Camila Johnson
Santa Barbara is one of the most stunning and exciting places to live on the West Coast. Locals have access to some of the state’s best beaches and natural wonders, along with a passionate community that’s full of character. The first time someone visits, they’re likely to comment on both aspects of life in Santa Barbara: its beauty and upbeat atmosphere.
But just because the general vibe is relaxed, that doesn’t mean Santa Barbara doesn’t have some big-city caliber entertainment. If you’re new to town or just stopping by for a short visit, you might wonder where to go and what to do. We’ve got a list of some of the best things to do in Santa Barbara with a strong focus on excitement and entertainment.
Here’s what to do, where to go, and when to do it.
Gaming
There are two names you need to know in Santa Barbara for gaming-related entertainment. The first is LA Arcada, an old-school arcade that’s located downtown in the center of the city. It offers classic games like pinball and air hockey, set inside a historic building. The second is a newer installation: Downtown Detectives.
Downtown Detectives is an escape room that specializes in a variety of themed escape challenges. Best of all, it’s located inside the Santa Barbara Courthouse, which offers a peak into local architecture.
If you’re more of a digital gamer, you can read a list of real money casino platforms to select one that’s right for you. This allows you to register remotely with a casino and start playing blackjack, roulette, and more from a smartphone or laptop. That means you can spin a roulette wheel on the beach or back at your hotel.
Nightlife
If you want to dance the night away, Santa Barbara has a few great choices. The Imperial is a popular watering hole that offers the added feature of live vinyl music. That makes it a great choice for anyone who likes an old-school feel—and definitely a few oldies.
The Sandbar, on the other hand, is more about the view. This location is situated right on the beach, which means you can enjoy dinner and a drink with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. The atmosphere is known for being welcoming and lively.
Nature
Nature isn’t usually clumped in with entertainment—but Santa Barbara’s vistas, hiking trails, and mountains are too beautiful to be ignored. If you want to really push yourself to your limits, consider a more advanced hiking trail like Jesuita Trail (to Inspiration Point) or the Cold Springs Canyon Trail.
If you want to kick back while enjoying nature, then head to the beach instead. Santa Barbara is known for offering a wide range of accessible water sports, including paddleboarding, kite-surfing, and regular surfing. The beach is also a great spot to join other groups as they play volleyball, slackline, and more.
Or if you’d rather stick to a more formal look at nature, then check out the city’s Botanical Gardens and its Orchid Estate. The latter is a small organization that focuses on raising and breeding orchids. You can take a tour with a guide who knows the ins and outs of these complex and gorgeous flowers.
Culture
Lastly, we’re rounding off this list with some of Santa Barbara’s more unique cultural festivities. As mentioned up top, the city is known for its quirky vibe—which means there are plenty of fantastic public gatherings to join. Earth Day Festival is one of the larger gatherings the city organizes.
On top of that, there’s the Santa Barbara Fiesta, a multi-day celebration of all things local; the Summer Solstice Parade and Festival, which is a 50-year-old tradition that focuses on arts and nature; and the Old Spanish Days Fiesta, which includes parades, rodeos, music, and other Spanish-era activities.
