I absolutely LOVE Santa Barbara and this wharf/pier area. We have been coming here for years and enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the ocean and its surroundings. My son and I came here yesterday around 5:30pm and found street parking about a 10-15 minute walk away from the entrance. It can get very crowded during the day with no parking spaces available, but luckily we found one. Even the walk there was beautiful, with the ocean in the distance and the smell of seawater in the air. There are restrooms right at the entrance which were pretty dirty, as expected from a beach restroom. Once you walk up the pier, there are several shops, restaurants and relaxation areas where you can just chill and enjoy the stunning views of the ocean. You can come here solo, on a date, with your kids, dogs, anyone! It's a perfect place for anyone who enjoys the beach/ocean. We didn't see anyone swimming, but there were plenty of people walking around. After some walking around and chatting with fellow tourists ourselves, we went to the back corner of the pier where we watched the sunset. It was such an extraordinary sight to see, right on one of my favorite beaches. I forgot to mention you can of course park on the pier itself. The first 90min are free and it's $4 per hour after that. Thank you, Santa Barbara, for another beautiful trip. read more

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When in Santa Barbara I always enjoying strolling down the pier at the Stearns Wharf located at State Street and Cabrillo. The pier provides a relaxing stroll to enjoy the ocean, beaches and amenities on the pier. On the pier you can find multiple restaurants (although maybe over price), an aquarium, seafood stand and more. Plus there is parking right on the pier for those who do not want to walk. The first 90 minutes of parking is free. The cost after the 90 minutes is per an hour and is a minimal cost-$4.00. Best to go during non peak season to avoid the crowds. I like early mornings and after or during big storms to see the waves. Cheers! read more

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Beautiful pier. Free parking on the pier for the first 90 minutes, then it's $4/hr. There were plenty of free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Came during a Saturday morning around Christmas time. Some of the restaurants on the pier decorated for Christmas. It wasn't busy when we went and there was plenty of parking on the pier. There were a lot of people fishing at the end of the pier. Some were successful at catching fish. When we were there, there was a pelican patiently waiting to steal fish. The restroom on the pier was unfortunately out of order, but they had some clean porta potties with water and soap. read more

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Stearns Wharf is in Santa Barbara. It's the oldest working g wharf in California. It was built in 1873. 2300 foot long. Yes it's that long, to allow ocean ships back then to tow up at low tide. John Peck "JP" Stearns opened a lumber yard in 1867 and needed a way to ship lumber. He got a backer, Colonel William Hollister, to help him finance and build the wharf. Fast forward to today, they have a restaurants, shops, bait & tackle shop, boat rides, and a Sea Center aquarium. The crazy thing about the wharf is that you can drive your car out onto it and park. The wharf acts as a parking lot too. Wild! We drove our car out there and parked. Parking is free for the first 90 minutes. $3 for each additional hour. There is a public restroom but it was a wet mess. A layer of water was on the ground as if they hosed it down. So if you are unsteady on your feet, precede with caution. Folks can fish off the pier. We saw a young man catch a thresher shark. Wow. The vibe of the pier was casual, even the eateries. Walk out to the furthest point and catch the 360 views. Beautiful! I bet the sunset is spectacular against the drop into the ocean's horizon. read more

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Stearns Wharf is a fun place where you can drive and park on a pier, walk around, shop and have a meal at the may businesses on the pier. You will have 90 mins to look around before being charged for parking. Highly recommend to give a visit. read more

Family day at Stearns Wharf was a great experience. Parking was easy, especially if you head toward the back where there are more spots available. Definitely helps avoid the busier front area. We enjoyed walking around, taking in the ocean views, and spending quality time together. It's a nice, easy stop for families looking to relax and enjoy the scenery. Wish they had more shops. read more

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Stearns Wharf is the pier in Santa Barbara that I like to take a walk on after breakfast and shopping. It's an old pier made up of old lumber, put together with large nuts and bolts. Cars are allowed to park on it, so when you're walking, you can hear and feel the vibrations as people are driving their automobiles on and off the pier. As you're walking onto the pier, there's a small aquarium and store on your left. The right hand side is lined with a few restaurants with a restaurant at the end of the parking lot. I like to walk to the end of the pier where people are either fishing, eating, or hanging out, enjoying the beautiful ocean view. One of the last times I was here, there was a pelican resting on the rail. People were taking selfies with it. Poor thing, some guy was touching it and trying to pose him/her. He/she didn't find it amusing and was biting the guy, who really didn't care. Some people. There are also a handful of cart vendors selling fresh fruit and perhaps an unnecessary something or other. read more

