Looking for some Santa Barbara hidden gems to explore off the beaten path? If you have already walked down state street, explored the beach, and tried the restaurants and are ready for some secret spots, we are sure you’ll find some interesting ideas in this article.
SB is one of central California’s true gems, with a Spanish influence and a Pacific flair. With miles of coastline and also beautiful mountains behind the coast, there is so much to explore in Santa Barbara even beyond the guidebook. Here and some of our favorite hidden gems in Santa Barbara for you to enjoy.
Before Visiting Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a must-see stop in California, whether it’s your final destination or simply a stop on a California Road Trip. The city is split between mountains and sea, with tons of boutique hotels and unique places to stay in Santa Barbara to check out while you are here and some beautiful, less crowded surrounding cities. For more unique activities, check out unique things to do in Santa Barbara too.
More on California:
- 75 Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Stops for the Off-the-beaten-path explorer
- Unique Places to Stay in California
- Beach Hikes in Southern California
The Frog Wall: Santa Barbara’s Cutest Hidden Place
Tucked along Paterna Road, the Frog Wall is one of the most interesting Santa Barbara hidden gems frog lovers must visit! And yes…we see some of you over there sharing frog memes on the daily.
Since 1989 this shrine of frog paintings, figures, and relics has grown to what it is today from a single frog; as Atlas Obscura writes, “According to local history, a plastic frog appeared in 1989 at this location, and over the following 30 years, neighbors and visitors to the area added their own frogs to the wall.” And you can continue this tradition by bringing your own froggy offering to delight future visitors!
Montecito Hot Springs: A Hidden Gem Adventure Outside of Santa Barbara
The Montecito Hot Springs are more than just some nice hot pools of water to relax; they’re an adventure of one the the best Santa Barbara hidden gems!
Located in Montecito (South East of Santa Barbara), the hot springs were once part of a health resort in the 1800s, but the resort has since been abandoned, and the hot springs remain a part of the Los Padres National Forest Reserve. Be warned, there’s about a two-mile hike to reach the hot springs, but the trip is well worth it and you will really feel like you discovered a secluded, secret spot.
Ellwood Eucalyptus Grove: Where the Monarch Butterflies Gather
While the Ellwood Mesa Grove is indeed a eucalyptus grove, we’re coming here for a very different reason: butterflies! Located in Goleta, north of Santa Barbara, Ellwood Grove is a beautiful place to get out into nature and has vast expanses of trails, forests, and over 250 acres of land.
But the most incredible draw here is that monarch butterflies migrate here every winter in the thousands, and it’s a spectacular sight to see if you are passing through in the winter months. The trails are mostly flat and gentle, making this one of the most relaxing Santa Barbara hidden gems.
The Sacred Space: One of the Most Tranquil Santa Barbara Hidden Gems
The Sacred Space is the ultimate of secret spots in Santa Barbara to find your inner zen. It’s essentially a beautifully curated and decorated space of gardens, crystals, and more directly across from the sea in Summerland, just south of the city.
The space welcomes everyone to find peace and tranquility among lush green plants, koi ponds, and beautiful Eastern decor and artifacts. Guests are welcome to visit the space to enjoy, and the site also hosts events, workshops, and classes such as yoga and astrology. Check their website to time your visit with a workshop, or come by to shop for jewelry and crystals.
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park: A Historical Hidden Gem in Santa Barbara
The Chumash painted caves are a testimony of the true history of the Americas before it was “discovered,” as the Chumash Native Americans held ceremonies in this cave up until the 1700s. There’s a rich history of California that goes back far, far before colonization, and you can capture a slice of it here in this cave.
The paintings are thought to be at least 400 years old, if not older. The cave, located along Route 154 on the way to Santa Ynez Valley, contains some of the best-preserved art of the Chumash people and leaves you to speculate what the symbols meant.
Rock Garden: A Santa Barbara Secret Spot for Hikers
Some people have no idea that, on the mountain right above Santa Barbara, there’s an area scattered with massive boulders that are perfect for scrambling, climbing, and hiking. I’ve never talked about this publicly, but I love this Santa Barbara secret spot the most because I LOVE hiking on giant rocks.
There’s just something about clamoring about huge boulders (and NOT having to drive all the way to Joshua Tree) — and if you feel the same, don’t pass up this hike.
There are numerous ways to access the Rock Garden, as outlined in this guide in the Santa Barbara Independent. Be prepared with trekking poles and the right shoes, as this isn’t an easy endeavor, but if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views.
The Mural Room: A Santa Barbara Courthouse Hidden Gem
When we think of murals, we might think of some recent cool street murals we have seen, but this is one of the hidden gems in Santa Barbara with a mural unlike anything you’ve ever seen. This is also one of the most central hidden gems in Santa Barbara which you can visit while in downtown.
