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    Franceschi Park

    4.7 (33 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Franceschi Park Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Franceschi Park

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    Layne D.

    As others have mentioned, it's more of a viewpoint of the city than a park, but it's still worth a visit. There is an old house on the grounds as well that could make for a bit of a spooky backdrop. Great views with a few benches to sit and take it all in.

    Views for daysssss
    Jennifer S.

    Less of a park, more of a viewpoint nestled in a residential area. There are a couple of benches to sit on. But worth the windy drive up because you get a gorgeous look of Santa Barbara, mountains, ocean & everything in between.

    Michael J.

    Five star view...hence the 5 star review. A simple drive up in the hills can lead to wonderful views. This park has an old dilapitated house, a stone carving of old Mr. Franchesci himself, nice plants / trees, a couple benches and picnic tables. If you venture down the hill, watch for ticks and snakes!

    Katherine T.

    Super nice viewpoint in SB. The drive up is about 10 minutes from State Street (although a bit steep and windy) but not too difficult. Offers an amazing view of Santa Barbara and has picnic tables and bathrooms as well.

    Another shot of the view
    Kaitlin C.

    My mom is OBSESSED w/ this park. She stumble upon it with my sister one day as they were driving around during quarantine. She lives in LA but wants to drive up here to celebrate Mother's Day! Sad that the house is dilapidated. Had men and women's bathrooms with TP and a sink! Two picnic benches. Trash cans and recycling. And parking. Great panoramic view of SB.

    A beautiful view of the city on a cloudy day.
    Scot E.

    One of my favorite parks in the world. It's a small place with a beautiful view. It's a bit of a drive up in the Riviera above where most tourists venture. There aren't even a lot of locals that frequent this park. I am happy to sit here alone. I've never seen the park crowded. I hope it stays that way. There is small, old restroom but it is generally clean and well kept. The main reason to visit is the view. The old Franceschi House is on the property but it is dilapidated and boarded up. It must have been a grand residence back in today. After all of these years, I'm not sure if anything will happen with the house or if it will just slowly deteriorate and crumble. I kind of enjoy hanging around beautiful, abandoned places though.

    Some of Santa Barbara's best panoramic views! Franceschi Park's layout is a tad confusing, but the views certainly make up for it. As others have mentioned, it's more of a place to stand and take in the setting versus a park to stroll around in. It is on a hill and tiers down a few blocks, between Franceschi Road and Dover Lane with Mission Ridge Road cutting through the middle. I'd initially accessed it at the top, from Franceschi Road, and was a little confused as there was a walking path that sort of turned into a steep hill with no destination. Luckily my shoes had some good tread on them! The park itself is ancient and historic, with the rundown Franceschi House as the main focal point. There are some neat artifacts surrounding the house and it is fun to walk around and admire. I'm sure it was a great spot in its heyday. The best part of the park, in my opinion, is the lower "Franceschi Steps" tier. This section has a few neat stone stairwells along with some paved walking paths. Walking up or down affords prime views of both the ocean and the riviera. It's very serene with little road traffic. If you are looking to be impressed by some serious views, give this park a visit - but be sure not to enter from upper Franceschi Road unless you've got some good all-terrain shoes!

    When you see this sign driving up mission ridge, make a left in 250 ft and then another LEFT into the right pathway
    Vivian N.

    Beautiful view of Santa Barbara but do know that the park itself is very small and probably consisted of four benches total in a much smaller area than I would consider a regular park Also, I missed the entrance to this park on the drive about three times!! And No, it's not because I am an Asian female driver O_o On mission ridge, they have you follow a sign that points up this hill so I take the left to get up there. Once I'm there, there are three pathways! My GPS is totally confused and says I'm already there (which I'm not!) So first I drive straight up - nope. Then I wrap around and then take the middle lane - nope. Wrapped around again, finally! The third time I saw some (small and totally unobvious) signs that may be directing toward a parking lot. Voila! The Asian female makes it to the park! Hah Still a good stop if you're every in town though :)

    Ashley B.

    When I close my eyes to find my "happy place" this is IT. I've seen countless sunsets but none compare to this. My favorite memories are here with close friends and family :) If you want to have a romantic spot that's fun and free LOOK NO FURTHER Bottle of wine, a candle and some hors devours should do the trick ;) The view of sb is amazing- cannot stress it enough! Favorite place to watch the sunset. Enough said.

    DEC2013
    Franklin M.

    The park is nothing to write home about, but the view of the city and ocean are incredible. The parking is limited so be patient.

    Hike to the Head overlooking the road below
    Shar W.

