Travel back in time to Santa Barbara’s earliest days at the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara. With its grand double bell towers, lush gardens and the majestic San Ynez mountains as a backdrop, the Mission is one of the city’s most picturesque landmarks. Known as “Queen of the Missions” for its exceptional beauty, the Santa Barbara Mission was founded by the Spanish Franciscans in 1786.
The Funk Zone is a unique Santa Barbara arts, culture, business, and industrial district between State Street and Garden Street, and Montecito Street to Cabrillo Boulevard. This amalgamation of historical marine structures, industrial lots, and houses has a unique history in manufacturing, lumber, citrus, produce, and fishing. Over the years, many artists have found creative freedom by carving out studio spaces in this “funky” area of Santa Barbara, and so have wineries, restaurants, art galleries, and shops.
East Beach in Santa Barbara is located along the waterfront east of State Street and the Stearns Wharf Pier area. Most of the activity at East Beach happens at the east end where the beach is widest. At this end there are many sand volleyball courts, a grass park with picnic tables, an arts pavilion (Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center), and a restaurant (East Beach Grill).