Things to do in Santa Barbara
Our recommendation of things we like to do as a couple, with friends or family.
Santa Barbara Sea Center
Discover the wonders of ocean life at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. Located on historic Stearns Wharf, this highly interactive marine education facility offers you close encounters with marine animals from the Santa Barbara Channel. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Sea Center hosts unique events and special educational programming, including the Live Dive series.
Using a gentle two-finger touch, you can interact with marine animals such as sharks, rays, sea stars, sea urchins, and sea anemones. Learn about the Sea Center’s White Abalone Captive Breeding Program, which is working to bring this endangered marine snail back from the brink of extinction.
Derek has volunteered at the Sea Center since 2019 with over 325 hours. When the Sea Center exhibits packed up and headed to the Museum, Derek was the first to jump in and start volunteering at the Mission Creek Campus and then easily adapted to interpretation down at the Sea Center when we re-opened operations down on the wharf. Regularly seen at our shark cove exhibit and try to connecting guests to these misunderstood creatures.
Optional duel ticket to use at Natural History Museum and Sea Center for same day use.
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
Santa Barbara's most kid-friendly attraction is MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. With three floors of interactive exhibits, this science-driven museum invites curious minds of all ages to explore themes like new tech, music, physical forces, speed and light. Kiddos love the hands-on exhibits that encourage them to interact, make and play. There's a speed track for racing cars you build yourself, sound studios that let you create your own sound effects, playful light walls and much more. Parents (and non-parents) love the after-hours parties on MOXI's gorgeous rooftop with a view of the city. MOXI is conveniently located close to the beach, the train, downtown and the Funk Zone.
Butterflies Alive!
at Santa Barbara Natural History musuem
Newly renovated in 2018, the Museum boasts state-of-the-art interactive exhibits for all ages, paired with the Central Coast’s only planetarium, on 17 acres of oak woodland along Mission Creek. Guests learn about the Santa Barbara region’s unique and diverse natural history and then go outside to explore nature in the Museum Backyard. Museum education programs serve all ages to promote scientific literacy and instill a passion for nature and learning.
Walk through a beautiful garden while nearly 1,000 live butterflies flutter freely around you. The exhibit features a dazzling variety of butterflies, from local favorites to exotic tropical species.
Learn about the life cycle and behavior of these spectacular invertebrates while observing them up close.
The exhibit is included in Museum admission. Optional duel ticket to use at Natural History Museum and Sea Center for same day use.
↑ Dereks Grandma Connie enjoying the butterflies during COVID lockdown
← Madison and Kennedy looking at the skin a snake shed.
SANTA BARBARA ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
Held every Sunday at 10am, the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show highlights more than 200 of the amazing local artists and artisans who call Santa Barbara home. From original drawings and paintings to sculptures, pottery and photography, nearly every medium of art is represented here. The show lines Cabrillo Boulevard between Stearns Wharf and Calle Cesar Chavez, making it the perfect weekend outing by the beach for families vacationing in Santa Barbara.
The Funk Zone
Converted warehouses and buildings decorated with graffiti murals and contemporary art pieces set the tone for this hopping section of town. Surfboard shapers, winemakers and up-and-coming chefs all practice their crafts here. Visit art galleries; shop vintage and modern home goods at The Blue Door; taste at the fun, hip Municipal Winemakers (whose wine club is affectionately known as Club Awesome), and enjoy a five-star dinner at The Lark.
Walk the largest part of the Urban Wine Trail — a self-guided trail of 20+ tasting rooms representing Santa Barbara County wines — and easily discover why Santa Barbara’s wine country is easily world class.
