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Things to Do in Santa Barbara: Events, Wine Tours, and Activities

Santa Barbara doesn’t just check the boxes. It pops the cork, pours a perfect glass, and hands you the best seat in wine country. Known as the American Riviera, it’s where Spanish Colonial heritage meets sunlit beaches, rolling vineyards, and a culinary scene that convinces even the plan-ahead crowd to extend their stay.

For travelers building a shortlist of things to do in Santa Barbara, expect more than simple sightseeing. This is where wine country blends effortlessly with cultural landmarks, beach time, and outdoor exploration, so your days feel full, not frantic.

With nearly 300 wineries in Santa Barbara County and a calendar packed with festivals, there are year-round reasons to map out things to do in Santa Barbara that range from tastings and tours to galleries and gardens.

When it comes to sipping your way through the vines, Grapeline Wine Tours is the insider choice with deep local relationships, a fleet suited for couples and groups, and a reputation built on hospitality. Use this guide as your roadmap to the most rewarding things to do in Santa Barbara, from wine to waves to architecture that makes every photo look intentional.


Exclusive Activities to Check Out

Highline Adventures - Get 10% Off - Your Exclusive Promo Code: QLVTN8J0

Sometimes the best way to work up a thirst is to launch yourself off a platform and zip through the air. Highline Adventures has turned the Santa Ynez Valley into your personal playground, and you’ve got options:

  • Zipline Tour:  Three epic zips, protea views, and a rush that makes coffee look weak.
  • Adventure Course Trek:  80 elements, two hours, four routes. Think ropes, balance, and just the right amount of “can I actually do this?”
  • Skynet Playground:  A cord-net wonderland in the oak canopy. Ages 2+ welcome, because who doesn’t love bouncing around in the sky?
  • 4x4 Bronco Tour:  Saddle up in a new Ford Bronco and follow your guide over 1,200 acres of steep climbs, ridge lines, and “wow” views.
  • Hike & Fly:  A 2-mile hike through protea fields, then soar down three ziplines like you own the place.
  • Moonlight Zipline:  Same zips, but with the moon as your spotlight.
  • Protea Walking Tour:  Ride a Humvee to the ridge, then wander through fields of exotic blooms.

Highline isn’t just an adventure park. It’s brag-worthy fun with the Santa Ynez Valley as your backdrop. BOOK NOW using promo code QLVTN8J0.

Highline Adventures Fun

Annual Events

Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley

Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley | Thursday, October 2 to Sunday, October 5, 2025

The Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley returns October 2–5, 2025, bringing four days of food, wine, and festivities across six charming towns with signature events, chef demos, and vineyard experiences. To make your visit even better, Grapeline is offering $20 off per person on our Vineyard Picnic Tour or Wine Country Picnic Adventure when you book between September 29 and October 7, 2025 using offer code SYV25. It’s the perfect way to pair this annual celebration with a relaxing wine tour, complete with handpicked wineries, a picnic lunch, and Grapeline’s signature service, ensuring your Santa Ynez Valley getaway is truly unforgettable. BOOK NOW.

Santa Barbara Vintners Festival

Santa Barbara Vintners Festival | Saturday, October 18, 2025

The annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival is the largest food and wine event in the Santa Barbara region. The Festival showcases over 50 Santa Barbara County wineries along with more than 25 of the best local restaurants, catering companies, and gourmet food creators. Grapeline is offering $20 off per person on our Vineyard Picnic Tour or Wine Country Picnic Adventure when you book between October 14 - 21, 2025 using offer code SBVF25. It’s the perfect way to pair this annual celebration with a relaxing wine tour, complete with handpicked wineries, a picnic lunch, and Grapeline’s signature service, ensuring your Santa Ynez Valley getaway is truly unforgettable. BOOK NOW.

Taste of the Santa Ynez Valley

Solvang Julefest | Friday, November 28, 2025 to Sunday, January 4, 2026

The Solvang Julefest is a Danish-style holiday celebration in Solvang, California. Rooted in the Danish concept of “hygge,” it transforms the town into a festive wonderland with twinkling lights, music, seasonal food and drink, and community traditions. Highlights include the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the lively Julefest Parade, and the family-friendly Nisser Adventure scavenger hunt. The festivities officially close with the Tree Burn event.

