Santa Barbara in Winter: Reasons To Visit & Things To Do
Published Nov. 2021 | Updated Nov. 2025
Santa Barbara is one of those places that is beautiful all year round! Summer is the most popular time to visit, but winter might just be my favorite time to be in Santa Barbara.
A cozy, coastal getaway is the Californian way to enjoy the winter season. Santa Barbara in winter is still pretty warm with sunny days, which makes it the perfect place to recover from the winter blues.
With fewer tourists, nice weather, and holiday cheer, I always love to visit Santa Barbara in winter!
7 Reasons To Visit Santa Barbara in Winter
1. Fewer Crowds
Santa Barbara is a tourist town that brings in millions of visitors each year. Most of those visitors come during the summer months (May-August), which is why winter is an ideal time to visit.
By December, the crowds have dwindled significantly, and you can enjoy the gorgeous Santa Barbara coast and downtown without the frustration of crowds.
Fewer crowds mean you will have more of the beach to yourself, you don’t really need to worry about reservations at restaurants, and you can enjoy downtown without the stress of navigating through all the people.
Plus, there’s a higher chance you’ll have all the best photo spots to yourself!
Note: The weeks before and after Christmas will have more crowds, as many people travel this time of year.
2. Gorgeous Winter Sunsets
The most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen have been during winter in Santa Barbara. It is the best time and place to be for sunset-watching!
Although the sun does not set directly over the water in winter due to the direction the Santa Barbara coast faces, the sunsets are still stunning. They are best in winter on a somewhat cloudy day when the sun hits the clouds and they reflect the vibrant colors..
I find that winter in Santa Barbara has the most pink and orange sunsets, as well as super “fiery” ones where it just keeps getting better and better as the sun goes lower.
A few of my favorite beaches to catch a sunset:
Devereaux Beach, Isla Visa
Butterfly Beach, Montecito
Leadbetter Beach, Santa Barbara
Even if you’re just doing a day trip to Santa Barbara, it’s worth staying to watch the sunset!
Plus, with sunset being earlier in winter, you have time for sunset-watching and a romantic dinner at one of Santa Barbara’s best restaurants.
3. Warm, Sunny Weather
It’s no secret that California, particularly Southern California, is an ideal place to spend time in the winter months if you want to escape the cold and gray.
Santa Barbara is beautiful in winter, although it does still get a few rainy days between December and February (an average of 5–7 days per month).
The average temperature in winter is 65ºF/18ºC. Chilly for Californians, but hot compared to other places in winter!
I’ve spent many winter days in Santa Barbara relaxing on the beach. Just be sure to pack layers! The temperature drops rapidly as soon as the sun sets in winter.
4. Holiday Lights & Festivities
During the holidays, downtown Santa Barbara is decked out with festive decorations throughout State Street (the main street in downtown) and beyond.
Paseo Nuevo is a charming shopping center where you’ll find a large Christmas tree and Santa Claus. If you time it right, you can hang out under the tree while it “snows”!
La Arcada is in the heart of Santa Barbara’s cultural arts district off of State Street. It has restaurants, shops, and art galleries. It is always filled with classy, beautiful holiday decor in December.
Bonus: About 40 minutes from Santa Barbara is the adorable town of Solvang, a Dutch-style town that goes all out for the holidays! It’s perfect for a day trip from Santa Barbara in winter.
5. Monarch Butterfly Season
The Monarch Butterflies migrate from southern Canada, through the United States, to central Mexico every year. The best place to spot them near Santa Barbara is the Goleta Butterfly Grove (about 10 miles north of downtown Santa Barbara).
Sadly, the Monarch Butterfly population has significantly decreased since the 1990s, leading them to be categorized as “threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
You can still see many Monarchs in the eucalyptus trees along the Butterfly Grove trail when they stop here during their migration between November and February!
Even if you don’t spot any butterflies, walking through the Goleta Butterfly Grove is one of my favorite things to do in Santa Barbara. It takes you through eucalyptus groves out to the cliffs with gorgeous ocean views and beach access.
Admission and parking are both completely free, and the parking lot is a decent size for the low number of people who visit each day.
6. Excellent Surfing Conditions
I am a California native, and I’ve never surfed! Despite not knowing how to surf, I do know that winter in Santa Barbara is when the surfing conditions are at their best.
