The Santa Barbara South Coast is ripe with activity during June, whether your goal is to catch a lively polo match, revel in on-the-water tours and entertainment, colorfully celebrate the year-round sunshine in our beachy paradise — or all of the above. Discover what makes Santa Barbara an exciting summer destination and soak up the energy of Santa Barbara’s many festivals and summer happenings this June.
If you’re itching for a family getaway once school lets out or are just in need of a solo retreat, we’ve compiled a list of quintessential Santa Barbara activities that are sure to make for a memorable visit to our seaside city.
Festivals & events
Every Sunday in June, Hotel Californian will host a movie night on the Mirador rooftop featuring iconic Hollywood films like Vertigo (June 1), True Grit (June 8), Wicked (June 15), Casablanca (June 22) and Everything Everywhere All at Once (June 29).
Santa Barbara Zoo‘s annual fundraiser Zoo Brew (June 7) delights all who arrive at the grassy, hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, dotted with shaded tents offering unlimited beer tastings from over 30 local breweries and live entertainment. Taste craft brews from local purveyors and explore the zoo after hours during this iconic summer event.
Celebrate Juneteenth at Santa Barbara’s annual Juneteenth Santa Barbara Block Party (June 15) at Plaza del Mar. The annual event welcomes everyone to commemorate the freedom of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The celebration will honor local Black artists, business owners, performers and organizations and will feature free food, dancing and singing.
The annual Summer Solstice Celebration (June 20-22) is back with flying colors — literally — for its 51st year. Gather in downtown Santa Barbara to usher in the summer season, and revel in the bold costumes, colorful displays, dazzling entertainment and local culture. This year’s festival theme is “Wild World,” and the Summer Solstice parade on June 21 will light up Santa Barbara Street with dancers, music, floats and more. The parade will end at Alameda Park, where there will be boutique shopping, live music, a beer and wine garden and sweet treats galore all weekend long.
Explore the Santa Barbara Lavender Festival on June 28 at Santa Barbara City College. This unique arts and crafts festival will celebrate creativity through the artistic expression of lavender and lavender themes, featuring works from over 75 local artisans, lavender farms and small business owners.
This June, walk through a beautiful garden inside the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History while nearly 1,000 live butterflies flutter freely around you. Butterflies Alive! features a dazzling variety of butterflies including local favorites and exotic tropical species. Learn about the life cycle and behavior of these spectacular invertebrates while observing them up close. The exhibit is included in museum admission and will be open through September.
music & Entertainment
Looking for a memorable outdoor concert experience? Catch one of the following shows during the Santa Barbara Bowl’s jam-packed summer season. You’ll quickly see why the ocean views seem even more spectacular when accompanied by a cold beer and a glittering light show under the stars. See Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen (June 14) and Lake Street Dive (June 28).
At Lobero Theatre, see Elvis impersonator Matt Stone (June 5), The Crosby Collective (June 12-13), Eternal Stoke (June 14), Mary Chapin Carpenter and Brandy Clark (June 16), Journey USA (June 27) and more.
Aquatic Adventures
Looking for on-the-water fun? Santa Barbara has a number of outfitters that provide a wide variety of tours and water-based activities for all ages. Cal Coast Adventures, Paddle Sports Center and Santa Barbara Adventure Company offer a multitude of guided kayaking tours, stand-up paddleboarding, rentals and more for the active-minded.
If you want to get out on the water in a more relaxed setting, The Landshark provides land and sea tours of downtown and the harbor, and the amphibious boat is something you’ll need to “sea” to believe! Celebration Cruises provide boats for all occasions. For a short-and-sweet voyage, Lil’ Toot, Santa Barbara’s legendary water taxi, shuttles riders from Stearns Wharf to the harbor and back. Or, if you’re looking for an exhilarating adventure, head out to sea with Santa Barbara Parasail, where you’ll glide over 1,000 feet over the ocean and take in once-in-a-lifetime views of The American Riviera®. Needless to say, in Santa Barbara, you’re guaranteed to find an aquatic activity that suits your needs.
POLO IN PARADISE
The grassy fields at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club boast an iconic ocean view and the cool sea breeze is a welcomed addition to the exhilarating atmosphere. Sip on a chilled glass of Champagne and nibble on charcuterie under the shaded grandstand awning, and cheer for your favorite jockey to score. At halftime, take part in a fun polo tradition and help stomp the divots, where you’ll get a spectacular view from the fields!
