From miles of pristine coastline to rolling hills and vibrant city streets, Santa Barbara offers a wealth of free activities for every kind of traveler. Use this curated guide to make the most of your stay wallet-free.

Arts & Culture

Santa Barbara is a vibrant city that values its local art scene, as well as its Spanish heritage. All around the city you can find art galleries, architectural feats, culturally significant sites, and modern murals. Here is a quick list to help you track down some notable sites.

Historical Sites

Downtown you can find the famous Santa Barbara Courthouse, known for is stunning Spanish exterior and sunken gardens. Enjoy a free, self-guided tour throughout the building and its grounds, and even climb up to the top of the bell tower for amazing 360 degree views of the city and ocean below. Not far from the Courthouse, is the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. Established in 1782, this site is a Spanish-built fort that gives visitors the chance to relive history. Further down the road on State and Victoria you can find a statue of Native American heroine Sacagawea. The Old Mission Santa Barbara is free to visit, and so are the rose gardens across the street.

Art Museums & Exhibits

On Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm you can enjoy free admission to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art where you can find collections of both modern and classic art. At the Santa Barbara Public Library you can find the latest local art exhibits on display. Every Sunday you can stroll along the beachfront walkway on Cabrillo Blvd and discover local handmade arts and crafts at the Arts & Crafts Show, and at the Taste Maker’s Market you can explore a gourmet pop-up market. Another market to check out is the Mujeres Makers Market, a monthly pop-up market that supports women of color vendors.

While you’re downtown, check out a prominent piece of art called the Chromatic Gate on the corner of Cabrillo Blvd near East Beach. These brightly-colored arches are set against the backdrop for the Pacific and make for a good photo-op. To see vibrant arts and murals, take a stroll through the Funk Zone, a hub for eclectic arts and businesses.

Architecture Tours

If architecture and history is your thing, you’ll want to take the historic Red Tile Walking Tour, a self-guided tour throughout historic downtown. The Jeff Shelton walking tour is a shorter, colorful tour that takes you to 5 iconic locations designed by the architect. Stearns Wharf is another great place to stroll and take in some of the best views of the city. Near State street on De La Guerra is El Paseo, or “street in Spain” where you can window shop and imagine you’re in a different place.

Outdoor Activities

Beaches

There are many beaches in Santa Barbara county to choose to spend your day at. Whether you seek an afternoon of sunbathing, a stroll along the shore, or a refreshing swim, all of these beaches are perfect for day well spent. Goleta Beach, Leadbetter Beach, and Devereux Beach are great for walking and exploring tide pools. Thousand Steps Beach and Mesa Lane Beach are both local secrets, while East Beach, Butterfly Beach, Arroyo Burro, and Summerland Beach are more popular and family friendly.

Surfing

If you brought your surf board, check out some of Santa Barbara’s well-known surf spots. For beginners try out Leadbetter Point off Cabrillo Blvd, and for more advanced surfers check out Sands Beach in Goleta, Hammond’s Reef in Summerland, or Rincon Point in Carpinteria. Find a comprehensive list of surf spots here.

Trails

Santa Barbara is full of trails that allow you to take it the beauty of the city from different perspectives. You can bike ride mountainous trails with stunning vistas, stroll along the boulevard to look out for wildlife, or even drive through the lush Santa Ynez mountains. We recommend leisurely rides along Cabrillo Blvd or Channel Drive, but you can find a list of Santa Barbara’s most popular biking trails here. Lots of locals recommend hiking as a must-do activity in Santa Barbara. Our favorite trails are Inspiration Point, Hot Springs Trail, and Romero Canyon. Here is a list of some more popular hikes in the area.

If you want a more relaxing experience, take a scenic drive to the Chumash archaeological site Painted Caves, cruise down Shoreline Drive along the coast, take in views of the coast on E Camino Cielo, or road trip through Foxen Canyon Road to experience the beauty of the Santa Barbara wine country.

Parks & Gardens

The Rose Garden at the Old Mission is one of the most popular gardens to visit and have an afternoon picnic. On the Riviera, Alameda Park has a Kids World Park for children play and climb, while Franceschi Park and Parma Park are large grassy areas with trails to explore. The Santa Barbara Orchid Estate has over 100 varieties of orchids to enjoy, Butterfly Grove in Goleta is popular for its monarch butterflies, and from June to July Clairmont Lavender Farm is in bloom. Enjoy a day trip to the Lompoc Flower Fields when they’re in bloom in the summer. For more recommendations of parks and gardens read our blog here.

Find more free activities here.