Explore Our Communities
'Round the World Ticket to Adventure
Travel the World in Santa Barbara
Are you a globe-trekker at heart? No need to spend a fortune on a round-the-world ticket. Just come to Santa Barbara, where our incredibly diverse communities hold attractions similar to those of our planet's premier destinations. Here are just a few examples to whet your appetite for global travel right here in Santa Barbara. Start planning your itinerary today!
French Riviera
Classy yet laid-back, Santa Barbara is The American Riviera®. We have virtually the same fantastic traits as our French counterpart: the Mediterranean climate, stunning mountains-to-the-sea vistas, farm-to-table cuisine. But we don't usually speak French on the streets-unless you just want to, salut!
Tuscany
Those vineyards covering the hills and valleys in Santa Barbara wine country may look Italian, but they produce wine grapes with distinct regional tastes. Cruise peaceful country lanes while touring our internationally renowned appellations, with more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms and a host of wine country-style restaurants and inns.
Galapagos Islands
Discover more than 145 species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Encounter more than 30 species of whales, sea lions, dolphins and other marine mammals. Explore scenic trails across pristine islands. Sounds like the Galapagos, but it's all part of Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary, just a quick boat or plane ride from the mainland.
Scandinavia
Buy some clogs, feast on pastries and aebleskiver, and belly up to the smorgasbord in Solvang, the Danish Capital of North America. You can also sample wine at nearly 20 tasting rooms, all within walking distance from the center of town.
Australia
No need to fly Down Under. We've got our own Gold Coast right here. Beaches and surf spots? All over the place: Summerland, Carpinteria, Goleta. Eco-treks? Kayak, hike, camp - we've got it all. Wine trails? More than you'd imagine! Snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef? The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is one of the world's top 10 dive destinations.
South America
Live the life of the gaucho, the South American cowboy, in our Old West towns: Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Los Alamos, Ballard. Gallop across the range, check out the saddles and carriages from the stagecoach days, and relax in historic saloons. Many of the buildings date back to the earliest days of our history, so visiting is like traveling back in a time machine.
Spain
Just look at all those red tile roofs, wrought-iron embellishments, arches, and earth tones-the Spaniards who settled Santa Barbara County in the late 1700s left an indelible mark of their culture. Visit the missions in Santa Barbara, Solvang (Santa Ines), and Lompoc (La Purisima). Relive Spanish colonial life at the Presidio and Casa de la Guerra. For a real immersion in all things Spanish, time your visit to coincide with Old Spanish Days Fiesta, a famed five-day celebration of Santa Barbara's heritage in early August.
Holland
Hey, we've got much more than tulips in these parts. Did you know that our region grows and distributes flowers all over the world? Tour the rose and orchid nurseries in Carpinteria and the flower fields around Lompoc for a fantastic overview of our floral production.
Alaska
Whales and orcas leave Alaska and come to the Santa Barbara Channel every year for their annual vacation (er, migration). Hop aboard a high-speed catamaran or other vessel to get up close and personal with these marvelous wonders of the seas. Finally, you can shout, "There she blows!"
