The 4th of July is fast approaching, which means that anyone traveling in Santa Barbara will have a ton of celebrations to choose from. Of course you will want to make some time for fireworks, but beyond that, how are you supposed to figure out how to spend your weekend? Ultimately, the itinerary will be up to you, but with some local knowledge, we thought we could add some thoughts.
Here’s our recommended guide for 4th of July Weekend in Santa Barbara:
Stay at Hotel Milo
4th of July is on a Monday this year. So give yourself a full weekend getaway, and begin it by arriving at Hotel Milo for a centrally located stay. This will put you in a position to enjoy the best the city has to offer in the time leading up to and all throughout Independence Day.
Check out Hotel Milo’s selection of oceanfront guest rooms to discover an ocean-view booking for yourself and perhaps a loved one.
Explore All That Santa Barbara Has To Offer
While visiting for 4th of July Weekend in Santa Barbara, be sure to take the days leading up to explore all that this beautiful SoCal town has to offer. Explore our expansive Neighborhood Guide for recommendations on fantastic places to eat, shop, and explore. Here you can get tips on the best seafood and New American cuisine around, as well as in-depth guides to hip neighborhoods such as the Funk Zone.
4th of July at Stearns Wharf
Right across Cabrillo Boulevard from Hotel Milo, Stearns Wharf juts out into the bay as one of the main attractions in Santa Barbara. This is going to be the main place to be on Independence Day.
The Stearns Wharf Fourth of July Celebration will feature face painting beginning at 2:00 pm, live music starting at 4:00 pm, and then the fireworks will be at 9:00 pm. The day will also feature a historic cannon firing, ice cream, crafts, jewelry and art sales, and so much more.
Additional 4th of July Events in Santa Barbara
If you want to explore more in addition to the main Stearns Wharf gathering while in town for the 4th, there are a number of other interesting and cool events taking place. On the night of the 3rd, you can get your dance on at EOS Lounge during the Destructo performance. Runners and their loved ones might want to check out the Semana Nautica 15K run in Santa Barbara on the 4th. Music lovers can balance the jams on the wharf with an afternoon show on the 4th at the Music Academy of the West when it has its 3:30 pm Chamber Music and Collaborative Piano Showcase.