A Day on the Santa Barbara Waterfront
Story and photos by Zach Rosen
From world-class entertainment to wine tasting, picturesque hikes to stunning views adorned with a Mediterranean climate and azure coast, Santa Barbara brings a uniquely global and exotic experience. As much as this area has to offer, there’s a chance to see everything Santa Barbara is known for in one space — well, rather, two spaces: the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. The waterfront of this coastal town features a touch of history, dining, and entertainment, and is the best way to spend a single day to see Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Beginnings
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum in Santa Barbara Harbor is the perfect place to start the day. First opened in July of 2000 in what used to be a Naval Reserve Building, the museum provides a historic primer for the area you’re about to experience. Who was John Peck Stearns? What brought commerce to Santa Barbara?
The museum does a truly charming job at guiding visitors through the history of the area, as well as delving into current topics. Entering, you are welcomed by JIM (a one-person atmospheric diving suit) before seeing exhibits on everything from surfing history and sailor tattoos to Chumash culture and women lighthouse keepers. One of the centerpieces of the museum is the Point Conception bulb from its lighthouse. Sure, there’s an exhibit display that explains its history, but it’s just really easy to stand in awe of this glass marvel. Stretching from the bottom floor to the second story, you can walk around it from every angle and take in this artistic creation.
The upper floor also houses temporary exhibits. The current one is a captivating collection of oil paintings by Kevin A. Short offering impressionistic views of Santa Barbara and its lifestyle. The permanent displays will scratch the itch of any history buff, but there is also fun for the whole family with a Children’s Gallery and hands-on exhibits that guide you through kelp forests, and even piloting a boat.
Breakfast with a View
If all that learning hasn’t perked you up yet, then visit Dart Coffee Co. in what was once the museum’s gift store. The recent addition supports the museum and has also become one of the most popular spots in town to get a java jolt and gaze out at the harbor. There are snacks there, but if you’re looking for brunch, lunch, or just a drink, Anchor Rose in the same building fits the bill. There’s an outdoor dining area in front of the museum, however the best views are found on the second floor, where two patios look out at the harbor and surrounding hills.
Take to the Water
With a bit of coffee in your system and the mind buzzing from the museum history, it may be time to get out on the sea. Just walk around the corner to Paddle Sports Center in the Harbor. At any point you can rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards from there, but if you feel like you need a little help with your sea legs, they also offer lessons and tours. Head out into the water — either solo, with your group, or a guide — and paddle around the space, making sure to say hi to one of the many sea lions and other creatures (including humans) you may pass along the way.
If you’re not feeling quite up to that level of activity, then just stroll past the buildings to the Harbor Walk that runs along the breakwater. Depending on where the tide is, you may have calming views of the Pacific or taste the sea spray as waves come crashing up. Both moments are unforgettable, and this walk will be a highlight no matter when you visit it.
Time for Lunch
After a paddle around the harbor, you will definitely be hungry; fortunately there are plenty of food options nearby. When parking at the Harbor, the first spot you’ll see is the Breakwater Restaurant. It is currently under renovation but once reopened it will continue to serve breakfast and lunch with a view.
Just down the row of boats, Brophy Bros. is a mainstay of Santa Barbara and should be a part of any tourist’s checklist. The restaurant is on the second floor serving up surf, turf, soups, and salads with unbeatable harbor sights. There’s also a small bar underneath where a limited menu can be ordered and, more importantly, their sea-friendly drinks (e.g. Dark & Stormy) are poured at any point of the day.
Sushi Go Go is easy to walk by, even though it’s next to Brophy Bros. on the most bustling corner of the Harbor. The place is unassuming with its metal grated tables and small, single-file ordering line, yet this tiny sushi spot is a go-to gem for locals. Their lunch special is under $20 and serves up sushi, tempura, chicken teriyaki, rice, and salad.
Just around the corner is On The Alley, which has become famed for its fish tacos and fish & chips. They pull some food, like clam chowder and calamari, from Bophy’s upstairs, as well as Bloody Marys and other cocktails. But there’s also a good kid’s menu at this grab & go spot.
A Harbor Cruise
Okay, we’ve seen the harbor, it’s now time to head back over to Stearns Wharf. The 10-minute walk along West Beach will take you past volleyball games, bikers, and dog walkers, but why walk when one can cruise?