California Wine Festival

California Wine Festival | Friday, July 17 & Saturday, July 18, 2026

It's the ultimate wine-soaked weekend in Santa Barbara. Every turn of the tasting table reveals something new to crush on—bold reds, cheeky whites, and maybe even a rosé that gives you butterflies. Pair your pour with a lineup of gourmet bites that’s basically California on a plate: artisan breads, swoon-worthy cheeses, olive oils smoother than your last date, and enough culinary charm to make your tastebuds blush.

Solvang Danish Days

Solvang Danish Days | Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20, 2026

Solvang Danish Days is an annual fall festival held in Solvang, California, that celebrates the town’s Danish heritage. The event features authentic Scandinavian food, traditional music and dance, parades, artisan markets, Viking-themed activities, living history demonstrations, and family events. Highlights include an Æbleskiver breakfast, torchlight parade, artisan marketplace, Viking encampment, children’s parade, and live entertainment.

Other Santa Barbara Events

The Celebration of Harvest offers new releases, barrel samples, and relaxed chats with winemakers, an easy add for anyone building a list of things to do in Santa Barbara wine country. Visit Santa Barbara’s provides great information. For a sense of how much wine fuels regional travel, the county’s wine economy attracts significant tourism and spending every year, another reason things to do in Santa Barbara wine country begins with a glass.


Wine and Culinary Experiences

Santa Barbara is a playground for foodies and wine lovers. Between fresh-caught seafood, farmers markets that feel like street festivals, and boutique tasting rooms pouring award-winning vintages, you could fill a weekend with culinary pleasures alone.

One of the easiest ways to sample widely is the Urban Wine Trail, a walkable cluster of tasting rooms near the waterfront that pairs perfectly with an afternoon of State Street people-watching and Stearns Wharf sunset snaps. If you’re prioritizing things to do in Santa Barbara that don’t involve long drives, this car-light route is ideal.

Local restaurants lean into seasonality and coastal produce. Downtown Santa Barbara patios hum at lunch, while candlelit dining rooms take over at night. Add in dessert bars, late-night drinks, and coffee roasters with ocean air wafting through open doors, and you’ll see why culinary Santa Barbara activities can anchor an entire trip.

If you want individualized recommendations, the Grapeline wine tour blog is a handy place to browse route ideas, food pairings, and learning notes from hosts who live this every day. You’ll find simple ways to weave things to do in Santa Barbara into a balanced plan that feels both indulgent and efficient.

People visiting a winery

Wine Tasting Adventures

Wine tasting isn’t just one of the fun things to do in Santa Barbara. It’s practically a rite of passage. The county’s AVAs each bring a distinct personality: Santa Ynez Valley and its Mediterranean sunshine, the cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley with its long growing season, the Los Olivos District’s boutique charm, and Happy Canyon with a Bordeaux focus. That diversity translates into an extraordinary range of tastings and cellar-door conversations. Planning things to do in Santa Barbara gets easier when you realize you can choose a style and let the day unfold.

If you want the simplest way to experience the breadth of Santa Barbara attractions tied to wine, pick a hosted day with Grapeline. Opt for curated group wine tours where an expert host leads the pace, or choose private Santa Barbara wine tours for a fully customized plan, door-to-door ease, and time saved on logistics. Our team pairs your palate with a short list of wineries that fit your style, then sets a route that makes the most of your time. You get the views, the stories, and the glasses that matter while we keep the day seamless.

What makes Grapeline stand out among wine tours is access and ease. We know when a tasting bar is likely to be busy, which back road skips an unexpected detour, and which patio is quiet at 2 pm. That insight becomes real value when your trip is short and you want impact without stress. It’s also why many travelers list our experiences among the essential things to do in Santa Barbara when planning a weekend. And if you’re celebrating, we can arrange a charter for your group so the entire day stays simple and on schedule.

Prefer to compare options in advance. Start with our Santa Barbara wineries guide for the region’s breadth, from intimate family estates to grand properties with sweeping views across the Santa Ynez hills. 

Customer love matters too. Grapeline has earned thousands of five-star reviews across major platforms over two decades, a steady signal that our hosted tours deliver memorable days without the guesswork. That kind of trust makes choosing our wine tours one of the most straightforward things to do in Santa Barbara when you want value, comfort, and a little insider magic.

