The iconic Western Ranch House at Will Rogers State Historic Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and, aside from his 31-room home, the park includes a historic stable, a polo field, riding arena, roping area, numerous corrals, horse pastures, golf course and trails. Topless sunbathers stroll through the tides, and dolphins breech the surface beyond the waves. The zoo first opened in August 1963. You can either rent a bike to ride around on your own or go for a short walk to sample their famous ice creams.Stearns Wharf is frequently regarded as one of Santa Barbaras top attractions, offering views of the stunning harbor and miles of sandy beaches.The backdrop of Santa Ynez Mountains gives the wharf an even more romantic appearance. Fairly easy to get to as far as beach properties go. Consider this a must-do if youre visiting the area with children. Limited parking, but some additional along the roadway or hike in from another part of the botanical park. Located in the Pacific Palisades, the Getty Villa houses a collection of 44,000 Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities that span 7,000 years of history, from the end of the Stone Age to the fall of the Roman Empire. At the time of construction, Stearns Wharf was the longest pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco and today, it is home to many specialty shops, restaurants, as well as the Sea Center, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Architect Charles Willard Moore called it the "grandest Spanish Colonial Revival structure ever built," and the prime example of Santa Barbara's adoption of Spanish Colonial as its civic style. Truly a spectacular collection. Visiting Lotusland is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara for nature lovers and not only!. I had heard of this place but never crossed my mind to make a trip. Many Californians will argue that Zuma Beach is the best beach in the entire state. Formerly home to George Knapp, a wealthy man who was the founder of Union Carbide, a chemical-based industry, the house was completed in 1916. Its on the smaller side, which makes it a great half-day outing, plus its absolutely lovely and well-maintained. As you continue down State Street youll come to Stearns Wharf, stretching out over the Pacific Ocean. Drive about 8 mi (12.9 km) north from Zuma, you will come across Leo Carrillo State Park. Learn MoreView Website. The cheapest way to get from Malibu to Santa Barbara is to line 134 bus and line 18 bus and night bus which costs $10-$55 and takes 4h 22m. A classic Malibu spot to end your evening is Dukes Malibu perfect for tropical cocktails and ocean views! With 19 major roller coasters, this theme park is an adrenaline junkie's dream. The large beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, fishing, and scuba diving, with lifeguard stations located throughout the beach to protect beachgoers at peak times. This Mission is one of the Most Beautiful of the 7 of 21 California Missions My Wife and I have visited so far. Facing the Pacific Ocean, Shoreline Park is one of Santa Barbara's most popular parks. Parking is rarely an issue here as there are over 300 spaces, so unlike most beaches in Malibu, you wont miss the sunset trying to find a parking spot. This is the crme de la crme of planning apps! A beach full of sea caves, sand, and massive rocks with a stunning sunset, El Matador Beach can be traced while driving on Pacific Coast Highway, past Point Dume, and before Leo Carrillo. Over 500 species are showcased on 30 lush acres overlooking the beach. Visiting the Santa Barbara Zoo is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara if you travel with kids. If you consider yourself a true car enthusiast i double dogg dare you to take the tour. Beach hour is only until sunset. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. Once Will Rogers' ranch, this park features trails set in the canyon with views of LA & the ocean. If youre seeking a quintessential Malibu beach, Point Dume State Beach and Preserve must be on your list of places to visit. A destination of it's own in upper Ojai. They have everything you could imagine on a farm as well as a carnival. Grab a sheet and pencil, find the animal on your sheet at the zoo & answer some questions about it. Set off Californias Pacific Coast Highway, the curated Roman gardens throughout impress, but its small herb garden remains a highlight. Santa Barbara Zoo is a 30-acre zoological park near the ocean. The Villa was the ambition of oil magnate J Paul Getty who ordered the building of the premises in the 1970s. Animal lovers will enjoy sharing the surf with dolphins, seals and other local marine life at Malibus largest beach. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Santa Barbara? The state beach is less advertised than the rest of the Malibu area, but its remote location and lack of signage are the perfect backdrops for great photos. Sure it gets crowded in the summer, but that's because beachgoers know a good thing when they see it. With more than 500 animals and 146 species, youll find yourself in awe of each inhabitant. This one week itinerary from Los Angeles to San Simeon includes stops in Malibu, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, and a visit to the famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Although I have to say we enjoyed being able to self learn about the mission. Originally a luxurious beachfront estate built by William Randolph Hearst for Hollywood star Marion Davies in the 1920s, its now a modern community beach club open to the public. The beach has several small and big rocks to climb through and around, including some of the naturally made arches, providing the finest photography views and backgrounds. She is very knowledgeable and personable! With revolutionary technologies coming in the automobile world, Nethercutt is a must visit for anybody who wants to learn about the history in brief and also explore the wonderful world Read more. In addition, there was old weathered statuary gracing the green theatre and in some of the gardens. Nature-loving beachcombers find many a treasure in the areas tide pools and coastal caves. The surf at Zuma Beach has a wide variety of waves, making it a suitable beach for surfers of differing skill levels. It was a large circle of paths, some paths were packed sand and many were lined with large pieces of glass. They had a few free things, but some of which werent running. WebThere are 2 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Malibu by train, taxi or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Address: 30000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, United States. A resemblance of 1st Century Italian villas, the Getty Villa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malibu. This wharf was built in 1872 and is the oldest working wood wharf in California. This is pretty much a viewpoint at the top of a hill. As a beach, El Matador is smaller and much more laid back. Here, enjoy access to 2 miles of shoreline, volleyball courts, picnic areas and restrooms. Must visit and you can spend whole day and savings here . One of the best beaches in Malibu according to some locals, Zuma beach is clean, vast and even in winter, its a good place to come as there is an abundance of wildlife spotting to be had. I found the best time to go is after 3pm. