What to see and do in Santa Barbara

What to visit in Santa Barbara · mission, Courthouse and Stearns Wharf

• Old Mission Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara County Courthouse · El Mirador
• Stearns Wharf historic pier

PLACES AND EXPERIENCES

What to do in Santa Barbara · mission, Courthouse and Stearns Wharf

history

Old Mission Santa Barbara

The mission combines a church, gardens and museum to learn about its architecture and the history of the site. It is also an active religious community, so celebrations may limit some spaces.

Activities for your visit

• Tour the enabled areas of the museum and gardens.
• Listen to the Spanish-language audio guide when it is available for your visit.

Tips for this place

• Check which spaces are included in your date's visit.
• Respect the ceremonies and instructions of the religious community.

Check admission ↗

There is a fee to visit the site and tickets can be purchased there. Check the official conditions; Weddings, masses or funerals can close the church and cemetery.

Reference sources and location

• Old Mission Santa Barbara · visit of the site

Approximate reference of the place from its official location; it does not identify an entrance, meeting point or accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 34.4381, -119.7138.

Old Mission Santa Barbara · visit of the site

heritage

Santa Barbara County Courthouse · El Mirador

The Hispanic-style judicial building features patios, tiles, and a mural room. The El Mirador tower offers a perspective of the center, the coast and the mountains when it is enabled.

Activities for your visit

• Observe the architecture and open public spaces.
• Climb to El Mirador when access is available.

Tips for this place

• The building continues to have judicial activity.
• Check the tower closures and visiting conditions.

Check access ↗

Check out the visit to the public spaces of the building and El Mirador. Regular visits with teachers are free and do not require reservations; Private events are organized separately.

Reference sources and location

• Superior Court Historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Approximate reference of the place from its official location; it does not identify an entrance, meeting point or accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 34.4241, -119.702.

Superior Court Historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse

heritage

Stearns Wharf historic pier

The wooden pier juts into the Pacific off Santa Barbara. Its walk allows you to see the coastline, the port and the mountains, with restaurants and small shops on the water.

Activities for your visit

• Walk through the public areas of the pier.
• Contemplate the coast and mountains from their enabled ends.

Tips for this place

• Pay attention to vehicle traffic within the dock.
• The Sea Center and the establishments have their own admission or consumption.

Check access ↗

The public walk along the pier is free. The Sea Center, restaurants, shopping and parking are managed separately.

Reference sources and location

• City of Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf

Approximate reference of the place from its official location; it does not identify an entrance, meeting point or accessible route.

Reference coordinates: 34.4101, -119.6854.

City of Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf

A PROPOSAL TO ORGANIZE YOURSELF

2-day Santa Barbara itinerary · mission, Courthouse and Stearns Wharf

1. Day 1

   Mission and Courthouse

   Check the accesses of the day and visit the authorized tourist areas of both buildings.

2. Day 2

   Stearns Wharf

   Stroll along the public dock and its coastal surroundings; choose separately if you want to enter the Sea Center.

Tips for visiting Santa Barbara · mission, Courthouse and Stearns Wharf

• Check the visitable spaces of the mission and the El Mirador tower.
• Leave room to move from the mission to the center and the waterfront.

LOCAL FLAVORS

What to eat in Santa Barbara · mission, Courthouse and Stearns Wharf

From the taquerias of the south to the seafood tradition of San Francisco and the barbecue of the Central Coast. These six dishes bring together flavors associated with different areas of California, with real photographs and their places of origin or preparation indicated.

San Diego · Influence of Baja California

Fish tacos

Fried or grilled fish in a tortilla, with cabbage, sauce, cream and a touch of lime. They come from the tradition of Baja California, in Mexico, and are an essential part of the coastal cuisine of San Diego.

Reference: San Diego Tourism Authority · Fish tacos

San Francisco Mission District

Mission style burrito

Large flour tortilla that wraps meat, beans, rice and other fillings such as salsa, cream and guacamole. The taquerias of the Mission District popularized this style; each house retains its combination.

Reference: San Francisco Travel · Flavors by neighborhood

San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf

Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl

Clam chowder served inside a round sourdough bread. The contrast between the hot soup and the crust of the bread is one of the classics of the San Francisco waterfront.

Reference: San Francisco Travel · Fisherman’s Wharf Gastronomy

Santa Maria Valley · Barbecue tradition

Central Coast tri-tip

Triangular cut of beef that is the protagonist of the Santa Maria Valley barbecue, north of Santa Barbara. The regional style uses salt, pepper and garlic and red oak coals; It is usually accompanied with pinquito beans, sauce and bread.

Reference: Santa Maria Valley · Regional BBQ

Los Angeles Brown Derby Legacy

Cobb salad

Hearty salad with green leaves, chicken, egg, avocado, tomato, bacon and blue cheese. It is associated with the historic Brown Derby in Hollywood; Currently there are many versions, like the one in Fresno shown in the photo.

Reference: Disney Parks · Hollywood Brown Derby Recipe

San Francisco · Fish and seafood soup

Cioppino

Seafood stew with a tomato base and a combination of fish and seafood that changes depending on the recipe. It is one of the classics of San Francisco, linked to its Italian heritage and the cuisine of the port.

Reference: San Francisco Travel · Local gastronomy