The Best Outdoor Adventures in Santa Barbara, California
Situated between the rolling Santa Ynez Mountains and the sparkling Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is located on what many consider the most pristine stretch of Southern California coastline. Its Spanish-influenced architecture, mild year-round weather (with over 300 days of sunshine every year!), and a variety of beaches add to the appeal, making Santa Barbara an ideal destination for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.
Whether you prefer to explore on foot by hiking or biking, or getting out on the water on a boat or surfboard is more your style, Santa Barbara truly has it all. Here are five great suggestions for places and ways to enjoy Mother Nature in this coastal SoCal city.
Channel Islands National Park
Commonly referred to as the “Galapagos Islands of North America,” Channel Islands is easily one of the most unique national parks in the world. The park comprises five individual islands about 35 kilometres (22 miles) off the SoCal coast: Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa.
There are visitor centres in both Ventura and Santa Barbara, but either way, the only ways to reach the national park are via boat or, seasonally, by small plane. Two concessionaires run trips, Channel Islands Aviation and Island Packers (boats). Day-trip it or stay overnight and explore the islands by hiking, kayaking, or snorkelling. In order to protect Channel Islands’ fragile ecosystems and 2,000-plus wildlife and plant species, no wheels of any kind are permitted — even bicycles.
Once in Channel Islands, don’t miss exploring the sea caves, including one of the largest on Earth, Painted Cave. It’s on the northwestern coast of Santa Cruz Island and can be visited on a kayak.
Cal Coast Adventures In Santa Barbara
With the city’s diverse terrain and outstanding views in every direction, it should come as no surprise that one of the best ways to explore Santa Barbara is on two wheels. Whether you come with your own bicycle or rent one, this mode of transportation lets you very literally cover a lot of ground and get a fresh perspective. Santa Barbara itself has over 64 kilometres (40 miles) of bike paths, as well as several more that connect to neighbouring communities.
Cal Coast Adventures has all your cycling needs covered, from rentals to guided tours. Stop by the downtown bike shop to rent a beach cruiser, electric bike (e-bike), or mountain bike, or sign up for one of 10 different fun tours through Santa Barbara. Tours last two hours and participants get their choice of bike type
And if you’d prefer to explore Santa Barbara from the water (or better yet, why not both?!), Cal Coast Adventures also offers a variety of inflatable kayak and paddleboard rentals, plus private and group surf lessons. You can also sign up for private or group guided kayak tours!
Condor Express, Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Channel is the nutrient-rich body of water spanning the area between Santa Barbara and the Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa Islands. These waters attract a variety of whales throughout the year, and one of the best ways to see this magnificent sight up-close is to take a whale-watching tour!
Condor Express provides these tours on its state-of-the-art 75-foot catamaran, and is one of just a handful of SoCal companies offering tours year-round. You’re likely to spot frolicking dolphins in any season, but depending on the time of year, the whales you may encounter differ slightly. Grey whales frequent these waters in fall, winter, and spring, while humpbacks are more likely to be spotted in the summer and fall, during their annual migrations. Although not as common, minke whales are also sometimes found in the summer and fall.
In addition to whale-watching cruises in Santa Barbara, the Condor Express also offers specialty dinner, music, and even Broadway-themed cruises (which all also offer whale-watching opportunities!).
Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara
Santa Monica has its pier, Mission Beach down in San Diego has its ferris wheel, and Santa Barbara has the iconic Stearns Wharf. Celebrating its 150th birthday in 2022, the wharf is the oldest in all of California and, understandably, one of the area’s most visited attractions.
At the heart of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront District separating East Beach and West Beach, the boardwalk at Stearns Wharf is lined with restaurants, souvenir shops, plenty of places to grab a refreshingly cool treat, a winery tasting room, and bait shops. The Wharf is one of the best places in Santa Monica to go fishing and best of all, it’s totally free! You don’t even need a licence if you fish right off the pier. We recommend stopping into one of the bait shops to get set up with all the necessary gear and ask questions about local fishing conditions.
Families will especially love the Museum of Natural History Sea Center, an interactive museum with a focus on local marine life.
Santa Barbara Harbor
Located near Stearns Wharf, the Santa Barbara Harbor is one of the city’s best (and most scenic!) places to spend an afternoon. The views are phenomenal, there are plenty of dining options, and there are even activities to really make a day of it.
Aside from simply admiring some of the yachts or watching all the action of the boats coming in and out, several pleasure and whale-watching cruises leave from the harbor. You can also shop, picnic, and stroll along the smooth path over the breakwater.
Where to Stay In Santa Barbara, CA
It’s clear that you’re going to want to settle in and stay awhile when you visit Santa Barbara. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel is the perfect basecamp, a short distance from the city’s best attractions including Stearns Wharf and the harbour. As we like to say, “you’ll find us on the corner of beach and paradise!”
Our Santa Barbara hotel includes free wi-fi and parking, a heated outdoor pool, continental breakfast, and a free two-hour bike rental to explore. At the end of busy days, a free grab-and-go wine and cheese hour awaits you. And of course, the beautiful West Beach is right across the street, offering opportunities for both adventure and relaxation.