A water taxi right outside of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum will take your crew from the harbor to Stearns Wharf ($12 adult; $5 child). It’s cute to call the boat a water taxi, but it’s even cuter to call it by its proper name: Lil’ Toot. And yes, this tiny yellow schooner will shuttle you between these two spots, but it can also be chartered for sunset cruises, harbor rides, or really anytime the occasion calls for (think birthday parties on the water).
Lil’ Toot is run by Celebration Cruises, which also offers sunset rides and coastal sails, plus whale and sea life scenic sights (when in season, which happens to be spring). As part of whales’ migrations (see SB Maritime Museum exhibit for more info), this area is a renowned spot to see these most monumental of mammals and their cohorts.
Walk Along the Wharf
Assuming you didn’t head over on the Lil’ Toot, upon entering Stearns Wharf you’ll pass by Santa Barbara’s famed mermaid statue and may even see a possible sand sculpture artist who sets up during different points of the year. Keep walking along the wooden-planked path to the buildings in the back for an eclectic series of shops.
Need to get some souvenir attire? Topside Resort Wear has your back. Looking for an afternoon snack? The Great Pacific Ice Cream Company will satiate your sweet tooth. Mother Stearns Candy can even keep the kids appeased in the hotel room late at night with bags of saltwater taffy, themed gummies, and decadent fudge (no one said anything about their duration of sleep).
While enjoying your ice cream cone, you may need to get some postcards, T-shirts, and other memorabilia to send to the in-laws. Both Devil & Deep Blue Sea and Nature’s Own Gallery will have you covered – especially for your family member who cherishes rose quartz and postcards. Madame Rosinka’s palm readings can take you in whatever direction your fate desires (no water taxi required).
Delve into the Sea Center
Now that the family members’ gifts have been taken care of, walk towards the biggest building on the wharf. This is the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. Before you head to dinner, get hands-on experience with this living museum that feels like a petting zoo meets an aquarium. The Maritime Museum may have taught you about the history of the place, but the Sea Center is all about learning about the biology and diversity of the sea strumming below you.
Need to know what the difference is between a nematode and a starfish? Eager docents are ready to explain every part of the pokey, gushy, and aqueously amazing beings you are experiencing. Touch a shark to know why they’re your friend. Pull up the mechanical claw on the Wet Deck and take a look at the biological daily catch from down below. An exhibit off to the side is a modified taxonomical chart from biologists that will allow anyone inquisitive to identify their own crab.
Sip into the Deep Sea
After a touch of shopping and biology, head above those gift shops for more views of the pretty Pacific and a taste from the Deep Sea Tasting Room. One of the many vineyards along the Central Coast, this one embodies all of the others, featuring coastal varietals and familial care. Each vintage is still tended to by the Conway family and their beloved vine tenders. Santa Barbara has countless tasting rooms, but this one in particular highlights every aspect of the area with its notable flavors and lasting views.
Dinner with a View
With a touch of vino and sweet aperitif, it is probably time for dinner, and if seeking something special, The Harbor Restaurant is worthy of making a reservation. What was once Longboard’s Grill was renovated in 2024 and now promotes “international coastal cuisine.” The restaurant certainly offers its squid ink pasta, steak tartare, and various ceviches, however it also has numerous specialty dishes that set it apart from your typical seaside steakhouse. The Caesar salad is not topped with the crab cake one knows, but rather a lobster gâteau to complete this light yet elegant plate of greens. There’s also a Scottish salmon with lentil curry, and although the food is notable, the view is unforgettable. The establishment has inside tables as well as those right on the water.
Nearby, Moby Dick Restaurant is another optimum option. Named after Herbert Melville’s famous 1851 novel, this place has been serving meals for nearly as long (okay, maybe the 1980s, but it still feels that way). Retitled last year with an Oyster Bar, this historic spot continues to serve locals and visitors alike with American fare, ocean views, and fried food accompanied by fresh sea air.
Believe it or not, there are several spots not mentioned here that you can see while touring through this iconic area and town, so be sure to plan extra time to discover it all. As twilight settles in on your day at the Harbor and Wharf, saunter past the warm glow of string lights lining the wooden walkway, and feel the homey, all-enveloping sense of what this area has to offer.