69 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Features a clock tower offering panoramic views of the city and is a great spot for architectural and aerial photography.
A preserved Spanish mission with sun-washed adobe walls and scenic open fields. It offers a blend of history and natural beauty.
A unique botanical garden featuring exotic plants and sculptures, perfect for capturing unique and colorful photography.
A part of La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the mission's inhabitants through its restored domestic areas.
Known as the 'Valley of Arts and Flowers,' this area features vibrant fields of Stock, Larkspur, Delphinium, Sweet Pea, and Bells of Ireland. The fields are privately owned, but visitors can photograph them from the roadside. The best time to visit is during spring when wildflowers like California Poppies also bloom.
Located in the Los Padres National Forest, this area offers stunning vistas and diverse wildflowers, making it ideal for landscape photography. Hiking trails provide access to beautiful scenery.
A historic chapel within La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, notable for its architecture and historical significance.
This park offers historical architecture and scenic landscapes. It features restored adobe buildings and open fields, providing a mix of cultural and natural photography opportunities.
Offers stunning landscape photography opportunities with rolling hills and scenic vistas.
This preserve offers serene natural landscapes with trails and coastal views, making it ideal for nature and landscape photography.
Located in nearby Solvang, this iconic Danish-style windmill is a classic subject for architecture and landscape photography.
A picturesque farm with lavender fields, offering serene and colorful landscapes.
A serene 23-acre beach perfect for photography, offering scenic ocean views, sunset shots, and the opportunity to capture wildlife.
A picturesque beach located in nearby Montecito, offering serene coastal views and tranquil atmosphere. It is ideal for landscape and sunset photography.
A scenic beach with opportunities for sunset photography and capturing the local surf culture.
A historic landmark offering architectural photography opportunities, especially for those interested in Spanish Colonial architecture.
A colorful and vibrant public art installation that looks stunning, especially during sunset. It symbolizes the cultural diversity of Santa Barbara.
This park features ancient Chumash cave paintings and offers a unique blend of historical and natural photography opportunities.
Located in Cabrillo Park, this gate designed by Herbert Bayer offers a unique backdrop with the ocean and palm trees peeking through the arch.
A nature reserve with campsites and hiking trails, offering scenic views of the coastline and surrounding vegetation.
Features unique grasslands and wildlife viewing opportunities, ideal for nature and wildlife photography.
An Instagrammable pink wall with a diagonal design, offering a unique background for photos.
Offers opportunities for wildlife photography with a variety of animals in a natural setting.
A lively area with opportunities for street photography and capturing the city's vibrant atmosphere.
A scenic road that runs through beautiful wine country, offering stunning vineyard vistas. Ideal for landscape and drone photography.
This historic house museum offers a glimpse into the past with its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens, making it a great spot for historical and architectural photography.
A scenic bike route connecting Solvang with Los Olivos, offering opportunities for cycling and landscape photography.
A challenging hike with breathtaking views of the coast and surrounding mountains. Excellent for landscape photography.
A stylish hotel with elegant architecture and a beautiful courtyard. It's a great spot for capturing architectural details and urban landscapes.
A serene location with diverse plant species and a beautiful backdrop for nature and wildlife photography.
A scenic beach with unique rock formations and expansive views of the coastline. It is suitable for landscape and nature photography.
Situated on a hill with breathtaking ocean and vineyard views, offering a perfect spot for photography of architecture and landscapes.
A scenic zipline course offering breathtaking views of the rolling hills and wine country. Capture the thrilling experience of ziplining and the stunning landscapes from above.
Nestled in Mission Canyon, this park offers stunning mountain views, winding trails, and a restored native habitat filled with wildflowers and grasslands. It's perfect for families seeking a classic Santa Barbara foothill vibe with a touch of nature.
A charming vineyard offering wine tastings and beautiful vineyard landscapes. Capture the picturesque vineyards and the rustic charm of the winery.
An outdoor amphitheater offering opportunities for architecture and event photography.
