About Santa Maria
Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Located on the Central Coast of California, it is approximately 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Santa Barbara and 150 miles (240 km) northwest of Los Angeles. Its population was 109,707 at the 2020 census. The city is notable for its wine industry and Santa Maria–style barbecue.
Places to visit in Santa Maria
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Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
Nature · 12 mi from centreA large coastal dune system west of Santa Maria with towering sand dunes, wildlife, quiet beaches and remnants of an old Hollywood film set buried in the sand.
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Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum
MuseumA hands-on children's museum with exhibits about agriculture, science and the local region, suited to families with young kids. Interactive displays and play areas can keep children busy for a couple of hours.
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Santa Maria Museum of Flight
MuseumA small aviation museum at the airport showcasing vintage aircraft and local flight history in hangar displays. Volunteer guides share stories about the aircraft and the role of aviation in the valley's history.
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Pismo Beach
Beach · 18 mi from centreA classic beach town north of Santa Maria with a long pier, surfing, clam chowder spots and a monarch butterfly grove in winter. The dunes are close.
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Solvang
Neighborhood · 30 mi from centreA Danish-style village in the Santa Ynez Valley with windmills, bakeries and wine tasting rooms, a popular day trip from Santa Maria. Try the aebleskiver pastries.
Best time to visit Santa Maria
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santa Maria is April to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–79°F and rain falls on about 2 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 Maria weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 63° 58° 85%
- Thu 22 Oct 68° 57° 74%
- Fri 23 Oct 71° 56° 2%
- Sat 24 Oct 79° 57° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 79° 61° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 80° 61° 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 Maria
These are the airports closest to central Santa Maria. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SMX Santa Maria Public Airport4 mi (6 km) from the city centre
Getting around Santa Maria
Santa Maria has public transportation, Santa Maria Regional Transit, with more coverage during the day, and service ending at 10:15PM. SMAT has routes all throughout the city and even to Vandenberg AFB and Lompoc. RTA route 10 between San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria runs hourly M-F, and less frequently on the weekend . It costs $3.25 for the 33-mile (1 hr 10 min) bus ride from Santa Maria to San Luis Obispo (Apr 2020).
Santa Maria travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Santa Maria?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santa Maria is April to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–79°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in Santa Maria?
August is usually the warmest month in Santa Maria, with average highs of 79°F (26°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 42°F (6°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 98 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Santa Maria?
Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (6 km) from the centre of Santa Maria.
What time zone is Santa Maria in?
Santa Maria 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 Maria?
Santa Maria has public transportation, Santa Maria Regional Transit, with more coverage during the day, and service ending at 10:15PM. SMAT has routes all throughout the city and even to Vandenberg AFB and Lompoc.
What are the best places to visit in Santa Maria?
Top sights in Santa Maria include Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, Santa Maria Museum of Flight and Pismo Beach. A large coastal dune system west of Santa Maria with towering sand dunes, wildlife, quiet beaches and remnants of an old Hollywood film set buried in the sand.
