Welcome to Santa Barbara
Vibrant coastal city steeped in rich Spanish heritage
Flanked by the Santa Ynez mountains on the central California coast, Santa Barbara is a city resplendent in sunshine, natural beauty, and architectural elegance. Its celebrated attraction sites with posh resorts and entertainment venues have made it a hotspot for tourists, and a prestigious destination to call home. Strewn with lush parks and home to remarkable schools, award-winning eateries, world-class beaches, and ample opportunities for outdoor adventures, the city attracts residents from all walks of life. At its heart is a booming regional wine landscape, pioneered by sophisticated tasting rooms in the popular Urban Wine Trail. Dedicated to the preservation of its historic architectural character, the Spanish-revival style with white stucco walls and the red-tiled roof is commonplace, but duplexes, bungalows, and modern ranch homes have arisen throughout the city.
What to Love
- Year-round sunshine
- Endless shopping, dining, and entertainment
- Small town vibes with big-city luxuries
- Architectural grandeur
Local Lifestyle
Characterized by its laid-back appeal, Santa Barbara balances lifestyles across a broad spectrum. Long-time residents have chosen the city for the high-quality lifestyle it affords with outstanding amenities at arm’s reach. It is clad in a casual atmosphere, and flush with a welcoming spirit that has brought everyone from retirees to families and young professionals flocking in.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Book a reservation at The Lark, an urbane eatery in a former fish market offering dishes like Horse Cured Ocean Trout Crudo, crispy brussels sprouts, and buttermilk fried chicken. For fresh, locally caught seafood plates, no place bests Brophy Bros., a restaurant overlooking the dazzling harbor. Their signature Bloody Marys are a must-have, and most people who have dined here can’t stop raving about the ambiance.
Joe’s Cafe has been serving Santa Barbara since 1928, a lively spot for classic American fare including seafood and steak. Stop into the tiki-themed Chuck’s of Hawaii for a scrumptious dinner of seafood, Hawaiian chicken and rice, or juicy steak paired with cocktails. The full salad bar will leave you in awe, and wait till they roll out the wine list! Jeannine’s Restaurant and Bakery is where locals dash in for their breakfast needs, serving eggs, toasts, and espressos in an airy setting. For all sorts of varieties, the Funk Zone is the place to be. Home to the Urban Wine Trail, you’ll enjoy a little adventure across its 20+ tasting rooms, stocked up on Santa Barbara County wines!
Things to Do
Buzzing with boutique wineries and galleries, cozy cafes, and vintage shops, Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone is a retail and cultural force to reckon with. Dine al fresco at a tantalizing eatery on the palm tree-lined paseo of State Street, where hip cafes nestle alongside delightful shops, and the Granada Theater shows Broadway Musicals while live music enthusiasts can enjoy lovely moments at the Arlington Theater. For a concert night with friends, getting tickets to the Santa Barbara Bowl is the way to go. Visit the scenic grounds of Santa Barbara Mission for a feel of the town’s hospitality, then explore the unique natural landscape at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, a 78-acre living museum displaying rare California-native plants. Take a train ride through the lovely Santa Barbara Zoo and discover elephants, Giraffes, penguins, and more.
Fill up your festive mood with five days of fun at the Old Spanish Days Fiesta, featuring a historical parade, dance, and rodeo performance. The Santa Barbara International Film Festival attracts over 100,000 attendees, celebrating the art of cinema with film screenings, panels, and tributes. Join the rest of the city in Christmas merriment to experience the vibrancy of Santa Barbara’s only nighttime parade, the Annual Downtown Holiday Parade complete with marching bands, performance groups, and holiday-themed floats. Santa Barbara also offers various scenic hikes, like an adventure to Seven Falls or sunset hike along Cold Spring Trail, Inspiration Point Hiking Trail, Rattlesnake Canyon, San Ysidro Trail, and Romero Canyon. To walk on sandy shores while taking in the fresh ocean breeze, you can visit East Beach or Leadbetter Beach.
Schools
The Santa Barbara Unified School District is home to a number of excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include: