Student life

Santa Barbara

Discover Santa Barbara with EF

City life

The palm-lined squares, shady arcades and bubbly fountains of Santa Barbara create a picture-perfect setting in which to study English. After school, meet friends, practice your English and watch the sunset at a laid-back beachside café. Or hit State Street which offers exclusive boutiques, famous name department stores and intriguing antique shops.

Explore

Explore the architecture of Santa Barbara Mission, a testimony to the heritage of the early Californian settlers. At weekends take the opportunity to enjoy optional excursions to Disneyland, San Francisco, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Sports

Golden beaches, glittering ocean and glorious mountains frame this coastal town. Mild temperatures mean year-round outdoor activities, from rollerblading along the beachfront promenade to sailing, mountain biking, hiking, surfing and golf.

Events in Santa Barbara

Summer Solstice Parade & Festival
Jun 2012 (annual)

You can join the party or watch from the sidelines as extravagant floats, whimsical costumes and creatively choreographed dancing ensembles march through the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. The event welcomes over 100,000 spectators.

Santa Barbara French Festival
Jul 2012 (annual)

Put your beret on and travel to France sans phrase book with Santa Barbara's French Festival. Hosted by Oak Park, the festival recreates French culture with sidewalk cafés, arts, music and dance - all in commemoration of the French Revolution.

Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Aug 2012 (annual)

Discover Santa Barbara's Spanish and Mexican heritage during the annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta held in locations across the city. The festival includes art markets, music, dance performances, plenty of food and a horse show & rodeo.

Music Academy of the West Summer Festival
Jun - Aug 2012 (annual)

Every summer for eight weeks Santa Barbara presents the Music Academy of the West Summer Festival, where classical music merges with a laid-back Californian vibe. The festival welcomes gifted classical singers and instrumentalists to venues across the city.

Harbor and Seafood Festival
Oct 2012 (annual)

Lobster is just one of the many seafoods served up at this annual festival hosted by Santa Barbara Harbor. The day-long affair also includes live music, arts & crafts vendors and local environmental organisations.

Santa Barbara Beer Festival
Oct 2012 (annual)

Enjoy an afternoon of unlimited beer tasting at Santa Barbara Beer Festival. Featuring the best microbrews from the central and west coast, the annual fundraising event is held at Santa Barbara's Elings Park, and only admits over 21s.

Parade of Lights
Dec 2012 (annual)

Santa Barbara Pier ushers in the festive season with the annual Parade of Lights. A tree-lighting ceremony is held before the boat parade which is followed by a fireworks display, an awards ceremony and an after-party.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Jan - Feb 2013 (annual)

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival showcases a broad range of independent films from American and international film-makers at venues across this Californian city. It also features competitions, symposiums and children's programmes.

Santa Barbara International Orchid Show
Mar 2013 (annual)

Commercial and amateur growers from the West and Pacific Rim bring thousands of their most perfect blooms to the Earl Warren Showgrounds for the annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. There are also ongoing demonstrations about orchid culture.

Santa Barbara Fair & Expo
Apr 2013 (annual)

From sugar high to adrenaline rush, Santa Barbara Fair & Expo, hosted by Earl Warren Showgrounds, features plenty of carnival treats alongside many fun rides. Held over five days, the festival features livestock, agricultural, commercial and educational exhibits.

Summer Solstice Parade & Festival
Jun 2013 (annual)

You can join the party or watch from the sidelines as extravagant floats, whimsical costumes and creatively choreographed dancing ensembles march through the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. The event welcomes over 100,000 spectators.

Santa Barbara French Festival
Jul 2013 (annual)

Put your beret on and travel to France sans phrase book with Santa Barbara's French Festival. Hosted by Oak Park, the festival recreates French culture with sidewalk cafés, arts, music and dance - all in commemoration of the French Revolution.

Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Aug 2013 (annual)

Discover Santa Barbara's Spanish and Mexican heritage during the annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta held in locations across the city. The festival includes art markets, music, dance performances, plenty of food and a horse show & rodeo.

Music Academy of the West Summer Festival
Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)

Every summer for eight weeks Santa Barbara presents the Music Academy of the West Summer Festival, where classical music merges with a laid-back Californian vibe. The festival welcomes gifted classical singers and instrumentalists to venues across the city.

Harbor and Seafood Festival
Oct 2013 (annual)

Lobster is just one of the many seafoods served up at this annual festival hosted by Santa Barbara Harbor. The day-long affair also includes live music, arts & crafts vendors and local environmental organisations.

Santa Barbara Beer Festival
Oct 2013 (annual)

Enjoy an afternoon of unlimited beer tasting at Santa Barbara Beer Festival. Featuring the best microbrews from the central and west coast, the annual fundraising event is held at Santa Barbara's Elings Park, and only admits over 21s.

Parade of Lights
Dec 2013 (annual)

Santa Barbara Pier ushers in the festive season with the annual Parade of Lights. A tree-lighting ceremony is held before the boat parade which is followed by a fireworks display, an awards ceremony and an after-party.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Jan - Feb 2014 (annual)

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival showcases a broad range of independent films from American and international film-makers at venues across this Californian city. It also features competitions, symposiums and children's programmes.

Santa Barbara International Orchid Show
Mar 2014 (annual)

Commercial and amateur growers from the West and Pacific Rim bring thousands of their most perfect blooms to the Earl Warren Showgrounds for the annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. There are also ongoing demonstrations about orchid culture.

Santa Barbara Fair & Expo
Apr 2014 (annual)

From sugar high to adrenaline rush, Santa Barbara Fair & Expo, hosted by Earl Warren Showgrounds, features plenty of carnival treats alongside many fun rides. Held over five days, the festival features livestock, agricultural, commercial and educational exhibits.

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