Santa Barbara Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture

Arts and culture lovers take note: plan ahead! In fact, treat a visit to Santa Barbara the way you might a trip to Chicago or New York (with a lot more sunshine and fresh air) - you don't want the stand-out memory of your trip to be what you didn't get to see.

Situated between major stops on the West Coast touring circuit, Santa Barbara's location and climate bring world-class performers just as they yield world-class wines. From concerts under the stars to film and live performances in the elegance of 1920s and 30s theaters, the hardest part of a visit to Santa Barbara isn't finding evening entertainment, it's choosing one event over another.

Off stage, Santa Barbara offers art-lovers one of the ten best regional art museums in the country (that's right: beaches, sunshine and Chagall), distinguished galleries at all three of the area's colleges and a community of inspired private galleries.

Of course, in Santa Barbara, even the arts want to get out for fresh air! Besides annual arts events and festivals, Santa Barbara offers time-tested standbys: monthly 1st Thursdays, when galleries extend their hours and downtown streets become outdoor stages, and Sundays all year, when Cabrillo Boulevard transforms into a stretching seaside celebration of local arts and crafts.

Sound like a lot? It's just the beginning. Sign up for our Arts & Culture enewsletter and you'll be thinking one word: Bravo!

Featured Partner

Film Feast: Jan. 26 - Feb. 5, 2012
Starring cuisine, libations, cinema & hotel specials, Film Feast invites foodies & film lovers to taste the best of Santa Barbara with 3-course menus during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Reserve your star treatment with Film Sleeps!

 

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Circle Bar B Guest Ranch and Stables
  • 1800 Refugio Road
  • Goleta, CA 93117
  • Information: 805-968-1113

The picturesque Circle Bar B Guest Ranch is located on nearly one thousand acres in the Santa Ynez Mountains on California’s scenic Central Coast.  The ranch, which offers magnificent views of the ...MORE

A Santa Barbara Trolley Company
  • Tour Pick-up: State St. & Cabrillo Blvd.
  • Mailing: 23 East Cabrillo Blvd.
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 965-0353

TROLLEY TOURS Welcome aboard Santa Barbara Trolley Tours, formerly known as Santa Barbara Old Town Trolley! We offer fully-narrated tours packed with anecdotes and well-researched historical ...MORE

Apple Lane Orchards, Solvang
  • 1200 Alamo Pintado Rd
  • Solvang, CA 93463
  • Information: 805-688-5481

Apple Lane Farm in Solvang, California, is a family owned and operated business --Ted, Peggy, Kari and Jim Lane-- look forward to meeting you soon! Come Experience the Harvest! Ripe from the tree to ...MORE

Architectural Foundation of SB
  • 229 E. Victoria Street
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 965-6307

Founded in 1983, the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara is a public non-profit charitable corporation. With the goal of enhancing our community's awareness and appreciation of architecture and ...MORE

Arlington Center for the Performing Arts
  • 1317 State St.
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 963-9589

One of the finest theatres around!

Arts & Letters Cafe
  • 7 East Anapamu Street
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 730-1463

The Arts & Letters Café serves classic California cuisine with an emphasis on local seafood, all set in our beautiful courtyard in the heart of Historic Arts District in downtown Santa Barbara. We ...MORE

California Wine Festival
  • ,
  • Information: 805-886-5103

The California Wine Festival PresentsFirst Annual Winter Wine ClassicDecember 4, 2011 at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort This is a rare chance to taste America’s most famous wines from ...MORE

Carriage and Western Arts Museum of Santa Barbara
  • 129 Castillo Street
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 962-2353

The Carriage and Western Art Museum of Santa Barbara was founded in 1972 and is located in Pershing Park near the waterfront in Santa Barbara, CA.The collection consists of over 50 saddles once ...MORE

Casa Del Herrero
  • 1387 East Valley Road
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93108
  • Information: 805.565.5653

Noted  as one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in America, the 1925 Casa del Herrero is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and, in January 2009, was ...MORE

Center Stage Theater
  • 751 Paseo Nuevo
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 963-8198

An intimate black box theater with weekly performances by a variety of artists and companies, located in Paseo Nuevo in the heart of the downtown Santa Barbara cultural district.

Chumash Casino Resort
  • 3400 E. Highway 246
  • Santa Ynez, CA 93460
  • Information: 805-691-1759

An elegant four diamond resort that is both elegant and surprisingly affordable. We are pleased to offer all the amenities you would expect from a recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Rating five years ...MORE

Craving Adventures, LLC
  • Visit Our Website or Call For More Information
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 776-3814

Craving Adventures creates customized, full or half day experiences in food and adventure in Santa Barbara. We'll get to know you, choose activities and food experiences together, and create a package ...MORE

DeeTours of Santa Barbara
  • Call for more information
  • P.O. Box 90251
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93190
  • Information: (805) 448-8425

DeeTours offers personalized tours in our stretch Jeep Limo or mini-Jeep Limo! Jeep top can be on or off, you decide! WINE COUNTRY adventure (6hrs, but can be customized for a shorter tour) ...MORE

Earl Warren Showgrounds
  • Las Positas Road at Hwy 101
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Information: (805) 687-0766

