With warm temperatures, bright sunshine and miles of gorgeous beaches, it's not surprising that so many people love living in Santa Barbara or simply visiting the city for a long weekend. Though the city has plenty of museums, historic sites, fun activities and dozens of attractions, some plan their visits around some of the top festivals in Santa Barbara. These festivals are a great way to have fun with your kids, create lasting memories with your friends or even have a romantic weekend getaway with your spouse or partner.

Harbor and Seafood Festival
The Harbor and Seafood Festival is one of the oldest annual events held in Santa Barbara. The event, which takes place every year in October, invites guests to learn more about the history of the local harbor and indulge in some of the freshest seafood that the state has to offer. Though the festivities die down late in the afternoon, you can easily take a walk along the beach to burn off some calories or head back to your hotel room for a quick nap before hitting up one of the hot spots in town.

French Festival
The French Festival, which is held every year on Bastille Day, gives local French immigrants and their ancestors the chance to celebrate their heritage. With the fireworks going off in the sky, the French decorations that surround you and the smell of fresh bread and other French dishes hanging in the air, you might just feel like you are in Paris. More than 200,000 people come to Santa Barbara every year to take in the excitement that surrounds the French Festival.

Sandcastle Festival
Those sandcastles that you built as a child and the castles you build with your kids have nothing on those produced by the professionals who flock to Santa Barbara for the annual Sandcastle Festival. The castles and sculptures built by artists look more like something you might see in a museum than something you would see on the beach. The city doesn't charge an admission fee and lets you wander along the beach throughout the event to see the designers and artists building their creations. If you decide to enter the competition yourself, you can pay a small fee before hitting the beach.

California Lemon Festival

Photo source: Lemon Festival

California produces more lemons than almost any other region in the world, and the state recognizes this distinction with the annual California Lemon Festival in Santa Barbara. When most people think of lemons, they think of lemonade. While you can beat the heat with a glass of cold and refreshing lemonade, you can also sample the citrus fruit in dozens of different sweet and savory combinations. Have fun watching costumed people run through the streets and with the live entertainment available every day. Looking for even more things to do in Santa Barbara? Check with Kenny Slaught online and other similar websites for travel tips, city information and upcoming event schedules.