What to do in Carpinteria, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Highway 101 Carpinteria. Coast Road close to Santa Barbara. Aerial Panorama
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Carpinteria
Carpinteria
Carpinteria

Carpinteria Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Carpinteria has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Carpinteria, 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 to Carpinteria 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.

Places of interest in Carpinteria

Carpinteria is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Carpinteria, and make it a breeze to explore Carpinteria and 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 holiday 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 to Carpinteria, 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 in Carpinteria.

Carpinteria attractions

Carpinteria 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 in Carpinteria to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Carpinteria.

Looking for things to do in Carpinteria 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 of Carpinteria or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Carpinteria attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Carpinteria

Tours & day trips

See all 65 activities
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.2 out of 10 with 18 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £29 per adult
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa BarbaraOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 26 activities
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

Activity duration is 7 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 15 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £97 per adult
Santa Ynez Wine ShuttleOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 15 activities
Santa Barbara: Zipline Tour with 4x4 Humvee Ride

Santa Barbara: Zipline Tour with 4x4 Humvee Ride

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 8 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £110 per adult
Santa Barbara: Zipline Tour with 4x4 Humvee RideOpens in new tab

Water activities

See all 12 activities
Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)

Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 22 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £67 per adult
Sunset Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbour (2 Hours)Opens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Carpinteria

Number of things to do
79
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Santa Barbara City centre Self Guided Walking Tour: £8
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Carpinteria

Popular places to visit

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

Carpinteria State Beach

4/5(18 reviews)

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Carpinteria State Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Carpinteria. Visit 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 care-free afternoon at Rincon Beach Park during your travels in Carpinteria? Visit 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 such as cycling 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
Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park

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 visit its top-notch restaurants.

Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park
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

Friends of the Library Used Bookstore

After visiting Friends of the Library Used Bookstore, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Carpinteria. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Friends of the Library Used Bookstore

Seaside Gardens

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

Seaside Gardens

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

Explore areas of Carpinteria

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Padaro Lane

Though Padaro Lane may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions 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

If you're spending some time in Sandyland Cove, Carpinteria State Beach and Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park are top sights worth seeing.

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

Ventura

Ventura

Citrus Trees, Ojai Valley, California

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

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara

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 kms (1 mile) 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 holidaying 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.