Parks
32 parks, playgrounds and dog parks in the city.
- Veterans' Memorial Park0.5 mi from downtown
- Armstrong Park0.7 mi from downtown
- Atkinson Park1 mi from downtown
On a budget
Free things to do in Santa Maria
4 kinds of free outings in and around Santa Maria.
Good days out in Santa Maria don’t have to cost anything. These ideas come from the city’s parks, libraries, historic landmarks and nearby public lands. For free concerts, markets and festivals this week, see the free events calendar.
Libraries
Borrow books, movies and museum passes, and join free programs.
- Santa Maria Public Library421 S. Mcclelland St.
- Santa Maria Law Library312 E. Cook St.
Hiking
Trails on public land; some areas charge a parking or day-use fee.
- Point Sal14 mi west
- Navajo Flats Campground30 mi north
- Saucito Ranch34 mi northeast
Wildlife viewing
Birding and nature watching on public land.
- Point Sal14 mi west
- Santa Margarita Lake27 mi north
- Navajo Flats Campground30 mi north
Around town
Get a feel for the city
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
8 Bucket list Things to Do in California's Santa Maria Valley!
A local activity Short shared by Discover California.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Visiting Central Coast of CA? Don’t miss Santa Maria Valley.
A local activity Short shared by Carrie Rad.
Watch on YouTube ↗Questions
What are free things to do in Santa Maria?
Parks, Libraries, Hiking, Wildlife viewing. City parks and libraries are free; some outdoor areas on federal land charge a parking or day-use fee, noted on each listing.
Are there free events in Santa Maria this weekend?
Check the free events calendar, updated daily from local organizations, libraries and the city.
Do I need a library card to use the library?
No card is needed to visit or attend most programs; a free card from the local library lets you borrow books, movies and often museum passes.