Santa Barbara

Catch up on early California history at the beautiful, centuries-old Santa Barbara Mission. — Travel + Leisure

Housed in Spanish Revival-style buildings on an extensive property with lush gardens, the museum is the home of an extensive collection of artifacts including a fantastic bird collection. — goop

A surprisingly strong permanent Asian art collection, which includes earthenware Chinese zodiac figures dating back to the sixth century. — Concierge

This compact zoo's grounds are so gorgeous people book weddings here long in advance. — Fodor's

Built in 1872 by local lumberman John P. Stearns, this 2,640ft pier, lined with small shops and restaurants, is the oldest working wooden wharf in the state. — Michelin Guide

The wide swath of sand at the east end of Cabrillo Boulevard is a great spot for people-watching. — Fodor's

Small changing exhibits, drawn from the permanent collection of more than one million manuscripts, rotate among the library's seven locations across the US. — Michelin Guide

Enveloped by the bustle of modern Santa Barbara, this reconstructed Spanish fortress, which once covered an area equivalent to a square city block, formed the earliest nucleus of the city. — Michelin Guide

This weekly market is a nexus point for the Santa Barbara community. — Afar Magazine

Colorful Native American paintings are hidden within this small cavern.  — Atlas Obscura

The 1807 adobe Mission Santa Inés is one of 21 Spanish missions in California. Stroll through the rose-and-oleander garden. — Travel + Leisure

Hidden in the Santa Ynez Mountains off Highway 154, this tiny restaurant once served as a stagecoach stop.  — Atlas Obscura

A branch of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the center specializes in Santa Barbara Channel marine life and conservation. — Fodor's

The beach's usually gentle surf makes it ideal for families with young children. — Fodor's

Visitors can join a high-speed virtual exploration of the channel, peer through a 45ft US Navy periscope, or strap themselves into a "big-game fishing chair" to reel in a trophy marlin. — Michelin Guide

Formerly known as the Pioneer Museum, the Museum of Ventura County celebrates and preserves the county's local history and culture. — Time Out

Enter through a Peace Portal hewn from reclaimed 1,200-year-old Douglas Fir to walk through the International Garden of Peace and sit in a beautiful meditation room. — Fodor's