Visit Historic Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, CA

What is it about piers that so attract people, both tourists and business owners? After all, they’re expensive to build, a beast to maintain and perilously susceptible to the elements, most notably fire. Plus, parking can be a real chore.

Maybe, despite these hang-ups, we are drawn to the sea inexorably. Like a winter bird to the south, we flock to the ocean instinctually. Why, even Melville himself, in his great Moby Dick, wrote, “Why is almost every robust healthy boy with a robust healthy soul in him, at some time or other crazy to go to sea?”

Of course, Herman Melville worked as a whaler when he went to sea. But this is 21^st century – when we hit the big blue we’re happy to just walk around … maybe do a little shopping.

That’s certainly one of the big appeals of Stearns Wharf, the historic wooden pier in Santa Barbara, California first built in 1872. Like many historic piers, Stearns Wharf has a long colorful history of burning up and getting blown over, only to be rebuilt stronger. Happy to say, today’s Stearns Wharf nearly a decade without incident and more popular than ever.

While Stearns Wharf today is an actual wharf – meaning you can tie and dock boats to it – it is best known as an entertainment destination for locals and tourists. And those locals are important. The wharf still has some homegrown appeal, with dining, shopping and entertainment designed for repeat business. You can find your share of touristy kitsch, if you want it, but that’s hardly all there is.

As you stroll the shops and sample a few tasty pier-side snacks (we recommend Mother Stearn’s Candy Company), you will also find more involved diversions well worth your attention.

• Ty Warner Sea Center – an off-site extension of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Sea Center is a small but high-quality aquarium with a variety of interactive elements. Love the shark touch tank.
• Captain Don’s Pirate Cruises – Captain Don and his crew of scallywags take you a brave journey into the fearsome water of Santa Barbara Channel.
• Fishing – Stearns Wharf is a popular fishing destination. Visit the tackle shop on the pier if you need any equipment, bait, etc.

Stearns Wharf also hosts all kinds of events. Coming soon is “Movie Night at Stearns Wharf”: four consecutive Thursdays of free movies. It starts on 8/26, so check it out if you can.

Stearns Wharf is open all the time, though the shops and attractions certainly close. Parking is $2.50 per hour, first 90 minutes free with retailer validation. And there’s loads more to do than I found time to mention. Check it out here.

Have fun at Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, California.

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