Santa Barbara
United States and Canada · United States
See also
Santa Monica
United States34.02°N 118.48°W · 32 m
San Luis Obispo
United States35.27°N 120.66°W · 71 m
Overview
Santa Barbara is a city and metropolitan area less than 100 miles (160 km) from Los Angeles but vastly different in pace. With a temperate climate and lush natural environs, the 'Riviera of the West' is a pleasant day or weekend trip from L.A.
Languages: English
Why Go
Santa Barbara is a city and metropolitan area less than 100 miles (160 km) from Los Angeles but vastly different in pace. With a temperate climate and lush natural environs, the 'Riviera of the West' is a pleasant day or weekend trip from L.A. Its wide beaches, highly rated wineries, and a large variety of shopping and dining choices enable the town of just 90,000 residents to enjoy cultural and social amenities usually found only in much larger cities.
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Understand
Although the common perception of Santa Barbara is as a playground for the rich and famous, the reality is that the average income within city limits is only slightly higher than California as a whole. Notable for its California Mission-style architecture (a long-standing local ordinance ensures that all commercial construction follows the Mission theme, which results in a plethora of red-tiled roofs and faux adobe supermarkets), local residents are intensely proud of their city's roots and traditions.
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Climate
Santa Barbara maintains idyllic temperatures for most of the year and it is rare to go a week during any season without at least one day reaching 70°F. Heat waves are common in late summer and early fall, and nighttime temperatures can reach down into the thirties during winter. Spring and early summer are cool and cloudy through the mornings and often into the afternoons, with temperatures in the 60s and low 70s in what locals call 'May Gray' and 'June Gloom'. During August and early September temperatures get into the 80s. The rainy season typically lasts from November through March.
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Get In
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) serves the neighboring town of Goleta. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner stops at Santa Barbara station at 209 State Street, a historical landmark built in 1902, easy walking distance from beaches and State Street. Greyhound bus service is also available.
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Getting Around
The Santa Barbara Visitors Center at 1 Garden Street downtown provides maps, bus schedules, and waterfront shuttle information. Downtown has plenty of parking with the first 75 minutes free in most lots (except at the beach).
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Where to Stay
Santa Barbara has a huge number of hotels and motels, ranging from Motel 6 to the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. One thing you won't find here is dives. Prices are before tax; allow another 8% for tax. The city offers everything from budget motels near the beach to luxury resorts in Montecito.
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Food and Drink
Santa Barbara does French-inspired California cuisine quite well. Locally sourced food is a point of pride for many chefs, who draw from fresh produce grown within a few hundred miles and seafood pulled in daily. Santa Barbara's Mexican food ranks with any other town in California, and the food truck scene from L.A. has emerged here. The Funk Zone features numerous wineries, craft breweries, and restaurants in converted industrial buildings.
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Things to Do
Although Santa Barbara is an atypical coastal town, it offers the typical Southern California variety of outdoor activities, from surfing to whale-watching. The city has numerous beaches, hiking trails in the Santa Ynez Mountains, golf courses, and wine tasting opportunities in the Funk Zone and Santa Ynez Valley. Cultural attractions include theaters like the Arlington Theater and Lobero Theatre, plus the Santa Barbara Bowl amphitheater hosting big-name acts.
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Safety
Santa Barbara is generally a safe city for tourists. The western half of Alameda Park has had a sketchy reputation for being a hangout for drug addicts, but it has been cleaned up significantly in the mid-2010s. Standard urban precautions apply in crowded tourist areas.
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Connectivity
WiFi is widely available at hotels, cafes, and restaurants throughout downtown. Major cellular carriers provide good coverage in the city and along the coast.
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Budget
Santa Barbara caters to a range of budgets. Budget accommodations start around $92 per night at Motel 6, while mid-range hotels run $129-219. Street tacos and Mexican food can be found for $5-15, while restaurant dinners range from $15-35. Wine tasting at local wineries typically costs $10-20 per flight.
