You're Going to Love Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is all about the good life. That's why it attracts celebrity residents along with hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, and that's why you'll fall in love with this coastal Californian destination.
If all you want is a beach holiday, look no further. Pit your skills against the surf at Carpinteria, swim with the college crowd at Leadbetter Beach or find somewhere secluded to sunbathe at Arroyo Burro.
If you want to eat, drink and be merry - Santa Barbara is the place to be. Explore the incredible variety of the region's wine production, dine on Indonesian food at Sama Sama, burgers and beer at the Lark or Mexican delicacies at La Super Rica.
You can shop all day on State Street, enjoy a round of golf at Sandpiper, and even get to Los Angeles in under two hours. What more do you need to know? Santa Barbara is somewhere everyone should find time to visit.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Santa Barbara
The California Climate
California and sunshine are part of the same package. Santa Barbara is blessed with year-round temperatures of 60 plus degrees and the months between May and October see wall-to-wall sunshine pretty much every day.
Beaches
Santa Barbara offers a huge selection of beaches, from the convenient (and sandy) city beach to Leadbetter Beach (which is all about partying) and more relaxed locations like Carpinteria or Arroyo Burro. If you just want to perfect your tan or you want to try surfing, there's no better destination.
Art and Culture
Santa Barbara isn't just about the beach. Far from it, in fact. With the huge collection of ancient Roman artworks at the Museum of Art, the 18th century Presidio of Santa Barbara and an original copy of the Declaration of Independence at the Karpeles Museum, there's plenty for culture lovers to enjoy as well.
Food and Drink
The Funk Zone in Downtown Santa Barbara is a super destination for foodies - so much so that daily guided tours can allow visitors to sample eight of the neighborhood's best eateries. With craft breweries like Pure Order creating award-winning beers, Santa Barbara is a genuine gourmet destination.
Wine
The California climate also suits wine-making. In fact, the network of valleys around Santa Barbara is one of the world's most diverse and successful wine-growing regions. Start off at city center wineries like Jaffurs before heading out on guided tours to sample everything the region has to offer.
When to Visit Santa Barbara
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Santa Barbara has the kind of climate that is pleasant all year-round. However, you might want to avoid the city during the peak summer months (June through early September) as the beaches can be crowded and accommodation prices spike. Instead, plan a trip in May or October, when the temperatures are mild and everything is more relaxed.
How to Get to Santa Barbara
Plane
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport may be small, but it provides a wide range of flight connections to cities like Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver and Phoenix. Getting into town from the airport is easy. Just take bus number 11 from the terminal entrance.
Train
Santa Barbara's Amtrak station is an architectural landmark, right in the center of town, and the town is a stop on two intercity routes. The Pacific Surfliner provides a link to San Diego, while the Coast Starlight travels from Los Angeles all the way to Seattle.
Car
Driving from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara is simple and shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. Just take Route 101 up the coast. If you are driving from the north, Route 101 also makes sense, although it might be faster to take I-5 to Los Angeles and then head northwards on Route 101.
Bus
Santa Barbara's Greyhound bus stop is located on State Street, right next to the Amtrak station in the center of town and the company provides direct links to Los Angeles, San Francisco and other regional cities.
Airlines serving Santa Barbara
Where to stay in popular areas of Santa Barbara
How to Get Around Santa Barbara
Public Transportation
Buses in the city are provided by the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, which should be able to get you between the major attractions without any problems. The most useful route is probably the shuttle bus along State Street (the main shopping street), which costs just 50 cents per journey.
Taxis
Taxis are another option to get around town, but be aware that Santa Barbara has some of the most expensive taxi fares in the USA. Taking a cab from Carpinteria to the city center will cost as much as $18, while airport transfers are usually around $30. However, Uber is an option, with their cheapest vehicles charging $1 for the meter drop, then $1.25 per mile (with a minimum fare of $5.75).
Car
Renting a car is a great option in Santa Barbara. Not only does it make it easy to hop between beaches and get to the city center, but you can be in Los Angeles in under two hours as well. Parking in the center of town is free for 75 minutes, then costs $1.50 for every subsequent hour, so it's not too expensive.
Car rental agencies in Santa Barbara
The Cost of Living in Santa Barbara
Shopping Streets
Santa Barbara's major shopping center is clustered around State Street in the Downtown area. Designed to suit pedestrians, State Street Plaza is packed with independent apparel boutiques and jewelry stores. Check out the bikinis at A Tropical Affair, the latest fashions at Angl or visit chain stores like Nordstrom's and Old Navy. A short drive up 101, you'll also find La Cumbre Plaza, a huge shopping mall complete with a Sear's, J. Crew, Tiffany and Co., as well as many more major brands.
Groceries and Other
The cost of living in Santa Barbara tends to be relatively high. As you'd expect from a luxury retreat for the rich and famous, there are plenty of organic supermarkets and upscale vendors like Whole Foods, but you'll also find a Ralph's downtown and smaller delicatessens like Tino's. Expect to pay around $4.30 for a gallon of milk and $15 for a good bottle of wine.
Where to Eat in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is full of fantastic places to eat, many of them with a strong Mexican influence. Head to Los Agaves and La Super Rica Tacqueria on N Milpas Street for the finest Mexican food in town. Or take a trip downtown to State Street, where you'll find gourmet American dishes at Finch & Fork Japanese delights at Arigato Sushi and fine Italian specialities at Olio e Limone. Downtown is also the place to be if you love craft beers, and all beer lovers should find time for a visit to the tasting room at Pure Order Brewing. Expect to pay around $20 for a mid-range meal and upwards of $40 for a gourmet dinner.