Winter in Santa Barbara is a season of serenity and surprise. While snow blankets much of the country, the city’s beaches remain inviting, the hillsides lush and green and sunsets are rich with painterly hues. The air feels crisp yet gentle, ideal for exploring outdoors, indulging in seasonal cuisine and soaking in the relaxed pace of The American Riviera®. From festive celebrations to ocean adventures, here’s how to make the most of winter in Santa Barbara.
Winter Events
Santa Barbara’s winter season sparkles with coastal charm and community spirit. The Milpas Street Holiday Parade lights up the Eastside in early December, celebrating neighborhood pride with festive floats, dance troupes and local school performances. In Old Town Goleta, the Goleta Holiday Parade (Dec. 6) brings classic holiday fun to Hollister Avenue, featuring marching bands, vintage cars and cheerful community groups spreading seasonal joy. The annual Parade of Lights in the Santa Barbara Harbor (Dec. 14) brings holiday cheer to the waterfront, featuring dozens of boats decked out for the season. Discover more holiday events in Santa Barbara.
As the year wraps up, New Year’s Eve celebrations take center stage — from elegant prix fixe dinners at can’t-miss restaurants like Caruso’s at Rosewood Miramar Beach and Lulio at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara to lively festivities at local resorts. Feb. 4-15, enjoy the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, an 11-day cinematic celebration that attracts film lovers and celebrities from around the world.
Whale Watching
Winter marks the start of the Pacific gray whale migration, one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events. From December through April, thousands of whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel (proudly designated as an official Whale Heritage Area) on their journey south to the lagoons of Baja California. Local outfitters like Condor Express, Celebration Cruises and Santa Barbara Sailing Center offer daily excursions that bring you close to these gentle giants — alongside other sealife that call the channel home. For land-based sightings, bring binoculars to Shoreline Park, Arroyo Burro Beach or Coal Oil Point Reserve.
Arts, Culture & Shopping
Winter’s cooler days are perfect for immersing yourself in Santa Barbara’s vibrant arts and culture scene. Step inside the Santa Barbara Museum of Art to experience world-class exhibitions like The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse. Stroll the Funk Zone to explore its ever-evolving collection of murals, galleries and tasting rooms or visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara for a glimpse into the city’s Spanish colonial past. And, be sure to make your way down this list of unique museums in Santa Barbara.
Enjoy a live performance at the Granada Theatre, Lobero Theatre or Ensemble Theatre Company, where winter programming ranges from Broadway hits to intimate concerts. On the first Thursday of each month, Downtown Santa Barbara’s First Thursday art walk invites locals and visitors alike to explore galleries, enjoy live music and experience the creative pulse of the city.
Browse State Street for shopping spots like La Arcada Court and Paseo Nuevo, or explore the Funk Zone and more for vintage treasures. In Montecito, Montecito Country Mart, Coast Village Road and the upper village offer chic boutiques and artisan goods. For book lovers, discover independent favorites from this roundup of Santa Barbara bookstores.
Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts, coastal-cool fashion or one-of-a-kind décor, Santa Barbara’s boutiques embody relaxed sophistication year-round.
Outdoor activities
With mild winter temperatures, outdoor adventures in Santa Barbara are never out of season. Hikers can enjoy panoramic ocean views on Inspiration Point Trail or these scenic walking routes, while surfers catch consistent winter swells at Leadbetter Beach, Rincon Point and Campus Point. Kayakers and paddleboarders can explore the harbor and surrounding coastlines, golfers can tee off on ocean-view courses like Sandpiper or Glen Annie, and horseback riders can take coastal or canyon trails for a uniquely serene perspective of the region.
Winter also brings some of the most spectacular sunsets of the year. Pack a blanket and a thermos of hot cocoa to watch the sun sink over the horizon from Butterfly Beach or Douglas Family Preserve — each offering its own postcard-worthy perspective.
Food & Dining
Santa Barbara’s year-round growing season ensures that winter dining stays fresh and flavorful. Local farmers markets overflow with citrus, root vegetables, leafy greens and avocados. At restaurants like Marisella, Opal Restaurant and Bar and The Lark, chefs craft menus that highlight the season’s bounty. The winter months are prime spiny lobster season, a prized local delicacy available at the Santa Barbara Fish Market and featured on menus at oceanfront eateries.
Pair your meal with a glass of pinot noir or syrah from nearby vineyards — many of which pour at downtown tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail. For cozy ambiance, settle in by the fireplace at Plow & Angel Speakeasy at San Ysidro Ranch, enjoy cocktails at Lion’s Tale or The Manor Bar, or sip mulled wine at Municipal Winemakers. For beer-drinkers, there are plenty of craft breweries along State Street and beyond to pop in for a pint or to catch a sports game.
