anta Barbara and its surrounding cities have a lot to offer when it comes to activities, but what about beauty? Here are the 8 most beautiful places near Santa Barbara:
1. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is essentially a living museum, featuring 78 acres of a variety of more than a thousand native California plants. Their mission is to preserve California’s beautiful and diverse plants in a sustainable way so that they can be enjoyed for years to come. You’ll have to stop by at least once while you’re in town!
2. Gainey Vineyard
Gainey Vineyard is doubly beautiful because of its extraordinary wine coupled with its natural beauty. It has been in use since 1962 and has over 100 acres of grapevines. They have several types of high-quality red and white wines that you’ll have to try while you enjoy the scenic views.
3. Santa Barbara Scenic Drive
If you really want to get a feel for Santa Barbara while admiring its natural beauty, take a car out on Santa Barbara Scenic Drive, a 17 mile stretch of scenic vistas of palm trees and ocean. Better yet, rent a convertible and soak in the sunshine while you’re at it. What better way to enjoy this beautiful city?
4. Old Mission Santa Barbara
The Old Mission Santa Barbara is not only rich with history, it is also an incredibly exquisite building. It is over 225 years old and still retains its original beauty. it also features 12 acres of gorgeous gardens. Be sure to check it out before you leave!
5. Stearns Wharf
Stearns Wharf is one of Santa Barbara’s most beautiful destinations because of its gorgeous azure water and abundance of little local shops. There’s also a variety of restaurants to choose from while you look out onto the rolling water. You can’t leave Santa Barbara before paying a visit!
6. Shoreline Park
Shoreline Park is another popular Santa Barbara destination because of its astonishing vistas and many family-friendly features. It’s situated along a coastal bluff and features picnic tables as well as group picnic areas with both coastline and mountain views. Don’t miss it!
7. Santa Barbara Museum of Art
On the unfortunate chance that it decides to rain in Santa Barbara, one of the best places to be is the Museum of Art. While the building itself may not be incredibly beautiful, the works of art inside more than make up for it. There are more than 27,000 works of art, spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity. So step inside this spectacular snippet of culture and find what inspires you!
8. Franceschi Park
A relic of the past, while dilapidated and unkempt, Franceschi Park remains a must-see spot around these parts. This former home of Francesco Franceschi, a 19th Century Italian immigrant was once the pinnacle of botanical gardens in California. Nowadays, this attraction offers some of the best views in Santa Barbara and picnic tables to enjoy lunch or the sunset.
Whatever you’re trying to find, there’s bound to be some beautiful places near Santa Barbara that keeps you coming back. So come to Marina Beach Motel and explore all that this magnificent city has to offer!