With unbeatable views, delicious dining and dozens of exciting activities, the Santa Barbara Harbor is the perfect place to spend the day by—or, better yet, on—the water. Located along the bustling Santa Barbara Waterfront, this historic working harbor is an excellent launch pad for a variety of water-based adventures and features a host of local restaurants and bars.
Watersport Rentals & Boat Cruises
Take in Santa Barbara’s dramatic coastline from the water with a boat outing from the harbor. There are several cruise providers to choose from. Most offer public and private sunset cruises, day trips and whale-watching tours during migration season. Visitors can rent equipment for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, scuba diving and sportfishing, with many harbor businesses also providing lessons and guided tours for these activities.
Santa Barbara Landing is a hub for ocean adventures in the harbor, offering everything from sportfishing and whale watching to diving excursions and watercraft rentals like kayaks and jet skis (offered seasonally). With an on-site dive and tackle shop, it provides all the gear and supplies you need, making it a convenient starting point for exploring the coast.
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
For a glimpse into California’s nautical past, stop by the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM). The museum is located inside the Waterfront Center Building, formerly the Naval Reserve Building, and boasts a wide array of hands-on exhibits along with two historical vessels and a theater. Guests can also march up to the fourth floor to revel in panoramic coastline vistas and to marvel at the spectacular kelp-forest murals. Throughout the year, the museum hosts educational programs, lectures and panel discussions on all things maritime. SBMM is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free for children five and under, $5 for ages six to 17, $10 for adults and $7 for seniors 65 and up.
Other Things to Do
Off the water, there are still plenty of things to do at the Santa Barbara Harbor. Browse the shops for seaworthy souvenirs, check out the day’s catch from local fishermen and sea urchin harvesters at the Saturday Fisherman’s Market (or daily at the Santa Barbara Fish Market) or stroll along the breakwater wall to catch the sunset or watch the boats drift in and out of the channel. Check out Santa Barbara Landing,
The harbor also hosts the annual Harbor & Seafood Festival each October and Parade of Lights in December. Find the schedule of upcoming events here.
Santa Barbara Harbor Restaurants & Bars
Ready for happy hour or a bite to eat? Sip on craft cocktails and dine on incredible dishes, all accompanied by beautiful oceanscapes, at one of the harbor’s on-site restaurants.
Anchor Rose Restaurant & Lounge
Enjoy lunch or dinner and drinks at this waterfront rooftop bar and restaurant where the made-from-scratch plates are inspired by the city’s laid-back vibe.
Brophy Bros. Clam Bar & Restaurant
With its double-sided bar overlooking the harbor and menu filled to the brim with seafood delights such as beer-boiled shrimp, clam chowder and breaded bay scallops, it’s easy to see why Brophy Bros. has cemented itself as a local favorite.
On the Alley
A Brophy Bros. sister restaurant, On The Alley, offers breakfast, lunch or dinner with menu items ranging from avocado toast and burritos in the morning to burgers, fried chicken and fish tacos in the afternoon and evening.
Breakwater Restaurant
Grab a seat on Breakwater’s spacious patio for an unmatched look at the harbor at any time of day. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but is most famous for its made-in-house clam chowder and golden-fried fish and chips.
Shoreline Cafe
Located just north of the harbor on Leadbetter Beach, Shoreline Cafe’s varied menu and on-the-sand seating make it a top choice for both locals and visitors. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Dart Coffee
Dart Coffee combines locally roasted coffee with charming nautical décor, creating a cozy seaside retreat. Enjoy your craft brew while taking in waterfront views and the maritime ambiance that adds to the harbor’s relaxed vibe.
Other food-and-drink options at Santa Barbara Harbor include the Santa Barbara Fish Market, Sushi Go Go and the Harbor Market & Deli.
Harbor Parking & Transportation
There are a number of free 90-minute parking spots around the harbor. Alternatively, you can park in the city’s public parking lot located at the harbor. In this lot, the rate for a single vehicle is $3.50 per hour or any part of an hour.
If you prefer to visit by boat, Santa Barbara’s official water taxi, Lil’ Toot, provides 25-minute boat rides daily (Friday through Monday) between the Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf every half hour from noon until sunset. The fare is $10 for adults and $5 for kids each way.
