Santa Barbara California
Vacation Guide

Here you’ll find information on where to stay, and what to see and do in Santa Barbara California on your beach vacation in this beautiful coastal area.

Santa Barbara California, with its abundance of palm trees and lovely weather year round, has a Spanish-Mediterranean ambience. The Santa Ynez Mountains rise majestically behind, while the Pacific Ocean curves around the front of the area.

Hot Deals In Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara’s appeal lies largely in its historical heritage and beautiful Spanish Mediterranean architecture, with its white walls and red tiled roofs being prevalent throughout the city. Los Angeles is just an hour and a half’s drive south via the 101 freeway.

There are several beaches to enjoy in and around Santa Barbara, while the town itself boasts a lot of cultural sites and events. For the recreationally inclined, watercraft rentals and cruises are available as well.

Stearns Wharf (the main pier) contains restaurants, shops, fishing access, and the Ty Warner Sea Center, a fun and educational place to bring the kids. Afterwards, you can treat them (and yourself) to ice cream on the pier if you wish.
The main beaches around the wharf have very small waves compared to most Southern California beaches. A coastal bike path runs along the back of the beaches along Cabrillo Boulevard. Bike and surrey rentals are available near the end of State Street. You can ride over to the harbor or to the Andree Clark Bird Refuge. Volleyball is very popular here on the beach. Local artists display their works on Sundays at Chase Palm Park at the back of the beach. A skateboard park here provides nonstop action.

State Street goes through the heart of town, with easy access to galleries, shopping, museums and historical buildings. Santa Barbara travel is made easier with a shuttle bus that travels around town, the waterfront and up to the mission.

Mission Santa Barbara founded in 1786, is a popular place to visit and tour. It sits up on a hill overlooking large, grassy Mission Historical Park and a rose garden.

Santa Barbara also has a small zoo with animals in beautiful, natural habitats. Just strolling around the lush grounds and breathing the sea air feels like a vacation.

Another popular activity is visiting the Santa Barbara wineries. There are tasting rooms right in town as well as the Santa Ynez Valley wine country to explore.

If you want to camp near Santa Barbara, there is El Capitan and Refugio State beaches to the north, and just 15 minutes south on the 101 is the mellow coastal community of Carpinteria, which also has a beachfront campground.

When staying in Santa Barbara California, you have the choice of staying downtown, or on the pricier waterfront. Moderately sized hotels , exclusive resorts and charming bed and breakfasts are all available to choose from, but are more expensive than at many of the other Southern California beach destinations.

Click here for Santa Barbara vacation rentals.

Spending a week or more in the area? If your kids love swimming at the beach, you might consider signing them up for one of the Santa Barbara surf camps.

Santa Barbara California is about 1 ½ to 2 hours north of Los Angeles off the 101, depending on traffic. There is a small airport that offers service to many U.S. cities. Amtrak also has service right into town.

To leave the Santa Barbara California page and return to the Southern California Beaches Vacation Guide home page, click here.