activities on stearns wharf

What To Do on Stearns Wharf

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No matter what time of the year, Stearns Wharf is always one of the best places to be in Santa Barbara. Whether you’re here for an extended vacation or you just popped in for the weekend, there are plenty of things to do and explore on the pier with family and friends. In addition to enjoying the sunshine, the views, and building a sandcastle, here is a list of fun-filled activities that you can check out while you are on Stearns Wharf.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

Learn all about life below the pier at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center! Visitors of all ages will appreciate the long-standing educational exhibits, which include the Shark Cove and the Intertidal Wonders. At the Shark Cove, visitors can gently pet coastal sharks and rays (who you will be surprised to find actually enjoy a soft pet from their human visitors) and see baby sharks in their egg cases. At the Intertidal Wonders exhibit, visitors can gently touch creatures such as sea anemones, hermit crabs, starfish, and more! There’s also a 1,500-gallon tide pool tank so that visitors can get a different perspective of how the ocean works and moves.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center is also a great place to explore and learn about sea life from the expert volunteers who are there to answer your questions. There’s even an opportunity to work like scientists by sifting through the sand and discover life below the shore with your own eyes.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center is open daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Madame Rosinka

Want to take a peek insight into your future? Need to look into your past? Look no further for help than Madame Rosinka, a consultant and spiritual advisor who is a Santa Barbara institution. Madame Rosinka is a fortuneteller, palm reader, tarot card reader, and has the longest running business on Stearn’s Wharf. Be sure to call for an appointment or drop by to learn what’s up ahead for you.

Celebration Cruises

Enjoy amazing views and the joy of being on the sea with Celebration Cruises sunset cruises or whale watching tours. There is truly no better way to experience the beauty of Santa Barbara than from the sea. Take a sunset cruise with the whole family or your significant other aboard Celebration’s 70-foot yacht. Your ticket to the sunset cruise includes appetizers and there’s a cash bar in case you want to enjoy a glass of bubbly or take in the sunset with your choice of wine.

Celebration Cruises also offers whale-watching tours, which run from mid-February to mid-May. Climb aboard the 46-passenger yacht and experience one of nature’s most magnificent creatures first hand. Santa Barbara is the perfect place to watch for whales and other marine mammals, as it is home to about one-third of all of the marine mammals that are found worldwide.

Celebration Cruises also offers private events and kid’s parties to truly celebrate in style!

Deep Sea Wine Tasting

There is no better place to wine taste than in California—and the experience gets even better with a 360-degree view of the Pacific coastline, the Channel Islands, Santa Barbara harbor, and the Riveria. Come relax and do a tasting with wine from Conway Family Wines. The space is also available for private parties and receptions.

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