Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival

Santa Barbaa Harbor
Harbor Way
Santa Barbara, CA
805.564.5531

Savor the abundance of the Santa Barbara Channel at the 2024 Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During this annual event, visitors and locals alike get the opportunity to meet the fishermen who catch and harvest the high-quality, fresh-off-the-boat seafood sourced sustainably from local waters. Dig into some of Santa Barbara’s specialties, including freshly caught lobster and sea urchin (uni) prepared before your eyes. Visit specialty food booths for fish tacos, oysters, mussels, barbecued albacore, fresh crab, clam chowder, seafood paella and more. 

This free event draws thousands of people to the Santa Barbara Harbor Waterfront each year and offerings family-friendly activities like complimentary boat rides aboard the Azures Seas, Whisper, and Kelpie, vessel tours, shopping opportunities and live music.

 

Take advantage of discounted admission to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, offering two floors of exhibits covering Santa Barbara’s rich maritime culture from the Chumash Indians to the regions surfing heritage. Don’t forget to visit the Observation Deck on the fourth floor for some of the best views of the Santa Barbara Harbor. 

DIRECTIONS, PARKING & HOURS:

  • Directions from downtown streets (such as State Street or Castillo Street): Head towards the ocean, and turn right onto Cabrillo Boulevard, which turns into Shoreline Drive. Turn left onto Harbor Way.  

  • Directions from Highway 101 South: Take the Castillo Street exit towards the harbor, turn right on Castillo Street, turn right on Shoreline Drive, turn left onto Harbor Way.

  • Directions from Highway 101 North: Take the Bath Street exit, turn left on Haley Street, turn left on Castillo Street, turn left on Shoreline Drive, turn left onto Harbor Way.

  • If arriving by car, there are a number of free 90-minute parking spots around the harbor. Parking is also available in the city’s public parking lot located at the harbor for a fee of $3 per hour. Additional self-pay lots are east of the Santa Barbara Harbor along Cabrillo Boulevard. Alternately, nearby Pershing Park on Castillo Street offers overflow parking and is a short walk to the event. Find all waterfront parking information and maps here

TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT:

  • Stay a little longer and enjoy all that Santa Barbara has to offer with these hotels, resorts and vacation rentals
  • The Santa Barbara Train Station is also located near the Santa Barbara Harbor. Find Amtrak train information here

  • Consider riding a bike to the event instead of taking a car. Complimentary bicycle parking is available. 

  • Leave your pets at home. Due to large crowds, event organizers discourage bringing pets such as dogs to the festival. 

CAN’T MAKE THE FESTIVAL:

At the Saturday Fishermen’s Market, fishermen sell directly to the public at City Pier every Saturday morning from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., year-round. Find the perfect catch then take it to the fillet booth and let the experts get it ready to take home in no time. 

 
Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival

Santa Barbaa Harbor
Harbor Way
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

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