Quick Summary:

  • Santa Maria has historic wineries that not only influenced the wine world but also shaped the city into the popular place it has become today.
  • Families may want to spend their day at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum or visit the donkeys at Los Flores Ranch Park.
  • Since the city is nicknamed the “BBQ Capital of California,” no trip there would be complete without feasting at one of the legendary dining establishments.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum

2. Pacific Conservatory Theatre - PCPA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Entertainment
Pacific Conservatory Theatre - PCPA | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Pacific Conservatory Theatre - PCPA

3. Rancho Sisquoc Winery

Category: Attractions
Rancho Sisquoc Winery | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Rancho Sisquoc Winery

4. Foxen Canyon Wine Trail

Category: Activities
Foxen Canyon Wine Trail | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of biker3 - Fotolia.com

5. FOXEN Winery & Vineyard

Category: Food & Drink
FOXEN Winery & Vineyard | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© FOXEN

6. Riverbench Vineyard and Winery

Category: Activities
Riverbench Vineyard and Winery | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Riverbench Vineyard and Winery

7. Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes

Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Ekaterina/stock.adobe.com

8. Cambria Winery & Vineyards

Category: Food & Drink
Cambria Winery & Vineyards | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of biker3 - Fotolia.com

9. Santa Maria Museum of Flight

Category: Museums & Culture
Santa Maria Museum of Flight | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of Edelweiss086 - Fotolia.com

10. Natural History Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Natural History Museum | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Natural History Museum

11. Tres Hermanas Winery

Category: Food & Drink
Tres Hermanas Winery | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of karandaev - Fotolia.com

12. Los Flores Ranch Park

Category: Activities
Los Flores Ranch Park | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of ulza - Fotolia.com

13. Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum

Category: Attractions
Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum

14. Santa Maria Fairpark

Santa Maria Fairpark | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Santa Maria Fairpark

15. Santa Maria Civic Theatre

Category: Entertainment
Santa Maria Civic Theatre | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Santa Maria Civic Theatre

16. Bien Nacido Vineyards

Category: Food & Drink
Bien Nacido Vineyards | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of BillionPhotos.com - Fotolia.com

17. Central Coast Sports Arena

Central Coast Sports Arena | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of auremar - Fotolia.com

18. The Shack Paintball Field

The Shack Paintball Field | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of starkovphoto - Fotolia.com

19. The Swiss Restaurant

Category: Food & Drink
The Swiss Restaurant | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Courtesy of svariophoto - Fotolia.com

20. Cool Hand Luke's

Cool Hand Luke's | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Cool Hand Luke’s

21. Orcutt Burgers

Orcutt Burgers | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Orcutt Burgers

22. Presqu'ile Winery

Category: Food & Drink
Presqu'ile Winery | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© Presqu'ile Winery

23. Boomers Santa Maria

Boomers Santa Maria | Things to Do in Santa Maria, California
© matimix/stock.adobe.com

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