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The Music Academy of the West advances the development of 21st century classically trained musicians and cultivates discerning, appreciative, and adventurous audiences. Founded in 1947, the Academy operates on a 10-acre, ocean-side campus in Santa Barbara, California. Music Academy of the West’s world-renowned eight-week Summer Festival comprises nearly 200 public events. Programs comprise voice, vocal piano, collaborative piano, instrumental, and solo piano. The Academy began a four-year partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra in 2018 focused on education and performance on both continents. An Innovation Institute supports alumni entrepreneurship with the Alumni Enterprise Awards and an annual residential. In the local community 200 young people participate in the Academy’s expanding choral program, Sing!.
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Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC), a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), is Santa Barbara’s sole professional Equity theater company. ETC is committed to producing the highest professional quality theater in Santa Barbara, employing accomplished professional actors and stage managers. In its inception in 1978, ETC was the Ensemble Theatre Project and called Trinity Episcopal Church its home. As its popularity grew, ETC moved to the historic 140-seat Alhecama Theatre, a more traditional theatrical setting that hosted its productions for a quarter of a century and still provides rehearsal space today. Set on becoming a cultural-programming cornerstone in Santa Barbara, ETC undertook the $12.6 million purchase and renovation of the Victoria Hall Theater, leading to the reimagined 300-seat New Vic Theatre that serves as its resident stage and hosts other artists representing dance, music, film, and lectures. ETC’s success has been built upon its tremendous stability with only four executive leaders: Joseph Hanreddy (1978-1985), Robert Grande Weiss (1985-2006), Jonathon Fox (2006-2023) and Scott DeVine (2023- ). In addition, the company benefited from the contributions made by Jill Seltzer (2016-2021), who served as managing director, a role DeVine assumed when joining in 2022. HOURS The theater is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1-5 p.m and opens one hour before curtain on performance days. TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT When visiting the Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC), parking is a breeze with convenient options such as Lot 5, accessible via Chapala Street (1200 block) and Lot 6 (Granada Garage) from Anacapa Street (1200 block). These lots are just a short walk from the theater and fall within the Downtown Public Parking District. Your first 75 minutes are complimentary, and each additional hour or part thereof is only $3. Patrons with disabilities can enjoy the first 2.5 hours for free; simply present your placard. After 6 p.m., street parking throughout downtown Santa Barbara is also free. For evening performances, the parking lot located off 100 West Victoria offers complimentary parking after 6 p.m., conveniently situated behind the Louise Lowry Davis Center.
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The Earl Warren Showgrounds is a multi-use community center just 10 minutes outside of downtown Santa Barbara. The showgrounds host events throughout the year that attract visitors and locals alike. Located off Highway 101, guests can easily access restaurants, shops and other things to do throughout the Santa Barbara area when not enjoying the showground’s many festivals and events. Annual Events at Earl Warren Showgrounds For decades, Earl Warren Showgrounds has been the host of numerous popular events, from orchid and horse shows to antique fairs and expos. Santa Barbara National Horse Show The Santa Barbara National Horse Show is one of the city’s largest and most celebrated traditions. The event takes place across two weekends in June, the first being the Multi-Breed Show while the next is for Hunters & Jumpers. These competitions feature more than 150 competitors collectively. Along with the shows, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of other activities, including the Picture Perfect Pony Photo Opps, guided tours throughout the facility, food vendors and more. Santa Barbara Fair & Expo Every April, locals and visitors gather at the Earl Warren Showgrounds for the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo. With more than 30 rides and attractions, people of all ages are guaranteed thrills, entertainment and a whole lot of family-friendly fun. The event also features a petting zoo, concessions, arts and crafts as well as interesting exhibits on food, horticulture and fine arts by children from the local community. Santa Barbara Antique, Decorative Arts & Vintage Show & Sale Held two times each year at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, this annual show and sale is one of the finest showcases of vintage art and antiques throughout the entire state. A staple since 1992, the two shows each continue to draw more than 150 art dealers as well as hundreds of antique enthusiasts to Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara International Orchid Show The largest and most prestigious orchid show in the country, the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is one of the area’s most anticipated spring events. The show includes grand orchid displays installed by local, national and international artisans as well as exhibits of orchid art, photography and floral arrangements. Attendees can also participate in workshops and demonstrations during the weekend-long event. Other events hosted at the Earl Warren Showgrounds include the annual Santa Barbara Home Show, Gem Faire, Fiesta Stock Horse Show & Rodeo and Circus Vargas, as well as monster truck rallies, motocross competitions, pickleball and roller hockey tournaments. Earl Warren RV Park A short drive from both downtown and the waterfront, the Earl Warren RV Park is the ideal homebase for your next getaway to The American Riviera®. The park has full hook-ups, free WiFi, showers and restrooms available. Well-behaved pets are also welcome.
