Walking
With its many paseos, Santa Barbara's shopping district is made for pedestrians. It's just a short walk from the waterfront up State Street under Highway 101 to the vibrant center of town, with its irresistible shops, casual sidewalk cafes, and superb restaurants. If you get tired of walking, hop on the electric shuttle or, in the evening, flag down a bike cab. Or you can rent a bike or segway (see this page). See how to be car free for some suggestions and itineraries.
Listed here are a few locations exceptionally well-suited for exploring on foot.
View self-guided walking tours (PDF files*)
- Red Tile Walking Tour of downtown Santa Barbara
- Walk to the Santa Barbara Mission through two pretty parks and a residential neighborhood, or take the Bus (Bus 22 any day year-round)to the Mission and walk back (downhill)
- Twelve Santa Barbara Paseos (car-free pedestrian walkways) in downtown
- Harbor/Shoreline Walking Tour (with options through City College and the Douglas Family Preserve)
- Stearns Wharf and a walk along the waterfront
- Butterfly Beach/Coast Village Road in Montecito
*You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these files, you can download it (free) here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
| With its many
paseos, Santa Barbara's shopping district is made for
pedestrians. It's just a short
walk from the waterfront up State Street under Highway 101
to the vibrant center of town, with its irresistible shops,
casual sidewalk cafes, and superb restaurants. If you get
tired of walking, hop on the electric shuttle or, in the evening, flag down
a bike cab. Or you can rent a bike or segway (see
this page). See
how to be car free for some suggestions and itineraries. Listed here are a few locations exceptionally well-suited for exploring on foot. View self-guided walking tours (PDF files*)
*You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these files, you can download it (free) here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
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| Santa Barbara on Foot | ||||
| Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden | (805) 564-5433. A series of gardens situated within a 4 1/2- acre city block, home to over 100 species of unusual flowering and shade trees, plus a number of palms adapted to the coastal climate. The Park is bordered by Alameda, Garden, Santa Barbara and Micheltorena Streets. Open daily, no fee. | |||
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Certified farmers markets at different locations almost
every day of the week.
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| Chase Palm Park | A two-mile oceanfront park with playground, carousel, plaza, pavilion, and snack concession. | |||
| Santa Barbara Harbor and Waterfront | The harbor houses restaurants, shops, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and over 1000 pleasure and commercial vessels. | |||
State Street
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State Street is the heart of
downtown. See the Conference and Visitor Bureau's web site for
shopping and
dining information.
Don't miss Paseo Nuevo between
Ortega and Canon Perdido Streets, and El
Paseo, between De La Guerra and Canon Perdido Street.
During summer months and on busy weekends and evenings, you will find independent Pedicabs to pedal you up or down State street. |
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Stearns
Wharf
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Stearns Wharf is the longest, oldest working wooden wharf in California. The Wharf is home to several fine restaurants, shops, and the Sea Center, a hands-on discovery center for learning about the marine environment. | |||
| Sunday
Arts and Craft Fair
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Sunday mornings along the beach side of Cabrillo Boulevard from State Street to Chase Palm Park. | |||
| Walking Resources | ||||
| Olympus Press and the Trailmaster | Books, walking, hiking information and resources from a local expert. | |||
| Guided Walking Tours | ||||
| Architectural Foundation Walking Tour | (805) 965-6307. Walking tours are conducted every Saturday from memorial Day through Labor Day, beginning at 10:00 am in De la Guerra Plaza. No reservations are required. | |||
| Walking Tours Through History | 805-987-9869 | |||
| Personal Tours, LTD | 805-685-0552 Guided tours of Santa Barbara, Montecito, the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country and the entire Gold Coast from Los Angeles to Hearst Castle. TCP 8516-S | |||
| Other Great Places to Walk ... | ||||
| Santa Barbara Botanic Garden | Sixty-five acres and over 5 miles of paths meander through an unrivaled collection of California flora and offer panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. Eight different habitats represent various regions throughout California, including redwood forests, oak and canyon woodlands, meadows and deserts. In the Summer months, take the MTD Line 22, see Bus Around Town. | |||
| Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History | The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is one of the most beautiful small museums in the United States by virtue of its natural creekside setting and gracious Spanish-style architecture. The Museum offers a close look at the story of the region's birth, geology and paleontology, native wildlife, rich marine life, and the culture of the Chumash Indians. take the MTD Line 22, see Bus Around Town. | |||
| Santa Barbara Zoo | A lovely zoo in a stunning setting overlooking the Andrea Clark Bird Refuge and East Beach. Take the Waterfront electric shuttle, see Bus Around Town. | |||
| Trail Hiking | ||||
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Los Padres National Forest - Visitor Information
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Hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and more. For excursion information, see also Excursions and Tours/Outdoor Adventures. | |||
| Santa Barbara Adventure Company | 805-882-2096 | |||
| SuperRide Shuttle Charter & Tours | 805-683-9636 | |||







