Top 10:

Things To Do in Santa Barbara

    • Old Mission Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara
      • 1. Old Mission Santa Barbara

      • Established in 1786 by Father Junípero Serra and built by the Chumash Indians, this is a rare example in physical form of the blending of Indian...

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    • Telegraph Brewing Co Inc - Santa Barbara
      • 2. Telegraph Brewing Co Inc

      • Crafted in small batches in a copper brewery, Telegraph ales are a favorite Santa Barbara brew. California Ale, Stock Porter, Golden Wheat Ale,... read more
        • Type:
        • Breweries
    • Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park - Santa Barbara
    • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail - Santa Barbara
      • 4. Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail

      • If a drive out to wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley is not going to fit into your itinerary, sniff, swirl, and sip along the Santa Barbara... read more
        • Type:
        • Wineries
      user rating
    • Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard - Santa Barbara
      • 5. Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

      • You loved him as a child, now see what Hollywood's Davy Crockett/Daniel Boone is up to. Fess Parker has made a name for himself in Santa Barbara...

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    • Zaca Mesa Winery - Santa Barbara
      • 6. Zaca Mesa Winery

      • One of the region's old-timers, Zaca Mesa has been in business since 1972, so one can forgive the hippie/New Age mumbo-jumbo pleasantly interwoven...

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    • Santa Barbara Museum of Art - Santa Barbara
      • 7. Santa Barbara Museum of Art

      • This little jewel of a museum feels more like the private gallery of a wealthy collector. Its leaning is toward early-20th-century Western American...

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    • Santa Barbara Zoo - Santa Barbara
      • 8. Santa Barbara Zoo

      • When you're driving around the bend on Cabrillo Boulevard, look up -- you might spot the head of a giraffe poking through the palms. This zoo is... read more
        • Type:
        • Zoos/Aquariums
    • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Santa Barbara
      • 9. Santa Barbara County Courthouse

      • Built in 1929, this grand "palace" is considered the local flagship of Spanish colonial revival architecture (you've undoubtedly seen its facade...

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        • Type:
        • Landmarks
    • Inspiration Point - Santa Barbara
      • 10. Inspiration Point

      • Popular among active locals, Inspiration Point is a three-and-a-half mile hike known for epic views of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands. The... read more
        • Type:
        • Hiking
  • The Best of NileGuide
  • Whether you're rolling in to town to explore, shop, or kick back, there's a lot of ground to cover during a Santa Barbara respite. Hungry travelers have their pick of exceptional epicurean offerings downtown, where you'll find everything from hole-in-the-wall spots frequented by onetime local Julia Childs, to boutique dining and creative cafes. Sip local vintages along the urban wine trail, and grab cool cocktails mixed with farmers market fresh fruits. The Santa Barbara Art Museum and Museum of Natural History are known for engaging exhibitions, and notable sites such as the Old Mission and the El Presidio Santa Barbara Historic State Park represent the city's storied past. Theater venues erected during the development of the town—which have been refurbished to their glory days—host renowned dance companies, world famous musicians, the city's annual film festival, and more. For outdoorsy folk, Santa Barbara's locale between Pacific shores and the Santa Ynez Mountain Range makes dips in the sea, surfing, kayaking, and beach walks as accessible as day hikes, mountain biking, climbing, and remote backpacking adventures. And with an enclave of artists that call the Central Coast home, galleries line the streets, and the first Thursday of every month is the evening to peruse art openings and sip wine. Whether you want to meander through shops, imbibe in local fare, take in arts and entertainment, explore the natural world, or peak back into the area's historical happenings, Santa Barbara has a little something for everyone.

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