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Photo: Arnoldus13, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Small but well-represented with over 600 animals, the zoo has provided entertainment for all ages since 1963 and is the largest zoo between Los Angeles and San Francisco (unless you count the Monterey Aquarium).
The Santa Barbara Zoo is located on 30 acres (12 ha) near the ocean in Santa Barbara, California. It was built on the site of what was known as the Child Estate. It has more than 500 animals in numerous exhibits, including capybara and California condors, and was known for having had a giraffe with a crooked neck. It has a few non-animal attractions, such as the 2 ft narrow gauge Zoo Train, complete with a pair of Chance Rides C. P. Huntington locomotives. The zoo first opened in August 1963.
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Tucked away in Montecito by the fancy Biltmore Hotel, and something of a hidden gem. Depending on tides and fluctuations of the sand, some parts of the beach may not be easily accessible. Though you'll often see off-leash dogs here, unlike Arroyo Burro beach, this isn't officially sanctioned.
This is a long, narrow park that stretches along East Beach. Features pedestrian and bike paths, as well as a skate park.
Santa Barbara Art Walk; the Beach Show
Every Sunday, over 100 local artists display their work on Cabrillo Boulevard along the beach. The "Art Walk" stretches for several blocks along the ocean and begins at the intersection with Stearns Wharf. Everything must be handmade by the local artist or craftsperson you will meet, no assemblage or "buy and re-sell" is allowed. Fine art features paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints made personally by the artist. Functional art is featured in the fields of ceramics, leather, fine and craft jewelry and more. This show offers a great opportunity to have something custom made. The Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show is also adjacent to the "Funk Zone" and offers a great opportunity for fun before or after you go wine tasting!
Separated by Stearns Wharf, for all practical purposes these are one continuous beach, usually referred to just as East Beach. This is Santa Barbara's most popular beach, and most easily accessible from the tourist amenities on State St. Popular sand volleyball spot.
This picturesque 1872 wharf - the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco - has lots of history. It is named after its builder, local lumberman John P. Stearns. Badly damaged several times by fire, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and today features more than a dozen shops and restaurants, and one of the best views in California from the end of its pier. There's also a small public aquarium, the Sea Center, that's associated with the Museum of Natural History. You may see brown pelicans at the end of the wharf. There's a bait and tackle shop, and no fishing license is required to fish from the wharf. It was once owned by Hollywood legend James Cagney.