Upper Riviera Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Upper Riviera
Popular places to visit
Santa Barbara Harbor
Explore the waterfront in Santa Barbara with a trip to Santa Barbara Harbor. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Why not meet the animals who call Santa Barbara Zoo home during your holiday in Santa Barbara? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Butterfly Beach
Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Butterfly Beach during your travels in Santa Barbara? Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
See the best views of Santa Barbara and enjoy a stunning variety of architectural styles at the city’s historic courthouse.
Santa Barbara Bowl
Enjoy a show at Santa Barbara Bowl, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Upper State Street
During your visit to Santa Barbara, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Upper State Street. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its cosy cafes.
Activities
Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map
Our pick of the best Upper Riviera Hotel Deals
El Encanto Santa Barbara
"Wonderful stay"
Reviewed on 28 May 2026
Hotel Santa Barbara
"The recent renovation is absolutely stunning! Don’t be fooled by the 3-star rating; this is a 5-star hotel."
Reviewed on 28 May 2026
Avania Inn of Santa Barbara
"Staff was very welcoming. The property was well maintained. Rooms were very clean. Highly recommend."
Reviewed on 29 May 2026
Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara
"Loved the landscaping on the premises! I could not figure out how to get a TV channel with the remote. Please leave directions in the room to use a remote control. They are all different and hard to figure out. Would stay there again"
Reviewed on 29 May 2026
Sandpiper Lodge
"The room was great. It's basic, but the bed was comfortable and the room was quiet and roomy. I did notice there was no fan over the shower, so you had to open the window for a vent. But otherwise, it was all we needed. Although my husband got his coffee in the breakfast room, we didn't find anything ..."
Reviewed on 26 May 2026
The Franciscan Hotel
"Very helpful staff, clean and well equipped rooms, and warm welcoming at check-in. Everything was great about this Inn!"
Reviewed on 28 May 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Upper Riviera
Laguna
Laguna might not have many top sights, but Lobero Theater and Santa Barbara Bowl are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Upper East
While visiting Upper East, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.
Eastside
While Eastside isn't home to many top sights, Santa Barbara Zoo and East Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.
Downtown Santa Barbara
The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Paseo Nuevo Mall might round out your trip.
Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Historic Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Paseo Nuevo Mall might round out your trip.
Lower State
While visiting Lower State, you might make a stop by sights like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Paseo Nuevo Mall.