If you don’t want to take my word for it, check out Santa Barbara’s article on the best places to surf in winter.
Even if you aren’t a surfer, there are tons of gorgeous beaches in Santa Barbara where you can watch the surfers or just enjoy the sunshine and waves.
Don’t know how to surf but want to learn? Take a surf lesson from a local!
7. Cheaper Hotels
No matter where you go, the off-season will always have cheaper accommodation prices. Santa Barbara has many beautiful hotels, as well as smaller bed and breakfasts.
Fewer people visiting Santa Barbara means that hotels lower their prices to entice more visitors. Santa Barbara hotels can still be pricey, but winter is the time to get the best deals!
Top Hotels For Winter in Santa Barbara
Best Luxury: Palihouse Santa Barbara
Best Beachfront: Harbor View Inn
Best Boutique: Casa Riviera
Best Budget: Inn by the Harbor and Marina Beach Motel
I wrote a full guide about the best places to stay in Santa Barbara to help you decide on which area and which accommodation is perfect for you.
Things to Do in Santa Barbara in Winter
Santa Barbara in December
Christmas festivities and holiday cheer are the main reasons to visit Santa Barbara in December! There are pop-up holiday bars, Christmas lights, and seasonal performances.
Admire the Christmas Decor Downtown
Paseo Nuevo: Attend the annual Christmas tree lighting at the end of November with a DJ and letters to Santa. After, head over to the Mistletoe Market with small business vendors to get some holiday gifts!
La Arcada: Visit La Arcada for some classy holiday decorations, a romantic stroll under string lights, and holiday shopping.
Arlington Theatre: The annual downtown tree lighting in front of Arlington Theatre is a big event with performances, Santa, and other activities. It typically takes place in the first week of December.
Visit ZooLights at Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo opens at night throughout December for their annual ZooLights event. Instead of visiting the real animals, you’ll explore the illuminated silk lanterns in the shape of different animals and plants.
If you’ve been to Glowfari in Oakland, this is a similar event! The silk lanterns are all handmade and illuminated with LED lights. The rest of the zoo is dark — you won’t see any real animals.
Tickets are required for entry, and I recommend booking in advance to ensure you get a ticket before they sell out.
Watch the Parade of Lights
The Parade of Lights takes place along Santa Barbara’s waterfront, spanning from the harbor to Stearns Wharf.
It encompasses a few different events, including a paddler/kayaker parade, a boat parade in the ocean, Winter Wonderland at the harbor, and a fireworks show to top it all off!
All parade participants dress themselves and their paddleboards/kayaks/boats in festive wear and lights. You can find the full schedule and detailed information about the event on the City of Santa Barbara website.
Take the Trolley of Lights Tour
One of the most popular December events in Santa Barbara is the Trolley of Lights tour that takes guests through the most festive neighborhoods and holiday light displays.
It sells out for the entire season within a few minutes of tickets going on sale. If you want to try to snag tickets, private trolley tour tickets go on sale at the end of September, and public tickets go on sale on October 1st.
If you weren’t lucky enough to snatch up a ticket when they go on sale, I’ve heard of people following the trolleys in their own car! That way, you can see all the same displays, but someone still has to drive.
Attend The Nutcracker Performances
Both Arlington Theatre and the Granada Theatre host performances of The Nutcracker each year.
The Santa Barbara Festival Ballet performs The Nutcracker at Arlington Theatre with a live symphony orchestra. This year, they’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Nutcracker at Arlington Theatre.
State Street Ballet, along with a cast of professional dancers from around the world, performs The Nutcracker at The Granada Theatre, also with a live orchestra.
The events don’t overlap, so you can see the performances at both theatres if you can’t decide on one!
Get Drinks at Holiday Pop-Up Bars
A few bars/restaurants downtown transform into festive, themed bars for the holiday season! If you want to sip on a fun cocktail/mocktail surrounded by maximalist holiday decor, visit one of the pop-ups listed below.
Nightmare Before Christmas Pop-Up: Shaker Mill on State Street transforms into a Nightmare Before Christmas bar that opens Halloween weekend and continues on through the holiday season.
Miracle at Pearl Social: The famous “Miracle Bar” company transforms Pearl Social Cocktail Club into a festive pop-up bar, open on weekdays throughout the holiday season.
