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Santa Barbara Waterfront

· Santa Barbara, CA

Why you should go…

The Santa Barbara Waterfront is the coastal district of the City of Santa Barbara, California, running along the beaches from the harbor to Stearns Wharf. Visitors can walk or bike between beaches, and the area offers boating, kayaking, whale watching, fishing and restaurants centered on Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. Lil' Toot, a small waterfront taxi boat, runs narrated rides between the harbor and the wharf.

  • #beach
  • #harbor
  • #boat tour
  • #views

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Santa Barbara Waterfront, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Reagan Ranch Center

    Free

    A free museum in downtown Santa Barbara with artifacts and exhibits on Ronald Reagan's life and presidency.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Museums

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Land and Sea Tours

    $25–$50

    90-minute amphibious Land Shark tour covering Santa Barbara landmarks by road and the harbor by sea.

    0.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Stardust Sportfishing

    $50+

    Santa Barbara charter fishing boats running half and three quarter day trips to the Channel Islands.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Cal Coast Adventures

    $25–$50

    Downtown Santa Barbara bike shop renting cruisers, e-bikes and road bikes, plus guided bike tours and surf lessons.

    0.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Aqua Surf School

    $50+

    Surf lessons, camps, and board rentals for all skill levels on Santa Monica Beach.

    75 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Quirky Fun

    Venice Beach Boardwalk

    Free

    A freewheeling beachfront strip of muscle-beach bodybuilders, street artists, and skate parks.

    76 mi awayMore like this