Santa Barbara Favorites You Might Otherwise Miss
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Santa Barbara has its icons. The beaches, Stearns Wharf, State Street, and the Old Mission are all worthy of a place on the itinerary. But part of the fun of exploring the city is finding the places you weren't necessarily looking for.
Tucked just beyond the main attractions are quiet gardens, historic courtyards, colorful works of art, and neighborhoods that reward a little extra wandering. Better yet, many are within walking or biking distance of Hotel Santa Barbara.
Consider this your invitation to leave a little room in the itinerary for something unexpected.
La Arcada Plaza
Just off State Street, La Arcada Plaza is the kind of place you could easily walk past without realizing what's waiting inside. Step through its entrance and you'll find a charming Spanish-style courtyard filled with tiled walkways, fountains, sculptures, galleries, shops, and places to stop for a bite.
Take your time wandering through the plaza and keep an eye out for the details. From its distinctive architecture and colorful tilework to the art found throughout its walkways, there's plenty to appreciate beyond the storefronts. It's small enough to explore without a plan and tucked away enough to feel like you've stumbled onto something special.
WHILE YOU'RE THERE
Pippin - Browse a thoughtfully curated collection of clothing, accessories, and finds.
Gallery 113 - Step inside to see works from local artists in a variety of mediums.
Hook & Press Donuts - Stop in for handcrafted donuts and coffee.
The Crafter's Library - A creative space filled with art and craft supplies, workshops, and plenty of inspiration.
Art & Sculptures - Look beyond the storefronts for the fountains, sculptures, tilework, and unexpected artistic details tucked throughout the plaza.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse may already be on your radar, but there's more here than its picture-perfect exterior. Step inside to experience the building's Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, then make your way through its historic interiors and out to the Sunken Gardens. One of the best reasons to linger is the opportunity to take in the city from above, where views stretch across Santa Barbara's red-tile rooftops toward the mountains and coast.
It's a familiar landmark with plenty left to uncover once you step through the doors.
DON'T JUST WALK PAST
Head up to the El Mirador clock tower for panoramic views over Santa Barbara. It's one of the best vantage points downtown and an experience visitors can easily miss if they only explore the grounds. Take a lap around the observation level to see the city from every direction, from the Santa Ynez Mountains to the Pacific beyond.
Want to know more about what you're seeing? Free docent-led tours offer a closer look at the Courthouse's history and architecture, with regularly scheduled tours available throughout the week. Prefer to explore at your own pace? Self-guided tours are also available, including options that highlight the building and its grounds. And don't skip the Mural Room along the way, another impressive feature that's easy to miss when admiring the Courthouse from outside.
The Presidio Neighborhood
A few blocks from the bustle of State Street, the Presidio neighborhood offers a glimpse into a much older Santa Barbara. At its center is El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, which preserves the site of the Spanish military outpost founded in 1782. Two original Presidio buildings remain, while others have been reconstructed to help tell the story of the people and cultures that shaped the area.
But don't make the historic park your only destination. Wander the surrounding streets, look for adobe architecture and tucked-away corners, and give yourself permission to stop when something catches your attention. This is a part of downtown best experienced at an unhurried pace.
MAKE AN AFTERNOON OF IT
The Presidio Neighborhood is best explored one stop at a time. The neighborhood's interactive Google Map makes it easy to see just how much is within a few blocks, highlighting historic sites, cultural landmarks, shops, restaurants, tasting rooms, and more.
Use it as a starting point rather than a strict itinerary. Begin at the Presidio, follow a paseo you haven't noticed before, pop into a shop or tasting room, and see where the afternoon takes you. With State Street just a few blocks away, there's always somewhere nearby to end the day over dinner or a drink.
Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden
For a quieter change of pace, head a little farther uptown to Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden. Spread across 4.5 acres, the garden features an impressive collection of trees and plants, along with a koi pond, sensory garden, gazebo, and places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. It feels removed from the energy of downtown despite being close enough to reach on foot or by bike.
Bring a coffee, find a bench, and stay awhile. Not every stop on a Santa Barbara itinerary needs an agenda.
WORTH THE EXTRA PEDAL
Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden is a natural destination for one of Hotel Santa Barbara's complimentary bikes. Extend the outing with a ride through the surrounding streets before heading back downtown.
Look a Little Closer in the Funk Zone
The Funk Zone itself isn't exactly a secret, but there's plenty to miss if you only arrive for a reservation and leave when it's over.
Once an industrial area filled with warehouses, the neighborhood has become one of Santa Barbara's most creative districts. Rather than choosing a single destination, give yourself time to wander. Look for murals and public art, step into a gallery or independent shop, grab a coffee or something to eat, and see where the afternoon takes you.
Sometimes the best way to experience the Funk Zone is without much of a plan at all. Choose a starting point and wander from there. Art, food, wine, shopping, and the waterfront are all close enough to turn a quick stop into a few hours of exploring.
WHILE YOU'RE THERE
Santa Barbara Wine Collective - Settle in for a tasting featuring wines from producers throughout Santa Barbara County.
The Lark - Stop for a meal centered around seasonal, locally inspired dishes in one of the neighborhood’s best-known dining spaces.
Dart Coffee Co. - Grab a locally roasted coffee, then head across the street to their garden for a slower start or midday break.
MOXI - Explore three floors of interactive science, technology, and creativity at The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.
The Shopkeepers - Browse a curated mix of clothing, accessories, home goods, and other finds from independent brands and makers.
Public Art & Murals - Keep an eye on the buildings, alleys, and side streets for colorful murals and other works that reflect the Funk Zone’s creative character.
If You're Here on a Sunday
A walk along the waterfront comes with something extra on Sundays. The Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show brings local artists and makers to Cabrillo Boulevard, turning the waterfront into an open-air showcase of original work. Browse as you walk or bike along the coast, and you may just find something worth bringing home.
PAIR IT WITH..
A morning bike ride, a walk along the waterfront, or a visit to Stearns Wharf.
One More Stop for the Bike Ride
If you're already heading toward East Beach, keep an eye out for the Chromatic Gate along Cabrillo Boulevard. The towering rainbow-colored arches make this piece of public art difficult to miss once you know to look for it. Hop off the bike for a closer look and a photo, then continue along the coast.
It's an easy addition to a longer waterfront ride and a colorful reminder that sometimes the stops between destinations are part of the experience, too.
Leave Room to Wander
One of the best parts of staying in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara is that exploring doesn't always require a plan, or a car. Start from Hotel Santa Barbara on foot or borrow one of our complimentary bikes and see where the day leads. A turn off State Street, an extra few blocks, or a reason to stop and look around might just lead to a favorite you hadn't planned on finding.
Make Hotel Santa Barbara your starting point and see what you find along the way.