The Earl Warren Showgrounds is a community asset and remains the only public location with relatively large indoor facilities, abundant parking (1007 spaces) and easy freeway access. The Earl Warren ...MORE

El Presidio de Santa Barbara
  • 123 E. Canon Perdido St.
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: 805-966-9719

El Presidio de Santa Barbara SHP & Casa De La Guerra ~ Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation
  • El Presidio ~ 123 E. Cannon Perdido St.
  • Casa De La Guerra ~ 15 E. De La Guerra St.
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: 805.965.0093

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) works to protect, preserve, restore, reconstruct, and interpret historic sites in Santa Barbara County. Founded in 1963 by Dr. Pearl Chase and ...MORE

Ensemble Theatre Company
  • 914 Santa Barbara Street
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: 805-965-5400

Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara presents the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway comedy THE 39 STEPS. A cast of 4 plays over 140 characters in this fast-paced farce that owes as much to Monty ...MORE

Firestone Vineyards
  • 5000 Zaca Station Road
  • Los Olivos, CA 93441
  • Information: (805) 688-3940

Welcome to Firestone Vineyard! With a focus on optimal physiological balance in the vines yielding wines that are brightly flavored, crisp and delicious. Wines produced at Firestone include Cabernet ...MORE

Granada Theatre
  • 1214 State Street
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: 805-899-2222

The beautifully restored Granada in the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara is a landmark theatre and year-round performing arts venue featuring some of the finest entertainment in the region. The Granada ...MORE

Hidden Oaks Clubhouse
  • 4760 Calle Camarada
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93110-2053
  • Information: (805) 967-5574

Our ranch-style clubhouse overlooks a beautiful Billy Casper designed executive nine golf course and the Santa Ynez mountains. Manicured lawns, pond, pool deck and event rooms with oak floors and ...MORE

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
  • 21 W. Anapamu Street
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 962-5322

Hours of Operation Wednesday thru Sunday 12:00 pm - 4 pm Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays The Karpeles Library is the world's largest private holding of important original manuscripts & documents.The ...MORE

Lobero Theatre
  • 33 East Canon Perdidio Street
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  • Information: (805) 966-4946

The Lobero Theatre is Santa Barbara's premier performing arts venue, featuring an exciting variety of modern dance, ballet,  jazz, lectures, classical music, opera and contemporary music performances.

Lotusland
  • Please call to make a reservation.
  • Directions to the Visitor Entrance will be provided on receipt of your reservation.
  • *, ** *
  • Information: 805-969-9990

Lotusland is a unique 37-acre estate and botanic garden situated in the foothills of Montecito to the east of the city of Santa Barbara. The gardens now covering the estate were created by Madame ...MORE

Market Forays
  • 814 San Roque Rd.
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Information: 805-259-7229

When you want the ultimate Locavore experience, Market Forays is for you. I have been a passionate supporter of local agriculture since moving to Santa Barbara from France in 1983, and I will engage ...MORE

Old Mission Santa Barbara
  • 2201 Laguna Street
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  • Information: 805.682.4713

The picturesque Mission lies between the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish heritage of the town is reflected in the architecture and street names of this popular ...MORE

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Museum of Art

Pasadena to Santa Barbara Lecture/Community Celebration 2.26

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Chumash Casino

Thrilling 24/7 gaming with slots, blackjack, poker and bingo

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STAY & SAVE!

5 beautiful hotels offering the best value & amenities!

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Film Feast 2012

Starring Cuisine, Libations, Cinema & Lodging Specials!


Special Offers

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Featured Events

1st Thursday
3.1.2012 - 5.3.2012
Recurring monthly on the 1st Thursday
1st Thursday is an...More
Chef’s Table – Every Sun...
2.5.2012
Recurring weekly on Sunday
Bring your family...More
Market Forays - Cooking ...
2.4.2012
Recurring weekly on Saturday
The perfect foodie...More
Resonance Healing Sessio...
2.10.2012 - 6.29.2012
Recurring weekly on Friday
Want radiant...More
Backroads Wine Tasting T...
2.4.2012 - 9.3.2013
Recurring daily
Nestled between lakes, forest and the ocean are...More
Architectural Walking To...
2.4.2012 - 12.29.2013
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Saturday
Experience the...More
Local Artists Market: Fi...
2.4.2012 - 9.1.2012
Recurring monthly on the 1st Saturday
Support local...More
Weekly Happy Hour at SOh...
2.10.2012
WEEKLY Happy Hour...More
Sullivan Goss Presents J...
2.4.2012 - 2.26.2012
Recurring daily
Sullivan Goss - An American Gallery presents the...More
Sullivan Goss Presents: ...
2.4.2012 - 3.31.2012
Recurring daily
Leon Dabo's progressive aesthetic sensibilities...More
Sea Stories for Families...
2.5.2012 - 2.26.2012
Recurring weekly on Sunday
Enjoy interactive...More
Shark Sundays for Famili...
2.5.2012 - 2.26.2012
Watch us feed...More
Birds of Winter with Fre...
2.6.2012 - 2.27.2012
Recurring weekly on Monday
Join naturalist and...More
Make Yours a Joyful Life...
2.8.2012 - 2.22.2012
Recurring weekly on Wednesday
Buddha taught six...More
Publicaly Private: Enric...
2.4.2012 - 4.22.2012
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
This exhibition...More
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