    Beautiful place, if you love Santa Barbara, Old homes, the view of the ocean, small parks off the beaten path, old history, this is your park! I spent a lot of time scouring the internet after visiting to learn of the people who lived here and their story (which is fascinating!) so sad to see the condition of the home. Wish it was being preserved, but its still a must see to stroll the grounds, take pictures, walk the paths, and also there is a statue in carved rock of Franceschi you need to hike over to, not to far from the house. Lovely place.

    N H.

    This is one of the best places in Santa Barbara for great views of the city and coastline. I'm surprised it wasn't already listed in Yelp. I guess that's probably why we usually only see locals visiting. ;)

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    16 days ago

    Great view, free. Not two things that go together much in an expensive place like SB. Definitely worth the little drive up.

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    11 years ago

    Spectacular view of Santa Barbara and the beach and hopefully Oprah's house was near by and I got her good juju vibes!!

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    ahhh santa barbaras hidden gem. most beautiful views!

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    11 years ago

    Amazing view! Great for lunch except when the d bags show up to blast their crap music and smoke j's

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    Ask the Community - Franceschi Park

    Guys map is telling me that park is closed on Sunday, but it's a park how can it be closed on Sunday ? Am I missing something?

    They have a gate that prevents you from parking, and there is very little, if any, street parking nearby. This is a small park in an expensive area, and it looks like the public works people have decided to spend their upkeep money elsewhere.

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    Review Highlights - Franceschi Park

    As others have mentioned, it's more of a viewpoint of the city than a park, but it's still worth a visit.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Shoreline Park - Beautiful rock formations

    Shoreline Park

    4.7(91 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Shoreline Park in Santa Barbara is a 15-acre coastal bluff park known for its panoramic ocean views…read moreand family-friendly atmosphere. Perched above the Pacific, it offers a long, narrow stretch of green space with paved paths ideal for walking, jogging, and soaking in vistas that include the Santa Barbara Harbor, the Channel Islands, and the Santa Ynez Mountains.

    Shoreline Park is a gem for anyone seeking peaceful surroundings . The park offers stunning views…read moreof the ocean, with plenty of grassy areas perfect for picnics or lounging. I love coming here for walks and soaking up the panoramic views of the coastline. Benches are stationed throughout the park to enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, some areas have been gated off for safety reasons due to the foundation of the hillside. If you want to venture down to the beach, just look for the wooden archway. The stairway will lead you down to the shoreline. Occasionally high tides won't allow you to venture down, so just be aware of that. The beach itself is rocky, and sometimes full of debris so bring comfy shoes! This spot is ideal for families, walkers, and even solo relaxation. I recommend bringing a small bag for special sea treasures that you may find during your visit. I always enjoy looking for sea shells, sea glass and heart shaped rocks. The rock formations here are always breathtaking during low tides so be sure to bring a camera or have your phone fully charged. Overall, Shoreline Park is my top favorite in town and a must-visit for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. It's also a dog friendly park, so bring your fur baby as well.

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    Shoreline Park - Chilly cold walk in March!

    Chilly cold walk in March!

    Shoreline Park
    Shoreline Park

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    Orpet Park

    Orpet Park

    4.8(5 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    A great small park! It's split by the road. Nice place to take a stroll. One side is paved and the…read moreother side is just grass. The paved part has the larger cracks / tripping hazards outlined in neon spray paint - that is so helpful for older folks and kids!

    Did you come across this review and think, "Well, I doubt there is much to say about a park. A park…read moreis a park." Well, you would be mighty wrong, my dear friend! This park, Orpet Park, you've come across is in Santa Barbara; the city that is literally a walking history book with every nook, cranny, and parcel rich in narratives and archives. Orpet Park is no exception to this rule so allow me to give you a quick background... Pretty much every visitor and tourist to the lovely city of Santa Barbara has been to the Mission or to the SB Botanical Gardens. This means that you have been minutes and even mere feet away from Orpet Park located at the corner of Moreno and Alameda Padre Serra. So, here is the history: Edward Owen Orpet was a park superintendent in SB with a lengthy list of horticultural and agricultural degrees, awards, pedigrees, experiences, and professional accomplishments. In fact, people called him the "Plant Missionary". Orpet made it his life mission to spruce up (no pun intended) that agricultural landscape of California and is the man behind many of the olive trees growing in the state. Perhaps we can call him Johnny Oliveseed? Eddy Oliveseed? Anyway, Orpet is obviously the founder of Orpet Park in 1921, the 4-acre park with two parts (dissected from each other by the street). Edward created Orpet Park has his own personal horticultural showplace in order to highlight rare trees and plants with the backdrop of scenic ocean views. And THAT, ladies and gents, is what you can find in Orpet Park today. The 'main' section of Orpet Park is located on the elevated hillside and is ripe with lush green foliage, trees casting shadows perfect for sitting, open space for pups to run around (pets MUST be leashed!) and picnic tables for your lunches or games of chess. Signs aggressively maintain that litter is a big no-no and this seems to be respected in Orpet Park as there wasn't any trash or pet feces that I could see. Plus, Orpet Park is so peaceful, serene, quiet and all the other collective synonyms! Even on a Saturday afternoon, there were only two other people in the park. Orpet Park is the PERFECT spot to getaway and enjoy nature and your own thoughts or that of a romantic partner. Orpet Park's 'second' portion is on the lower half and is the more landscaped side with hints of a botanical garden in design. Walkways are surrounded by beautiful trees, flowering plants, stone boulders, and of course the picnic tables to bask in it all. This side is equally gorgeous, litter-free, and silent except for the sounds of hummingbirds zipping by and is ideal for lovely walks or beautiful photos. Just a note: Orpet Park is NOT the kind of park you find a basketball court, playground, baseball field and the like in. This is more of a garden-esque, green space. Yet, Orpet Park is definitely 'better' and more inviting (plus, nice on the eyes) than most neighborhood parks. Parking is street-side and honestly doesn't seem to be an issue in this residential area. I found several spots directly adjacent to the park entry signs. Orpet Park is certainly worth a visit whether you live in SB or are a visitor and want to relax, grab lunch, gather your thoughts, etc. It is also ideal for a romantic walk or those Instagram-worthy snapshots. Let's thank Edward Orpet for leaving such a lovely legacy in the form of agricultural/horticultural wonders.

