Sandwiched between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is a popular holiday destination in the United States. You’ll find miles of beaches, marine terraces, Spanish-style homes and a vibrant art scene, all rolled into one, as you travel to this sun-drenched city.
The ocean breeze in Santa Barbara serenades beachgoers while the waves lend themselves to water sports enthusiasts. The Butterfly Beach in the Montecito area is a local favourite. Here, you can sunbathe and swim or try high-octane activities like surfing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. To spot some dolphins and whales while you stroll along the shore, head to Arroyo Burro Beach. If you’re looking for some quiet time amid sea cliffs, walk down a bougainvillea-lined route and a stairway leading to Mesa Lane Beach.
As you wander around the streets of this Californian city, you’ll come across Spanish-style landmarks, such as the Santa Barbara County Courthouse – a massive whitewashed building with red tile roofs. The grounds and gardens of Mission Santa Barbara is another notable structure worth exploring, and so is the historic Amtrak Station Santa Barbara.
A variety of cultural and historical experiences await at Santa Barbara. A visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara will take you through the creative artworks and design installations. You can learn about the region’s geological and ecological diversity through state-of-the-art exhibits at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.