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This iconic Santa Barbara landmark is a must-see for all locals and out-of-towners. Built in 1872, this pier has survived several natural disasters, including the earthquake of 1925 and the severe storms of 1983. Located at the south end of State Street where it meets Cabrillo Blvd, it is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and The Funk Zone. You are also greeted by the iconic "Dolphin Family" sculpture fountain right there at the foot of Stearns Wharf. This sculpture was created by renowned local sculptor, artist, and environmental activist James "Bud" Bottoms. Along with the restaurants, shops, bait and tackle shop, gallery, Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, and a fun water taxi, they feature the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. Walking or biking out on to the pier is fun and easy, and parking is available on the pier (first 90 minutes are free). A great way to plan a day or two on Stearns Wharf Pier is visit their website: stearnswharf.org read more

Stearns Wharf - Another beautiful day in paradise - Local Flavor Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

It's one of the places you tend to alway do even though you've done it tons of times. Well, it's a staples in Santa Barbara. Right in the heart of town and along the waterfront. Obviously it's a must to check it out. It's on the main intersection of Cabrillo and State St. There's parking on the pier which is free for 90 min with validation I believe. The beginning of the pier has an amazing view of the marina and beach. Beautiful white sand. Pier, there's a few restaurants on. All has amazing view of the waterfront. There's also little mom and pops shops that serves its purpose. One side of the pier there's a museum. Never been in so can't really say. If you walk all the way down to the end, you'll have all you locals fishing and having a good time. There's also another seafood restaurant that you order and find a seat. End of the pier is quite wide and perfect for watching the boats go by. Amazing view of the while marina, as well as the beach and hillside. A staples in Santa Barbara that should be seen and checked out. An easy walk along it and perfect for a date night or a family getaway. Parking can be busy as it does get pretty full. read more

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We visited Stearns Wharf last April and it was extra busy even for a Sunday. We love that you can drive onto the pier which was a very fun and unique experience. Parking is very limited so be prepared to sit in some traffic. Overall really fun area to enjoy in Santa Barbara. Definitely a must! read more

Definitely very cute place for families however paying $15 for admission is a little steep, the place is very small and there's not much to see but the one cool thing is there are lots of little sea creatures that you're able to touch with a gentle stroke of two fingers. The kids there seemed to love it so that's all that matters right?! read more

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We headed over to Stearns Wharf for the beautiful views and loved that we could actually drive and park on the pier. I was expecting the lot to be full by noon on a Saturday. But, there was plenty of parking and the first 90 minutes were free with a purchase. Not quite sure how they check to see if you made a purchase. We left and no receipt or stamped ticket was requested. There are a few seafood restaurants, gift/speciality shops, and a Sea Center with paid admission on the pier. I found the cost of a T-Shirt to be way overpriced and opted for a sticker instead. The views are gorgeous and relaxing. It was a short, but worth it, stop for us. read more

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Always stop here to eat or just walk the wharf! It's early so most places are closed! We are heading north to pismo Beach! read more

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Great seafood restaurants. 90 minutes free parking $4 there after. Souvenir shops are available for those who need to shop

Stearns Wharf is one of those mainstays of the Santa Barbara coastline. This pier has been around forever, and it shows it. Probably one of the most interesting elements of the Stern's Wharf is that it is made out of wood. Thus, when you're walking on it you really feel the wood giving way beneath your feet; which is a truly unique experience. Some like it, some don't, but this is just something to keep in mind when you take your walk on the pier. In terms of businesses, this pier offers a few restaurants and a couple of snack and gift style shops. Of course, a lot of people come out on this pier to fish. One of the things to keep in mind, if you are planning to drive your car out onto the pier, is that the parking sports are all usually taken early in the day, especially on the weekends. Thus, it can become a big traffic mess on this wharf. The one thing I would recommend, if you must drive on the pier, is that you have the valet park you car. The valet stand is before the self-parking area. This will make the whole experience a lot better. Overall, this a fun pier, very reminiscent of the piers of old. read more

The cool part of this pier is that you can actually drive your car on the wooden pier. No charge for the first 1 1/2 hours. The view is amazing. Like most piers, they have food restaurants and Novelty stores, a nice place to visit. read more

