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Stearns Wharf

Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA
805-564-5518; 805-897-2683
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Ranked #23 of 63 attractions in Santa Barbara
Type: Wharfs/ Piers/ Boardwalks
Activities: Fishing
Traveller Description:  Stearns Wharf has got to be the most beautiful wharf on the California coast.  Here you will find many touristy shops for souvenirs and several... more »
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141 reviews from our community

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    10
    1
Date Rating
Dania Beach, Florida
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013

Choices of restaurants, all good. Seaside beauty not to be missed, surfer sailed right by our window as we were eating dinner. Do not miss this place when in SB

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Boulder, Colorado
Senior Contributor
43 reviews 43 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 May 2013

This wharf which is very old and well preserved is not to be missed while visiting beautiful Santa Barbara. I love to go out there and order a crab sandwich and sit on the outdoor public picnic tables while enjoying the incredible views of the beach, the mountains, and the marina with it's many sailboats sailing. It can be a... More

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See 6 more reviews by boulderjeanne for Santa Barbara
London
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2013

Stearns Wharf is a great place to visit. That maybe bland and to the point but it does what it says on the tin. Great views of the harbour, good restaurants and plenty of shops for souvenirs and trinkets. It's a long way from England but if I could I'd be sitting there right now watching the Pelicans and Seals,... More

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See 3 more reviews by Mark A for Santa Barbara
Williamsburg, Virginia
Top Contributor
185 reviews 185 reviews
68 attraction reviews
Reviews in 108 cities Reviews in 108 cities
138 helpful votes 138 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2013

This nice pier has several restrurants, gift shops and aquarium. It is a pleasent expereice over all. Great views of Santa Barbara abound! Dont skip it!

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See 5 more reviews by oldensign for Santa Barbara
High Wycombe, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
72 reviews 72 reviews
34 attraction reviews
Reviews in 40 cities Reviews in 40 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013

This is a beautiful pier which provides for beautiful scenie views back along the coast. I have to compare this pier to another one I visited in Santa Monica which was cheap and tacky. Stearns Wharf could not be further away - it's very classy with an array of lovely shops and great places in which to dine. My only... More

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Galesburg, Illinois
Top Contributor
233 reviews 233 reviews
76 attraction reviews
Reviews in 70 cities Reviews in 70 cities
53 helpful votes 53 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 April 2013

The wharf has tons of options, including shops, restaurants, a museum/aquarium, bikes to rent, and boat tours. The area feels safe and secure but can get busy at times. It is typically cloudy in the morning, but the cloud cover will burn off in the early afternoon, lending itself to a beautiful S.B. day.

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See 3 more reviews by nelsc61 for Santa Barbara
Las Vegas, NV
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 April 2013

It's large enough to drive onto, or ride bikes as we did. Wish coffee bar had opened earlier. We had breakfast on the wharf one day and loved the view.

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See 4 more reviews by VegasLady46 for Santa Barbara
San Diego, California
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 April 2013

A beautiful walk down the Stearns Wharf with breathtaking views of the ocean and Santa Barbara and mountains. Lots of restaurants and typical boardwalk-type activities. Fishermen there also and saw a large crab recently caught.

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See 2 more reviews by wileygreen for Santa Barbara
Maple Grove, Minnesota
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 April 2013

The Stearns Wharf and adjoining park is such a beautiful place! With views of the ocean, wharf, palm trees, blooming flowers with the mountain as a backdrop, classic Santa Barbara! A historic wooden wharf, with many interesting shops and restaurants. A lovely leisurely walk, or afternoon, any day in Santa Barbara!

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See 5 more reviews by mrb447 for Santa Barbara
Richmond, Virginia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2013

A source of local pride to native Santa Barbarians (myself included), and one hell of a cool place. It's the oldest working wharf in California (1872), and goes out a loooong way into the Pacific. Walk to the very tip of the pier and look back toward the city and the mountains for a killer view of the awesomeness that... More

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