Stearns Wharf Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Stearns Wharf. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

• Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide

• Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

• Private Guided Tour in Santa Barbara on Electric Bikes

• Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

Stearns Wharf is free and open to the public 24 hours a day. That said, if you’d like to visit this coastal landmark as part of a guided tour, there’s a variety of options; expect to pay under US$30 for a trolley tour of Santa Barbara’s highlights, or about US$90 for a private kayaking tour.

Yes, visitors can find free parking at Stearns Wharf for the first 1.5 hours—over 140 spaces are available. If you’re staying longer than that, expect to pay US$2.50 for each additional hour (for a maximum of US$20 a day). The Harbor Restaurant also has valet parking.

To catch the best weather, visit Santa Barbara in the spring or fall, when the days are sunny and mild. For swimming, summer or early fall are a better bet, since the water temperature is still cold in the spring. Avoid early summer, when California’s famous “June gloom” descends.

Yes, definitely. A stroll along Stearns Wharf, with its stunning ocean views, is a great activity for families with children (just watch out for traffic—the wharf isn’t pedestrian-only). The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center is right on the wharf too, offering kid-friendly interactive exhibits.

No, there’s no dress code for visiting Stearns Wharf. Upscale restaurants in the neighborhood might have their own clothing requirements, but generally speaking, Southern California is known for its casual style. If you do dress up, though, avoid wearing high heels, since they can get stuck between the wharf’s wooden planks.