Stearns Wharf - Local Flavor Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Over the years I've been to Santa Barbara so many times. This was the first time I went to the wharf. It wasn't even part of the plan but I noticed the sunset was looking like it would be gorgeous so I wanted a good place to view it from. First of all I am so impressed that there is a couple of hours of free parking on the wharf. That is so unexpected for a popular place in a big city. It's so beautiful to walk through and just enjoy the water, trees, houses and boats. The sunset was magical. Just make sure you dress warm. It definitely gets chilly and windy over there. More so than when you are in the city. read more

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Nice pier that offers free parking for 90 minutes! There's a handful of places to dine, a candy shop, souvenir shop and even a small aquarium. read more

Stearns Wharf - Local Flavor Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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If you had only a day to spend in Santa Barbara, here is where you should spend it. There is a lot to explore at and around Stearns Wharf. If you have time, definitely book a dinner cruise that departs from the pier. It's a great way to tour the harbor. The food on the pier is a bit pricey. I'd venture around if you have a budget. However if you want a nice seafood experience with beautiful views, the Oyster Bar is a great option. There are also great restaurant options off the pier on State St and Cabrillo Blvd. Jeanine's bakery is especially popular. Happy Cats is a great up and comer. Shops are dotted around the area and the MOXI museum is fun for families. This is also one of the most accessible places with it being so close to the Amtrak station. Visitors from LA can skip the traffic and take the scenic trip on the train to the wharf as a day trip. read more

Stearns Wharf - Pier entrance - Local Flavor Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Awesome pier where you can actually drive and park on the pier. How cool is that! Not sure how much parking was because we were there for like about an hour and didn't get charged as we exited. Parking on the pier can be busy, but luckily for us we were able to find parking right away. It was such a bright beautiful sunny day perfect to walk around the pier. So many stores and restaurants to check out. Even wine tastings where kids are allowed with their parents. Views of the ocean, beach, homes, mountains, and sailboats were amazing as you breathed in fresh air. Absolutely, a must stop when you visit Santa Barbara. read more

Stearns Wharf - Local Flavor Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We ventured over to the wharf to take our three year old to the sea center. The pier is quite long, and as many others have noted, cars can drive on it and park. Parking is free for the first 90 minutes and then 3 or 4 dollars an hour after that, which I found to be very fair. The wharf houses several restaurant and shops which we did not visit. The vibe on a Friday morning was mellow and parking wsas easy. Wharfs aren't particularly my favorite, as they tend to be packed with tourist traps but our daughter enjoyed the sea center. It's small but just right for a three year old. read more

Beautiful wharf. There's a few restaurants and a couple shops to explore while you're here. Rent a bike to bike through the wharf. I think there's a lot to do here but I'll need to come back to explore further. Definitely read some of the other reviews as I didn't realize there's so much more here. Gorgeous view. It gets busy but enjoy the view. Had a great time here and will be back. The restaurants on the wharf are pricier but I guess it's because of the view and everything else that comes with being on the wharf. read more

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Ah yes, Stearns Wharf - it never fails. It's a Santa Barbara staple, whether you're bringing out-of-towners or just feeling like playing tourist for the day. There's just something about walking down the pier, taking in the ocean views, and checking out the shops and restaurants. Nothing like the sound of those creaky planks as you're driving on the pier - it's just part of the charm. It's one of those little things that makes Stearns Wharf feel so classic and a bit old-school. Fun fact: Stearns Wharf is the oldest working wooden wharf in California, built way back in 1872. It's survived fires, storms, and decades of change, and it's still standing strong as a beloved SB landmark. You can grab some seafood, enjoy an ice cream cone, or just hang out and watch the boats. You can grab some seafood, enjoy an ice cream cone, or just hang out and watch the boats. It's one of those spots that never gets old, no matter how many times you visit. read more

Went walking here after eating at Bluewater Grill. The moment we got out, stuning moon view ahead. We need to explore the wharf during this great summer night. read more

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A nice, serene location. I stayed the ITH Beach Hostel as many lodging prices were not affordable. The restaurants on the Wharf or in town near State St. were not bad; however, i wish they had more breakfast places. Excellent for serenity trotting down the boardwalk/beach. I took surf lessons at SurfHappens in Carpinteria (8-miles away). The President Reagan Ranch is close. The Wharf is oldest & longest deep-walking pierin Califonia at 2,300-ft long,. https://www.santabarbara.com/attractions/stearns-wharf/ read more