Tinsel Tavern at Paloma: Though it’s a delicious restaurant the rest of the year, Paloma becomes Tinsel Tavern during the holiday season with festive cocktails and decor.
Take a Day Trip to Solvang for Julefest
The nearby Danish town of Solvang is one of my favorite day trips from Santa Barbara. It has authentic Danish architecture, bakeries, and food throughout the quaint downtown.
Each year, Solvang celebrates Julefest, a Danish-style event with holiday lights and decor, fun events, live performances, festive food, and plenty of seasonal shopping. They also have a tree lighting ceremony, parade, and maker’s market!
Julefest brings in large crowds, so be prepared for lots of people. I visited on the first day of Julefest one year (the day after Thanksgiving), and it was a zoo! You’re likely best off visiting on a weekday in December if you want to avoid major crowds.
Santa Barbara in January
January in Santa Barbara brings a calmness, as the holiday season has ended and Christmas break tourists have left.
There are an average of 5–7 rainy days in January, so I’ve included a few indoor activities that you can do when the weather isn’t ideal for outside activities.
If you visit on days that don’t get rain, you’ll likely get warm weather with plenty of sunshine! I’ve spent many January days in Santa Barbara outdoors in the sun.
Spend a Day at the Beach
Santa Barbara never really gets cold-cold. The winter temperatures in Santa Barbara tend to stay around 60–70ºF (15–21ºC) during the day.
This may not be hot enough for a swimsuit (up to you!), but it’s plenty warm to hang out at the beach with a book, listen to the waves, or watch the surfers.
I have a full guide to the best beaches in Santa Barbara to help you pick which beaches to visit!
Walk the Santa Barbara Wharf & Harbor
The waterfront is a lovely spot for a stroll on a sunny day in January. You can walk the pedestrian path from the harbor to Stearns Wharf that runs parallel to the gorgeous Santa Barbara coastline.
Start with coffee from Dart Coffee at the harbor and end with lunch on Stearns Wharf or in the Funk Zone for the perfect day.
Visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
There’s a large collection of native California plants at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, including cacti and redwood trees.
The botanic garden is tucked into the nearby hills, away from the busy downtown Santa Barbara. It’s a peaceful place to walk the miles of trails and learn about the plants native to California.
You won’t see many flowers blooming in winter, but the other plants in the botanic garden’s 11 ecosystems are still worth a visit.
The weather at the botanic garden can differ from downtown Santa Barbara because of its location in the hills. For this reason, they have their own weather station! The weather is transmitted hourly and can be checked online.
Find Monarch Butterflies in Goleta
Walking through the Goleta Butterfly Grove is one of my favorite winter activities in Santa Barbara. The trail is easy to navigate, seeing the butterflies is magical, and the views from the bluffs are gorgeous.
As mentioned earlier, this grove is about 10 miles north of downtown Santa Barbara. I think it’s absolutely worth a visit, even if you’re driving from downtown!
Shop Local at a Farmers’ Market
There are multiple farmers' markets throughout the year in Santa Barbara and in nearby Goleta. Because of the consistent weather, the farmers’ markets run year-round!
There’s a Saturday market downtown, a Sunday market in Goleta, and a Tuesday market in Old Town Santa Barbara. I’ve been to all of them, and they’re all lovely — choose whichever one is most convenient for you to visit.
Visit the Santa Barbara Farmers Market Association website for a full list of dates and locations.
Pet Adoptable Cats at Cat Therapy
For a serotonin boost, visit Cat Therapy in downtown Santa Barbara and book a 15-minute time slot to visit with the adoptable cats.
The fee goes towards the animal shelter, so you’re donating to a good cause and getting time to play with and pet adorable kitties!
Cat Therapy is a perfect way to take a midday break after walking around the bustling State Street or waterfront. It’s a calming and therapeutic activity that you can do solo or with others.
Even though I have two cats at home, I paid for the 15 minutes to visit with the cats. Some were sleepy and just enjoyed being pet, while others were younger and full of energy, ready to play.
Explore the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
The best rainy day activity in Santa Barbara is visiting the art museum. They have an incredible collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks.
Their permanent collection includes works by Claude Monet, Salvador Dalí, and Henri Fantin-Latour. The museum is beautifully laid out with plenty of space to view the artwork.
