Great Outdoors Itinerary
Santa Barbara is an eco-tourists' playground. With a full spectrum of natural facilities - mountains, hills, ocean, beaches, lakes and streams - plus an idyllic climate yielding more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it's impossible not to be inspired by our great outdoors. Our community is just as passionate about enjoying our open spaces we are preserving them. Whether you're looking to do a lot, see a lot or just relax a lot, this itinerary offers an exhilarating list of outdoor experiences that will introduce you to some of our most treasured places. You can fit all of the main attractions and activities into a day, or you can take your time and experience more by spreading your outdoor adventure out over two or even three days. For a real outdoor experience, check out our listing of Santa Barbara Camping and RV Parks.
- For a soothing eye-opener to your morning, wander along the serene trails of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and take in the beautiful flower filled meadows and redwood groves. Just a two-minute drive from the Mission, the Garden occupies 65 scenic acres and is speckled with more than 1,000 species of native plants.
- Visit the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, an urban community treasure in north Goleta that is home to native coastal sage scrub habitat, eucalyptus groves and numerous birds and wildlife. From November through March, you can catch the stunning monarch butterflies dangling from eucalyptus branches by the thousands in the early morning.
- If you're looking for a physical challenge, Los Padres National Forest has tracks for mountain bikers of all ability levels, from narrow off-camber thrillers for experts to wide, relatively flat fire roads for beginning and intermediate riders.
- Our front-country trails in the Los Padres National Forest are chock full of waterfalls, flowing creeks, hot springs, natural pools and awesome views. Hikers can explore a nearly infinite number of trails of all lengths and levels of difficulty in less than a ten-minute drive from downtown, including the San Ysidro Trail and Romero Canyon Trail.
- On the waterfront, kayaking in the Santa Barbara Harbor is a fun and easy way to explore our beautiful coastline. Take the adventure up a notch (or two!) and book a guided Channel Islands Kayak excursion with Adventure Company of Santa Barbara or Channel Islands Outfitters, whose knowledgeable guides will fill you in on the island habitat and marine life while you paddle. Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary, is considered the "Galapagos of North America" because of its pristine, isolated setting, which is home to over 150 endemic or unique species.
- Hit the sands of Santa Claus Lane Beach to soak up the sun and ride the waves with the locals. The dudes at A-frame Surf Shop will set you up with surfing lessons, gear and apparel.
- If you prefer to earn your sea spray in a less strenuous manner, then visit the Santa Barbara Sailing Center in the Harbor. They offer sailing lessons, whale watching and sunset cruises aboard the 50-feet Double Dolphin catamaran and rentals and charters of small and large boats.
- End your day with a walk or bike through the Douglas Preserve, a 70-acre grassy oceanfront mesa, and reward yourself with a stunning sunset view.
