Santa Barbara lies in a gorgeous stretch of the Golden State's central coast brimming with Spanish architectures, mystical gardens and coastline activities backdropped by the sharp rock peaks of Santa Ynez Mountains. This list of fun things to do in Santa Barbara is definitely worth the one and a half hour drive up road 101 if you're coming from Los Angeles. During summer when tourism is at its peak, visitors flood the county in blazing hot weather. Spring might be the best time to visit to avoid traffic-inducing crowds while exploring the county in cool weather under clear skies.

Capture a Panorama of Santa Barbara County Courthouse

A 360-degree panoramic view of Santa Barbara is available for free for visitors of Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Make your way to the top of Bell Tower by elevator or stairs within this historic Spanish complex built back in 1929 after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Santa Barbara in June 1925. This courtyard is also considered the most beautiful government building in all of America with 10-15 fully functioning courtrooms.

Get Your Heart Stirred at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art

From classic paintings of Van Gogh and Monet, to contemporary murals, stencils, picture books and antiquities, the wide range of interesting exhibitions could take you up to three hours to complete in this large museum. It also houses a shop that caters designer scarves among other souvenir items, and a cafe to chill out after your artsy experience. The free museum is open from 11am to 5pm except on Mondays and holidays when it is closed, and Thursdays when it closes late at 8pm. A visit to this museum is one of the top things to do in Santa Barbara.

Take a Morning Stroll at State Street

The street that gives the most powerful impression about Santa Barbara, the quaint and pretty State Street turns any walk to an extraordinary experience. Capture the Santa Barbara life on this street characterized by Spanish architecture, stylishly laid back locals, tempting shopping at local retail and chain stores, and fresh food oozing at the farmer's market.

Explore Old Mission Santa Barbara

A historic mission house founded by Spanish Franciscans in 1786, this Santa Barbara treasure provides a picturesque facade as you walk from its front yard park. You can also see the ocean from the steps of the mission. The lawn is perfect for a sunset picnic and photo opportunity with your friends or family. Many of Santa Barbara's grand events are held right in front of this mission. Free parking and restrooms are conveniently provided for visitors.

Go Fishing at Stearns Wharf

You will not run out of things to do in Santa Barbara's famous pier, the Stearns Wharf, built 150 years ago by a local lumberman and builder of the county. Between the long stretch of Los Angeles and San Francisco's coastline, this harbor is the deepest that caters to cargo and passenger lines. Stearns Wharf doesn't fail to provide its five million annual visitors with fun activities such as trying countless seafood restaurants, sampling Santa Barbara's best wines, and sea and boat watching. More activities are also available from around the wharf like boat sailing, canoe paddling, skateboarding, swimming and whale watching. If you're a photography enthusiast, don't miss the chance to shoot the pier as it glows under the sunset's amber sky.

Walk the Stretch of Santa Barbara Waterfront

After having fun at Stearns Wharf, go east to Santa Barbara Waterfront, another famous spot along the county's coastline offering a lot of family fun. Various boat and land tours originate from this waterfront area. Walk under the palms, visit the breakwater, watch people as you relax by the beach, see birds hovering over the ocean, ride a bike and have your dose of family fun in this harbor area.

Enter the Jungle of Santa Barbara Zoo

Located just a few hops away from the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Barbara Zoo is one of the most interesting little zoos in USA. Your list of things to do in Santa Barbara can not miss this interesting place. Three hours is enough to tour the 30-acre zoo which is home to more than 500 different wildlife species. Don't miss the Golden Lion Tamarins, Asian Otters, Humboldt Penguins, and the daily enrichment activities of elephants. Emmet and Kate trains for kids and the young at heart circle the zoo ground for 15 minutes showcasing the gorgeous Andree Clark Bird Refuge and Santa Ynez Mountains. If watching animals is not enough for you, you have the chance to feed leaves to resident giraffes. Visit this zoo anytime between 10am and 5pm from Mondays to Sundays.

Soak in Californian Nature at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Originally a site for plant experiments by famous botanist Dr. Clements in the 1920s, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden highly encourages the public to take the native plants to their own gardens. With roughly over 400 varieties of plants for sale, buzz pollination is a natural phenomena that you can observe. There's also a children's discovery garden that teaches kids how plants and animals work together. An original Japanese teahouse built in Kyoto can also be found inside the garden grounds, designed as a gateway between man, culture and nature.

Go Extreme with Santa Barbara Adventure Company

For travelers asking what to do in Santa Barbara that is more exciting than eating, walking and observing, this adventure company is the answer. Choose your own extreme activity from kayaking the painted caves of Channel Islands, chasing dolphins, biking and horseback riding. Surfing and paddling lessons are also available. The company also provides a bicycle tour to the Santa Ynez Wine Country, letting you roll over the gentle hills and stunning vistas.

Go Green with Sustainable Vine Wine Tours

Don't leave Santa Barbara without sampling its rich collection of delectable organic wines, or better yet, understand how they are produced. A Sustainable Vine Wine Tour is perfect for the naturalists as the entire tour is programmed by its environmentalist founder Bryan Hope. You will visit different farms that make eco-friendly wines while riding a biodiesel-powered vehicle in Santa Rita vineyard. You will watch and learn how organic wines are produced as the tour covers all stages of the organic winemaking process, from the vineyards to the wineries, the distribution and the wine glass.

Summary

Having the Santa Ynez on one side and the Pacific Ocean on another, the nature-enveloped Santa Barbara is a perfect weekend getaway for families and friends wanting a dose of relaxation. Be warned, however, because this laid back lifestyle of the locals can be contagious and addictive!