Hidden Places in Santa Barbara: 17 Secret Spots to See
For those looking to get off the beaten path and experience Santa Barbara in an entirely new way, look no further than our guide to the top hidden places to check out in Santa Barbara. We love seeking out the overlooked, underrated, and secret spots wherever we go. During our 7 months in Santa Barbara, we gleaned advice from hundreds of residents, who shared their favorite spots and passed on local secrets. Along the way, we also discovered several hidden gems of our own.
These hidden places won’t be found on your average Santa Barbara itinerary. But they all offer a moment of serenity and a chance to get off the beaten path. We hope our list of hidden places in Santa Barbara helps you get to know the town in an entirely new way!
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1. Hendry’s Beach Cave
When the tide is low, you can walk the entire stretch of beach between Hendry’s Beach and Mesa Lane Beach. The walk itself is spectacular. It features large coastal bluffs and the beached Live Oak trees that have fallen from them. There are large rocks along the shore that offer a mini-Big Sur atmosphere. And, visitors to the beach often spot marine life like dolphins and seals in the surf. We love Hendry’s Beach so much that it’s where we recommend visitors to Santa Barbara begin their day!
Along the walk, if you’re looking for it, you’ll find a large hole in the bluff that looks like a cave you might find in the mountains. It’s big enough for a person to walk in and explore! We wouldn’t necessarily recommend hanging out in there for long periods of time, given the instability of Santa Barbara’s coastal bluffs. However, the beach cave is a fun photo-op and a unique hidden place in Santa Barbara to check out!
GPS Coordinates: 34.39806° N, 119.73297° W
2. Ellwood Wind Phone
The Ellwood Wind Phone is one of 2 of its kind in Santa Barbara County. It’s a wooden phone installed on the scenic coastal bluff of Ellwood Mesa in Goleta. Ellwood Mesa is home to a butterfly preserve, where thousands of monarch butterflies migrate to every winter beginning in October. When we visited, we weren’t sure about the purpose of the phone. But after some more digging, we learned that wind phones are intended for people to speak openly to loved ones they’ve lost and say goodbyes that went unsaid. It’s a beautiful place to visit. We even included it on our list of free things to do in Santa Barbara!
The coordinates for the Ellwood Wind Phone are 34.42028° N, 119.89297° W. A similar one was installed in nearby Summerland. While searching for it, we ran into a local who said he had never heard of the Wind Phone, illustrating the fact that it’s a lesser-known curiosity. The Ellwood Wind Phone is located at Ellwood Mesa, a 137-acre open space with walking trails, beach access, and coastal bluffs. We recommend parking at the Ellwood Mesa Open Space & Sperling Preserve, just across the street from Ellwood Elementary.
3. Ellwood Eucalyptus Grove
Another reason we love Ellwood Mesa is because of a magical stand of eucalyptus trees we discovered while searching for the Ellwood Wind Phone. The low-hanging, winding branches created a dense canopy right along the edge of a coastal bluff. There were so many strong contorted branches and trunks to rest on. We even spotted one that looked like a natural bench!
If you walk through the grove, you’ll find an even more secret lookout spot to have your own private viewing spot that overlooks the beach. There, you can people-watch, listen to the waves, or enjoy the serenity and silence. The Ellwood Wind Phone (mentioned in the previous entry) is nearby, so be sure to check it out as well! If you are visiting Ellwood Mesa during the winter months, keep an eye out for monarch butterflies! The annual migration to the butterfly preserves near Santa Barbara is a must-see seasonal thing to do in Santa Barbara.
4. Sunbird Quicksilver Mine Ruins
Santa Barbara is home to the ruins of a former mercury mine in Los Padres National Forest! The Sunbird Quicksilver Mine was booming in the 1870s extracting mercury from the land to assist with silver and gold mining. However, due to a variety of problems, the mine was deserted. The last of the workers left behind dilapidated iron smokestacks, wooden towers, antiquated machinery, rusted old trucks, and track-mounted ore carts. Little did they know, this forgotten mine would be a hotspot for adventurers to explore for centuries to come!
In order to see the ruins, you have to hike or bike 5 miles past the Gibraltar Reservoir. Local newspaper The Independent wrote a helpful piece on the history of the mine. The journey out to the Sunbird Quicksilver Mine Ruins makes for a perfect weekend adventure!
