Explore the Santa Barbara South Coast at your leisure and choose from 20 local accommodations offering a third night free when you book a two-night stay. With so many outdoor adventures to experience and epic shows to see this April, do yourself a favor and stay an extra night.

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EARTH DAY 2025

Santa Barbara proudly retains the title of “birthplace of Earth Day,” and there is no shortage of ways you can show your gratitude for the planet. Honor our home and learn more about how we can help heal Mother Earth at one of the west coast’s largest and longest-running Earth Day celebrations, the 2025 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, where you can converse with impactful climate leaders, boogie to musical performances, admire local art installments, connect with eco-conscious exhibitors—all while learning how to combat climate change.

You can also discover ways to eat and drink green by visiting farm-to-table and vegan/vegetarian restaurants or sipping sustainable wines from local vintners. If you feel like bringing Santa Barbara back to your home kitchen, see these five plant-based recipes curated by chefs that helm the kitchens at some of Santa Barbara’s most beloved restaurants.

Santa Barbara Zoo is hosting Earth Day at the Zoo to educate visitors on the impacts of climate change. Parks and gardens burst with vibrant colors this time of year, so take your lunch to one of the many shady spaces in town and listen to the soothing buzz of insects and singing birds. Enjoy live music and picnic in the garden at the ethereal Lotusland; the peaceful escape will bring you gratitude for our planet and inspiration for the future.

And finally, while visiting don’t be afraid to pay it forward (eco-style) and pick up a piece of trash or two from the beach. Santa Barbara hosts many organized beach cleanup efforts, but you can make any day spent by the sea a beach cleanup day.

SPRING INTO arts, culture & events

Perched in the Santa Barbara foothills, overlooking downtown and the expansive ocean, Santa Barbara Bowl’s highly anticipated 2025 concert season is in full swing. The intimate 4,500-seat outdoor amphitheater is simply a breathtaking venue. Before dancing the night away, take the opportunity to sip on a pre-show drink on the upper terrace, featuring a 270-degree sunset view of Santa Barbara. First up in April is The Avett Brothers (April 11). Be sure to check the scheduled lineup as more concert dates are announced!

Santa Barbara lights up with more show-stopping performances throughout April, and the marquees are just the beginning. At iconic venues scattered around downtown, catch live performances from the Chinkeke! Orchestra (April 3) and The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight (April 6) at Granada Theatre, The Derek Douget Band (April 5) and Yefim Bronfman (April 9) at Lobero Theatre and poetry and conversation from renowned poet Dancing with the Stars: Live! (April 3) at Arlington Theatre (April 30).

Discover your next favorite restaurant in town during Santa Barbara Restaurant Week between April 25 through May 4, where all participating restaurants will be presenting exciting and unique prix fixe menus. With so much to savor, be prepared to head home with a full belly and a happy heart.

April 24-27 and May 2-4, Santa Barbara Fair & Expo at Earl Warren Showgrounds welcomes the whole family to experience thrilling carnival rides, live music, games, farm animals and perhaps the star of the show: the can’t-miss fair food.