Santa Barbara Attractions

If you stop at one of the original missions during a tour of California, this one should be your No. 1 pick. Originally built in 1786 and constructed of adobe brick with a thatched roof, the building was damaged in an earthquake in 1812. The present and rebuilt structure is an actual operating Catholic church, so you must schedule tours around mass times. The grounds of the mission are stunning, and many people simply tour the outside, where they can enjoy the flora and the fountains or stop for a picnic lunch. The mission is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and admission is $5.

A 72-foot-long skeleton of a blue whale is the first find you happen upon outside this museum. Inside, you'll see exhibits that feature birds, insects, mammals, marine life, paleontology and the Chumash Indians. The complex also includes a planetarium, space lab and a gem and mineral display. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $10, but admission is free on the third Sunday of every month.

Despite the small confines of this zoo (compared to some of the biggies), you'll still be able to see elephants, gorillas, penguins, snow leopards and more -- all in a beautiful oceanside setting that's dotted with palm trees. For the really small ones in your crowd, they have a petting zoo and a railroad ride. And, as a bonus, you can use the zoo visit as an education in going green -- the zoo uses solar panels for electricity, has a green restaurant that uses cups made from corn and flatware made from potatoes, and collects and recycles old cell phones at the front gate. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 2 to 12.

Ledbetter, the in-town Santa Barbara beach, is one of the most popular beaches in the area and is a favorite for families that like to swim. The beach is lined with a grassy picnic area and has barbeque pits available for grilling. It was recently named one of the Travel Channel's "Top Ten American Beaches". Grab some bike rentals at the beach, and bike the coast. Or, hop in your car and drive north on U.S. 101 to some more great beaches -- El Capitan, Gaviota and Refugio -- just outside of the city.

This is a great, old-fashioned wharf that's full of touristy stands with T-shirts and other souvenirs, ice cream shops and great seafood restaurants. Stearns is California's oldest working wharf, built in 1872, and its three blocks offer great views of the beach, harbor and mountains.

Who is Ty Warner, you might wonder? He's the creator of Beanie Babies and is also a Santa Barbara resident, who has devoted some of his fortune to help complete this new sea center, specializing in Santa Barbara Channel marine life and conservation. This is not your typical aquarium. At the sea center, you can experience hands-on marine experiments and exhibits, including always-popular touch tanks. Come and see the Channel's sharks that are just 12 inches long. Or, learn about how sea creatures use camouflage to protect themselves from predators. And, if you fall in love with a particular sea resident, you can even support the center by participating in their aquadopt program. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8.