Grapeline tour vehicle full of tourists

Outdoor Adventures and Beach Activities

Another reason the list of things to do in Santa Barbara runs long is the weather. Average temperatures hover in the 60s and 70s most of the year, which means beach days in January and vineyard picnics in July. Outdoor options are generous, from kayaking in the harbor to wine tasting at sunset. If your ideal activities in Santa Barbara start with sunshine, you’ll find enough variety to fill a long weekend and still leave a few things to do in Santa Barbara for next time.   People enjoying an outdoor activity

Beach and Water Activities

Santa Barbara’s coastline offers a menu of moods. East Beach is active, with volleyball courts and pathways ideal for biking. Butterfly Beach favors quiet walks and golden-hour photos. Stearns Wharf brings classic pier energy with fishing, treats, and shopping with views that stretch from the Channel Islands to the mountains.

For water time, choose surfing at Leadbetter, kayaking along the breakwater, or paddleboarding in the calm harbor. It’s easy to stack multiple coastal things to do in Santa Barbara into a single day without the day feeling stacked.

Prefer a different angle on the shoreline. Book a harbor cruise for wildlife spotting, then add dinner on the pier for a low-effort evening. If your schedule is tight, pick two water-friendly things to do in Santa Barbara and leave the rest for your next vacation.

Hiking and Nature Trails

If your adventures lean inland, the front range of the Santa Ynez Mountains delivers.

Inspiration Point is a moderate path with a rewarding climb and sweeping city-and-sea vistas. Seven Falls is a punchier workout that pays off with pools after a rainy spell.

Rattlesnake Canyon meanders through oaks and boulders toward higher views. Paths here run the gamut from easy to demanding, so you can plan things to do in the Santa Barbara area that fit your energy and time. Bring water, respect the terrain, and leave room for a high-view photo stop.

Channel Islands day tours add another layer. Kayak into sea caves with a guide, snorkel the kelp forests, or look for dolphins on the channel crossing. On a mild-wind day, it’s hard to beat the combination of outdoor exercise and wild coastline.

For map-friendly planning, mix a morning hike with an afternoon tasting to keep your list of things to do in Santa Barbara balanced between mountains and vines.


Cultural Attractions and Historic Sites

Beyond the surfboards and tasting rooms, Santa Barbara is a showcase of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and layered history. From red-tiled roofs to whitewashed walls, the city’s visual rhythm is part of the draw. If your list of Santa Barbara activities includes culture and design, set aside time for a few cornerstones that define the area’s character.

Santa Barbara landmark

Mission Santa Barbara

Nicknamed the Queen of the Missions, Mission Santa Barbara has inspired travelers since the 18th century. The twin bell towers, rose garden, and museum invite photos and quiet pauses. Guided tours add context and stories that turn pretty stone into living history. It’s an easy add to a day that mixes coastal scenery with heritage landmarks, and a dependable highlight for visitors who want their things to do in Santa Barbara to include both beauty and background.

Peltzer Pumpkin Farm pumpkin patches

Downtown Attractions

When it’s time for a city pulse, downtown delivers.

Start along State Street for browsing, cafes, and street performers, then step into the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for one of the best views in town from the clock tower.

The mural room is a study in California history, and the exterior arcades are a masterclass in proportions.

Stearns Wharf gives you another vantage for ocean light and an easy handoff to dinner.

Put simply, downtown rewards wandering, and it belongs on any list of things to do in Santa Barbara that blends beach, wine, and architecture.

Prefer the browse-and-bite rhythm. The Funk Zone’s galleries and tasting rooms sit near artisan eateries, while Paseo Nuevo adds shaded arcades and shopping to your afternoon. Add a gallery opening or small theater performance to turn a casual stroll into one of those low-effort, high-pleasure Santa Barbara experiences.


Events and Entertainment

Santa Barbara’s calendar is busy without feeling rushed. Film premieres, parades, and live music create a steady backdrop that makes spontaneous planning easy. If you like your evenings filled, you’ll find plenty of Santa Barbara events to anchor your nights after daytime beach time or wine tours.

Popular Santa Barbara event

Annual Festivals and Celebrations

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival draws filmmakers, actors, and fans each winter for screenings, panels, and a touch of red-carpet energy.

