This is one in a series of stories exploring things to do in communities across Santa Barbara County. It’s meant to be a starting point for locals who want to explore, people hosting family and friends, and visitors to the area.  

As the days draw in and temperatures drop, it’s easy to want to go into hibernation mode, but if you need an excuse to get out of the house — or get your family out of the house — Carpinteria has plenty of things to do and see.

From gorgeous views to museums and food, here are five fun things to do in the Carpinteria Valley.

Carpinteria Valley Museum of History

The Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, with free admission, will transport visitors to a Carpinteria of old. It features artifacts from native Chumash tribes, old household items donated by Carpinteria residents, as well photos and artwork that show what the area used to be like.

Built in 1972, the museum routinely holds events for families and museum members. The historical archives include 500 hours of interviews with some of the valley’s oldest families and old yearbooks that can be explored with an appointment.

Pat Keiser, a docent at the museum since 2018, said she wanted to become a docent as soon as she retired. 

“It’s fascinating,” Keiser said. “It has a little bit of everything as far as people that lived here, the artwork from local artists. There are all kinds of fun things you can see and you can look up.”

Plant Yourself at Some Nurseries

There are many plant nurseries in the Carpinteria Valley, including ones with retail shops and gardens to explore.

Seaside Gardens at 3700 Via Real is a place where a childhood imagination can run free. After shopping for plants, explore the expansive gardens featuring plants native to California, South America, South Africa, Asia and Australia.

With the ambient sounds of running water from water features and pods throughout the gardens, it’s a place to get a break from day-to-day chaos. 

Seaside Gardens is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit the Harbor Seals

If you go to Carpinteria and don’t see the seals, you’re missing out.

From December to May, the beach around the seals is closed, but visitors can safely look at the seals from the Seal Watch Overlook along the Coastal View Trail. 

There are a few routes visitors can take to get to the seals. The first is to park at the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve off of Bailard Avenue, enjoy a stroll through the nature preserve and safely cross the train tracks to get to the Seal Watch Overlook. 

Alternatively, parking is available at Carpinteria State Beach off of Fourth Street, where visitors can enjoy a stroll through Tar Pits Park before reaching the seals. 

After seeing the seals, it’s just a few minutes south on Highway 101 to Rincon Beach to surf the waves or watch surfers.

Explore Downtown

Shops and restaurants are scattered along Linden Avenue and Carpinteria Avenue in the city’s downtown.

One of the newest arrivals is a public market, Linden Square, at 700 Linden Ave.

With pizza and pasta from Tina’s Pizza, burgers and beer at Third Window Brewing, or tacos at Corazon Cocina, it’s the perfect spot for a group of friends who can never agree on a restaurant.

There’s also a coffee shop, a yoga studio and shopping options.

Head to Summerland

Just a few minutes north of Carpinteria is the community of Summerland. Here, visitors can take a stroll along Lillie Avenue, where there are home decor stores and longtime restaurants to grab a bite.

Before leaving, take a moment to enjoy the scenic views at the county’s Lookout Park, a great place to just watch the tide come in or catch up with friends.

What are your favorite local attractions or hidden gems? Let us know at news@noozhawk.com.