5. The Frog Wall
The Frog Wall is a legendary landmark found within a quaint residential neighborhood in the Santa Barbara foothills. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a stone wall covered with a variety of frog figurines and decor. It’s been there since 1989, growing in size with each new frog that is left by neighbors and visitors. An anonymous writer in an online forum provided some insight on the origins of The Frog Wall. Apparently, they’ve watched the growth of the wall while walking their dogs every day for nearly three decades!
There is an alcove within a stone wall on Paterna Road that used to frequently display random things like small trinkets, flowers, and vases (presumably placed there by neighborhood children). Evidently, a small ceramic creature that resembled an alien, to the writer, was placed in the alcove. One day the figure was gone and soon a saddened note was found in the alcove asking for the “frog” to be returned. Within a short time, a new frog appeared. Then another and another. People are still placing new frogs along the wall even today.
If you have something froggy you’d like to contribute, you can find the Frog Wall along Paterna Road. Remember – this is a small neighborhood attraction and the locals are quite protective over it. Be respectful of this home and the surrounding area when visiting!
6. Giant Bust of Francesco Franceschi
Franceschi Park is a small, scenic park perched high in the Riviera neighborhood of Santa Barbara. It’s one of our favorite spots for picnicking and sightseeing in Santa Barbara. The ruins of the former home of noted horticulturist Francesco Franceschi, who emigrated from Italy. Franceshi was known for importing more than 900 plant species into this area and is credited with changing the landscape of Southern California. The ruins of his mansion, named Montarioso, have fallen into disrepair. We really like walking the grounds and enjoying views of the city and ocean from the park!
There’s also a hidden gem to find at Franceschi Park — a stone bust of Francesco Franceschi sitting on the hillside above Mission Ridge Road. We didn’t know about it, but we came across the giant stone head while exploring a footpath that originated at Franceschi Park’s parking lot! The GPS coordinates for Franceschi’s head are: 34°26’25.5″ N 119°41’53.4″ W.
7. The Arches
The Arches are truly a hidden gem, so hidden in fact there is no public access to it at this time… Up in the foothills above Santa Barbara, there was once a luxurious tea garden called Mar Y Cel (Sea and Sky in Spanish). It was built by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bothin in 1916. The 350-acre property was intended for the purpose of hosting elaborate upper-class tea parties. The grounds were exquisitely groomed with African flora. It also had its own elaborate aqueduct system which included two separate reservoirs, stone pools, various tunnels, and open cascades throughout the grounds. After the owners died, the property fell into disrepair and was frequented by the hippies and skaters of subsequent decades. Unfortunately, due to damage (including a recent fire), neglect, trespassing, and vandalism, the property is hardly recognizable compared to its former glory.
Today, this land is privately owned and there is no way to visit the Arches without permission from the owners (without trespassing, which is obviously prohibited). A public trail (West Fork of the Cold Springs Trail) runs through a small section of the larger property, though you cannot see the Arches from the trail. The Arches can be seen from many places in town by moving your gaze through the Riviera searching for the identifiable switchback road leading up to three small white arches. They’re best seen with binoculars or a camera with a long lens. We enjoyed spotting them from Cabrillo Park near the waterfront! The Independent and KRCW wrote up fantastic summaries of the history of the Arches.
8. Mission Ruins
Most people visiting Santa Barbara know of the historic Old Mission, a beautiful 17th-century church and historic landmark. Scattered around the Mission are historic ruins that are leftovers from the days of Spanish colonization. Indigenous Chumash people were forced to build facilities for the new Spanish settlements, including aqueducts, tanning vats, a grist mill, a pottery, and a jailhouse.
When visiting the Old Mission, remember to take a quick walk across Mission Canyon Road and you’ll be able to explore the old ruins on the property … if you dare. Evidently, there has been some paranormal activity reported around the property, especially at the site of the old jail. Please be respectful and take a moment to reflect on the history of the area. The site of these ruins are dark reminders of the decimation of the Chumash, who have lived in the Santa Barbara area for over 13,000 years!
