Spring is in full swing with activities for the entire family — almost as plentiful as the poppies that blossom on nearby Figueroa Mountain. As the birthplace of Earth Day and the modern environmental movement, Santa Barbara pulls out all the stops to celebrate Mother Earth each April. Expect mild, sun-splashed days, comfortable evenings and just enough of a coastal breeze to keep things pleasant outdoors.
From horseback riding, biking and hiking among the wildflowers to getting out on the water in a kayak or on a paddleboard, choose from a variety of healthy outdoor adventures. Savor the region’s bounty with an alfresco dining experience or wine tasting along the Urban Wine Trail.
EARTH DAY
Santa Barbara proudly claims 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 Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. Connect with climate leaders, boogie to live music, admire local art, browse eco-conscious exhibitors and learn more about climate action.
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 a taste of Santa Barbara back to your home kitchen, see these plant-based recipes curated by chefs who helm the kitchens at some of Santa Barbara’s most beloved restaurants.
Finally, do your part by picking 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.
MORE EVENTS & FESTIVALS
The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo at the 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.
Discover your next favorite restaurant in town during Santa Barbara Restaurant Week, when participating restaurants present special prix fixe menus. With so much to savor, be prepared to head home with a full belly and a happy heart.
The Natural Coast Wine Festival highlights wineries and winegrowers dedicated to sustainable viticulture, low-impact winemaking and socially responsible practices across California’s Central Coast. Taste natural and minimal-intervention wines, meet winemakers and enjoy local food from a variety of vendors.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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.
April is also prime time for whale watching, when migrating gray whales travel through the Santa Barbara Channel, a designated Whale Heritage Area. Humpback and blue whales may also make an appearance in the channel’s nutrient-rich waters. For an up-close experience, head out with local outfitters like Condor Express, SunSwept Sailing or Santa Barbara Sailing Center, offering everything from high-speed excursions to relaxed, intimate sailing charters.
SPRING INTO ARTS & CULTURE
Soak up the spring weather with an outdoor concert at the breathtaking Santa Barbara Bowl, perched in the Santa Barbara foothills and overlooking downtown and the expansive Pacific Ocean. Before dancing the night away, sip a pre-show drink on the upper terrace and take in its 270-degree sunset view.
Santa Barbara also lights up with more show-stopping performances at iconic downtown venues. Catch a show at the historic Lobero Theatre, take in a concert or film at the ornate Arlington Theatre or check the lineup at the Granada Theatre. With mild April evenings, it’s an ideal month to make a night of it downtown.