In June, the Summer Solstice Parade turns State Street into a colorful procession of costumes, floats, and rhythm.

Both are photogenic, easy to enjoy, and straightforward to add when prioritizing things to do in Santa Barbara during a short stay.

Arts and Performance Venues

Live music fans should keep an eye on the Santa Barbara Bowl schedule. The amphitheater’s hillside setting and ocean breezes blur the line between performance and place. Pack a picnic, grab some drinks, and settle in under the stars.

Pair a show with dinner in the Funk Zone or on State Street and you have a tidy evening plan that covers dining, music, and a short stroll under palms. Galleries and small theaters round out the scene, giving you plenty of Santa Barbara attractions after sunset.


Planning Your Visit to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara looks easy from the outside—red roofs, blue ocean, rows of vines—but planning the right mix of things to do in Santa Barbara takes a little finesse. The good news? You can cover a lot of ground without racking up long drives or stressing your schedule. The better news? With a bit of strategy, your trip becomes a perfectly balanced blend of vineyard time, outdoor adventure, cultural immersion, and late-night indulgence. Consider this your masterclass in planning a Santa Barbara vacation that feels curated instead of chaotic.

Best Times to Visit

The truth is, there’s never really a wrong month to visit Santa Barbara. Mild weather is the norm here, with average seasonal temperatures sitting comfortably in the 60s and 70s. But how you structure your list of things to do in Santa Barbara can shift depending on the calendar:

  • Spring (March–May): The Santa Ynez hills burst into green, wildflowers cover the trails, and new wine releases hit tasting rooms. This is the sweet spot for combining hikes with afternoon tastings. You’ll also catch the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival, a marquee Santa Barbara event that doubles as both cultural and culinary highlight.
  • Summer (June–August): Peak season for beach lovers. Surf lessons, kayaking, and long days on Stearns Wharf or East Beach are easy adds. It’s also when the Summer Solstice Parade electrifies State Street, so your list of fun things to do in Santa Barbara practically writes itself. Expect more crowds, but also more festivals, live concerts, and extended patio hours for evening drinks.
  • Fall (September–November): If your heart is set on winery tours, this is prime time. Grapes are harvested, barrels are filled, and tasting rooms buzz with energy. The Celebration of Harvest makes this season a dream for wine enthusiasts planning Santa Barbara things to do around the vineyard calendar.
  • Winter (December–February): Low crowds, cool evenings, and peaceful downtown strolls. You’ll find quieter tasting rooms, open reservations at top restaurants, and hotel rates that leave more budget for shopping and adventures. It’s also a cozy season to plan private Santa Barbara tours, since you’ll feel like the region is yours alone.

Getting Around

Santa Barbara is famously compact, which makes it one of the easiest California wine regions to explore. Still, a little prep keeps your time efficient.

  • Walking and Biking: Downtown Santa Barbara is flat, walkable, and scenic. Sidewalks and bike lanes run throughout, making biking a stress-free way to move between tasting rooms, shops, and State Street cafes. The beachfront Cabrillo Bike Path is especially photogenic, tracing the coast from Leadbetter Beach past Stearns Wharf.
  • Driving: Parking is manageable but can get tight near beach zones or in the Funk Zone during peak weekends. If you’re planning multiple winery tours, driving yourself isn’t recommended—you’ll miss the tastings.
  • Guided Tours: Here’s where Grapeline Wine Tours saves the day. Whether you join a group excursion or arrange a charter for your crew, transportation is seamless. Your host handles the timing, the back roads, and the vineyard appointments, leaving you free to enjoy. This is why many visitors list Grapeline’s hosted tours among the most essential things to do in Santa Barbara—it’s convenience plus confidence.
  • Public Transit & Rideshares: Santa Barbara’s downtown shuttles and MTD bus lines can connect you between beach, downtown, and university areas. Rideshares are widely available but less efficient once you head into Santa Ynez wine country.

If you’re staying a few nights, blend transport modes: walk downtown for shopping and dining, rent a bike for the coastal path, and book Grapeline for winery day trips. That mix keeps your vacation active, efficient, and balanced.

Where to Stay

Choosing accommodations in Santa Barbara is like curating wine flights—there’s no wrong choice, just different flavors. For boutique charm, ocean views, or vineyard-adjacent quiet, you’ll find plenty of options in our curated list of Santa Barbara wine country hotel and inn packages.