9. Montecito Hot Springs
The Montecito Hot Springs are one of the top hidden places in Santa Barbara. Comprised of seven cascading aquamarine soaking pools, the hot springs are the perfect place to rest and relax in nature. The Montecito Hot Springs are relatively well known, so it’s likely you’ll run into other people while there. However, we recommend visiting early in the morning to increase your chances of having the whole place to yourself!
Having such a high-quality and picturesque primitive hot spring in your backyard truly is a gift. In many parts of the country, primitive hot springs are unheard of (or they are underwhelming and smelly mud holes that may not be worth a long mile hike in). Many notable hot springs have been developed into commercial spas that charge for entry and have lined the bottoms of the hot springs with cement. That is why the Montecito Hot Springs are such a rare treat. Please steward this place well by leaving no trace and being respectful of others who visit.
Be prepared for the smell of sulfur and the slick texture found on the bottom of the pools, as they are primitive and all natural. The water temperature increases as you move to higher pools (and closer to the water spigot near the top) so start at the bottom and work your way up. To get there, take the Hot Spring Canyon Trail.
10. Rock Garden
Rock Garden, an enchanting playground of sandstone boulders and pine trees, is our absolute favorite secret spot in Santa Barbara. Hidden high above town in the Santa Ynez Mountains, Rock Garden is a favorite among hikers and rock climbers. At 3,600 feet above sea level, it’s also a perfect place to watch sunset!
It’s such a hidden gem that we wrote an entirely separate blog post about it — How to Find Rock Garden, Santa Barbara’s Best Hidden Gem! Check it out for clear instructions and photos that will help you find this magical place. You won’t regret visiting!
11. Tree Swing at More Mesa
More Mesa Open Space is one of our favorite places in Santa Barbara. Honestly, the entire place should be considered a hidden gem! However, what makes this outstanding coastal bluff even more special is the plank swing hanging from a tree. The swing is positioned perfectly to look out at the ocean. It doesn’t get more picturesque than that! We love this spot so much that it made our list of best views in Santa Barbara.
More Mesa is a large, undeveloped open space with walking trails and stunning ocean views. The Santa Ynez Mountains stand tall in the opposite direction. There are no power lines, parked cars, or trash cans. Just open land, walking trails, and wildflowers. It’s the perfect in-town getaway!
12. Miramar Beach & Hammond’s Beach
Looking to sit on the beach and enjoy exclusive ocean views? Hammond’s Beach and Miramar Beach are smaller, lesser-known Montecito beaches that are completely open to the public. However, many people don’t know about them!
Miramar Beach sits right in front of the famed Rosewood Miramar Hotel and other beachfront properties. To visit, park at the end of Eucalyptus Lane where it meets Edgecliff Lane. There is a small public parking lot and additional street parking available. If you walk east along the beach, it’ll lead you to Fernald Point Beach and Shark’s Cove, a secluded and hard-to-access spot that is off the beaten path!
As long as it’s not high tide, you can walk west all the way to Hammond’s Beach and, beyond that, Butterfly Beach. If the tide is high, there is a short walking trail just before Edgecliff Lane that will get you to Hammond’s Beach. Once there, you’ll enjoy more seclusion, fewer tourists, and unbeatable views of the Channel Islands across the water. Hammond’s is also a popular spot for surfers when the tide is rising and the ocean swells are just right!
Either of these two beaches will give you a more exclusive and low-key experience, away from the crowds of more popular Santa Barbara beaches!
13. Lotusland
At Lotusland, you’ll encounter jaw-dropping architecture, beautiful flora, an abundance of cacti, and ornate fountains and ponds, brightly colored flowers, and well-trimmed bushes carved in the shape of animals. It’s truly spectacular! Tickets are a bit pricey ($50 a person), but these phenomenal grounds are worth seeing firsthand.
Lotusland is the former home of a well-known opera singer and Santa Barbara resident known as Madame Ganna Walksa. She developed her property over decades into a magical 37-acre botanical wonderland, now known as Lotusland. Today, the property is managed by a nonprofit foundation and preserves Lotusland for the people of Santa Barbara. It features 25 different gardens and it takes about 2 hours to tour them all!
Lotusland books in advance and has a limited public tour season, so it’s important to plan ahead for this one! The public tour season is usually between the months of February and November. Lotusland is also one of the best activities in Santa Barbara for couples!