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Travel Back and Wharf Built in 1872, Stearns Wharf is the oldest working Wharf in California. It Chevron serves as more of a tourist destination than an actual working shipping port, but this is probably for the best for everyone. The Good: *Free parking for the first 90 minutes, and after that, they charge a reasonable $3/hr. *Lots of restaurants and gifty stores *Amazing views of the coastline and ocean *Great place to people watch *One can catch a "Water Taxi" for a nice little cruise around the ocean. They even have sunset cruises, which I would've liked to have done, but one of the members of our party isn't a fan of sea travel. #NextTimeGadget *You can fish from the pier without a fishing license The Meh: *Can be a little overcrowded, so if you're still a little 'Rona© hesitant, then maybe it's best to skip. The Ugly: *Signage overkill, if you ask me. Don't do this, don't do that, clean your room, feed the cat, clean the litterbox... Ok, mom. TLDR: Great views, lots of dining options, and swag for days. We'll be back. read more

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Definitely an iconic wharf being the oldest wharf in cali. It has many seafood restaurants and even the aquarium. Parking is free for like the first hour and what's cool is you park directly on the pier. Worth walking through forsure. read more

Stearns Wharf - Aquarium - Local Flavor Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Nice attraction when visiting SB. Lots of souvenir shops. Lots of eateries. The beach is clean. read more

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It's my first time at the Santa Barbara Pier. It's a lot bigger than the piers in LA. Filled with restaurants and souvenirs stores inside. Parkings are also available and you're able to drive into the pier. The views are beautiful. It is definitely a tourist spot! read more

We walk to Stearns Wharf often. It is a great place for tourists and locals. All wood wharf with great ocean views. Several restaurants, local seafood, ice cream shop and wine tasting available. There is also the Santa Barbara Sea Museum where you can learn more about sea life. There are areas to sit, relax and watch for boats and marine life while watching the great brown pelicans gracefully fly over. So of course we attended the 150 year anniversary celebration of the Wharf. Great history of how the building of the Wharf added to making Santa Barbara the great city it is today. There was great music, face painting, a scavenger hunt, cannon fires and food and drinks available. Our favorite experience on Stearns Wharf: on a chilly marine layer day in winter off the heavy tourist season stop sit and have a piping hot bowl of clam chowder. Sit outside of course and enjoy your surroundings. read more

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Just amazing view from this peer nice breeze with harbor view . You can have lunch or relax watching men doing fishing

The main wharf in Santa Barbara. We were in town on Fourth of July weekend and visited both in the late evening and in the early morning. The evening vibe was not to our taste as it gets a little isolated and we didn't feel super safe. When we visited in the morning, we enjoyed it much more. The wharf and the city nestling against the mist- and cloud-shrouded mountains was quite pleasing to the eye. We also took in the beach (with its pelicans and other sea birds) and the marina. There were families swimming, fishing, kayaking and paddle-boarding everywhere you looked. We will be back. read more

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Stearns Wharf is a popular wharf in Santa Barbara. It was touristy and crowded, but it does have some pretty views. It's probably a must see for its location in Santa Barbara, but I didn't find it to be one of the highlights of exploring Santa Barbara! read more

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Stearns Wharf is supposedly the oldest wooden wharf in California. Strolled along the Wharf's boardwalk. Cars can drive along it (Parking: First 90-min is Free, then $3/hr). Plenty of places to eat with indoor and/or outdoor seating. Candy and ice-cream shops. Wine tasting room. Few shops to check out. Souvenir stores. Fortune teller Madame Rosinka. Marine center to see touchpools and tanks full of sea animals. Public and private cruises. 15-min water-taxi ride. Restrooms are next to the Santa Barbara Sea Center or Char West Restaurant. Fishing is free (no fishing license needed). Dogs must be on a leash. Wear comfortable shoes! read more

Stearns Wharf - View from the pier - Local Flavor Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Santa Barbara's iconic tourist destination, a wharf you can drive and park on! Sometimes it's good not to yelp everything first, because while we were driving over the rickety wooden bridge part past the gate (90 min free parking, $2.50/hr after), I was wondering how old this wharf was. Answer: this wharf dates back to 1872. I'm sure it's been fortified since then because it held the weight of all the cars parked and driving while we were there. I thought we were going to have to walk to the end of the wharf to get to Santa Barbara seafood company to get our lobster rolls and crab cakes; we drove right in, all the way to the restaurant/take out window and snagged a lucky space in the parking lot on a busy Saturday. Since we had to wait for our food, my son rented a fishing pole ($10/hr) and tried his hand right there off the end of the pier! He was trying to fish but a crab took the bait! Never know what you'll find, although I'm sure the fish are smart and laugh at all the tourists trying to lure them in every day. You don't need a license to fish at the very end, and you can bring your own pole/bait. There are several other restaurants, ice cream shops, a marine museum, and other touristy trinket shops. Public restrooms also available. Total tourist trap, but we are tourists and the $32 lobster roll was excellent. read more