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Art Spot on Wheels is a full-service art studio that hosts outdoor painting experiences throughout Santa Barbara County. At the beach or in a vineyard, you can learn how to capture the scenery on canvas! Art Spot on Wheels can come to your location or you can meet us at the winery. One of their most popular activities is painting in the vineyards. Santa Ynez Valley is home to some of the most beautiful and world-renowned vineyards in California. Come grab a glass of wine and a paintbrush for a truly unique experience in the vineyards. This is not just another paint-and-sip class – this is an experience like no other that engages all of your senses. Bring your friends and capture the scenery on canvas. This is a perfect, stress-free environment that will both inspire your creative spirit and indulge the wine-lover in you. You’ll even walk away with a masterpiece of your own to commemorate the occasion. Check out the calendar for upcoming events! For a more exclusive experience, plan a private painting in the vineyard event for you or your group of 2 or more people.
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The Red Piano is Santa Barbara’s premier destination for live music, vibrant socializing, and handcrafted cocktails. Our intimate and energetic venue features nightly performances from talented pianists and bands, creating the perfect ambiance for both pre-dinner drinks and late-night revelry. Celebrate your special occasions at The Red Piano, the perfect venue for birthdays, bachelorette parties, weddings, and any other event. Whether your group is 2 or 200, we provide a lively atmosphere, exceptional service, and an unforgettable experience. Let us make your celebrations truly memorable with live music and a festive environment. Named for its iconic centerpiece, The Red Piano stands as a tribute to the joy and connection that music brings to our community. Join us to create unforgettable moments in a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
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Welcome to Yellow Bird Music, the premier destination for enriching music education in Santa Barbara, California. Perfect for visitors and locals alike, our music studio offers a variety of engaging classes and private lessons tailored for children and families. Founded in 2002 by Alex and Mondo Adams, Yellow Bird Music is led by Alexandra Adams, a UCSB graduate with degrees in Music and Drama. Her passion for teaching and deep love for music create a nurturing environment where children thrive. Our offerings include 50-minute classes for ages 3 months to 5 years! We also offer classes that families with siblings can attend that are open to all ages. We also offer specialized camps, such as Musical Theater for ages 4-7, and private music lessons in instruments like piano, ukulele, guitar, flute, bass, trumpet, accordion, percussion, and voice. Each child receives a Yellow Bird CD and instrument to continue their musical journey at home. Drop in for a class or join for a week-long session at Yellow Bird Music to discover the joy and creativity that music brings! Whether you’re visiting Santa Barbara or are a local resident, our vibrant community of families and music lovers welcomes you. Register now to become part of our musical family!