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, there are various activities you can enjoy in the historic park. Santa Barbara Zoo is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids. We also got a chance to see someone having their sweet sixteen event in the church. It was nice to return. A subject of much controversy and disdain by art experts, Getty Villa is a big part of what makes this destination so unique and is an absolute must-see. The whole trip is an adventure starting with the boat ride so it is worth soaking up every moment of it. Is an excellent place for kids to have fun and be safe. Area for the parties are clean and nice. Movie watchers might recall a giant replica of the Statue of Liberty constructed from cardboard and paper mach, buried in the sand overlooking the Pacific. It's like going to Big Sur without all the driving. Anyone on or off Facebook. Malibu beach may be known for the many celebrities who call the area home, but Zuma Beach is actually one of the best beaches in Southern California. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 22m. (Credit: Denis Um/Shutterstock). Romantics will remember the scene where Allie (Rachel McAdams) pretends to be a bird on the beach with Noah (Ryan Gosling), with Malibus iconic coastal bluffs towering in the background. Known for its dramatic rock formations and arches along the shores, El Matador State Beach is a sight for sore eyes and draws legions of photographers and film crews for the incredible photo opportunities at sunrise and sunset. El Matador State Beach, California may be small, but its certainly beautiful, and its combination of rocky outcrops, stone formations, and caves creates many places to see. Santa Clarita is the most popular city on the route it's less than an hour from Malibu and 1 hour from Santa Barbara. Free parking. Located between Leo Carrillo and Point Dume, El Matador is one of three "pocket beaches" at Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. There was also some people here doing a photo shoot so obviously this is a very known spot. Is Venice Beach or Santa Monica better? One again, not only is the art a major attraction, so is the magnificent Italian villa and commanding views across the Pacific ocean. Some garbage, but it's of season. I really enjoyed walking around and spending time at the beach. Griefwalker ~ Film Screening & Talk ~ Malibu, California. While somewhat less popular than The Getty, the Getty Villa features a wide selection of Greek and Roman art within a beautifully crafted, Roman-inspired villa. Others who visit Zuma Beach enjoy bodysurfing, kiteboarding and windsurfing its choppy currents, or playing volleyball and tanning on its golden sand. Google Maps | Phone: (818) 880-0363 | Website | Parking: Self-pay lots open 8 am sunset | Browse Malibu Tours. There are many tide pools scattered amongst the shorelines here. At the border between Los Angeles and Ventura counties, youll find Leo Carrillo State Park, an unblemished (and dog-friendly) haven of Pacific Coast wilderness. Loads of history and it could also be called a time machine. Come and be Inspired! Spanning across 37 acres, this exotic garden was once owned by Madame Ganna Walska, a famous opera singer from Poland. Rounding out all of this wonder is a great SHOPPING EXPERIENCE! We visit from Corona, CA, just about every year as we stay in Ventura at our family's timeshare. Santa Barbara County Courthouse deserves a spot on your list of places to visit in Santa Barbara, California. Santa Clarita is a California city north of Los Angeles. Just be careful and dont fall. We have mostly looked at the beaches in Malibu, but if you have time, you shouldnt stop there. It was really beautiful to be so close to the ocean. WebSanta Barbara, Santa Barbara! One of my absolute favorite places to visit in Malibu is this beach right here. You can go picnicking or just enjoy the fresh air because of the proximity to the ocean at high elevation. Amazing place to go with your family and friends. Good place to spend an hour or hour and a half. The Annenberg Community Beach House is a huge facility open to the public located just north of the Santa Monica Pier. Loved camping up here with the family. They are located on the opposite side of the PCH to the ocean. Small and manageable, the zoo makes for a perfect mini-outing, and wont overwhelm even the littlest human creatures, although the collection of 500 animalscomprised of 146 species of mammals, reptiles, birds and insectswill be sure to elicit plenty of oohs and aws. Once inside the villa, you can enjoy the fine art collection inside the museum, the stunning architecture, and most importantly, the gardens. Where State Street ends, Stearns Wharf begins, shooting out into the harbor as a popular hangout for people craving fresh seafood, scenic views, or want to splurge on their last day before leaving Santa Barbara. There are tables and chairs next to the Marion Davis guest house. If youre a fan of old cars, you cant miss out on The Nethercutt Collection. Parking: 8 parking lots (2000 spots) with paid parkingMetered spots $.25 per 10 minutes. We had calamari as an appetizer and then dove into the main course. It was built on the site of what was known as the Child Estate. Botanical Gardens695 Ashley Road, Santa Barbara, CA MoreLess Info. I had read it was a smaller zoo, so I didnt think it would be worth the admission fee. State beach offers a mile of water activities, picnicking & hiking, plus camping (for a fee). The sunsets are magical with Instagramable and wallpaper-like views from the beach, so dont go to El Matador without your waterproof camera or phone case! Paradise Cove is a public beach with the same name as a privately-owned restaurant located in front of the beach. The best things to do in Santa Barbara, California double dogg dare you take! 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