if you are interested.
Excellent collection for a regional museum (thanks to a long history of civic-minded benefactors). Frequently hosts traveling exhibits, too.
107 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State StExcellent collection for a regional museum (thanks to a long history of civic-minded benefactors). Frequently hosts traveling exhibits, too.
Food Scene
A family-run tradition, known far and wide (People even come from Bakersfield!) for hand-made tortillas and excellent food at fast-food prices.
96 locals recommend
La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StA family-run tradition, known far and wide (People even come from Bakersfield!) for hand-made tortillas and excellent food at fast-food prices.
Essentials
Greek/Italian/Spanish deli/cafe in the Funk Zone. Interesting sandwiches and salad plates plus imported foods. Pick up a sandwich to take to the beach.
15 locals recommend
Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant
216 E Yanonali StGreek/Italian/Spanish deli/cafe in the Funk Zone. Interesting sandwiches and salad plates plus imported foods. Pick up a sandwich to take to the beach.