About Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a coastal city in Santa Barbara County, California, of which it is also the county seat. Situated on a south-facing section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States excepting Alaska, the city lies between the steeply rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Santa Barbara's climate is often described as Mediterranean, and the city has been dubbed "The American Riviera". As of the 2020 census, Santa Barbara had a population of 88,665.
Places to visit in Santa Barbara
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Old Mission Santa Barbara
ReligiousThe twin-towered Spanish mission above the city, with a museum, gardens and cemetery, and views toward the ocean from its front lawn. Self-guided tours are available.
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Santa Barbara County Courthouse
LandmarkA Spanish-Moorish courthouse with tiled interiors, painted murals and a clock tower whose free observation deck gives panoramic views of the city and coast. Free docent tours run daily.
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Stearns Wharf
Landmark · 2 mi from centreA long wooden pier at the foot of State Street with restaurants, shops and a sea center, plus views back toward the town and mountains.
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State Street
NeighborhoodThe city's main shopping and dining street, lined with Spanish-style buildings and a car-free promenade with cafes and boutiques. It runs from the beach toward the foothills and is lively with diners and shoppers well into the evening.
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Funk Zone
NeighborhoodA former industrial area near the beach now filled with wine tasting rooms, breweries, galleries and street art, ideal for an afternoon wander. It is very walkable.
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Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Park · 2 mi from centreTrails through native California plant communities in a canyon above the city, with a historic dam, redwood grove and mountain views. Spring blooms are a highlight.
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Santa Barbara Museum of Art
MuseumA downtown museum with collections of Asian, European and American art, photography and antiquities, plus rotating exhibitions. It is located on State Street, so it fits easily into a walk through downtown and the nearby historic courthouse.
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Lotusland
Park · 3 mi from centreIn Montecito, a remarkable botanical estate with themed gardens of cacti, cycads and aloes, visited by advance reservation on guided or self-guided tours. Tours sell out early.
Where to stay in Santa Barbara
Popular hotels in Santa Barbara, out of 132 properties you can book.
The Milo Santa Barbara
From $250 per night
Kimpton Hotel Canary
From $505 per night
Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara
From $176 per night
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
From $175 per night
Wine Valley Inn
From $144 per night
Santa Barbara Inn
From $355 per night
Santa Barbara
From $281 per night
Best Western Plus South Coast Inn
From $188 per night
Svendsgaard's Danish Lodge Americas Best Value Inn
From $147 per night
Inn at East Beach
From $137 per night
Brisas Del Mar, Inn At The Beach
From $260 per night
Lavender Inn By The Sea
From $227 per night
Best time to visit Santa Barbara
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santa Barbara is April to June and October to December, when average daytime highs are around 69–81°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Santa Barbara weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 64° 60° 86%
- Thu 22 Oct 69° 60° 86%
- Fri 23 Oct 70° 59° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 75° 62° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 78° 66° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 78° 67° 2%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Los_AngelesUTC−7
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Santa Barbara
These are the airports closest to central Santa Barbara. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SBA Santa Barbara Municipal Airport7 mi (12 km) from the city centre
- SZN Santa Cruz Island Airport28 mi (45 km) from the city centre
Getting around Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (SBMTD) runs buses all over Santa Barbara proper, and neighboring Goleta, Montecito and Carpinteria. Routes and fares are on their website. It's a cheap and fairly comprehensive way to get around town ($2.50 for a one-way ride or $6 for an unlimited-use day pass; transfers available), but not particularly fast.
By car
Santa Barbara is fairly easy to drive around, and in most areas parking is rarely difficult to find, either in a municipal garage or on the street. One confusing wrinkle is the presence of 3 similarly named major streets, Carrillo St, Castillo St, and Cabrillo Blvd. Don't mix them up. As anywhere, you shouldn't drive under the influence of alcohol, but be aware that Santa Barbara police are particularly merciless about catching and prosecuting drunk drivers.
By foot
With a mild climate, walking is a great way to get around town, but might be inconvenient outside of downtown and the funk zone.
By taxi
Taxis are plentiful but expensive, but given the relatively compact size of downtown Santa Barbara, they're viable if you don't need to go out too far into the suburbs.
Santa Barbara travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santa Barbara is April to June and October to December, when average daytime highs are around 69–81°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
What is the weather like in Santa Barbara?
August is usually the warmest month in Santa Barbara, with average highs of 88°F (31°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 43°F (6°C). The wettest month is typically February, with about 232 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (12 km) from the centre of Santa Barbara. Other nearby airports include Santa Cruz Island Airport (SZN, 28 mi).
What time zone is Santa Barbara in?
Santa Barbara uses the America/Los_Angeles time zone (currently UTC−7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Santa Barbara?
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (SBMTD) runs buses all over Santa Barbara proper, and neighboring Goleta, Montecito and Carpinteria. Routes and fares are on their website.
What are the best places to visit in Santa Barbara?
Top sights in Santa Barbara include Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Stearns Wharf and State Street. The twin-towered Spanish mission above the city, with a museum, gardens and cemetery, and views toward the ocean from its front lawn. Self-guided tours are available.
Where should I stay in Santa Barbara?
Popular areas for hotels in Santa Barbara include Santa Barbara, Ventura and Goleta. Well-reviewed options include The Milo Santa Barbara and Kimpton Hotel Canary.
How many hotels can I book in Santa Barbara?
Destina Holidays currently lists 132 properties in and around Santa Barbara, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
