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There is free parking for the first 90 minutes. Great views of the Santa Barbara Channel. There were restaurants and other small shops with desserts, souvenirs, and other goods. It was nice to walk around.
It's a boring wharf/pier, nothing much to see and do, other than dining at the restaurants. Driving into the pier and parking on wooden planks was kind of fun. we were in and out in less than 30 minutes. LOL.
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.
If you go to Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf is a must visit! It stretches way into the ocean. Tremendous view. Aquarium designed for children, really neat. Variety of restaurants, roof top bar and shops. Old school ice parlor and candy shop.
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!
So beautiful for a walk out here. The sun came out and it brightened the whole atmosphere. There is parking inside the pier but you pay. They have public restrooms available. There are more restaurants with sea views as well and the place to board on yacht tours, etc. overall, a lively pier here in downtown Santa Barbara.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
Every time I visit Santa Barbara, I always like coming back to Stearns Wharf. The first 90 minutes of parking are free, but I usually stay at a hotel nearby, so it's only a few minutes' walk for me to get here. There are many restaurants around Stearns Wharf, from places on the pier to restaurants along the street, so you have plenty of choices. There are also souvenir shops and ice cream shops, which makes it a nice place to walk around. The restrooms are conveniently located near the entrance, close to the souvenir shops. I've been here both in the morning and in the afternoon. In the morning, it feels quieter, with fewer people around and a more peaceful atmosphere. In the afternoon, it gets much busier, but the sunset views are absolutely beautiful. On weekends, finding parking can be very difficult because there aren't many spaces available. In my experience, it's easier to find parking farther away and walk over instead of trying to park right near the wharf. There is also a small aquarium here. It's cute and you can easily spend about an hour inside, especially if you're visiting with young kids. It's a nice place to stop by while spending time at Stearns Wharf. read more
It's a boring wharf/pier, nothing much to see and do, other than dining at the restaurants. Driving into the pier and parking on wooden planks was kind of fun. we were in and out in less than 30 minutes. LOL. read more
6 months ago
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
27 days ago
If you go to Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf is a must visit! It stretches way into the ocean. Tremendous view. Aquarium designed for children, really neat. Variety of restaurants, roof top bar and shops. Old school ice parlor and candy shop. read more
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
So beautiful for a walk out here. The sun came out and it brightened the whole atmosphere. There is parking inside the pier but you pay. They have public restrooms available. There are more restaurants with sea views as well and the place to board on yacht tours, etc. overall, a lively pier here in downtown Santa Barbara. read more
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
1 year ago
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
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
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
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
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
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
2 months ago
Great views of the city and fun to watch the cars drive in the wharf. Good places to eat and a few souvenir shops to browse 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
6 months ago
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
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
2 years ago
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
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
9 months ago
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
1 year ago
5 months ago
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
1 year ago
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
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
2 years ago
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
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
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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Do you know what is address of parking where is with 90 minutes free parking? Thank you
The address is the wharf itself. When you enter the wharf, there's a sign that tells you free parking for 90 mins.
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