Stearns Wharf
Stearns Wharf
4.1
About
Visitors can watch fishing boats unload the day's catch, enjoy spectacular sunsets, and sample fare from fast food to fine dining at California's oldest working wharf.
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The area
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- Santa Barbara Station • 10 min walk
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409 within 5 kms
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224 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.1
2,242 reviews
Excellent
803
Very good
946
Average
411
Poor
70
Terrible
12
Emwh
Arizona162 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Parked, paid, walked to the end of this historic wharf for some terrific photo opportunities on a morning when the sea was so calm and peaceful that we almost forgot the experience of feeling the shock of the nearby 5.1 earthquake in nearby Weedpatch, CA the night before. The environment looked like it was being well taken care of...and that made us happy to see. The birds and boats we saw were gorgeous!
Written August 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jv66210
Oklahoma City, OK152 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
We took an early morning walk down the pier. There were several restaurants which weren't open yet. We stopped at a gift shop on the pier. They welcomed our dog. Local artists were setting up along the nearby sidewalk, and locals were jogging and biking along the sidewalk.
Written October 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nealp19078
Lincoln Park, NJ233 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
A nice, serene location. I stayed the ITH Beach Hostel as many lodging prices were not affordable. The restaurants on the Wharf or in town near State St. were not bad; however, i wish they had more breakfast places. Excellent for serenity trotting down the boardwalk/beach. I took surf lessons at SurfHappens in Carpinteria (8-miles away). The President Reagan Ranch is close.
Written August 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan M
Lincoln, CA166 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
For over 20 years we have made it a destination for a nice walk or eating at the end of the pier. NOT ANYMORE!!!! The pier was very dirty and hadn't been pressure washed for a long time apparently. We thought about eating at the Santa Barbara Shellfish restaurant, but it was ridiculously overpriced now. We spent our money up State Street because the restaurant is greedy.
Written August 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cohoman
Sammamish, WA2,446 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
One of the few piers where you can drive on and park. 90 mins free parking, followed by $3.50/hr. Note, that everyone visiting from out of town tries to park here, so finding a spot may be impossible (we didn't). So, we ended up exiting and parking in a public lot just a few blocks south of the pier for $3/hr.
The pier has mainly a few mediocre restaurants and a few souvenir shops. Not much to see or do. Even still, there's lots of tourists walking the pier. I wouldn't recommend driving or walking this pier. Much better restaurants across the street from the wharf.
The pier has mainly a few mediocre restaurants and a few souvenir shops. Not much to see or do. Even still, there's lots of tourists walking the pier. I wouldn't recommend driving or walking this pier. Much better restaurants across the street from the wharf.
Written December 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flashncrash
Berkeley, CA663 contributions
May 2019
Stearns Wharf should be incorporated into a walk that includes the shore (whether beach or pedestrian path) as well as a good chunk of State Street. From the dolphin sculpture at the foot to the walk on the wood of the wharf out to the end that is perched over the Pacific Ocean one can get a nice sense of what to see and enjoy in Santa Barbara. Of course cars are also able to traverse the wharf so any pedestrians should be vigilant. There are shops and restaurants on the wharf itself but any seafood restaurant on any wharf anywhere in the world tends to be pricey and more touristy. There are areas where pelicans sit on roofs (along with their crap) but, fortunately, they don't seem to bother humans. A good vantage point to enjoy from here.
Written April 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jadranka P
London, UK747 contributions
Nov 2021
It is different from other wharfs we visited .. you can even drive your car till it’s end..
The views were great but it was quite deserted … maybe as it was working day in November. We did try to find a place to eat but couple of restaurants that were open did not look appealing.
The views were great but it was quite deserted … maybe as it was working day in November. We did try to find a place to eat but couple of restaurants that were open did not look appealing.
Written May 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Munir D
Toronto, Canada694 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
This place was one of our stops in the scenic highway from Los Angeles to San Fransisco.
This is a lively place and we were fortunate to get parking for only $4 at the parking lot across the Visitors Centre. This was for 2hours. Parking is also available at the end of the pier.
