There are few places like Santa Barbara in the United States. Known for its surfer vibes, fantastic wine, and all-around magical weather, the life on the coast is a 10 out of 10. Plus, thanks to a population of less than 100,000, it doesn’t have the traffic or urgency of a big city. Since moving to Santa Barbara in 2021, I have tried my best to get out and photograph as many places as I can. While the ocean and beach style can seem repetitive, there’s creative freedom in finding new ways to create beautiful photos. Whether it’s sunset on the beach, visiting hot springs in the mountains, or a beautiful architectural building in the city, there are Santa Barbara photo spots for any photographer.
One of the luxuries of Santa Barbara is the weather. It’s never poor. With temperatures hovering between 60-78 (F) degrees year-round, it allows you to explore and photograph daily. However, I will say that if you are looking to beat the crowds, winter is the best season to get out. It’s also when you can avoid fog, which can crush any dreams of sunset colors.
My Photography Gear
While there’s no requirement or need to shoot in Santa Barbara with multiple lenses, I like to use the different focal lengths to push my bounds of creativity. Here are the camera and lenses I typically use:
- Canon 5D Mark 3 Camera Body
- 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens
- 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
- 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens
Now, let’s get into the best Santa Barbara photo spots!
Butterfly Beach
This is my favorite beach to visit in Santa Barbara. With this stretch of the beach away from the regular tourist areas, the beach is popular but not overwhelming. While most people will stick to the beach area, there’s a plant section to compose beautiful flower photography if you continue walking up the bike path. Lastly, for those looking to do photoshoots, this spot is perfect. The setting sun hits the beach perfectly during golden hour.
Open Ocean
Santa Barbara is a prime spot for whale watching, thanks to the nutrient-rich waters of the Santa Barbara Channel. If you love the ocean or sea life, spending an afternoon whale watching is highly recommended. There are a couple of different options that leave from the Santa Barbara Harbor daily. We were blown away on my most recent trip as multiple whales came up to the boat. This unique case required a 24-70mm lens to capture the whales up close.
Santa Barbara Harbor
If you’re a fan of boats, reflections, or both, this is a great place to switch up your photography. The best photo location will be in the bottom right quadrant of the harbor as you’re looking at it. This is where the water will be most calm and provide the best reflections. I’d recommend visiting in the early morning or as the sunsets, so you’re not interrupted by boats coming and going.
Santa Barbara Courthouse
Whether or not you plan to tie the knot, the courthouse is a magical place and one of the best architectural buildings in Santa Barbara. Styled after the Mission, you’ll find yourself craning your neck to see the intricate details on the walls and ceilings. I live close, so I get to walk by it nearly every day. However, the allure hasn’t worn off. In my view, it’s one of the must-visit places in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Mission
Since 1786, the Santa Barbara Mission has been a staple in the community. It’s a stunningly beautiful landmark that temporarily takes you back two centuries to how life was lived before cars, metro areas, and technology. I’d recommend taking the $15 tour to learn about the history and see the church. It took us about an hour to learn all we could. As for taking photos, you can walk around the outside for free and snap pictures.
Lizards Mouth
About 30 minutes from Santa Barbara, Lizards Mouth Rock is an easy-to-reach destination with views of the ocean and coast below. The hike is about 1/3 of a mile, and then you walk on giant boulders to the overlook. It’s a favorite for sunsets, so be prepared for crowds. Although, it shouldn’t be too bad if you go on a weekday. In addition to the coastline, you’ll have a clear shot of Channel Islands National Park on the horizon.
Sterns Wharf
Sterns Wharf is full of shops, restaurants, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center — making it a favorite among tourists. Some may like to shoot the pier, but I find the best shots are on the wharf looking back at the mainland with Chase Palm Park in the foreground and the Santa Ynez Mountains rising in the back.
Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens is one of the coolest parts of the town and home to more plants and trees than you can wrap your mind around. It’s accessible to visit year-round and should take up to two hours of your day. The best part was learning the history of how it came to be, and the rare plants from the Channel Islands found nowhere else on Earth. The cost to visit is $16 per person.
1000 Steps Beach
1000 Steps Beach is near Shoreline Park on the bluffs and leads you down to the coast away from the crowds. I’ve found this area to be a fantastic sunset location. You should get the physical sun setting over the ocean most of the year to create magical moments.
Chase Palm Park
With hundreds of palm trees lining East Beach, this seems to be the city’s go-to running, walking, and hangout spot. I can’t blame them — it’s beautiful. This is best shot at sunset as the sun sets behind the palm trees, giving you a great opportunity for sun flares and other dramatic images.
Hot Springs
This is the only hike on the list, but the Santa Barbara Hot Springs are a popular trail for visitors and residents. The hot water is natural, but generous locals have built up the pools. In all, it is an easy-to-moderate hike of four miles round-trip. I would stay away on the weekends as it’ll be insanely busy. I’d also suggest going at sunrise or sunset to enjoy peace and quiet.
Whether you prefer the mountains or water, you’ll find something to enjoy in Santa Barbara. The incredible weather and 280+ days of sun each year allow you numerous opportunities to get out and photograph some genuinely mesmerizing locations! I can’t all but guarantee you will love your time on the coast and the amazing Santa Barbara photo spots listed here.