Special Exhibition: From October 5, 2025, to January 25, 2026, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is hosting The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse on loan from the Dallas Museum of Art.
Santa Barbara in February
February is a month of romance with Valentine’s Day on the 14th and a hint of spring on the horizon.
The activities on this list are fun date ideas for romantic partners, but they can also be done with friends, family, or solo!
Like January, there are an average of 5–7 days of rainfall in February in Santa Barbara. While February definitely has days of lovely weather, it’s best to plan activities for both sunny and rainy days.
Go Whale Watching
Between December and March, the Gray Whales migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel from Alaska to Baja California. The Santa Barbara Channel is one of only 11 regions worldwide that are recognized as an official Whale Heritage Area.
Most whale watching tours to see the gray whale migration begin the second week of February and run through the first two weeks of May. The Azure Seas yacht has a 2-hour whale and wildlife cruise, and the Double Dolphin has a 2.5-hour whale watching cruise.
Santa Barbara is lucky to have year-round whale watching, with humpback, blue, and minke whales arriving and hanging out from spring through the fall. Dolphins and sea lions can be seen throughout the year.
Visiting in early February before the gray whale migration season? You can book a 4.5-hour tour on the Condor Express from the end of May through the beginning of February to see the other types of whales!
Attend the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
February in Santa Barbara is a special month because it’s when the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival takes place. This year, it’s February 4–14, 2026.
Santa Barbara was once the American film capital in the early 1900s, before Hollywood became what it is today. The city hosts its annual film festival at the Arlington Theatre with awards, celebrity talks, and movie screenings.
While winter in Santa Barbara is less crowded for the most part, it comes alive with 100,000+ people arriving in town for the film festival! You can purchase tickets to visit one of the award ceremonies or talks, all of which have A-List celebrities in attendance.
I’ve previously attended to see Jennifer Lawrence and Johnny Depp accept awards. It’s a fun and unique experience!
Go on a Wine Tasting Tour
Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley make up the wine country in this region, with hundreds of wineries throughout Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Solvang, Buellton, and Los Alamos.
If you are interested in visiting some gorgeous wineries in this region, book a tour! They handle the itinerary, tasting reservations, and transportation so you can just enjoy the day.
Top-Rated Winery Tours
Relax With a Spa Day
Treat yourself to a day at one of the luxurious spas in Santa Barbara. This is perfect for a rainy day when you aren’t up for walking around a museum, but still want to leave the hotel and do something.
Santa Barbara has lovely spas with a wide range of treatments and services at each one, including deep tissue massages, CBD wraps, facials, and meditations.
Spas in Santa Barbara:
Get Coffee in the Funk Zone
The Funk Zone is an artsy neighborhood off of State Street near the waterfront. It’s home to wineries, breweries, eclectic shops, trendy restaurants, and cute coffee shops.
Dart is one of my favorite coffee shops in Santa Barbara. They have a delicious chai latte, among artisanal espresso-based drinks, matchas, and more.
Grab a warm cup of coffee or tea to warm up on a cozy February morning. If the weather is nice, walk across the street to enjoy your drink in the lovely coffee garden.
Enjoy a Romantic Coastal Cruise
Taking a cruise along the Santa Barbara coast is a unique way to spend a day or evening. I’ve gone on a few sunset cruises myself and have always had the best time!
For a special celebration or romantic date, I would recommend the private harbor cruise on an electric boat.
For a fun daytime activity, take a daytime coastal cruise on a yacht.
For a magical way to watch the sunset, take a sunset coastal cruise on a yacht (with a full bar onboard).
Visit the Santa Barbara Sea Center
A fun indoor activity for a rainy day is a trip to the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf. It’s an aquarium with interactive exhibits, sea creatures, and educational information about ocean studies.
I love visiting the Sea Center and seeing the two-spot octopus, putting my hands in the touch tank, and checking the ocean conditions at the Wet Deck.
There is limited parking on Stearns Wharf, and it can take a long time to drive in and out with all the pedestrian traffic. I recommend parking in the Garden Street Lot or Cabrillo Blvd Lot and walking to the Sea Center instead.
Where to Stay in Santa Barbara in Winter
When picking a place to stay in Santa Barbara in winter, the top priorities are location and comfort.
