Though not in a very nice area of Santa Barbara, behind the train station on lower State Street, and a few feet from a busy stretch of freeway, the Moreton Bay Fig Tree is an impressive tree to visit! It is the largest tree of its kind in the U.S., a 130-year-old tree, which provides 16,000 sq feet of shade! The story of its life is a romantic one. A Santa Barbara girl was given the tiny Moreton Bay Fig tree seedling in a pot by an Australian sailor and planted it in 1876. It was transplanted several blocks down the road and survived.

If you are taking a ride on the Pacific Surfliner from Santa Barbara Station, make sure you stop and take a look at the tree. Also check out the historic luxury railcar next to it.
Next door to the train station is the MOXI, a fantastic exploration museum that kids will adore. Adults can also appreciate its gorgeous architecture. Directly across the street from the train station is the Funk Zone, where you can taste wine in gorgeous cafes with ivy-covered walls, or have a delicious treat at Helena Ave Bakery.
Nearby, walk down State Street to the pier for an icecream, or take a stroll down the Cabrillo Bike Path, a gorgeous palm-lined boardwalk that follows the beach to the east. West Beach Boardwalk, a continuation of the boardwalk to the west, is also nice for a stroll.

Directions

Moreton Bay Fig Tree is located at the train station at Montecito St and Chapala St, Santa Barbara CA 93101.
Exit Highway 101 at Castillo Street and turn towards the ocean. At the end, turn left on Cabrillo Blvd. Turn left on State Street, and turn left into the parking lot for the train station. The parking is free for the first 75 minutes and then $1.50 an hour. The tree is behind the train station.
Click on "satellite" and you can see the huge tree from a satellite photo- that's how big it is!

Click on map for interactive view