YOUR WEEKEND GUIDE TO SANTA BARBARA

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Santa Barbara is the Courthouse Sunken Garden. The garden surrounds the old courthouse and is home to some of the most gorgeous flowers you’ll find in Southern California. Tours are available every day promptly at 2 PM. Don’t forget to go into the Santa Barbara County Courthouse as well! You can walk up to the top of the clock tower to get a spectacular panoramic view of Santa Barbara below!

Horseback Riding! They let you design the itinerary you’d like on a private tour that suits all levels of riders on their horses and mules.

Looking to deepen your understanding of one of the most biodiverse areas in the world? Then you absolutely have to stop by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History!

The best time to go whale watching is between November and April. This is when the Pacific grey whales migrate through the area heading south to Baja, Mexico. However, Condor Express guarantee whale sightings year round in Santa Barbara. They’ve seen humpback whales and even the largest mammal on Earth, the Blue Whale in the area. Keep an eye out for dolphins too, they love swimming alongside your boat and are a real treat to see.

A hike to Inspiration Point via the Tunnel and Jesusita trail! You'll see colorful wildflowers along the way. When you reach the summit, you'll have panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding Santa Ynez Mountains. It is a 4-mile out-and-back trail and is rated as moderate and takes about two hours to complete. The hike starts as a paved road before turning into a trail on which there are a few switchbacks; the trail has a steady incline all the way to the summit. The trail is open to dogs, so hikers can bring their furry friends as long as they are leashed.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission costs $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 to 17, with discounts for seniors and students available. Guided tours, which are included with general admission, are offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the weekends and at 2 p.m. on Mondays

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for kids ages 6 to 17, seniors and students with ID. From 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, admission is free.