Where to Find The Best Views in Santa Barbara
Our easy guide to the best views in Santa Barbara includes all of our favorite scenic spots! We’ve lived in Santa Barbara for six months now while Rebecca completes her first contract as a traveling speech-language pathologist. Now, we’re compiling all of our experiences (and the tips we get from locals) to give you this carefully curated list. At any of these locations, you’ll find sweeping views of the landscape, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean — or both! Prepare to be in awe of this spectacular town as you explore these best views in Santa Barbara.
Visiting Santa Barbara?
If you’re planning on visiting Santa Barbara, be sure you secure lodging accommodations as soon as possible. Santa Barbara’s a popular destination, especially during the summer months. You want to make sure you have a place to stay while exploring town!
There are a bunch of places to stay near the waterfront and downtown areas. Whether you’re looking for beachfront or budget options, you can find the right spot for you on Booking.com. They’ve got deals and break up hotel stays by category (like central to town, most popular, and budget-friendly).
Click the button below for to explore lodging options! This is an affiliate link so we will receive a small commission for any stay booked and completed at no additional cost to you. We appreciate your support while we work towards our dream!
Best Views in Santa Barbara
Franceschi Park
One of our most memorable “microadventures” in Santa Barbara was at Franceschi Park — former home of the late botanist Franceso Franceschi! In fact, we love Franceschi Park so much that we included it on our list of the Best Things to Do in Santa Barbara for Couples. Looking for something new to explore after work, we made the drive up to the Riviera park and still had plenty of daylight left. After exploring around the abandoned mansion, we found a small trail that ran parallel to the parking lot. A short walk leads to a hidden bust of Franceschi himself! Find the bust and climb it (carefully) for an off-the-beaten-path view of the city and the coastline.
If you don’t have time to sojourn to the giant stone head, the view is just as spectacular from the benches near the parking lot. Or, if you have a lawn chair in your car, pull that sucker out and sit wherever you’d like. For an added bonus, go at sunset and you’ll see why it’s one of the best views in Santa Barbara!
Winslow-Maxwell Overlook
If you’re looking for somewhere with fewer crowds, check out the Winslow-Maxwell Overlook on the campus of Santa Barbara City College! It will take a bit more navigating and a short 5-minute walk, but the payoff is worth it! You’ll find a grassy area with several stout king palms and a few park benches. The spot is perfect to set up a picnic or lay down with a good book. The view is expansive: city scenes to the left with a great aerial perspective of Cabrillo Boulevard and, as you shift your gaze to the right, the harbor and ocean beyond! This unique spot certainly has one of the best views in Santa Barbara!
Douglas Family Preserve
Any bluff or mesa in town will offer you fantastic views of the ocean — there’s no doubt about that. But, there is something special about Douglas Family Preserve. It sits atop Hendry’s Beach, another local favorite, and the area is undeveloped. There are no parking lots or trash cans that will obstruct your view. It feels far from the busy waterfront and the lights of State Street.
Douglas Family Preserve feels natural, a result of a 20-year effort to save the coastal bluff from development. It feels close to what Santa Barbara may have been in the days of the Chumash, the native population of the Santa Barbara Channel. You’ll find downed trunks and stumps from coastal live oaks and Monterey cypress trees positioned intentionally along the edge of the bluff to sit and enjoy the view. Enjoy aerial shots of the beach and a gradient sunset from Douglas Family Preserve.
Douglas Family Preserve made it on our list of Easy Hikes in Santa Barbara! Check out that article for more hiking trails that are perfect for hikers (and even dogs) of all ages and skills levels.
Courthouse Clocktower
Mountains, check.
City, check.
Coast, check.
The Clock Tower offers visitors a 360-degree view of Santa Barbara like none other! You’ll be able to view the Mission, the Rivera and Santa Ynez Mountains, State Street, Stearns Wharf, and the Harbor from six stories up. Truly the best views in Santa Barbara, the Clocktower is a must-visit place. People from all over the world visit the Courthouse as they vacation in Santa Barbara!
While there, you can also enjoy the elegant artwork and architecture found within the Courthouse, which is worthy of a trip in its own regard. Access to the Courthouse and Observation Tower is totally free. Just make sure to plan before you go. The Courthouse is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends! Just a warning though: visitors are not admitted after 4:45 p.m.
And for more good ideas, check out our post — 63 Free Things to Do in Santa Barbara!
La Playa Stadium
Another off-the-beaten-path gem. Named in Spanish for “the beach,” La Playa Stadium is just across the street from the Harbor and Leadbetter Beach! The facility is open to the public, so you can visit for a workout and use the view as motivation to reach the top of the 88-step ascent. The sweeping landscape offers some reprieve while you catch your breath.
Those not interested in destroying their quads can park behind the stadium and walk through the main entrance at near the top of the stadium steps. It’s been a nice place to go and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city (without having to really leave the city) and breathe in the breeze from the ocean.
Shoreline Park
Another well-known spot is Shoreline Park. It’s usually a short drive from just about anywhere in town. With its paved trails, open green space, playground, convenient parking lot, and public restrooms, Shoreline is a favorite for people of all ages. There are benches scattered along the cliff that offer you close-up views of native succulents and long-distance views of the Pacific. It’s worth mentioning that the busyness of Shoreline Park can be distracting for those looking for serenity, unless you stop by around sunrise! Someone looking for a quick ocean fix can pull into the parking lot and be gazing into the water within minutes!