On rainy days, you want to be within a short walking distance of your top activities and restaurants. A cozy hotel, B&B, or vacation home is ideal for those days when you want to have a relaxing evening in.
For a winter trip, these are my top picks for stays:
Best Luxury: Palihouse Santa Barbara
Best Beachfront: Harbor View Inn
Best Boutique: Casa Riviera
Best Budget: Inn by the Harbor and Marina Beach Motel
If you’re having trouble deciding on where to stay, I have a full guide all about the best areas and hotels in Santa Barbara.
Tips for Visiting Santa Barbara in Winter
What To Wear & Pack
The temperature in Santa Barbara during winter is pretty consistent, but there are some days of rain each winter month. With cold mornings, mild afternoons, and cool nights, you’ll want to pack and wear layers.
Clothing & Shoes
Light layers: Plan to wear tees/tanks with a lightweight sweater or cardigan most days. This way, you can stay comfortable throughout the day. Abercrombie has the best basic tees/tanks and cute sweaters.
Jackets/coats: A medium-weight jacket or coat to go over your sweater or cardigan is ideal for early mornings and evenings when the weather cools down.
Jeans: Santa Barbara style is casual, and nice jeans are the perfect wardrobe staple to wear for all kinds of occasions. My most-loved jeans are the 90s relaxed jeans from Abercrombie.
Dresses: For nice dinners out, wine-tasting, or fancy occasions, a dress or two is ideal to pack. My favorite places to get dresses are Reformation, Lulus, Abercrombie, and Fortunate One.
Walking shoes: Wear a comfortable pair of shoes that you can walk in for miles as you explore Santa Barbara.
Boots: My combat boots are my go-to winter shoes since they handle mud and rain well, are comfortable, and I like the look. A pair of boots (or nice shoes) is great to wear in Santa Barbara.
For Rainy Days
Umbrella: Carry a compact travel umbrella for a potential rainy day (though there aren’t many). I have the Weatherman travel umbrella — it’s the perfect size and such great quality!
Light raincoat: This is optional, but having a light raincoat is convenient for exploring when it’s raining.
For the Beach
Turkish towel: I bring my Turkish towel on all my trips! It’s not only amazing for lying on at the beach, but it also comes in handy as a shawl when the sun goes down.
Swimsuit/cover-up: Even winter gets days warm enough for a bikini at the beach. It’s optional, but I recommend bringing a swimsuit even if it’s just for the hotel pool/jacuzzi.
Sunscreen: There’s still sunshine in winter and high UV, so sunscreen is necessary if you’ll be outside for the day. My favorite brand is COOLA.
Sun hat & sunglasses: These are both nice to have for sunny days at the beach, downtown, or at the waterfront.
Other Items
Day backpack: My anti-theft backpack is one item I never travel without. It’s a day pack that’s only accessible from the back, so you can’t get pick-pocketed while wearing it. Plus, it’s cute!
Tote bag: For days at the beach or trips to the farmers’ market, a tote bag is helpful to have with you.
Getting There & Around
The best way to get around Santa Barbara is by car. Activities outside of downtown Santa Barbara are somewhat spread out, and driving is the best way to reach them.
If you do not have a car and do not plan to rent one, Uber and Lyft are both ride-share options you can book through their respective apps.
Some guided tours in Santa Barbara include transportation. This is an ideal option if you want to explore the town without creating your own itinerary and managing transportation.
Aside from those options, walking or biking is the best way to explore downtown and the waterfront!
Seasonal Events & Closures
Events:
Parade of Lights will have crowds and traffic along the Santa Barbara waterfront. Plan to carpool or get a rideshare to visit, or avoid the area if you aren’t going to attend.
The International Film Festival in February is a major event that brings in over 100,000 visitors. If you visit during this time, expect more crowds and busier restaurants.
Holiday closures: On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, many restaurants, shops, and activity providers will be closed. Plan for your own meals/activities if you’re visiting during these days!
Planning Your Trip
Santa Barbara in winter is a lovely time of the year with fewer crowds, gorgeous sunsets, and special events.
If you’re planning a trip to Santa Barbara this winter, here are my recommended resources:
Booking.com to book your stays at hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals.
GetYourGuide and Viator to book activities, classes, and tours.
Santa Barbara Winter Packing List to shop for the items I recommend packing.
More Santa Barbara Guides You might like
Pin It For Later
