What to do in Carpinteria, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

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Carpinteria Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Carpinteria has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Carpinteria is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Carpinteria to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Carpinteria Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Carpinteria.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Carpinteria attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Most fun & popular experiences in Carpinteria

Tours & day trips

See all 62 activities
Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
9.4 out of 10 with 241 reviews
Price is CA $38 per adult
Santa Barbara Trolley TourOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 24 activities
Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop

Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop

Activity duration is 1 hour
10.0 out of 10 with 5 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $82 per adult
Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making WorkshopOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 22 activities
Santa Barbara Highlights Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Santa Barbara Highlights Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Activity duration is 2 hours
4.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $62 per traveller*
Santa Barbara Highlights Private 2-Hour Driving TourOpens in new tab

Water activities

See all 13 activities
Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)

Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 45 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $81 per adult
Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)Opens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Carpinteria

Number of things to do
78
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Santa Barbara City centre Self Guided Walking Tour: CA $14
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Carpinteria

Discover the most popular places to visit in Carpinteria

Calm sea waves splash on empty beach at sunset. Wide shot background

Carpinteria State Beach

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Carpinteria State Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Carpinteria. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Carpinteria State Beach
Rincon Beach Park in Carpenteria, California, Shutterstock ID 1359693206, Purchase Order: SP-1891 Wave 0, Client/Licensee: Hotels.com

Rincon Beach Park

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Rincon Beach Park during your travels in Carpinteria? Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Rincon Beach Park
1998 World Polo Championship, Horses in stalls, Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, California

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club

Enjoy a trip to Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club and popular activities like biking in Toro Canyon. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Colony of Harbor seals (phoca vitulina richardsii) True seals without external ear lobes relaxing on the beach of Carpinteria, California

Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary

Explore the great outdoors at Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary, a lovely green space in Carpinteria. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary
Coastline scenery at Tar Pits Park, Carpinteria, California, includes tar covered rocks and driftwood scattered along the shore. A pier stretches into the sea, set against a backdrop of coastal cliffs

Tar Pits Park

Explore the great outdoors at Tar Pits Park, a lovely green space in Carpinteria. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Tar Pits Park
Sunset in Carpinteria while fires continue to burn in Santa Barbara

Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park

Explore the great outdoors at Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park, a lovely green space in Carpinteria. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park

Tee Time

You can take time to visit Tee Time during your travels to Carpinteria. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the shops in this family-friendly area.

Tee Time

Seaside Gardens

Explore the lovely green spaces of Seaside Gardens and also enjoy the biking trails in Toro Canyon. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.

Seaside Gardens

Tomol Interpretive Play Area

Explore the lovely green spaces of Tomol Interpretive Play Area and enjoy the biking trails in Carpinteria. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Tomol Interpretive Play Area

Explore areas of Carpinteria

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Padaro Lane

While there might not be top attractions in Padaro Lane, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club and Summerland Beach.

Padaro Lane
Low Tide at Carpinteria State Beach , Shutterstock ID 1053312371, Purchase Order: SP-1891 Wave 0, Client/Licensee: Hotels.com

Sandyland Cove

While visiting Sandyland Cove, you might make a stop by sights like Carpinteria State Beach and Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park.

Sandyland Cove

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Carpinteria

Channel Islands National Park

Ventura

Los Padres National Forest, Highway 33, Ventura County, Ojai, California, USA, Shutterstock ID 1385357102, Purchase Order: SP-1891 Wave 0, Client/Licensee: Hotels.com

Ojai

Panoramic view of Montecito, Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands from Old Romero Canyon Trail in Montecito, California near Santa Barbara on a clear, sunny spring day with prickly pear cactus

Summerland

United States of America which includes farmland

Santa Barbara

Distant view of layered green hills and Mount Toro near Soberanes Canyon Trailhead in California, with Highway 1 nearby and coastal fog hovering below the mountains.

Toro Canyon

Frequently asked questions

Is Carpinteria worth visiting?
Offering a mix of coastal beaches and nature, there are plenty of things to do in Carpinteria. When you're here, head to Santa Barbara Zoo, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Carpinteria?
Start your day with a visit to Santa Barbara Zoo and Butterfly Beach. Then, check out different parts of Carpinteria for local restaurants and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Carpinteria?
Don't leave without exploring Santa Barbara Zoo, rated the top tourist attraction in Carpinteria.
Is three days enough to stay in Carpinteria?
Three days in Carpinteria is plenty of time to visit the city's major highlights. Many travellers book for two days on average. Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary, Summerland Beach and Lookout Park are among the top-rated sights. Want to discover more? Stick around a bit longer to explore nearby hotspots such as Santa Barbara.
Is Carpinteria a walkable city?
That all depends on what you want to do and see in Carpinteria. Several key attractions, like Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary, are reachable on foot. If you feel like a stroll around one of Carpinteria's neighbourhoods, Sandyland Cove is 2 kilometres away from downtown.
What are some activities to do in Carpinteria with kids?
Deciding what to do in Carpinteria with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're vacationing with toddlers or teenagers, there's a range of family-friendly tours and activities to keep everyone busy here.

What to do in Carpinteria for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or fan of nature, there are lots of things to do in Carpinteria for adults including Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club and Santa Barbara Cemetery.
Are there free things to do in Carpinteria?
In Carpinteria, Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary is an unmissable spot for anyone planning to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. It's a great way to discover the best free things to do in Carpinteria.