Shoreline Park is also situated on a hill right where the Mesa begins. Because of this, you get the great, high-up views from the bluffs. And you can look down the coast and see Leadbetter Beach, the Harbor, and Stearns Wharf in the distance. It’s a unique view of the city’s landscape!
Sandspit Beach
Sandspit Beach (also known as Santa Barbara Harbor Beach) is truly a remarkable place. It offers visitors up-close views of the harbor, the wharf, and West Beach as if you’re on a boat! It’s so captivating to look upon Santa Barbara from the sea. Follow your gaze from the sandy beach and the busy streets to the Riviera foothills in the distance, and the folds of the Santa Ynez Mountains beyond. There’s always a magical wrap-around pink sunset sky when you visit in the evening. The sun sets behind the Mesa when you view the sunset from Sandspit Beach. It makes for a beautiful scene.
While there, be sure to check out the harbor side of Sandspit Beach. You can access it if you walk down the beach and around the end of the jetty — if the tide is low enough. Or, you can traverse the wooden walkway down the rocks to the end and access the harbor side wherever you please. That’s one of our favorite places to swim because the water is calm and there’s a gentle walk-in entrance for our old golden retriever! Be sure to look out for wildlife! Seagulls, snowy egrets, and seals can be spotted by beachgoers. To level up this view, rent a kayak or paddle board and paddle out to the green buoy that marks one mile from the harbor! Regardless of how you do it, Sandspit Beach offers some of the best views in Santa Barbara!
4th Floor Balcony at the Maritime Museum
“Best View in Santa Barbara ” is advertised on a sign outside the Waterfront Center. It instructs curious patrons to take the elevator up to the fourth floor. The view from the overlook is lovely: up-close shots of the boats bobbing in the harbor and distant peaks towering in the background. Loran took his family while they were visiting and he heard his little sister saying, “This is really beautiful.” It was adorable. Anyway, the Maritime Museum is free to visit and it’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Wednesdays, when it’s closed.
Elings Park
Elings Park is truly a gift to the city. If you’re looking for quick and easy access to breathtaking views, drive to the parking lot for Godric’s Grove. A short walk to the end of the parking lot and you’ll have access to Pananides and Siemen’s Overlook (with nice benches to rest on) and the serene Terrace of Remembrance that offers a unique perspective of the Pacific Ocean just behind the hills of the Mesa. For a closer view that requires more time and energy, hike up the Sierra Club Trail to the Mosier Meadow and the Vanyo Overlook. There’s a small stained-glass house structure. It’s a unique and picturesque photo-op!
East Camino Cielo
More of a time investment, but the return on investment is DELICIOUS. Camino Cielo is a road that runs along the ridgeline of the mountains just behind Santa Barbara. You can see all of Montecito-Santa Barbara-Goleta coastline on one side and quiet backcountry valleys on the other. The route makes for a lovely Sunday afternoon drive, but go at sunset for a truly jaw-dropping scene you won’t forget.
There are several pull outs along the road plus well known spots like Gibralter Rock and Rock Garden Trail. Locals tend to park near the short water towers and climb to the top of them. Rebecca just sat along the side of the road in some grass, which lit up gold in the sunset glow. It was a complete aesthetic. You will not regret making time to get up to East Camino Cielo, it offers hands down the best views in Santa Barbara!
Let it be known that most of the popular hikes with rad views start along or near Camino Cielo. If you want to hike to your view, check out Lizard’s Mouth, Inspiration Point or our favorite — Rock Garden! Last note on Camino Cielo: don’t count it out even if the weather isn’t clear. Clouds can make for a unique sunset scene. Plus, if it’s an overcast day in Santa Barbara, you might just be driving above the clouds along Camino Cielo, a truly unique site!
More Mesa
More Mesa is another fine example of an undeveloped bluff where you can take in beautiful ocean views. Like Douglas Family Preserve, More Mesa is situated high on a cliff, there are miles of walking trails surrounded by wildflowers and a picturesque wooden plank swing hanging from a tree just on the edge of the bluff. If you’d like remote beach access, walk the steep descent to More Mesa Beach. We took a blanket and a pizza to More Mesa and had a sunset picnic. To this day, it’s one of my favorite Santa Barbara memories! Watch the sky change colors as you bounce your head back and forth between the ocean and the mountains.
Best Views in Santa Barbara: Honorable Mentions
The items above are places that are free and accessible to the public. If you’re looking for a more exclusive view with a price tag, these restaurants or venues have been recommended to us by locals. If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or have a night out with a view, check out these places with the best views in Santa Barbara!
- Miramar Hotel
- Caruso’s Bar
- El Encanto Hotel & Restaurant
- Hendry’s Boathouse Restaurant (especially at sunset!)
- Santa Barbara Bowl for a concert
- Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room on the Wharf
- Anchor Rose Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge (Dos Vistas Sunset Deck)
- Brophy Bros. Clam Bar & Restaurant
- Pritchett Bench in the Botanic Gardens
- Flor De Maiz Restaurant
- Bella Vista Restaurant
- Kimpton Canary Hotel
Conclusion: Best Views in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is hands-down the most beautiful place we’ve ever lived. We have felt so inspired and better connected (to ourselves, each other, and the Earth) by soaking in the scenes here. Whether you need a quiet place to get away for a few minutes and breathe, or you are looking to make a day of it, there’s something for everyone on this list.
As you explore this wonderful town, we hope you find as much joy and serenity in these scenic spots as we have! There are so many different ways to take in the best views in Santa Barbara and we hope this guide helps you start exploring.
And for more outdoor adventures and local secrets, check out our article on One Day in Santa Barbara. You can also grab a quick-reference itinerary below!
