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Santa Barbara County Attractions
Local Attractions
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
2295 Purisima Rd, Lompoc
(805) 733-3713
La Purisima Mission was the eleventh mission in the twenty-one Spanish missions established in what became California. It was founded on December 8, 1787 by Francisco Lasuen. Visitors can enjoy a variety of buildings and quarters including a weaving room, leather shop, Padre's chapel, and much more.
Lompoc Flower Fields
A truly magnificent site, fields and fields of flowers. The flowers are a late spring and summer crop. Due to economic factors, fewer flower fields are planted now than in the past. You will find more vegetable fields, since vegetables can be grown year-round.
Mission Santa Ines
1760 Mission Dr, Solvang
(805) 688-4815
Today the mission is an active parish; it is beautiful inside and out. The grounds feature fountains, statues, and gardens. The Danish town of Solvang was built up and around the Mission in the early 1900s. The restoration continues and the Capuchin Franciscan Fathers take excellent care of the mission.
Murals of Lompoc
The city of Lompoc has over 32 major commissioned murals painted by noted artists, as well as additional 40 murals. These are located in Lompoc's historic old town area, where residents alike can enjoy a stroll throughout the downtown area to view these murals.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon Rd Santa Barbara
(805) 682-4726
Experience beautiful vistas, unique California native plant exhibits in beautifully designed landscapes. Visitors enjoy nature trails and historic landmarks. Garden Hours: Mar–Oct: 9:00am to 6:00pm; Nov–Feb: 9:00am to 5:00pm. Admission: $8.00 Adults, $6.00 Seniors (60+ years), $6.00 children 13 to 17 years, college students and active military with ID, $4.00 Children 2 to 12 years.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
1100 Anacapa St Santa Barbara
(805) 962-6464
The Courthouse has been called the most beautiful government building in America. The Spanish-Moorish style building was completed in 1929. It occupies a square block in downtown Santa Barbara. Gardens and lawns surround this working courthouse. Visit during the business day (8:00am to 5:00pm Mon–Fri) or during the weekends (10:00am to 4:30pm).
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
113 Harbor Way Ste 190 Santa Barbara
(805) 962-8404
The Surfing Exhibit is one of the newest exhibits. Visitors will experience the thrill of surfing when they walk under a 12-foot long, 9-foot high breaking wave as they enter the exhibit. This museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting to the public the maritime heritage and ongoing educational platform to study human interaction with the marine environment. Summer Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day: 10:00am to 6:00pm (closed Wednesdays). Winter Hours: Labor Day to Memorial Day: 10:00am to 5:00pm (closed Wednesdays). The 3rd Thursday of every month is FREE. Admission: Adults $7.00, Military Active Duty $4, Seniors (62 yrs.+) $4.00, Students (with ID), Youth (6 to 17 yrs.) $4.00, Children (1 to 5 yrs.) $2.00
Santa Barbara Mission
2201 Laguna St Santa Barbara
(805) 682-4149
Mission Santa Barbara “Queen of the Missions for its graceful beauty.” Founded on December 4th, 1786, it was the tenth of 21 Franciscan missions in California. The Mission continues to be the chief cultural and historic landmark in the city of Santa Barbara. It still functions as a church today. Self-guided tours daily 9:00am to 5:00pm. Docent tours for schools and other groups are arranged by appointment. The tours are $4.00.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State St Santa Barbara
(805) 963-4364
One of southern California’s finest art museums, it features nationally recognized collections and special exhibitions of international importance. The museum is proud to offer special programs and activities for all ages, from art classes to lectures. Check our website for current shows and programs. Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm, Closed Mondays. Admission: Members: free, Non-members: Adults $9, Seniors (age 65+) $6, Students with ID $6, Ages 6 to 17 $6, Under 6 years, free admission every Sunday.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol Rd Santa Barbara
(805) 682-4711
This excellent museum displays the flora and fauna of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands. The Museum features eleven exhibit halls, focusing on regional natural history, including birds, insects, mammals, marine life, paleontology, Native Americans and the Chumash Indians. Features: Life-size Blue Whale skeleton, a planetarium, an antique natural history art gallery, and museum store.