  • Beachfront Resorts: Think Cabrillo Boulevard with palm-lined promenades and instant access to outdoor activities in Santa Barbara. Perfect for sun-chasers who want easy access to Stearns Wharf and East Beach.
  • Downtown Boutique Hotels: Stylish, walkable, and steps from State Street nightlife, these make it easy to combine wine bars, galleries, and shopping without ever needing a car.
  • Wine Country Stays: For those who want vineyard views at dawn, opt for Santa Ynez or Los Olivos inns. Staying in wine country makes it easy to pair sunrise trails with late-morning tastings.

Plan your accommodation around your itinerary. If your list of things to do in Santa Barbara leans beach-heavy, stay near the water. If wine tours are the priority, consider a few nights inland. That small decision can save you transit time and maximize your Santa Barbara experiences.

Budgeting and Itinerary Tips

Santa Barbara doesn’t have to drain your wallet, but it can if you go in blind.

  • Mix free and paid activities: Alternate a winery tour day with a free downtown wander or Mission garden stroll. Balance tastings with free pier fishing off Stearns Wharf.
  • Layer activities: Morning biking along the coast followed by afternoon vineyard stops. A casual climb in the foothills before an evening of tastings. Combining keeps energy high and variety fresh.
  • Food strategies: Picnic supplies from the farmers market pair perfectly with vineyard tastings, and local breweries often host food trucks—two-for-one Santa Barbara activities.

For ready-made recommendations, browse the Grapeline wine tour blog. You’ll find itinerary ideas, seasonal Santa Barbara events, and first-hand host tips that take the guesswork out of scheduling.

Pro tip: If you’re chasing value, pair midweek dates with our tips to spend less for a smartly priced yet rich-in-experience getaway.

Insider Advice for First-Time Visitors

  1. Start Early, End Late: Many tasting rooms open at 11 am. Get moving with a short trail walk or beach coffee, then dedicate the midday to wineries. Save evenings for downtown dining, live music, and patio drinks.
  2. Don’t Overstuff: Pick 3–4 major highlights per day. Too many things to do in Santa Barbara can turn relaxing into rushing.
  3. Mix Wine with Outdoor: Even if wine is your focus, balance it with at least one outdoor highlight—kayaking, horseback riding, or a sunset stroll on Butterfly Beach.
  4. Plan for Souvenirs: With so many bottles, art finds, and boutique shops, you’ll need room for shopping. Pack a little lighter than usual.
  5. Build in Downtime: Some of the best Santa Barbara experiences aren’t scheduled—they’re the unplanned detours, the unexpected music in a courtyard, or the lazy hour between tastings when you just sit and watch the palm trees sway.

FAQs

Even with all this detail, it’s natural to have lingering questions when planning your Santa Barbara trip. From wine tours to free attractions, from outdoor activities to the best vacation timing, these FAQs cover the practical side of the most popular things to do in Santa Barbara.

What is the best time of year to visit Santa Barbara wine country?

Autumn is ideal for tastings because it aligns with harvest, but mild weather keeps vineyards and patios comfortable year-round. Spring brings wildflowers on the lower path network, summer favors the beach, and winter is quiet enough for slow afternoons in tasting rooms.

What are some free things to do in Santa Barbara?

Walk Stearns Wharf, browse State Street, relax in the Mission rose garden, and catch sunset at Butterfly Beach. Add gallery nights, community performances, and the occasional downtown market to the list for a budget-friendly day of Santa Barbara activities.

Can you recommend things to do in Santa Barbara for non-wine drinkers?

Yes. Try breweries in the Funk Zone, rent bikes for the coastal path, explore galleries, schedule a short harbor cruise, or pick an easy path in the foothills before a low-key pier dinner.

What outdoor activities can be combined with wine tasting in Santa Barbara?

Surf or kayak in the morning, then join afternoon tastings. On cooler days, schedule a short climb to an overlook before your winery reservations. If you prefer guided days, choose wine tours that start late to make room for beach time.

Is Santa Barbara good for a weekend getaway?

Absolutely. In two to three days you can blend wine tours, downtown food and shopping, a beach morning, and at least one cultural highlight. It’s a vacation you’ll want to repeat.