Top 5 Activities to Do in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara isn’t just another pretty California town. Sure, the red-tiled rooftops, swaying palm trees, and sparkling blue ocean are the first things that catch your eye. But with a quick research, you’ll find this place is packed with things to do.
Whether you’re feeling active or just want to unwind with a glass of wine in hand, Santa Barbara has something for you. Here are the top 5 activities to do in Santa Barbara that we recommend to anyone visiting, whether it’s your first time or your tenth.
Santa Barbara 5 Recommended Tourist Activities
Wine Tasting, Santa Barbara
Experience Wine Tasting Like an Insider in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara takes its wine seriously in a way that’s personal, inviting, and full of local character. You won’t find big crowds or impersonal tasting rooms when you book local wine tours from reliable wine tour operators.
You’ll enjoy a laid-back, luxurious experience where every glass tells a story. Sustainable Wine Tours specializes in giving guests access to private, family-owned vineyards and estates that most visitors (or locals!) may never get to see. These aren’t commercial wineries or public tasting rooms. They’re quiet, appointment-only properties where the focus is on quality, craftsmanship, and also sustainability.
Rather than standing at a crowded bar, you’ll be seated for private tastings, often joined by the winemakers themselves. You’ll get to explore the vineyards, see how the grapes are grown using organic and biodynamic methods, and learn about the sustainable practices that make these wines truly special.
Guests ride in style in a Tesla Model X or a Mercedes coach, with small groups (no more than eight people) or fully private tours available. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a gourmet organic picnic lunch made with fresh local ingredients and served outdoors in the heart of wine country.
It’s not just about wine tastings, it’s about connecting with the land, the people, and the stories behind every bottle. If you want an authentic, memorable Santa Barbara wine experience, this is one of the best activities to do in Santa Barbara.
Paddle a Kayak Along the Shoreline
Santa Barbara has places that are the calmest and easiest to try kayaking, making them great even for beginners.
You can rent a kayak right at the harbor or East Beach. As soon as you push off from shore, you feel like you’ve entered a different world.
The water’s surprisingly clear here, and the views back toward the city are mesmerizing. On calm mornings, the ocean is so still it’s like paddling across glass. If you’re lucky, you might spot sea lions sunbathing on the buoys or, if in a certain time of year, even dolphins cruising past.
You can go solo or book a guided tour. Even if you just stick close to shore, gliding along the coastline with the mountains behind you is a memory that sticks.
Note: Some guided kayaking tours can even take you out to the Channel Islands, though that demands a bigger time commitment. For adventure seekers, this should be on your list of activities to do in Santa Barbara.
Ride the Cabrillo Bike Path
While some towns were made for driving, Santa Barbara was likely made for biking, especially along the Cabrillo Bike Path. This path hugs the coastline like it was drawn by an artist who knew exactly what we’d want to see.
The path runs from Leadbetter Beach all the way past the famous Butterfly Beach. You’ll pedal by long stretches of sand, palm trees, and those classic Santa Barbara white stucco buildings with red roofs. The best part is that the path is flat. Therefore, it’s completely doable even if you barely have a fitness routine otherwise!
Shops near the harbor rent everything from regular bikes to those giant beach cruisers with the wide, cushy seats. You can take your time as you bike, stop for a snack or to watch something that catches your eye along the way. You can also people-watch the locals as they rollerblade, jog, and walk their dogs along the path.
If you’re a morning person, do catch the sunrise. However, the afternoon light isn’t bad either. Honestly, there’s no bad time for this ride.
Hike to Inspiration Point
Even if you aren’t much of a hiker, Inspiration Point is worth the effort and one of the activities to do in Santa Barbara that gives you a wonderful reward, the inspiring view!
The trail isn’t very long (about 3.5 miles round trip), but it has an incline that will make you feel like you earned the view at the top.
The hike starts off under shady oaks before opening up to sunny chaparral-covered hills. Along the way, you’ll pass wildflowers (depending on the season), and the scent of sagebrush hangs in the air. As you climb higher, you’ll start catching glimpses of the ocean and city below.
When you reach the top, it’s all worth it. The view stretches out over Santa Barbara, the Channel Islands, and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. On clear days, it feels like you can hold on to this view forever.
Bring water to stay hydrated, wear decent shoes, and start early if you can. Once you’re standing at the top, with the breeze on your face and the whole city laid out before you, it’s hard not to feel a little inspired.
Wander Down State Street
Sometimes the best activity is just wandering, especially if you;re a tourist. In Santa Barbara, State Street is the place to do it.
It’s the city’s main drag, but thanks to parts being closed to cars, it’s more like a giant outdoor living room. There’s always something happening here from street musicians playing guitars, couples walking hand in hand, families enjoying ice cream, and more.
You can browse shops that range from surf stores to high-end boutiques. Numerous art galleries are scattered between restaurants and coffee shops. And speaking of food, there’s everything from fancy sit-down places to taco joints where the salsa has the perfect amount of kick.
Soon enough, you’ll hit the Santa Barbara Public Market, where you can grab snacks or a full meal. It’s a great place to sample different kinds of local eats without having to commit to a single restaurant.
Given any time of the day or night, State Street has a friendly, laid-back energy. Take your time to soak it all in.
Final Thoughts
Santa Barbara is the kind of place where you can be as active or as relaxed as you want. Paddle in the morning, bike in the afternoon, sip wine as the sun sets (or enjoy a whole day on an unmatched wine tour), or just take a long walk with no destination in mind. Every corner seems designed to help you slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy the moment.
No matter which of these activities you pick or if you somehow manage to fit in all five, you’ll leave Santa Barbara with more than just photos. You’ll leave with memories that pull you back, again and again.Wine tasting being one of the top 5 activities to do in Santa Barbara, booking a wine tour will help you create lasting memories. Sustainable Wine Tours offers wine tours in Santa Barbara with a high focus on quality customer service. Choose shared wine tours or private wine tours according to your preference and also enjoy a curated lunch with local fresh ingredients on your wine tour.