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara
(805) 962-5339
Zoo contains over 600 animals representing more than 180 species housed on 16 acres. Visitors may also enjoy an enclosed carousel and two C.P. Huntington trains. It is also home to the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens. Open daily (except for Christmas) 10:00am to 5:00pm. Tickets sold until 4:00pm. Adults (13 to 59): $11.00, Children (2 to 12): $8.00, Seniors (60+): $8.00, Children under 2: FREE, Parking: $4.00
Solvang
(805) 688-0701
An authentic Danish settlement founded in 1911 by Danish educators, where the heritage and customs of the Old World live on. Enjoy shopping in art galleries, clothing and shoe boutiques, gift and antique stores. Savor delicious meals from Danish specialties to gourmet wine country cuisine, as well as international and classic American favorites. Driving Directions: From Southern California: Take Hwy-101 North to Hwy-246 (at Buellton), turn right for 3 miles.
South Coast Railroad Museum
300 N Los Carneros Rd Goleta
A historical landmark, Goleta Depot is a Victorian-styled Southern Pacific Railroad station built in 1901 by the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Stearns Wharf
(805) 564-5530
Located at the end of State St. off of the 101. Take a short stroll out over the Pacific Ocean and experience California’s oldest working wharf. Touch marine life in a special aquarium. Step aboard the Harbor Queen for a narrated whale watching cruise.
Ty Warner Sea Center Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
211 Stearns Wharf Santa Barbara
(805) 962-2526
Ty Warner Sea Center is a fun, engaging, interactive marine education facility located on Stearns Wharf. Interactive exhibits designed to help visitors experience scientific discovery. At the Ty Warner Sea Center, you’ll discover the fun science and the wonders of the natural world. 10:00am to 5:00pm daily. Sea Center Admission: Adults $8, Seniors (65 and over) $7, Teens 13 to 17 $7, Children 2 to 12 $5, Children under 2 free.
Vandenberg Air Force Base Tour
(805) 606-3595
Mailing Address: 30 SW/PA, Building 12,000 Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 93437-6267
Base tours can be arranged through the public affairs office. Depending on the focus of the tour and group type, requests can include visits to the Korean War Memorial, the Minuteman Memorial, the Space & Missile Heritage Center, South Vandenberg’s commercial space launch complexes, Honda Point, the Western Range Operations Control Center, the Security Forces Military Working Dog facility, the Fire Department and the dining facility. Private tours are offered Monday through Thursday for groups of 15 or more.
Out of Area Attractions
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
Take the 405 S to 710 S and follow signs
(562) 590-3100
Take a journey of discovery through the world’s largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. Home to more than 12,500 ocean animals, representing nearly 500 species, the Aquarium celebrates the planet’s largest and most diverse body of water. Come celebrate our 10th anniversary starting on June 13, 2008. Join the year-long celebration as we feature new exhibits, live music, special “10” promotions, and more.
Disneyland
1313 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim
Recorded Guest Information
(714) 781-4565
Disneyland features rides for all ages, shopping, dining, entertainment, and much more. Explore eight fantastic areas like ToonTown, Tomorrow Land, Frontierland and so much more. Your imagination will run free in a magic kingdom where life is a fairy tale and dreams really do come true. Disneyland, the happiest place on earth!
Disney’s California Adventure
1313 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim
Recorded Guest Information
(714) 781-4565
A Disney theme park featuring Golden State, Paradise Pier, Hollywood Pictures Backlot and more meant to resemble various aspects of California, its culture, landmarks and history. Disney Imagineers traveled over the state while designing California Adventure, distilling the Golden State into 55 acres located adjacent to Disneyland Park. Experience rides, shopping, entertainment and more.