    Photos
    Orpet Park
    Orpet Park
    Orpet Park - Our picnic spot

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    Our picnic spot

    Douglas Family Preserve - Pearl and a too-big stick.

    Douglas Family Preserve

    4.8(188 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    We had no idea that this nice easy trail existed when he headed out to Santa Barbara with our 9year…read moreold lab mix for a 4 night vacay. What a great find this place was. Parking is Free and Plentiful -- In early August 2025 we showed up at 6:30pm on a Monday (to hike the preserve). There was tons of parking in the lots that abut The Boathouse, and the lots are always free for the public. There is also free street parking on the street just past the traffic circle. The hike/trail (The Douglas Family Preserve): A nice easy trail, and really fun for the doggos as it is an off-leash area. I'd say that half the people we saw on the trail had a pup, while the other half had no pets. The loop from the ground to the top and back is 1.5miles. There is 150 feet of elevation gain over a distance of about 1/3 of a mile; the rest of the hike is flat (w/ a large mesa at the top with lots of interconnected trails if you want to make the hike more extensive than a 1.5mile loop). Our dog not only enjoyed the walk, but had lots of fun trying to start some small play sessions with other dogs that she saw on the trail. Bonus: this trail uses the same parking lot as Hendry's Beach (Arroyo Burro Beach), which is leash free along the coastline east of the lifeguard tower (to the left of the lifeguard tower if you are facing the ocean).

    It's nice to see how different the ocean views and the vegetation on this trail changes in…read moredifference seasons. I had previously visited in September and this visit it is May. Still a nice day to walk and enjoy the cool ocean breeze, friendly people and dogs on the trail.

    Photos
    Douglas Family Preserve - Me and Cooper

    Me and Cooper

    Douglas Family Preserve
    Douglas Family Preserve - ** Dogs Welcome ** ** on and off leash ** Starting the BarkDay celebration early!

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    ** Dogs Welcome ** ** on and off leash ** Starting the BarkDay celebration early!

    Mission Historical Park

    Mission Historical Park

    4.8(20 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    One of my fav places in town. If we have guests, we always suggest grabbing a blanket and packing…read moresome wine and snacks or food to go and enjoy at sunset at the Rose Garden. The kids love rolling down the hill, climbing on the trees, or wandering the little paths on the side. Plus, you learn all the fantastic rose names when you simply take a walk around the pattern of colors.

    I have overlooked this park for many years, but today when visiting the mission today I took the…read morechance to walk across the street to see this park and rose garden. Most of the park is a large lawn, and very popular with picnickers and sun bathers on the weekend. But I was lucky to be here on a weekday, and found the rose garden part to be much more than I expected! The roses are sequestered toward the neighborhood side, and doesn't look like much from a distance. However, walk into them and the world changes. There are many beds of roses, most of them 5 to 6 feet tall it seems! The blooms were plentiful on this visit, and the aroma of roses was amazing! Every where I went I smelled the roses, one of my favorite scents. The roses are grouped by variety, and there are labels with the common names, should you wish to track down a variety that caught your attention. And there are benches around here and there so you can just sit and admire the blooms - when in season of course! If you ARE in the area when they are blooming, take the chance for a leisurely stroll through the beds - you'll be amazed at the potential of a rose garden brought to reality.

    Photos
    Mission Historical Park - It's me :-) there

    It's me :-) there

    Mission Historical Park
    Mission Historical Park

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    Franceschi Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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