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Highlights include:
Old Mission Santa Barbara: Start your day at the “Queen of the Missions,” founded in 1786. Discover the Sacred Garden, historic cemetery, and beautiful church interior — plus fascinating Chumash and Spanish history that shaped early California.
Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden: Wander through one of Santa Barbara’s most beautiful green spaces with koi ponds, turtles, and rare plant species.
State Street: Walk along Santa Barbara’s main corridor that takes you all the way to the waterfront. Pass charming boutiques, cafés, and restaurants — and learn the history behind icons like the Arlington Theatre and Granada Theatre.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse: One of the most stunning courthouses in the U.S. Explore the mural room, grand staircases, lush gardens, and the clocktower with 360-degree views of the city, mountains, and ocean.
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara: Step into California’s early Santa Barbara. Visit the 1780s Spanish military outpost, the oldest surviving adobes in the city, and the remnants of what was once Santa Barbara’s Chinatown.
Stearns Wharf: Enjoy ocean breezes, views of both East and West Beach, sailboats, kayaking, and waterfront restaurants. Don’t miss the Deep Sea Tasting Room to enjoy a glass of wine while enjoying ocean views.
The Funk Zone: End your tour in one of Santa Barbara’s most vibrant neighborhoods — full of wineries, breweries, galleries, murals, and cool hangout spots just steps from the beach.
Food & Drink Favorites
Discover my recommended stops along the way:
Victoria Court for artisan restaurants
Santa Barbara Public Market for tons of great food options
LOKUM for Turkish sweet treats
McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream — a Santa Barbara icon since 1949
Corks n’ Crowns in the Funk Zone for wine tasting & live music
Why Choose This Free Digital Guide?
Explore at Your Own Pace: No need to rush with a group. Stop for photos, grab a bite, explore detours, or spend extra time at your favorite spots.
Beautiful, Efficient Route: The walking path is optimized to flow naturally from the Mission to the waterfront, covering Santa Barbara’s top highlights in one enjoyable day.
Local Insights: This guide includes history, fun facts, practical tips, and food recommendations to make your visit smoother and more memorable.
Instant & Easy to Use: Download the PDF and access it on your phone, tablet, or laptop. You can also print it if you prefer a physical copy.
Works Offline: The guide is fully downloadable and works without an internet connection. (Note: There are clickable links in the guide which require an internet connection. However, the tour can certainly be done without using the links.)
Tour Quick Facts
Starting Point: Old Mission Santa Barbara
Ending Point: Funk Zone / Waterfront area
Approx. Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.6 km
Estimated Time: Varies but plan about 6 hours, but it all depends on your pace, restaurant stops, and if you visit any museums along the way
Ready to experience Santa Barbara’s beauty, history, and coastal charm? Download your free guide and start exploring the American Riviera today!
See a Preview of Your Adventure!
Watch the full video tour below to see what you can expect on this tour of Santa Barbara.
