March is without a doubt one of the most picture-perfect times to visit Santa Barbara. Vibrant displays of color can be found along our crescent coast, from wildflower-sprinkled hillsides to sunsets in every hue. Add in temperate weather, incredible music performances and a variety of unique local festivals, and there’s no shortage of reasons to visit in spring.
Read on to discover why March is the ideal time to visit Santa Barbara.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Celebrate International Women’s Day with Mujeres Makers Market, a community-driven pop-up market highlighting women of color entrepreneurs, artists and creatives from across the region. Browse handcrafted goods, art, vintage finds and more from local makers.
The annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show invites you to stop and smell the flowers. Visitors can admire exhibits ranging from extravagant art installations and show-stopping floral arrangements to stunning photography and, of course, a wide array of exotic orchid displays. Learn more about the history of orchid-growing in Santa Barbara.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
March marks the official start of spring, so celebrate the new season by getting out in nature with a stroll through the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden or Ganna Walska Lotusland. Or opt for a guided tour through the city’s artsy Funk Zone, scenic waterfront or historic old town Santa Barbara with Santa Barbara Free Walking Tours.
Another draw to the California coast in March: It’s prime time for whale watching. Every year between February and May, Pacific gray whales migrate from the warm waters of Baja California through the wildlife-rich Santa Barbara Channel. They continue to the Alaskan coast, making it one of the world’s longest and most incredible mammal migrations. Several local outfitters offer opportunities to spot whales and other marine life from the Santa Barbara Channel, including Condor Express Whale Watching, Celebration Cruises, SunSwept Sailing, Santa Barbara Sailing Center and Sunset Kidd Sailing.
Whether you need a solo springtime reset or plan to bring the whole family for a vacation, consider Santa Barbara your activity-filled spring break destination.
LIVELY LIBATIONS
Grab your green clothing and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of Santa Barbara’s Irish bars. Or raise a pint at one of the many breweries that make up the Santa Barbara South Coast’s extensive craft beer scene, spanning from Goleta to downtown Santa Barbara. Choose from a wide selection of local and imported IPAs, sour beers, porters and so much more. Many breweries also offer games, food and live music.
If you want to raise a glass after the holiday, National Cocktail Day happens every March 24. What better way to celebrate than by sipping a fruity concoction made with local honey and lavender, or a bourbon-based favorite? Explore watering holes throughout town to find the best cocktails, or check out these hotel bars in Santa Barbara.
LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES
Santa Barbara’s music scene comes alive in March. For intimate concerts, Campbell Hall at the University of California, Santa Barbara hosts touring jazz musicians and global artists through its celebrated Arts & Lectures series. Prefer a night out on the town? You’ll find live music throughout the month at The Red Piano or SOhO Restaurant & Music Club.
Santa Barbara’s theater and performing arts scene is just as vibrant. Catch everything from Broadway shows to symphonies, film screenings, and contemporary dance and ballet recitals at the landmark Granada Theatre downtown. The Lobero Theatre, California’s oldest continuously operating theatre and the fourth-oldest performing arts theater in the country, showcases a variety of concerts, dance and folk performances year-round. For more live entertainment options, check out the Ensemble Theatre Company for local theater and the Clark Center for the Performing Arts for tribute concerts and more.