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For a firsthand look at one of the country’s most beautiful public buildings, look no further than the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Designed in the Spanish-Colonial style and completed in 1929, the fully operational Courthouse is an iconic Santa Barbara landmark with its distinctive four-faced clock tower, red tile roofs, elegant arches and verdant sunken garden and grounds. Through the self-guided tours, visitors can get a visual history lesson from the elaborate hand-painted murals, marvel at ornate wrought-iron chandeliers and climb to the top of the clock tower for an incredible panoramic view of Santa Barbara and beyond. Courthouse Hours and Free Tours Enjoy 360-degree views of the Santa Barbara skyline atop the famed Santa Barbara County Courthouse Clock Tower, now open and accessible to the public. Tour the iconic mural room during your visit, which highlights Santa Barbara’s rich past and roots in Chumash, Spanish, Mexican and immigrant cultures. Free one-hour tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and weekends and court holidays (except Christmas Day) at 2 p.m. (no reservations required). Tours begin in the beautiful Mural Room on the second floor where a trained docent will guide visitors through the building and gardens highlighting the history of the landmark with a focus on the artisans, architects and community leaders who brought it to life. Special group tours and guided group visits to the Bisno Schall Clock Gallery are also available by reservation. For more information about Special Tours, email tours@sbcourthouse.org, and for the Clock Gallery, email clock@sbcourthouse.org. Visitors are subject to security screening at entrances. Please visit the Docent Council website for additional details. Santa Barbara Courthouse Weddings The Santa Barbara Courthouse is one of the city’s most popular wedding venues and has even been the backdrop for famous celebrity weddings like Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s 2022 ceremony. Couples can opt for a smaller, more intimate ceremony at the Hall of Records. Here, the guest limit is eight people, including children and photographers. Ceremonies at the Hall of Records take place outside the archway door, framed by lush palm trees. The Mural Room, aptly named for the larger-than-life murals depicting scenes of Santa Barbara’s history painted on all four walls, makes for a unique setting for a ceremony of up to 100 guests. The courthouse is also surrounded by several garden and lawn spaces, including the Sunken Garden, Palm Terrace, Fiesta Stage, Bird of Paradise and Rotunda Lawn. These spaces must be reserved as one and can accommodate anywhere from 15 to 250 guests. For more information on garden weddings at the courthouse, visit the County of Santa Barbara website. Tips for Your Visit The Courthouse is located in downtown Santa Barbara, close to shopping, dining and other interesting cultural attractions. There is a parking lot conveniently located across from the Courthouse on Anacapa Street where the first 75 minutes are free. Bring along a picnic to enjoy beneath the palms in the lovely and meticulously maintained sunken garden. The Courthouse closes at 5 p.m., and visitors are not admitted after 4:30 p.m., so be sure to plan for enough time to see the Clock Tower—the 360-degree view of Santa Barbara is a can’t-miss. The top of the tower is accessible by both stairs and an elevator. Don’t forget to look up when touring the various rooms of the Courthouse! Gorgeous details are everywhere, including the ceiling in the Mural Room, which is just as intricately painted as the walls. In the Clock Gallery, the ceiling is decorated with the exact constellations from the night sky when Santa Barbara was named in 1602, complete with sparkling fiber optics. Visitors can also get an inside look at the Clock Tower in the Bisno Schall Clock Gallery. Climb the tower stairs to see the mechanisms of the huge clock, installed in 1929, still ticking. Surrounding the clock is an impressive 60-foot mural depicting the history of timekeeping. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a working courthouse. Be prepared to go through a security checkpoint prior to entering. Please note that selfie sticks are prohibited.
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Discover the wonders of ocean life at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. Located on historic Stearns Wharf, this highly interactive regional aquarium offers you close encounters with marine animals from the Santa Barbara Channel. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Sea Center hosts unique events and special educational programming. Explore the underwater world of the Santa Barbara Channel in the upstairs exhibit Dive In: Our Changing Channel. Encounter a Two-spot Octopus, Moon Jellies, and more. Learn about the channel’s unique habitats from rocky reefs to kelp forests and see the animals that live there. Visit the Wet Deck to try out scientific tools for studying the ocean, and discover all the life beneath the Sea Center. Every day is different, since we’re observing a constantly changing environment. On the Marine Mammal Mezzanine, Sea Center guests can get up close with a life-sized model of a Gray Whale mother and calf, and learn about many more marine mammals, including a remarkable number that live in or migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel.
