The Santa Barbara South Coast is ripe with activity during June, whether your goal is to catch a lively polo match, revel in on-the-water tours and entertainment, colorfully celebrate the year-round sunshine in our beachy paradise — or all of the above. Discover what makes Santa Barbara an exciting summer destination and soak up the energy of Santa Barbara’s many festivals and summer happenings this June.

If you’re itching for a family getaway once school lets out or are just in need of a solo retreat, we’ve compiled a list of quintessential Santa Barbara activities that are sure to make for a memorable visit to our seaside city.

Santa Barbara Zoo‘s annual fundraiser Zoo Brew (June 6) delights all who arrive at the grassy, hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, dotted with shaded tents offering unlimited beer tastings from over 30 local breweries and live entertainment. Taste craft brews from local purveyors and explore the zoo after hours during this iconic summer event. Also on June 6: World Oceans Day! And that means free admission to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Santa Barbara’s annual Juneteenth Santa Barbara Block Party (June 19) at Plaza del Mar. The annual event welcomes everyone to commemorate Black Independence Day. The celebration will honor local Black artists, business owners, performers and organizations and will feature free food, dancing and singing.

The annual Summer Solstice Celebration (June 19-21) is back with flying colors — literally — for its 52nd year. Gather in downtown Santa Barbara to usher in the summer season, and revel in the bold costumes, colorful displays, dazzling entertainment and local culture. This year’s festival theme is “WAVE,” and the Summer Solstice parade on June 20 will light up Santa Barbara Street with dancers, music, floats and more. The parade will end at Alameda Park, where there will be boutique shopping, live music, a beer and wine garden and sweet treats galore all weekend long.  

Explore the Santa Barbara Lavender Festival on June 27 at Santa Barbara City College. This unique arts and crafts festival will celebrate creativity through the artistic expression of lavender and lavender themes, featuring works from over 75 local artisans, lavender farms and small business owners. The Santa Barbara Wine Festival also falls on June 27 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, where you can sip from a commemorative wine glass as you explore pours from standout wineries set across the museum’s scenic outdoor spaces.

This June, walk through a beautiful garden inside the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History while nearly 1,000 live butterflies flutter freely around you. Butterflies Alive! features a dazzling variety of butterflies including local favorites and exotic tropical species. Learn about the life cycle and behavior of these spectacular invertebrates while observing them up close. The exhibit is included in museum admission and will be open through September.

For more ideas, visit https://santabarbaraca.com/next-month/june/.