Activities for family members and accompanying guests

Santa Barbara and its surrounding areas offer a plethora of things to do, whether indoors or outdoors. Below are just a few of the actitivites and entertainments available to the public.

On Campus/Near Campus

Recreation Center

(805) 893-7619 | Spend an active day using the following facilities: rock climbing wall, roller rink, aquatics center, fitness centers, racquetball courts and tennis courts.

  • Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30am-10:00pm (10am-9pm for children), Saturday & Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm (10am-8:30pm for children), Pools Close at 9pm Mon-Fri, 8:30pm on weekends
  • Cost: Adult Day Pass: $8/day, Kid Pass: $3/day, age 13+ $4/day

University Art Museum

(805) 893-2951 | Check out their Fine Arts Collection and Architecture and Design Collection.

  • Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5pm
  • Cost: Free

Coastal Habitat Walks

Stroll peacefully to and around Campus point, the UCSB lagoon, Manzanita Village's vernal pools, and Isla Vista's Sands Beach.

  • Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Cost: Free

Isla Vista Parks

Relax in IV's variety of parks that include playgrounds, a Frisbee golf course, a bouldering structure and ocean view trails.

  • Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Cost: Free

back to top

Museums and Interactive Activities

Santa Barbara Art Museum

(805) 963-4364 | Enjoy exhibits of Ancient Art; Asian, French, English and American Art; International Modernism; Works on Paper; Photography; and Contemporary Art.

  • Location: 1130 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 11 am to 5 pm, Closed Mondays
  • Cost: Adults $9, Students with ID $6, Ages 6-17 $6, Under 6 free; Admission free every Sunday

Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

Spend the whole day in its eleven exhibit halls, focusing on regional natural history, including birds, insects, mammals, marine life, paleontology, Native Americans and the Chumash Indians. The Lizard Lounge features live reptiles and amphibians.

  • Location: 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Hours: 10am to 5pm Daily, Saturday and Sunday
  • Cost: Adults $8, Youth 13-17 $7, Children 2-12 $5, Under 2 free

Ty Warner Sea Center

(805) 962-2526 | Splash around at this interactive marine museum. Owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Ty Warner Sea Center fulfills the mission of the Museum to inspire a passion for the natural world.

  • Location: 211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, California, 93101
  • Hours: 10am to 5pm Daily
  • Cost: Adults $7, Teens 13-17 $6, Children 2-12 $4, Children under 2 free

Santa Barbara Mission

(805)682-4149 | Learn about Santa Barbara's colonial history at the tenth of the California missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans.

  • Location: 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Hours: 9am-5pm daily
  • Cost: Free for self-guided tour, $4 for guided tour

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

805-682-4726  | Visit and enjoy the exquisite exhibits of California native plants set in beautifully designed landscapes.

  • Location: 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Hours: 9:00am to 6:00 pm
  • Cost: Adults $7, kids 13-17 and students & active military $5, kids 5-12 $1, kids under 5 are free

Art From Scrap

(805) 884-0459  | Release creative energy and make masterpieces from recycled material or view others' work in the gallery upstairs.

  • Location: 302 E. Cota Street (at the corner of Garden and Cota) Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Hours: Art Workshops: Saturday 10-11:30 a.m, Store and Gallery: Tue, Wed, and Fri: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
  • Cost: Workshops: Adults $10, kids $6

Santa Barbara Farmers' Markets

Meet local farmers, sample local and organic foods, and socialize with Santa Barbarians! The Santa Barbara Certified Farmers' Market Association of 140 grower members is committed to helping promote the local family farmers, and protecting the environment by sustaining and restoring surrounding greenbelt areas.

  • Location:Goleta: Camino Real Marketplace; 7004 Marketplace Drive (In front of Borders)
  • Hours: SUNDAY 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location:Old Town Santa Barbara; 500 and 600 blocks State Street
  • Hours:TUESDAY 4:00PM - 7:30PM
  • Location:La Cumbre Plaza; Inside the La Cumbre Plaza Shopping Center
  • Hours:WEDNESDAY 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

back to top

Outdoor Adventures

Redrock and Seven Falls in Los Padres National Forest

Take an easy but inspiring hike to the watering hole. These are popular local hang-outs for swimming and picnics.

  • Location: Off Highway 154 on Paradise Road, just after the summit of San Marcos Pass
  • Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Cost: $5 for parking

Santa Barbara Day Hikes

Climb mountains to get an aerial view of the city. Seven Falls and Inspiration Point are two of the most popular hikes in the area.

  • Location: many trailheads start near Old Mission; check out Santa Barbara Hikes for more information.
  • Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Cost: Free

Whale Watching

(805)882-0088 | Catch a glimpse of some the Earth's largest animals in their natural habitat aboard the Condor Express. Summer is the time to spot humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, sea lions and otters!

  • Location: Sea Landing 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara,Ca. 93109
  • Hours: 10:00 a.m. to ~2:30 p.m
  • Cost: Adults $75, kids $40, kids under 5 are free

back to top