Located inside the Santa Barbara Courthouse, the ‘mural room’ contains a massive, epic mural that covers every inch of the walls. The detailed mural depicts scenes from Santa Barbara’s history, featuring the Chumash Native Americans, the Spanish colonization, and local sources of wealth, including minerals and agriculture, among the many other attributes that represent the city’s history (learn more specifics here).
Moreton Bay Fig Tree: The Largest of Santa Barbara Hidden Gems
Put simply, the Moreton Bay Fig Tree is worth a visit if you want to see a completely unbelievably massive tree – mind glowingly big. Thought to be the biggest of its kind in the world (ficus macrophylla), this tree is over 140 years old and has seen more change in Santa Barbara than any of its residents.
Legemd says that a visiting seaman gave an Australia fig seed to a local girl, who planted it here in the 1870’s. Today it could provide shade for thousands of people, should that many people choose to gather below it. It’s worth stopping by off Pacific Coast Highway and snapping a photo or two.
Channel Islands National Park + Marine Sanctuary
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is the place to go for ocean lovers that seek more than just chilling at the beach. Apart from an incredible amount or sea life, the Channel Islands National Park contains many wonders to behold.
Take a short trip off the coast to visit these islands the enjoy activities such as kayaking or scuba diving and see a side of the California ocean life you can’t get from the shore. This tour to the channel islands from Santa Barbara takes you whale and dolphin watching and then to the ‘painted cave,’ the deepest sea cave on earth! It’s quite the adventure to have from SB if you’re looking to get off the beaten track.
Lil’ Toot: A Unique Experience on the Water
All aboard Lil’ Toot! Lil Toot is an adorable tug boat that operates tours of the harbor for people of all ages.
This is one of the Santa Barbara hidden gems you gotta experience for a enjoyable day out on the water. From Lil’ Toot’s smile as you board to the deep dish history you’ll learn along the narrated tour, is there a more fun way to get to know Santa Barbara? Here’s a fun fact about Lil’ Toot: You can book it for private parties and even tie the knot aboard!
Cold Spring Tavern: A Historical Stop for Food Lovers
Although it’s located a bit outside the city, the Cold Spring Tavern is a well-worthwhile historic Santa Barbara secret spot for history lovers, foodies, and live music lovers, that could tell dozens of incredible stories if it could talk.
The original doors were opened in 1868 and are a piece of history representing what we might see in old Western movies — minus the shoot-outs. Oh yeah, and it’s a restaurant and bar serving dishes that include meats such as buffalo, rabbit, and venison.
They hold live music each week and post schedules on their Instagram. There’s a bustling and amazing local community around this tavern, and you will surely feel it if you visit.
Tangerine Falls: A Hidden Spot for Waterfall Chasers
Waterfall hunters will love this hidden gem in Santa Barbara. Tangerine Falls are located in Los Padres National Forest, above the city – not far from the Rock Garden as the crow flies. The 150-foot waterfall is a beauty to behold after a 1-mile or so trek. However, some parts of the hike are off-trail and require a bit of climbing, so this hike is for the more experienced and brave hiker.
Check out this guide by The Unremarkable Climber detailing the ‘sketchiest’ Santa Barbara waterfalls hike for details on how to get there and important notes on staying safe.
Solvang: A Fully Danish Secret Spot Outside Santa Barbara
If you have time to visit some Santa Barbara hidden gems you need a car for, Solvang Village might be one of the most unique places that doesn’t involve a hike! Solvang is a small Danish town inland from Santa Barbara that was virtually unknown until the last 5-10 years. The town was settled by Danes, and therefore you can find tons of traditional Danish architecture, food, and even windmills.
With a population of only 6,000, the Danish village will transport you to another world — a cute and quaint European one. Aside from enjoying the architecture, you’ll be delighted by the bakeries, Danish souvenirs, and beer gardens. Solvang is a great day trip from Santa Barbara, or you can stop after traveling north on your California road trip.
Vera Crus Mosaic House: Hidden Gem in Santa Barbara with All Local Flair
The Vera Cruz Mosaic House is a beautiful house comprised entirely of vibrant mosaics on the exterior – a big array of different colorful pictures placed together to create an impressive and very photogenic facade. In fact – the artists actually came here to paint each piece individually!
Across Santa Barbara, you’ll see buildings by local architect Jeff Shelton, but the Vera Cruz Mosaic House stands out. All over the house are pieces of artwork by local artists, and as outlined by Atlas Obscura, “each piece follows the theme of an associated place, such as where the artist is from or somewhere they’ve visited.”
Hope you have found some worthwhile Santa Barbara hidden gem on this list! Let us know which ones you decided to visit.
