Location: Summerland
Top Things to do in Summerland
The 10 Best Things to Do in Summerland, United States
This town’s name says it all: Summerland is a classic California beach town. Just five miles south of Santa Barbara, swing off Highway 101 to meander down Lillie Avenue, dotted with antique stores, cozy cafes and locally owned shops punctuated by charming cottages. The town’s central beach is framed by Lookout Park, where you can watch the breakers from above and take in the breathtaking views.
Restaurants in Summerland
1. Carpinteria State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 372 reviews
Reviewed By HI_Nokaoi - Thousand Oaks, California
Group space with friends, beach is beautiful, tide pools fun and great getaway. Santa Cruz was the area we were in thought there would be hookups, but amazing time nonetheless. Beware that generators cant be turned on until 10am so have a coffee option ready :)
2. Lotusland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 418 reviews
Lotusland is considered to be one of the top 10 botanic gardens in the world. Situated in the foothills of Santa Barbara, California, this 37 acre botanical wonderland is home to more than 3,000 different types of plants from all around the world. The estate gardens were created by Madame Ganna Walska, who owned the property from 1941 until her death in 1984. Lotusland is home to several extraordinary plant collections and around each corner there is the unexpected - a surprise of unique garden design and plant species. The collections include rare cycads that are extinct in the wild, an unparaleled cactus garden, palms and euphorbias like most people have never seen. Additional gardens feature ferns, aloes, lotuses (bloom only in the summer months), water lilies and bromeliads. Lotusland horticulture philosophy is organic, using no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Reservations are required to visit. Tours are Wednesday - Saturday at 10 AM and again at 1:30 PM. Open Mid February through Mid November.
Reviewed By Levon M - Cary, North Carolina
We really enjoyed our two hour tour. The gardens were originally developed by a very determined women who lived a life of wealth and luxury. She had 6 husbands. A few died and she divorced a few. There are literally thousand of exotic plants over the 37 acres of the Gardens. She didn't believe in having just a few of a kind - she wanted as many as she could get. The result is hundreds of the same plant. Or minor versions of the same plant. Of all the individual gardens, my favorite was the Cactus garden. She was given an entire collection of cacti by a collector who was just a friend. Our docent was very knowledgeable about both the Gardens and Ganna Walska, Some of the stories she told were amazing. The Gardens require an advance reservation to get in. That's because the number of daily visitors is strictly limited.
3. The Sacred Space
Overall Ratings
5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By ghogsett - Palm Springs
Large, beautiful garden with hundreds of Bhuddha statues for sale, succulents, bamboo, ponds, lotus blossoms, small pavilions where you can sit and get offered free tea. Store in center with antique and newer statuary, carpets, crystals, jewelry, incense, a divan the Dalai Lama sat on, Balinese temple umbrellas, spiritual books. Such an amazing special place.
4. Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Designed by William Mooser III in the Spanish-Moorish architectural style, this working courthouse is surrounded by landscaped gardens and lawns.
Reviewed By Annick831 - Ventura, California
This is a free tour to do in Santa Barbara! It's a beautiful building, during opening hours you can pop your head in some of the surrounding attached buildings and offices, it's well worth exploring. Don't be surprise to see a wedding ceremony happening on the grounds or an engagement picture shoot (especially during the weekend) it's such a beautiful place... Climb to the top to see a wonderful view of the city, the ocean (on a clear day), the mission, etc. If you climb by stairs you will see the clock room with the bells that rings every hour.
5. Butterfly Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
A beautiful stretch of beach in front of the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel.
Reviewed By expectquality1942 - Santa Barbara, California
Really easy to get to Santa Barbara or Montecito. Free parking (it will get really busy on a weekend late morning on) and steps away from the beach. Best at low tide for a long walk, but almost always wonderful to access the ocean. Steps from the Biltmore. Dogs love it too
6. Summerland Winery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Randy C - Moorestown, New Jersey
After a morning horse back riding on the nearby beach we stopped in for some refreshment at the Summerland Winery Tasting Room. Great folks there -- Michael told us stories about the wine and the winemaker, while pouring us one taste after another of their beautiful wines. We couldn't have had a more enjoyable time!
7. Miramar Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By frqentravlr - leftcoast
The best walking beach in Montecito. Start at the stairs at Eucalyptus and walk East to Fernald Point and if the tide is out around Sharks Point and down to Summerland. On the holiday weekends the beach is popular with family groups that will picnic for the day. For surfers, it's a gentle wave and great for beginners. For swimmers, it's a good place to get a bit of exercise.
8. Overlook Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Mickey G - Los Angeles, California
This is a small park with children's playground, handicap accessible restrooms, plenty of picnic tables and grills, even a doggie wash (that is 10.00 USD on card or cash). The views are spectacular, excellent stop if you want to enjoy a break from the highway traffic or just to relax. The park offers a trail down to the beach, it is decently maintained, you can find the trailhead on the southern end of the park by the ranger area. Right of the road entrance, a bit towards the north area you will see a paved access point to the beach. The water may be oily at times due to natural seepage, not man-made but avoid contact if you think it is too dirty.
9. Casa del Herrero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Tours are by reservation only on Wednesdays and Saturdays for those 10 years & older. Admission for the 90-minute, Docent-led tours is $20 per person. Designated in 2009 as Santa Barbara's 4th National Historic Landmark, the Casa del Herrero, built in 1925, stands today as one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The creative manifestation of St. Louis industrialist George Fox Steedman, Casa del Herrero (House of the Blacksmith) reflects the visionary passions of its 'dream team' of designers: reknowned architect, George Washington Smith, landscape architects Lockwood de Forest and Francis T. Underhill, and antiquarians Arthur Byne and Mildred Stapley, who also helped outfit the well-known Hearst Castle.
Reviewed By LadyDi_and_Cowman - Southern California
We discovered this tour on TripAdvisor looking for things to do in Santa Barbara. We were so lucky the tours had just begun after a two month closure. The historical home is amazing built in the Andalusian/Spanish style with furniture, tiles, artwork and more acquired from Spain in the 1920’s. Gardens are gorgeous with Moorish influences many reminiscent of the Alhambra. Our guide was fun and sweet and gave a lovely tour. Highly recommend if you love visiting historical houses and gardens.
10. Reagan Ranch Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
The Reagan Ranch Center in downtown Santa Barbara, California is open to the general public for tours and visitation Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. These galleries feature original Reagan Ranch artifacts matched with state-of-the-art, interactive, multimedia exhibits that highlight the history of Ronald Reagan’s quarter-century at Rancho del Cielo and the accomplishments of his presidency.Over six hours of dynamic multimedia exhibits provide access to exclusive speeches, interviews, radio addresses, and original video presentations. The centerpiece of the gallery is a 28-foot-long interactive “timeline” that gives users the ability to explore the “Western White House” during the 1980s.
Reviewed By RGTravelIng - Rochester, Minnesota
Worth a quick stop to learn more about the Ranch of Regan. This is not an equivalent to the Reagan Library in Simi Vally. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. It’s free easy to navigate. Couple of videos worth watching. Overall if you want more info on the Regan years do stop. Only takes an our or so.
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