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
Santa Barbara Zoo‘s annual fundraiser Zoo Brew (June 6) 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. Also on June 6: World Oceans Day! And that means free admission to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf.
Celebrate Juneteenth at Santa Barbara’s annual Juneteenth Santa Barbara Block Party (June 19) at Plaza del Mar. The annual event welcomes everyone to commemorate Black Independence Day. 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 19-21) is back with flying colors — literally — for its 52nd 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 “WAVE,” and the Summer Solstice parade on June 20 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 27 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. The Santa Barbara Wine Festival also falls on June 27 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, where you can sip from a commemorative wine glass as you explore pours from standout wineries set across the museum’s scenic outdoor spaces.
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 Lord Huron (June 2), The Black Keys (June 13) and Bob Dylan (June 17).
At Lobero Theatre, see the Sam Grisman Project (June 4), Christopher Cross (June 5), John C. Reilly (June 7) and Elvis: In Person starring Matt Stone Tribute (June 11).
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! SunSwept Sailing and Santa Barbara Sailing Center offer private cruises along the coast, and 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!