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Day Trips
The surrounding area offers numerous side trips: Channel Islands National Park (accessible via Santa Barbara expeditions), Los Olivos wine tasting (50 miles north on Highway 154), Solvang's Danish-themed town (40 miles north), Santa Ynez Valley wineries, Cachuma Lake Recreation Area (18 miles up Route 154), and Montecito's affluent beach communities.
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Go Next
Santa Barbara is somewhat geographically isolated, with only one major route in or out of the city. Los Angeles is about 90 miles down the coast via US 101 or Pacific Coast Highway. To the north lie the wine regions of Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang, and Los Olivos. The Channel Islands are accessible for day trips.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- do
Alameda Park
Upper East Side Park covering two city blocks. Includes a popular community designed playground, and picnic tables popular for family celebrations (no alcohol is allowed, though). The western half of the park has a somewhat sketchy reputation for being a hangout for drug addicts, but it has been cleaned up a lot in the mid-2010s.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden
Across the street from Alameda Park. Something of a cross between a park and a botanical garden, it features a large pond with ducks, koi and turtles, as well as numerous differently themed plantings, most with labels describing the different plant species. Local wags sometimes refer to it as "Alice Keck Park Park," but you'll often hear it just called "Alice Keck Park" since many people are unaware that "Park" was Alice's last name.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
An easy walking tour
Find some free parking on the side streets from Cabrillo Boulevard after passing State Street (i.e. on Bath Street and Yanonali St). Then walk on the sidewalk or the beach to State Street. At the intersection of Cabrillo Boulevard and State Street you will find the pier which will give you great views of the city. After walking on the pier, take State Street up past the train station. Shops and restaurants line up State Street up and down providing a great visitor experience. Take a right on West Carrillo St and go one block and then take a left on Anacapa St. This should get you to the Santa Barbara Courthouse (details above under See) opposite the public library Main Branch, where you can enjoy the pleasant views from its tower. Next, walk up the street to Anapamu St and take a left. This will put you back on State Street. If you're not tired yet you can keep walking up State Street to Mission St and take a right. If you follow the street to Laguna St and take a left and after three blocks take a right on Los Olivos. This will get you to the Santa Barbara Mission. After visiting the mission and the delightful rose garden in front of the Mission, you can walk back to Cabrillo Boulevard or take the shuttle back to the waterfront.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Arlington Theater
A 2,000-seat single screen movie theater, used mainly for blockbuster films, but also hosts occasional live performances. Also has a restored theater organ, that is used occasionally for solo performances or to accompany silent movies. Even if nothing special is going on, it's worth catching a flick there just for its charming interior design, with a faux "Spanish" village around the walls and a dark blue ceiling that even has a few pinpricks of light to represent "stars"
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Arroyo Burro Beach
Almost universally referred to by locals as "Henry's" or "Hendry's" beach, and more isolated than the downtown beaches. Dogs are permitted to be off-leash, and one end is a nude beach, where you'll often see nude dudes frolicking.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Butterfly Beach
Tucked away in Montecito by the fancy Biltmore Hotel, and something of a hidden gem. Depending on tides and fluctuations of the sand, some parts of the beach may not be easily accessible. Though you'll often see off-leash dogs here, unlike Arroyo Burro beach, this isn't officially sanctioned.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
Channel Island Surfboards
The retail shop has a big choice of wet suits and surf boards.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Chase Palm Park
This is a long, narrow park that stretches along East Beach. Features pedestrian and bike paths, as well as a skate park.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Culture
Mission-style architecture ordinance means red-tiled roofs and faux adobe throughout downtown. Large Latino population on east side around Milpas Street.
Food
Excellent Mexican food, French-inspired California cuisine, and emerging food truck scene. Local seafood and produce are menu staples.
Money
Prices are before tax; allow another 8% for tax. Credit cards widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops. Some smaller taquerias and markets are cash-only.
Transport
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stops at Santa Barbara station downtown. Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is near Goleta. Downtown has free parking for first 75 minutes in most lots.
Weather
Year-round mild climate. 'May Gray' and 'June Gloom' bring cloudy mornings in spring. Hot spells in late summer. Rainy season November-March.