A horseback riding service offering scenic rides through the valley, providing opportunities for action and landscape photography.
Rolling hills with wildflowers in spring, offering scenic views and opportunities for nature photography.
A beautiful garden with diverse plants and a sensory garden. It's a great spot for nature photography and capturing peaceful moments.
A serene natural preserve with lush oak groves, creekside vistas, and a small waterfall. Ideal for nature and landscape photography.
A scenic beach with a campground, offering views of the coastline and opportunities to capture beach life and wildlife.
Zellers Farms is a family-operated farm located in Lompoc, California, known for its fresh local honey available year-round and seasonal fresh fruit, including a popular pumpkin patch in October. The farm's rustic agricultural setting offers charming rural landscapes perfect for capturing natural textures and the warm, golden light that highlights rows of crops, beehives, and the colorful seasonal produce. Photographers can explore detailed macro shots of honeycombs or pumpkins, as well as wider landscape compositions featuring farm structures and surrounding fields against the backdrop of the Santa Rita Hills in certain light conditions.
Features a beautiful rose garden, duck pond, and picnic areas. It is perfect for capturing serene garden scenes and family portraits.
A scenic area with unique rock formations and hiking trails, ideal for nature and landscape photography.
Lake Los Carneros in Goleta offers a mix of shaded areas under tall eucalyptus and pepper trees, open fields, and winding paths lined with wildflowers in spring. It's ideal for families looking for a calm setting.
A unique wildlife attraction featuring ostriches and emus, offering an interesting subject for wildlife and nature photography. Capture the majesty of these birds in their naturalistic enclosures.
A renowned vineyard offering scenic views and wine tastings. Ideal for capturing vineyard landscapes and architectural details.
A ranch offering scenic views of the surrounding countryside and opportunities for rural and nature photography.
A large public park with a variety of recreational activities and scenic spots. It offers opportunities for capturing family moments and street photography.
Known for its quality wines and scenic vineyard setting, perfect for capturing landscapes and architectural features.
A charming town with historic buildings and vineyards nearby, offering a rustic setting for architecture and street photography.
A historic park offering opportunities for street and urban photography with its playgrounds and community events.
An open space that offers trails and scenic views, ideal for capturing expansive landscape photographs.
This 3.2-mile trail offers scenic views of unique rock formations and a beautiful lake, ideal for bird watching and fishing. The moderate difficulty level makes it suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
A winery offering scenic views of vineyards and a rustic setting perfect for capturing vineyard landscapes and wine-related scenes.
A museum showcasing vintage gas pumps, racing artifacts, and historic automobile paraphernalia. Ideal for automotive and vintage photography enthusiasts.
Filled with charming shops, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms. It offers a nostalgic setting for street photography and capturing local culture.
This park offers a tranquil setting with palm trees and a community garden, making it suitable for nature and street photography.
A historic restaurant known for its split pea soup, offering a nostalgic setting for food and interior photography.
This hotel offers a blend of modern architecture and Mediterranean-style design, providing interesting backdrops for architectural and street photography.
A specialized tasting room focused on wild ale and barrel-aged beers, offering unique opportunities for indoor and food photography.
A popular brewery with a lively atmosphere, offering a variety of beers and a modern setting for street and food photography.
These trails offer scenic views of the river and surrounding landscape, perfect for nature photography and capturing wildlife.
A long-standing diner with a nostalgic feel, perfect for capturing candid moments and portraits in a classic setting.
The town's quiet, rustic charm offers a serene backdrop for capturing small-town life and street photography.
A scenic trail offering unique rock formations and natural vistas, ideal for landscape photography.
A historical landmark featuring the ruins of an 1850s adobe home among eucalyptus trees. Good for historical and architectural photography.
A charming wine and beer shop with a dog-friendly patio. It offers a cozy setting for capturing local culture and wine-related photography.
A community park with green spaces and recreational facilities, suitable for capturing candid moments and nature photography.
