From picture-perfect beaches to majestic mountains to world-class wineries, The Milo provides easy access to the best of Santa Barbara. Staying with us, you’ll be just steps away from many of the city’s most popular destinations, like Stearns Wharf, the Funk Zone, and West Beach. No matter what you’d like to experience — golfing, vineyard tours, boat charters, shopping trips or even horseback riding — if you can dream it, we’ll help you arrange it.
Explore our Santa Barbara area guide, and discover the best things to do during your stay.
Considered one of the most beautiful public buildings in the country, Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival masterpiece designed by William Mooser III. The iconic landmark features a clock tower with sweeping city views of red-tiled roofs stretching to the sea. The working courthouse is currently closed to the public but you can still explore the stunning exteriors, walk through the elegant archways and relax on the lawn of the sunken gardens while taking in the visual splendor of the 150,000 square foot building that occupies an entire city block.
Any visit to the waterfront should include a stop at Santa Barbara’s working Harbor and SEA Landing. This is command central for encounters of the aquatic kind—whale watching cruises, scenic sails, kayak and paddleboard rentals, fishing and SCUBA charters, and all sorts of oceanic goodness. The Harbor is filled with delicious seafood restaurants as well as the Santa Barbara Fish Market open daily. Occupying the former Naval Reserve Building, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum* (SBMM) has broad appeal across age groups thanks to the mix of dynamic exhibitions that delve into topics like tides, surf culture, marine conservation, and military history and include displays of historic photographs, gear, and historic vessels. Reservations are not required and tickets are available for purchase onsite day-of.
Venture out just beyond The Milo and discover the creative heartbeat of the Funk Zone. This lively district, where vintage shops and art galleries meet murals and music, invites you to explore on foot or bike. Sip, stroll, and let the neighborhood’s playful spirit and industrial-chic charm spark a few unexpected delights.
Learn MoreStearns Wharf is the oldest working wooden wharf in California, built in 1872 by lumberman John Peck Stearns to serve the passenger and freight shipping needs of Santa Barbara. Today, the beloved landmark offers visitors a lively mix of shopping, dining, and marine education, all set against panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains.
You can stroll the 2,300-foot-long pier, grab fresh seafood, cast a fishing line, or stop by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center for interactive exhibits. Whether you’re enjoying an ice cream cone, browsing coastal gift shops, or catching the sunset, the charm of Stearns Wharf makes it an essential Santa Barbara experience.
Learn MoreEstablished by the Spanish military in 1782 as a fortress, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park became Santa Barbara’s birthplace. The 5.5-acre park anchors downtown Santa Barbara’s Presidio District and includes two historic adobes—El Cuartel and the Cañedo Adobe. The latter serves as the visitor center and houses informative exhibitions including one room dedicated to the history of Santa Barbara’s Japanese community that lived in the Presidio in the early 20th century. The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation has overseen a meticulous reconstruction of the sites, down to the period furnishings and displays. The Presidio Chapel is among the remarkable buildings open for self-guided tours.
Learn MoreSanta Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation also manages Casa De La Guerra, which was constructed between 1818 and 1828 by Jose de la Guerra, a patriarch of the community in the Mexican era. De la Guerra served as the fifth military commander of the Presidio and his family resided in the historic adobe house, which is now a museum featuring original furnishings, rotating art exhibits, and historical displays dedicated to California’s Hispanic heritage.
Santa Barbara’s entire history comes to life at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, one of the city’s oldest cultural institutions dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the community’s heritage and traditions. The signature Story of Santa Barbara exhibition starts with the native Chumash people and travels through the eras, including the Spanish and Mexican periods as well as Santa Barbara’s star turn as a film industry hub in the early 1900s. Permanent exhibits cover fascinating local history from how the city got its name to its time as an arts colony and the creation of Chinatown. The grounds also feature two historic adobes: Casa Covarrubias dating back to 1817 and the 1838 Historic Adobe. The Historical Museum does not charge admission and reservations are not required.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA)is yet another example of the world-class caliber of Santa Barbara’s arts scene. Established in 1941, SBMA’s 27,000-piece permanent collection includes antiquities, Asian art, Latin American art, photography, sculptures, and 19th and 20th Century European, British, and American Art. The museum also stages an impressive selection of special rotating exhibitions, such as Through Vincent’s Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources, now on display through May 2022. A children’s gallery is dedicated to hands-on, interactive activities and, during normal times, the museum hosts popular after-hours events and educational talks.
Mark your calendar for August 15, when the SBMA will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a grand re-opening after a $50 million renovation. Visitors to the museum can experience new gallery spaces and public areas, and a fresh installation conceived by SBMA Deputy Director and Chief Curator Eik Kahng.
Considered the “Queen of the Missions,” Mission Santa Barbara is a stunning example of Spanish Colonial architecture founded in 1786 by Father Fermín Lasuén and later completed with twin bell towers in 1809. Perched on a grassy knoll overlooking the city, the active parish church welcomes worshipers while hosting a museum, serene gardens, and the chapel of original padres. The beautifully preserved interior features hand-painted murals, ornate wooden altarpieces, and glazed tiles imported from Puebla, Mexico. Visitors can wander through shaded arcades, explore the historical cemetery, and pause in the lush gardens to admire views across the Mission grounds and distant Channel Islands.
Santa Barbara’s shoreline is alive with coastal wildlife, and you’ll feel it the moment you step outside. Pelicans skim the waves, dolphins play just offshore, and sea lions lounge near the harbor. Wander around the grounds and you’ll spot egrets, herons, and seasonal migratory birds settling into their coastal home. Whether you’re biking the waterfront or relaxing by the beach, nature has a way of finding you here.
Great Blue Herons currently nest in the palm trees above Ambassador Park, and they’ve become a signature part of our landscape—something worth noting as a tie‑in to the heron artwork in our wallpaper. We also regularly see Black‑crowned Night Herons resting in the trees throughout the day.
Just across from the hotel on West Beach, Brown Pelicans can be spotted year‑round near the harbor inlet.
While whales are not typically visible from shore, Santa Barbara has an active whale‑watching season supported by multiple charter companies offering tours throughout the year.
Closer to land, dolphins and sea lions are commonly seen along the coastline. At low tide, nearby tide pools offer easy opportunities for exploration, often revealing crabs, hermit crabs, anemones, and—if you’re lucky—a sea star or sea urchin.
