Max’s guidebook
Sightseeing
10min walk away
Open daily 10AM-5PM. This large, well-presented museum is - literally - a hidden treasure. Highlights in the eleven exhibit halls include regional natural history, a life-size Blue Whale skeleton, and a rare skeleton of a pony-sized "pygmy mammoth." $10 for adults; free on the 3rd Sunday of every month except September.
118 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta Del Sol10min walk away
Open daily 10AM-5PM. This large, well-presented museum is - literally - a hidden treasure. Highlights in the eleven exhibit halls include regional natural history, a life-size Blue Whale skeleton, and a rare skeleton of a pony-sized "pygmy mammoth." $10 for adults; free on the 3rd Sunday of every month except September.
Beautiful rose garden in front of the historic Santa Barbara Mission. Beautiful views and a great place for a picnic.
72 locals recommend
Mission Rose Garden
420 Plaza RubioBeautiful rose garden in front of the historic Santa Barbara Mission. Beautiful views and a great place for a picnic.
M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4:30PM. Guided tours, M-Sa 2pm and M, Tu, F 10:30am. Built in 1929 and the grandest building in the town. A working courthouse, this Spanish-Moorish castle has frescoes, murals and Tunisian tilework. The El Mirador Bell Tower provides great views of the city and the bay. The grounds contain a collection of palms and specimen trees from more than 25 countries and a printed guide to the plants is available. Free.
162 locals recommend
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StM-F 8AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4:30PM. Guided tours, M-Sa 2pm and M, Tu, F 10:30am. Built in 1929 and the grandest building in the town. A working courthouse, this Spanish-Moorish castle has frescoes, murals and Tunisian tilework. The El Mirador Bell Tower provides great views of the city and the bay. The grounds contain a collection of palms and specimen trees from more than 25 countries and a printed guide to the plants is available. Free.
Beach
East Beach Tacos
226 S Milpas StGreat beach right in the city center of Santa Barbara
Stearns Wharf Pier
144-152 Stearns WharfBeach walk, ice cream
Food scene
Not only it’s hailed as one of the best in the nation, but it also originated from Santa Barbara, California, where the first Habit joint was opened on November 15, 1969 as a family-owned business.
27 locals recommend
The Habit Burger Grill
628 State StNot only it’s hailed as one of the best in the nation, but it also originated from Santa Barbara, California, where the first Habit joint was opened on November 15, 1969 as a family-owned business.
They have a few locations in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Very popular breakfast and lunch place. The best breakfast in town. Delicious sausages. Good price.
35 locals recommend
Cajun Kitchen
901 Chapala StThey have a few locations in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Very popular breakfast and lunch place. The best breakfast in town. Delicious sausages. Good price.
Locally owned pizza franchise. If you want a real local experience, have them deliver some McConnell's Ice Cream (locally owned ice cream company, stealing their cow mascot is the traditional senior prank for Santa Barbara High School Students), with your pizza! Also good for late night food, which can be hard to find.
36 locals recommend
Rusty's Pizza Parlor
Encina LaneLocally owned pizza franchise. If you want a real local experience, have them deliver some McConnell's Ice Cream (locally owned ice cream company, stealing their cow mascot is the traditional senior prank for Santa Barbara High School Students), with your pizza! Also good for late night food, which can be hard to find.
A great cut of beef. Awesome teriyaki steak, delicious bread. Try anything with artichokes.
17 locals recommend
Chuck's of Hawaii
3888 State StA great cut of beef. Awesome teriyaki steak, delicious bread. Try anything with artichokes.
Via Maestra 42
3343 State StGreat Italian food family style. Delicious sandwiches.
Nikka Ramen
5701 Calle RealBest Ramen in town!
Enterprise Fish Co.
225 State StOur go-to for fish and seafood.
All you can eat Korean BBQ - huge portions, best cuts of mean! There might be a wait, but it's so worth it!
Kimchi Korean BBQ
3132 State StAll you can eat Korean BBQ - huge portions, best cuts of mean! There might be a wait, but it's so worth it!
Handlebar Coffee Roasters
128 E Canon Perdido StA very trendy coffee shop
Flavor of India
3026 State StBest Indian in town
Edomasa
2710 De La Vina St