Santa Barbara is beautiful, especially in the sun of the summer. Often referred to as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara has glistening beaches, cliffside views, Mediterranean climate, and a tight community. Personally am a huge fan of the Mediterranean and Spanish-revival architecture that defines the vast majority of homes interior and exterior within the region. If you’re looking for a more laid back alternative to L.A, this is it my friend.
Santa Barbara Farmers Market
The Santa Barbara Farmers Market is a vibrant community event held every Saturday morning from 8 AM to 12:30 PM in Downtown Santa Barbara on Cota Street between State and Chapala Streets. Throughout August 2025, visitors can enjoy a wonderful selection of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, colorful flowers, and a variety of artisanal foods like homemade breads, cheeses, and specialty treats.
The market is more than just shopping—it’s a place to soak up Santa Barbara’s laid-back culture, with live music often filling the air and friendly farmers and vendors eager to share their passion for quality and sustainability.
Take a Sunset Cruise
Enjoy a peaceful evening on the water by taking a sunset cruise along the Santa Barbara coastline. You can find several tour operators offering cruises with beautiful views of the sunset and maybe even spot dolphins or whales.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a peaceful place at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, just a short drive from downtown Santa Barbara. It covers 78 acres and is home to over 1,000 types of native California plants.
You can take easy to medium walks on trails that go through different natural areas like oak forests, redwood trees, and bushes. Along the paths, signs tell you about the plants and nature around you. The garden also has special spots like a plant nursery, a wildflower meadow, and a trail by a creek.
The garden is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM in August 2025.
Check out Local Breweries and Wineries
Santa Barbara County is famous for its vineyards and craft beer. You can visit many small, local wineries and breweries to try different and unique drinks. At these places, you can also learn how they make the wine and beer from the people who know best—the winemakers and brewers themselves. It’s a fun way to discover new flavors and understand the process behind your favorite drinks.
Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara is a special and much-loved event that celebrates the city’s history, culture, and traditions. Locals call it “Fiesta,” and this year it runs for five days, from July 30 to August 3, 2025.
During this fun-filled week, both visitors and residents can discover the stories and traditions of the Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and early American communities that helped shape Santa Barbara. The festival features real music and dance from these cultures, lively markets called mercados, tasty traditional foods, and colorful celebrations that bring the spirit of Fiesta to life.
28th Annual Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival
The lively energy of Fiesta comes alive at the Santa Barbara Bowl during the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival! This exciting event brings together amazing performances from talented artists like Angeles Ochoa, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan, Leonardo Aguilar, Mariachi Herencia De Mexico, and Mariachi Feminil Nuevo Tecalitlan. It’s a night full of vibrant music and unforgettable moments you won’t want to miss.
Partner Yoga for Friends and Lovers
Discover fresh and meaningful ways to experience the ancient art of Yoga while sharing joyful moments with someone special.
Principle-Based Partner Yoga™ is an innovative practice that takes traditional Yoga beyond the individual and into the space of connection. Made for two or more people, this style combines classic Yoga poses with the support and energy of a partner to create a deeper and more powerful experience. It helps awaken our full human potential by focusing on important values like compassion, trust, balance, and creativity.
Join us for this unique Partner Yoga session on August 8th, 2025. Admission is $60.
State Street Shops
Cutting through downtown for 10 blocks is Santa Barbara’s most famous street. The best shops, art galleries, theaters, and attractions are going to be found here. Notably including the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and some very awesome cinemas like Metropolitan Metro 4 Theatre, Metropolitan Fiesta 5, and The Arlington Theatre. Knowing me, this is what excites me the most and where I’d be found.
