Santa Barbara Travel Tips | Know Before You Go

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Brush up on your SB expertise with these quick Santa Barbara travel tips — all of which will help you make the most of your time here.

1. Santa Barbara is easy to get to. Distances to SB from other California destinations include:

Hollywood: 89 mi./142 km LAX: 92 mi./148 km San Diego: 228 mi./367 km San Francisco: 332 mi./534 km

2. The weather is second to none. The weather in Santa Barbara is amazing. All. Year. Long. But, don’t forget the sunscreen—Santa Barbara sees an average of 300+ days of sunshine every year.

3. It’s easy to get around. Leave the car at home and opt for a nearby trolley, water taxi, public bus, pedicab, bike path, or airport shuttle.

4. Travel resources abound. If you need help deciding where to start, pick up a FREE Santa Barbara Visitors Magazine at the Santa Barbara Visitors Center. Or sign up for our free enewsletters or follow us on social media for up-to-date info and inspiration.

5. Santa Barbara’s scenery and location are sensational. The city is perfectly situated at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, which uniquely run east-to-west before cascading into the Pacific, hence Santa Barbara’s other name, The American Riviera®.

Transportation: Getting To, and Around, Santa Barbara

Accessible Travel

How to Navigate Santa Barbara in a Wheelchair

Following is a guide to some of the city’s top accessible attractions, information about beach-wheelchair access, and more. Learn More

Activities for Kids with Disabilities

A guide to accessible attractions and experiences in Santa Barbara. Learn More

Pet Friendly Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is as friendly for Fido as it is for you. Don’t hesitate to let your four-legged friends join you on your visit to SB; there’s plenty for them to do here, too. LEARN MORE ABOUT BRINGING YOUR PET TO SANTA BARBARA

Visiting from far away?

Information For International Travelers

If you’re visiting Santa Barbara as an international traveler, here are some tools and tips to help you make the most of your time here.

Santa Barbara Visitors Center

Located in a traditional adobe building, the Santa Barbara Visitors Center is your go-to resource to maximize your time here.

Santa Barbara Weather

Current Weather

63°F / 17°C

Packing for a visit to Santa Barbara? Grab your sunscreen and ditch your raincoat! Few destinations can match Santa Barbara's near-perfect weather year-round, thanks to our unique, south-facing orientation, protective Channel Islands and ideal position just on the central coast of California.

Learn More About Our Weather

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