Stearns Wharf
Stearns Wharf is a historic wharf in Santa Barbara on Cabrillo Street and was built in 1872 by John P. Stearns, a Vermont-born lumberman, to facilitate maritime trade and commerce. It is the oldest working wooden wharf in California and was originally constructed to support the growing trade industry, allowing ships to dock and unload goods directly into the city. Before its construction, cargo had to be transported via small boats from ships anchored offshore. Over the years, the wharf has endured multiple fires, storms, and economic shifts but has remained a central part of Santa Barbara’s waterfront. It has served various roles, including as a shipping hub, a fishing pier, and later, a popular tourist destination. Today, Stearns Wharf is home to restaurants, shops, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. It remains one of the city’s most visited landmarks, offering scenic views of the coastline and Channel Islands.
- 5 Minutes from Santa Barbara Downtown
- Walking and parking on Stearn’s Wharf
- Restaurants, ice cream parlor, candy shop, gift shops, and the Sea Center
- Take Little Toot from the wharf to the harbor
Words from the Photographer: Great views of the harbor and occasion breaking Sandspit surf area. Have a drink at Moby Dick and enjoy the view.
