Things to do in Santa Barbara

Planning questions about Santa Barbara

What are the best things to do in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour is the highest ranked experience in Santa Barbara, scoring 94 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 605 traveler reviews. Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide, Small-Group Wine Tour in Santa Barbara to Exclusive Vineyards, Spooky Solvang Ghost Hunting & History Tour, The ORIGINAL Downtown Santa Barbara Walking Food & Drink Tour round out the top five. Outty ranks 155 bookable experiences in Santa Barbara, United States, and 2 of them score 90 or above.

How much do activities in Santa Barbara cost?

The median price across everything we rank in Santa Barbara is $100 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $4 on Solvang Princess Magical Family Adventure. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.

Can I book something in Santa Barbara for today?

Yes. 120 of the top 120 experiences we rank in Santa Barbara currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.

Is Santa Barbara good for families?

Yes. 17 of the experiences we rank in Santa Barbara are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.

How many days do you need in Santa Barbara?

Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara?

March to June and September to November, dodging the May and June marine layer. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

Can I cancel a booking in Santa Barbara?

112 of the 120 experiences we rank in Santa Barbara offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.

How does the Outty Ranking work?

Every experience in Santa Barbara gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Santa Barbara so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.