The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Santa Barbara

4 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Barbara, California

Unusual
Attractions
in Santa Barbara

Inside the Australian Garden at Lotusland.

Santa Barbara, California

Lotusland

Acres of natural wonders left behind by a socialite-turned-gardener.

34.4430, -119.6574

Added by Facebook_1513682660

Knapp’s Castle

Santa Barbara, California

Knapp’s Castle

The ruins of the castle that chemicals built.

34.5470, -119.8937

Added by leiris

Front entrance to the Whale House.

Santa Barbara, California

Whale House

This stunning sea creature-shaped home blends into the landscape like a fantasy villa.

34.4499, -119.7100

Added by Evan Nicole Brown

The estate lies in disrepair.

Santa Barbara, California

Franceschi Park

The home of one of California's most important horticulturalists wilts amidst a lovely park.

34.4405, -119.6941

Added by KirstenCunningham

Are we missing something unusual in Santa Barbara?

Isla Vista, California

AlloSphere

360-degree virtual reality chamber physically immerses scientists into their data.

34.4171, -119.8481

8 MILEs FROM Santa Barbara

Carpinteria, California

Wardholme Torrey Pine

At 130 years old and 126 feet tall, it is the largest known example of the rare Torrey pine tree.

34.3981, -119.5169

Added by jondi letnap

10 MILEs FROM Santa Barbara

Happy harbor seals lounge within the rookery.

Carpinteria, California

Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve

Happy harbor seals frolic and snooze on this warm, sandy stretch of coast.

34.3926, -119.5176

Added by jondi letnap

10 MILEs FROM Santa Barbara

Atlas Obscura Trips

Dark Skies, Desert Beasts: A Night Photography Workshop in Borrego Springs, California

May 2—May 5, 2019

Journey deep into the desert of Southern California to explore and photograph the Dark Sky Sculptural Oasis of Borrego Springs.

Explore Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara Leaderboard

Places Added

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Santa Barbara.

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Santa Barbara Activity

jamesgage7 wants to go to Knapp’s Castle

jamesgage7 wants to go to Lotusland

Sebastian Wortys wants to go to Whale House

paiajkme wants to go to Lotusland

Seeker wants to go to Whale House

Like Us on Facebook