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Santa Barbara's most visited destination. It's an old pier dating back to 1872 and its the oldest working wharf in California. It's much wider than other wharfs and the only one I've been to you can drive onto. From the street it looks like the entrance is just an area for turning around in but you can grab a ticket at the booth and drive right onto the wharf. First 90 minutes of parking are free. -If you do drive go slowly, it sounds and feels like riding a wooden rollercoaster in slow-motion and you are driving on old wood and metal bolts. -Fishing is allowed at the end of the wharf and you'll see crab traps and fishing happening which is fun for the kids. -There are free public bathrooms. -Not much to see and do unless you have dinner plans, hilariously we saw staff rounding up wayward outdoor-seating customers that ran off to take pictures. The concern was seagulls would eat their unguarded food. -There is a psychic/fortune teller on the pier, super nostalgic though they were closed when we went. read more

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It's a smaller version of Fisherman's Wharf in SF. It's beautiful, and there's pier parking -- free for 1 hour, I believe. It's a must tourist destination if you visit here! PS: s/o to the custodian who cleaned up the 9/11 diarrhea explosion in the women's bathroom. My god, wtf is wrong with people. I can never unsee it. read more

We're so grateful this is a pet friendly pier. We understand restrictions at other wharfs but this spot makes it so easy to road trip with pups and no worries of having to leave them in the car. The view is always dreamy. Bright water, warm sun and cold breeze, and kayakers out for people watching. It's fun to hear the cars come and go on the pier as you walk around. We still haven't eaten on the wharf but the restaurants are always popping! Another plus for travelers, the public restrooms are clean. Once again, thank you for allowing dogs! read more

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A must-see to visit while in Santa Barbara. Parking is free for a few hours and then $3 after (not sure if that's per hour or a flat rate). Felt a little risky parking a vehicle on the wharf itself... but it seems sturdy enough lol. I parked here once and then decided the second time to find street parking nearby instead. I enjoyed seeing the ocean and also checking out the shops. My favorite was the crystal jewelry shop that was also selling Christmas ornaments. There are also a few places to eat where you can also enjoy the gorgeous ocean view. read more

Stearns Wharf - Local Flavor Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My most recent visit here was this last summer with my daughter, and we had a wonderful time. I had visited this location when I was much younger, but this latest visit was the first time I had been here in several years. It was actually my daughter's decision to come here to celebrate her birthday, a location that would bring her great peace and tranquility. We spent a couple of days in the nearby area and enjoyed several "touristy things" while we were in Santa Barbara. We strolled along the beach both days, and we casually walked along the pier both days as well. We visited almost all of the little tourist shops along the pier at least once and we bought several items to help us remember the wonderful time we had together. Stearns Wharf has an amazing history that originates back in 1872 when John P. Stearns first completed the commercial wharf here in Santa Barbara. During the initial years of completion, John Stearns had to experiment with different types of wood by trial and error before he was eventually satisfied with the structural integrity of the pier. Over the initial decades that followed, steam ships would carry passengers and cargo here to the wharf. Today, many still enjoy the wharf for fishing, the scenery, and for visiting the local businesses. The wharf has struggled through several large storms and other catastrophic events, such as a major earthquake (in 1925) and two major fires (in 1973 and in 1998), and has been structurally reinforced and rebuilt over the years. Stearns Wharf stands today as the most visited landmark of Santa Barbara. Stearns Wharf is a long pier where several folks can drive their cars or walk onto the pier for a visit. There are currently 17 businesses that operate along the pier, including restaurants, gift shops, a museum, candy stores and an ice cream parlor. If anyone is planning to visit the Santa Barbara area, I would highly suggest that they make a visit to Stearns Wharf. It is certainly worth a few hours of time for a quick trip, and provides much more for those interested in the rich history and/or general beauty of a simple stroll along the pier with a loved one. It's also a great place to come to spend some quality time with your family, for a casual or a romantic date, or simply for individuals desiring a stroll along the pier to take in the scenery and collect their thoughts. read more

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