20 Free Things to Do in Santa Barbara

There is no wealth but life. – John Ruskin

Spending time in Santa Barbara doesn’t have to mean spending money. The many beaches, hikes, and other naturally beautiful surrounds make it easy to spend the day without spending a cent. Consider these free and fun activities the next time you’re planning to visit Santa Barbara:

1. Walk the Labyrinth at UCSB
2. Check out the Chumash Cave Paintings
3. Meditate at the Vedanta Temple
4. Hike out to see the seals at the Carpinteria Seal Rookery
5. Tour the grounds of the Santa Barbara Courthouse
6. Have a picnic at the Santa Barbara Mission
7. Hike up to the waterfall at Nojoqui Falls
8. Take a walk down the Santa Barbara Pier
9. Go to the Beach
10. Go for a bike ride on the Santa Barbara Bike Path
11. Stroll through Alice Keck Park
12. Window shop on State Street
13. Walk the bluffs at the Douglas Family Preserve
14. Go Tidepooling
15. Play Disc Golf at the Evergreen Course in Goleta
16. Walk out to the end of the Breakwater
17. Listen to live music at the Cold Spring Tavern
18. Bookmark our list of Free Upcoming Events
19. Go Surfing
20. Go on one of our Walking Tours!

Did you like this post? Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send more just like it straight to your inbox!