Griffith Observatory
2800 East Observatory Rd Los Angeles
(213) 473-0800
Griffith Observatory is one of the premier public observatories in the world, and one of southern California’s most popular attractions. When the night sky is clear, the Zeiss telescope is open from the roof and serves up to 600 visitors per night. Giftshop and cafe. Weekdays (Tues–Fri): Open Noon to 10:00pm, Weekends (Sat–Sun): Open 10:00am to 10:00pm, Mondays: Closed.
Hearst Castle
San Simeon State Historical Monument Tour Reservations
750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon
(800) 444-4445
Hearst Castle was once like a small self-contained city, with 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 127 acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, an airfield, and the world’s largest private zoo. Zebras and other exotic animals still roam the grounds. Tour Hearst Castle and encounter first•hand the majesty and beauty of this historical treasure.
J. Paul Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Dr Los Angeles
(310) 440-7300
Enjoy a collection of art from the Middle Ages to the present, including European paintings, drawings, sculpture, decorative arts, and European and American photographs. Visitors also experience dramatic architecture, gardens, and breathtaking views. Hours: Tues–Thurs 10:00am to 6:00pm. Friday and Saturday 10:00am to 9:00pm, Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Knott’s Theme Park
8039 Beach Blvd Buena Park
(714) 220-5200
What was once an actual berry farm is now 160 acres of world class rides, unique family shows and one of a kind attractions. Experience GhostRider, the world’s best wooden roller coaster, and Supreme Scream, 30-stories up, 3 seconds down and much more. Rides for the whole family can be found at Camp Snoopy featuring rides for the young and young at heart.
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr Los Angeles
(323) 644-4200
Koalas are still one of its biggest attractions among 1,200 animals from around the world that are on display. They also have an Animal Encounters program that encourages interaction between visiting kids and the residents of this wild kingdom. The grounds are thick with mature shade trees from around the world. Visiting the zoo is a great way to spend the day.
Mann’s Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles
(323) 464-6266
The theatre is the most famous theatre in the world. Since its opening in May 1927, millions of movie patrons and visitors have been drawn to the theatre. The Chinese was the dream of Sid Grauman. Filled with exotic art from China, the theatre’s jade-green bronze roof rises 90 feet into the air. Spectacularly lit at night, it is a true Hollywood landmark. Mann’s Chinese Theater is best known for the hand and footprints in its forecourt.
Paramount Pictures
5555 Melrose Ave, Hollywood
(323) 956-5575
Experience the living history of Paramount Studios. Take a guided, 2 hour historical and educational look behind the scenes of the daily operations of a major motion picture and television studio.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia
(661) 255-4100
An amusement park on steroids! Six Flags Magic Mountain has a collection of roller coasters that elicit superlatives of all kinds: fastest, tallest, first and only. Visitors can use the Orient Express or the Metro Monorail instead of walking across the park.
Sony Pictures Studios
10202 W Washington Blvd, Culver City Main Line
(310) 244-4000
Famous for the Yellow Brick Road winding through Munchkin Land, “Men In Black” battling aliens from outer space and SpiderMan catapulted from a skyscraper; our dynamic studio tour guides will shed light on the film and television production process by taking you to various soundstages and by sharing tales of days gone by. Admission is $28 per person. Children ages 12 and older are welcome.
The Queen Mary
1126 Queen’s Hwy, Long Beach
(562) 435-3511
The Long Beach Queen Mary, an ocean liner full of history fun for the whole family. Open for tours, hotel accommodations, restaurants for dining, brunch, banquet facilities.
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
(800) 864-8377
Enjoy the day at a thrilling theme park located within a working movie studio. Experience rides and attractions like WaterWorld®, Terminator2®: 3D, Jurassic Park® The Ride and so much more. On the Studio Tour you will go deep behind the scenes where today’s hottest movies are being made. Finish your day with LA’s coolest restaurants, clubs and fun at Universal CityWalk®.