Santa Barbara Shopping Tour, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Shopping Tour (Self Guided), Santa Barbara

Shopping in Santa Barbara, California is a serious affair! To those who may take it lightly, one can say (jokingly paraphrasing Oscar Wilde) that it is so shallow of them:) Indeed, from boutique-lined streets to charming courtyards, this coastal city boasts a wide retail spectrum, spanning from world-class stores to a multitude of local crafts shops fit to please even the most discerning and meticulous consumers.

Wonderful outdoor paseos, shadowed plazas, and long brick sidewalks make shopping in Santa Barbara the most enjoyable way to spend your free time. Let's take a stroll through some of the notable spots and see what they are.

State Street is the bustling heart of Santa Barbara's shopping scene. Stretching from the beach to the foothills, it's a vibrant mix of high-end retailers, unique boutiques, and delightful eateries. Paseo Nuevo, an outdoor shopping center nestled along State Street, is a prime spot for fashion enthusiasts, featuring popular brands and local boutiques.

For those seeking art and culture, the La Arcada Historic Courtyard is a hidden gem. This charming enclave houses art galleries, boutiques, and cafes, making it the perfect place to explore Santa Barbara's creative side. Bella Rosa Galleries, located in this courtyard, showcases a stunning collection of fine art and jewelry that's sure to captivate art aficionados.

Arlington Plaza is another shopping destination worth exploring. It's a chic retail district where you can find upscale boutiques, offering everything from fashion to home decor. And don't forget Santa Barbara Cigar and Tobacco, where cigar enthusiasts can indulge in a wide selection of cigars and accessories.

If you have a sweet tooth, Chocolate Maya is a must-visit. This artisanal chocolate shop slightly off State Street offers delectable handmade chocolates and truffles that are simply irresistible.

So, wait no more! Come and explore the retailing delights Santa Barbara has to offer, and let the shopping adventures begin!

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Davide Restivo.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Santa Barbara

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Santa Barbara Shopping Tour
Guide Location: USA » Santa Barbara (See other walking tours in Santa Barbara)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk or build your own)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Santa Barbara?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Santa Barbara Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Santa Barbara?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Santa Barbara, California

Create Your Own Walk in Santa Barbara

Creating your own self-guided walk in Santa Barbara is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Santa Barbara Introduction Walking Tour

A popular weekend location and coastal city, Santa Barbara, has some of Southern California's top locations. Originating as a Spanish mission in 1782 and incorporated as a city in the state of California in 1850, the city enjoys great popularity for its beaches and beautiful architecture.

This city's name comes from the original Spanish mission's name, and the mission property... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Ranking as one of the most attractive places on earth, if only in terms of climate and geography alone, Santa Barbara boasts a wealth of historic architecture tastefully and seamlessly accommodated into the city's modern-day incarnation. To a first-time visitor to Santa Barbara, even the most cursory observation reveals the predominant role that these historic locations play in the identity... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles