Santa Barbara, CA

Travel Guide

United States of America which includes farmland
Santa Barbara County Courthouse which includes a luxury hotel or resort and heritage architecture
Channel Islands National Park
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park featuring a church or cathedral
Santa Barbara County Courthouse which includes an administrative buidling, a garden and heritage architecture

The American Riviera offers historic adobe architecture, plenty of art galleries, wineries and beautiful beaches. 

Santa Barbara is famous for its expensive hotels, large mansions and trendy boutiques, but it also has beautiful beaches and many museums and festivals dedicated to celebrating the city’s past.

Be sure to visit Santa Barbara’s picture-perfect beaches. Lie on the soft sand and read a book, or grab a board and hit the surf. Conditions are great for beginners, but on the right day there are some good breaks for those of all skill levels.

Marvel at the Franciscan–Spanish architecture of the old Santa Barbara Mission. You’ll find artifacts and documents from old missionaries, a still-operating chapel, and the mission’s impressive and well-kept grounds. For more old architecture, visit the adobe Rafael Gonzalez house or the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Head up the bell tower for great views of the surrounding area. History buffs will also want to check out the Presidio of Santa Barbara, a Spanish fortress from the 1780s.

Learn how modern-day Santa Barbara came about as you wander through the exhibits at the city’s Historical Museum. For a look at the evolution of plant and wildlife in the area and beyond, spend some time at the Museum of Natural History.

Art lovers will enjoy the city’s excellent institutions. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has an extensive collection of European, American and Asian art, and plays host to some world-class exhibitions. For a look at more recent works, wander over to the Contemporary Arts Forum. This gallery is artist-run and funded, and is dedicated to exhibiting the highest-quality work in the region.

To enjoy other local products, organize a tour of the region’s wineries.

Santa Barbara enjoys the sophisticated charm of a much larger city but maintains a quaint, friendly atmosphere. Throw in a fascinating history, loads of cultural activities and excellent beaches, and it’s not hard to see why it attracts visitors from around the world.

Where to stay in Santa Barbara

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Montecito

4.5/5(179 area reviews)

Celebrity-favored Montecito offers backcountry hiking trails and attractions like Lotusland and El Fureidis. Easily accessible via State Route 192 and the U.S. 101 Freeway, it's well-connected to Santa Barbara County.

Montecito
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Santa Barbara Beach

4.5/5(1,188 area reviews)

Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Stearns Wharf and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.

Santa Barbara Beach
Santa Barbara showing a coastal town

Downtown Santa Barbara

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Paseo Nuevo Mall or Santa Barbara County Courthouse might round out your trip.

Downtown Santa Barbara
Sambo’s Restaurant

West Beach

While visiting West Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Barbara Harbor and Santa Barbara Carriage Museum.

West Beach
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East Beach

4.5/5(529 area reviews)

East Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like East Beach and Santa Barbara Zoo.

East Beach
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The Mesa

While visiting The Mesa, you might make a stop by sights like Leadbetter Beach and Arroyo Burro Beach.

The Mesa
The Milo

The Milo

3.5 out of 5
202 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA
$325 nightly
The price is $371 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$371 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,387 reviews)
"Loved the beachfront location and ability to use the property’s bikes to explore the local area. The room was comfortable and had plenty of space for our one night stay. We only used one pool area but found it clean and warm. Really lovely stay and would definitely return!"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

The Milo
Sandpiper Lodge

Sandpiper Lodge

2 out of 5
3525 State St, Santa Barbara, CA
$149 nightly
The price is $170 total per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
$170 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this motel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,645 reviews)
"We love coming here. Always comfortable and clean."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Sandpiper Lodge
Hyatt Place Santa Barbara

Hyatt Place Santa Barbara

3.5 out of 5
4111 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
$250 nightly
The price is $291 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$291 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,015 reviews)
"Clean, modern and comfortable."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Hyatt Place Santa Barbara
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casa Jardin

Casa Jardin

2.5 out of 5
1018 Garden St, Santa Barbara, CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (183 reviews)
"Great property!"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Casa Jardin
Tide Pool Villas

Tide Pool Villas

4.5 out of 5
26 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Santa Barbara Harbor and Santa ...
6.2/10 (70 reviews)
Quick trip
"Check in process is very slow and our room was not ready Beautiful property and great location"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Tide Pool Villas
Casa Riviera

Casa Riviera

4 out of 5
800 Garden St, Santa Barbara, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and Netflix. Popular attractions Santa Barbara Harbor and Santa Barbara Zoo are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"The best place to stay in SB!!!"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Casa Riviera
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Santa Barbara

The only public transit option in Santa Barbara is its bus network, the SBMTD, which spans the entire city and into Santa Barbara County, as far out as Carpinteria. Taxis are very expensive in the city center, making car rental a more appealing option. If you’re staying close to the center, consider walking or cycling around Santa Barbara. It’s easy to rent a bike in the city. Visit the California Department of TransportationOpens in a new window website.Browse Santa Barbara rental cars.

Best time to visit

Like much of California, Santa Barbara has mild weather year round, with highs of around 75 F (24 C) in July and August, and around 65 F (18 C) in December and January. This temperate climate means it’s pleasant to visit throughout the year. Summer is the busiest and most expensive time, so you may prefer to visit in May or September; most of the rain in Santa Barbara falls between December and February.

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