Nestled between beautiful beaches and majestic mountains, Santa Barbara offers incredible natural beauty, a wide array of cultural activities, year-round recreation and fine restaurants and shops. Find scenic spots to study or take a break and enjoy the arts, shopping or outdoor activities.
Schedule a Visit
Santa Barbara's endless natural beauty and close proximity to Los Angeles create a vibrant and inspired art scene. With a variety of local musical and theatrical ensembles, classical music, dance, art galleries, an international film festival, Santa Barbara mixes a big-city art scene with small-town charm.
Once a month, downtown galleries open their doors to visitors for First Thursday art walks, which feature live music on street corners and in storefronts. Similarly, the Funk Zone, named for its unique combination of commercial, residential, and industrial buildings, hosts monthly art walks and open studios. Visitors continue to stroll along the waterfront each weekend for Santa Barbara's 50-year tradition of an open-air arts and crafts show.
Nearly every month, Santa Barbara draws people from all over the world for various celebrations of art, music, food and culture.
Just down the road from Westmont, you'll find one of Travel and Leisure magazine's Great American Beaches: Butterfly Beach. Our close proximity to both iconic coastline and the expanse of the Los Padres Mountains defines our unique natural beauty. In addition, the Channel Islands just off the coast, known as the Galapagos Islands of North America, offer a diverse array of plants and animals. To grasp the full breadth and beauty of our scenic location, you must experience it for yourself.
Schedule a Visit
Westmont Downtown, a new semester-long program, brings students into the Santa Barbara community for internships and engagement with local businesses and organizations. A hub for people committed to social transformation and entrepreneurship, Westmont Downtown seeks to equip students to become social innovators and entrepreneurs who seek the global good.