Franceschi Park image

Franceschi Park

Tourist attraction Park

👍👍 Easy to access by car - less than 10 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara. Parking lot + bathrooms available. Not the highest vista in SB, but stunning nonetheless. The history of the Franceschi House and surrounding foliage is quite interesting! People often mention Santa, Barbara, views, Franceschi, house,


Address

1510 Franceschi Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States

Contact

+1 805-564-5418

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (291 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 6 am to 9 pm
  • Sunday: 6 am to 9 pm
  • Monday: 6 am to 9 pm
  • Tuesday: 6 am to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: 6 am to 9 pm
  • Thursday: 6 am to 9 pm
  • Friday: 6 am to 9 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Santa (9) Barbara (9) views (8) Franceschi (6) house (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Ray K. 1 year ago on Google
    Easy to access by car - less than 10 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara. Parking lot + bathrooms available. Not the highest vista in SB, but stunning nonetheless. The history of the Franceschi House and surrounding foliage is quite interesting!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Becky B. 4 years ago on Google
    This place has amazing views. It's a shame that they let the gardens and house fall in disrepair. Seems to have an interesting history. Italian immigrant/doctor moves to US, becames a well respected member of the community and has a love of tropical horticulture. If fixed up, could make into an interesting little museum, botanical gardens, or nice little venue for community concerts or weddings.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Team 2 years ago on Google
    Franceschi Park is a great place to see all of Downtown Santa Barbara in one spot. It is great for a scenic lunch or relaxing, but there isn’t grass or places to run around, so not ideal for kids. I’m sure there is deep SB history here as there is also the Franceschi House that is not open to the public. Worth a look!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rob G. 3 years ago on Google
    The drive up was cool a lot of twists and turns but it it made it fun coming back down as I drive an electric car, woo hoo! The views were emaculate and the absolute best. Real good spot for a date . Bring a thick jacket and or pants and proper shoes as it gets windy , you'll be cold. There isn't much of a hike than more so a walk path if you will . Parking up top is super limited . So you want to make sure to get there early or closer to sunset just before they close. Get picture opportunities.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Joseph B. 2 years ago on Google
    Kinda creepy and kinda cool. This is a great place to get away from it all right from the middle of Santa Barbara, but keep in mind that the drive isn't so fun going all the way up. Wonderful views of an old abandoned house left to the City of Santa Barbara by it's second owner. The first owner, Francesco Franceschi, built the house in 1893. It now sits as a monument to Franceschi but is also a moment to neglect by the city who hasn't done much to make the place safe for the handicapped or those who would do dumb things while in this beautiful location with hundreds of fantastic plant specimens from around the world.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Zachary K. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing view overlooking Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vanessa D. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice place to sit and look at the ocean and city. You can also see, from the outside, the house (a little creepy, but nice).
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 S V. 2 years ago on Google
    Great , but tiny, local park for a quick overlook of part of SB and the ocean. Good for a quick stop on the way to lunch or dinner… it may close early for dinner in summertime (not sure on that)…

  • 4/5 R. L. 2 years ago on Google
    Getting up here is a twisty, windy drive and there's limited parking. I wouldn't call this place a park so much as a vista. However, the view is outstanding, and there are some well-placed benches to sit and enjoy.

  • 5/5 Eric A. 2 years ago on Google
    Love this place, the views, and it's historical background. Great place to visit.

  • 5/5 Esin D. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the most beautiful viewpoints in Santa Barbara.

  • 5/5 simone e. 1 year ago on Google
    online it says they close at 9 but closing time is half an hour after sunset :)

  • 5/5 Debbie D. 1 year ago on Google
    The views of Santa Barbara were beautiful. I understand the house is due to be demolished though. I bet it had an amazing story.

  • 5/5 Ken T. 11 months ago on Google
    The views here are awesome. You can see as far the overcast will let you. There is alot of trails for walking too.

  • 5/5 Beautiful D. 10 months ago on Google
    My very favorite park in Santa Barbara! The view is amazing and the plants always smell amazing, especially in the spring! The mountains the mission and the ocean. Beautiful.

  • 3/5 Alison M. 7 months ago on Google
    Check your map before visiting. Our GPS took us up steep inclines and switchbacks. There is a route that is much more mild. Drove to Franceschi Park to watch a sunset, but it must be the wrong time of year, August, because there was no view of the sunset. But very nice views overlooking Santa Barbara.

  • 3/5 Stephanie M. 5 months ago on Google
    Beautiful views but beware - not really a great park to visit with young kids for a hike. A little tricky to find, the house is boarded up and cordoned off and there were a ton of people parked and seated around around smoking weed at 3pm when we arrived with our 1 and 4 year old and tried to hike.


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