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Captain Jack’s offers custom wine tours, beer tours, historical and architectural tours, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and whale watching. The company prides itself in making sure each tour is suited to the individual needs and interests of each guest or group. Captain Jack’s began in 2005 after the founders spent a week in Hawaii engaging in fun-filled adventure tours. Captain Jack’s is now owned and operated by longtime educator and local history lover Meredith Brace. Meredith’s staff consists of fellow empty nesters who have spent many years in the area and are eager to share their love for Santa Barbara for travelers of all ages and interests. Whether you are someone traveling alone or are in a large group, Captain Jack’s will take you on a fun-filled adventure, complete with stories on local history and insider information. Awards: Santa Barbara News-Press Readers’ Choice Awards Winner for best Day Trip/Tour Travel Company and Wine Tour, 2013-2019 Recent Reviews: “What a terrific way to spend the day. I did the Top Deck Tour that took me multiple locations and had a variety of experiences. My guide Tonya was kind, helpful, funny and a wonderful conversationalist. At all times I felt cared for and was able to sit back and relax as the tour took care of everything! It was a great way to spend the day (either alone or with the family). Thank you Captain Jack’s for a memorable day!” “We had family in from out of town and did the afternoon delight wine tour, which included 3 wineries and olive oil tasting. We ask Meredith to customize the tour for a particular style of wine (Italian varietals) and they nailed it! I was skeptical about the olive oil tasting, but it was a nice break from the wine tasting. Definitely, worth it and Merf was a wonderful host. Looking forward to our next tour.” “We booked a group wine tour but as we were the only couple that day it was a leisurely private tour with an excellent guide Terry. She was very friendly and professional.We visited 4 wineries and an olive grove. Lunch was at a very good restaurant and as it was not included in the trip we could have as much or as little as we wanted. Very sensible as often lunches included in trips are of a lower quality and there is waste. Driving was good in a comfortable car. We were picked up on time from our hotel and had a full day which was great fun. Would totally recommend this trip from this company.”
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Take a fascinating journey from the past to the present at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Located on lovely grounds in the heart of downtown’s El Pueblo Viejo District, the Museum is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the city and a crucial resource for preserving, celebrating and sharing the community’s heritage and traditions. The extensive collection includes paintings, artifacts, furniture, textiles, decorative arts and costumes that represent more than 500 years of Chumash, Mexican, Spanish and American history in Santa Barbara. In the Museum’s vibrant signature exhibition, The Story of Santa Barbara, you’ll trace the region’s evolution from the time of the native Chumash people through the mid-20th century. Learn about the glamorous film era of the 1920s, the legendary Old Spanish Days Fiesta festival and many captivating people and events that shaped Santa Barbara into the modern-day American Riviera. You can also view two historic adobes dating from 1817 and 1836 and preserved in the Museum’s lower courtyard. In addition to the permanent installations, the Museum’s Sala Gallery features a new exhibit every four months, so be sure to check the current exhibitions to see what’s on display when you visit. MUSEUM HOURS, ADMISSION & PARKING The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12p.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday 12 pm to 7pm. The Museum is closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and holidays. Admission is FREE. Free parking is available in the lot next to the museum entrance on De la Guerra Street. TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT On the first Thursday of every month, you can see the exhibits after hours as the Museum stays open until 8 p.m. as part of downtown Santa Barbara’s First Thursday events. Admission is free and open to all ages. If you’re visiting with kids, don’t miss the Museum’s fun interactive exhibit, The Haunted Mirror, where you can experience a visit from a historical “ghost” through an intriguing wall of vintage mirrors. The Museum is fully accessible to people with disabilities. The on-site parking lot has handicapped parking spots and ramps up to the museum entrance and down to the historic adobes. All galleries are located on the first level and there are no stairs inside the galleries. With its picturesque setting evoking the romance of early Spanish California, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum is a unique place to host your wedding or special event. Enjoy the ambience of two private courtyards accented by beautiful landscaping and fountains. Find out more about hosting a private event at the museum here.
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