14. The Sacred Space
The Sacred Space is a spiritual shop in Summerland that is steeped in the rich traditions of the Far East, it’s even endorsed by Oprah, who lives nearby in Montecito! It offers one of the most unique shops in town, a botanical garden, and public meditation oasis. It’s a wondrous place to behold for people of all backgrounds, especially those who approach with an open and curious mind!
The owners are kind and joyful people who welcome visitors with free cups of tea and the space to explore the grounds freely. For those interested in shopping, The Sacred Space sell crystals, jewelry, incense, and even more eccentric pieces. Words that have been used to describe the Sacred Space are enchanted, serene, charming, and exotic. Be sure to check out their Zen Space, which has palm trees, ponds, and Buddhist statues.
15. The Lane Library
We loved how many little free libraries we found all around Santa Barbara. They reminded us of our hometown in Georgia, where we were frequent visitors to neighborhood libraries. These community libraries are great places to donate books you no longer need and to pick up your next novel! Our absolute favorite Santa Barbara neighborhood library is located on Glendessary Lane, a peaceful private road located off Mission Canyon Road.
Known as the Lane Library, the adorable outdoor reading space has grown to include a picnic table, potted plants, books for all ages, and generally good vibes! When visiting, remember to be respectful. This is a neighborhood library on a residential street so visitors to the Lane Library should leave the library better than they found it.
16. Rocky Nook’s Horseshoe Pit
One day, we went to Rocky Nook Park to walk its trails. Soon after entering the park, we discovered a dirt horseshoe pit, complete with real metal horseshoes and iron stakes. Honestly, it took us a moment to realize what game the playing area was for. Before that, we’d never seen a horseshoe pit at a public park!
The public horseshoe pit reflects Santa Barbara’s rich equestrian history. For an old-fashioned game of horseshoes with a friend, head to Rocky Nook Park right off Mission Canyon Road! You’ll find the playing court not too far after entering Rocky Nook’s main entrance. It’ll be to the right of the road that you’ll drive in on.
Rocky Nook Park also made our roundup of the best Easy Hikes in Santa Barbara if you are looking for quick and easy walking trails!
17. Lagoon Island Labyrinth
Hidden on the coastal bluffs near the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), there’s the Lagoon Island Labyrinth. The 0.6-mile walk to the center of the labyrinth is an ancient exercise which promotes meditation and contemplation.
Route Google Maps to Manzanita Village at UCSB. Find a parking spot and walk in the direction of the ocean. You’ll find a paved trail that forks left (the one closest to the ocean). Follow that trail past the lagoon pool and then up and to the right of Lagoon Island. There, hidden among flat walking paths and grasslands, you’ll find the labyrinth. With a view of the mountains and ocean, it’s a wonderful place to spend some time in stillness and silence. And it’ll feel like your little secret.
Honorable Mention: Knapp’s Castle
When we moved to Santa Barbara and began searching for secret spots, Knapp’s Castle was one of the first places we heard about. What was once an elaborate mansion built in the 1880s burned badly in a forest fire in 1940, leaving behind a skeleton of stones. The property has 360-degree views of the ocean, town, and backcountry canyons. For decades, it’s been a popular place for locals and visitors to visit and enjoy the unique views. The Internet is full of amazing accounts and photos from hikers who explored the ruins and played on a nearby rope swing!
However, the property was recently purchased by a new owner who is working to restore the property for new purposes. It’s important to remember that this is private property that is undergoing construction work, so public access to the ruins is no longer permitted. That’s why Knapp’s Castle earned an honorable mention.
Lodging Options in 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).
Consider the De La Vina Inn, a really cute bed-and-breakfast that was down the street from our apartment in Santa Barbara. You can find it and other Santa Barbara lodging options here!
Conclusion: Hidden Places in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a magnificent town with lots to see and do. And while we know there are many more popular attractions and activities in town, we always enjoy experiencing a town in a low-key and intimate way. This list of hidden places in Santa Barbara will help you do that!
If you liked what you read here, subscribe to our email list for occasional updates and new content. Now, it’s time for you to start exploring! Be safe, be respectful, and enjoy getting to know the hidden places of Santa Barbara!
If you are short on time in Santa Barbara, see what we recommend for 1 Day in Santa Barbara! You can also grab a quick-reference itinerary below.