We had lunch at the Longboard’s Grill located on the pier. We had a table overlooking the beautiful ocean with also a view of the marina. We ate fish and chips which included two red snapper fillets. The food was good and service very nice.
This is another nice place to take photographs because of various scenic spots.
Munir Daya
This is a lively place and we were fortunate to get parking for only $4 at the parking lot across the Visitors Centre. This was for 2hours. Parking is also available at the end of the pier.
We had lunch at the Longboard’s Grill located on the pier. We had a table overlooking the beautiful ocean with also a view of the marina. We ate fish and chips which included two red snapper fillets. The food was good and service very nice.
This is another nice place to take photographs because of various scenic spots.
Munir Daya
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelvinPusfinger
Temecula, CA706 contributions
Aug 2020
If you like wharves you will enjoy this one. Nothing spectacular but it is quite spacious as wharves go. You can park in the wharf and the first 90 minutes is free, but entering and exiting may take some time because of backed up traffic. There are some good views of the coast land plenty of boats and yachts sail nearby. Not a lot of shade on the wharf. Plenty of people fish on the wharf and there are some restaurants. An enjoyable enough experience but probably one hour here is sufficient.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perkadventures
Banning, CA15,277 contributions
Jun 2021
Came here in June late night to have dinner or snack. You drive onto the wharf to the eatery and park. Dark at night and seemed to be a major wooden wharf.
Found parking easily late at night, but during day this may be a problem. Very dark here at night. Walk carefully
Found parking easily late at night, but during day this may be a problem. Very dark here at night. Walk carefully
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it noticeably cooler and windy at the pier compared to the rest of the town? Thanks :)
Written August 23, 2023
does the boardwalk at the beginning of Stearns Wharf, have lots of vendors on it?
Written September 28, 2017
I was here 20 years ago and would like to find the boardwalk with lots of vendors. It was near a pier, is this the one?
Written September 28, 2017
This is my very first visit so I couldn't say if this is the one but there was none or very few vendors at the beginning of the board walk leading up the pier
Written September 28, 2017
I have seen pets on the pier, but there's no place for them to do their business so you'll want to see to that first! I'm not positive the souvenir shops would allow them, but there are outdoor cafes where they could join you.
Written September 1, 2017
How much is it to fish? Do they have pole rental? Do you need a permit? We are traveling to town for a wedding and looking for something for the boys to do
Written May 21, 2017
There used to be "no fishing" signs which were not enforced. Now there are signs for designated fishing areas. I believe that there is no overhead casting. . .for the sake of fellow visitors, I imagine. There is a bait and tackle store towards the end of the wharf. I think it is called Stearns Wharf Bait and Tackle. Google them for their phone number, give them a call and I'll bet they can answer all your questions with the latest information.
Written May 21, 2017
Will there be fireworks for the 4th of july?, and has the oil spill impacted the water?, and is the ocean water safe to put your feet in? We go every year there for the 4th of july and just want to know before we head out there. Thank you
Written June 19, 2015
Thank you very much for reaching out. Santa Barbara beaches have not been affected by the oil spill beyond the passing tar ball and the beaches are full of visitors each day.
We are very excited to be putting on our Fourth of July celebration this year including local bands and food vendors along with a choreographed firework show. It should be one of our best yet! If you have any further questions about the event or logistics, feel free to contact the Waterfront Department at 805.897.1962.
Written June 19, 2015
The are many parking lots along the waterfront and in the harbor. There are some spaces designated for oversized vehicles. Feel free to contact the Parking Supervisor at 805-564-5523 for more detailed information. Thank you!
Written May 16, 2015
securty
Marina del Rey, California
are there any other drive on fishing piers for handicapped in socal?
Written January 21, 2015
Stearn's Wharf in Santa Barbara is a drive on "working" pier with fishing along the walk way and at the end of the pier. Beware the end of the pier has no guard rails and we always have a person or 2 wind up in the drink during the year.
Written January 24, 2015
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