Santa Barbara Travel Guide

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Sunset over the beach and ocean in Santa Barbara, California
Sunset in Santa Barbara (Corbis)
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Santa Barbara Travel Tips

  • Dine and shop at Stearns Wharf, between East and West beaches.
  • Relive the glory of New Spain at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, rebuilt over the ruins of the original Spanish fort and a live archeological dig site.
  • Attend mass at the Mission, Santa Barbara's first building. It still functions as a church, and self-guided tours of the grounds and buildings run daily.
  • Walk through a 1,500-gallon tank at the Ty Warner Sea Center.
  • Don't feed the pelicans on Stearns Wharf, but feel free to watch them circling the harbor in search of food. The wharf is also the launching point for whale-watching tours (May through September is best season to spot migrating blue, minke, and humpback whales).
  • Do NOT drink merlot—or do—at California's finest wineries in the Santa Maria Valley, made famous by wine-aficionado film Sideways. Most tastings cost $5 to $10.
  • Blade, walk, or bike on the palm-lined paved beach path.
  • Visit the Channel Islands National Park, "the American Galapagos."
  • Reserve lodging in advance for the best deal. Summer rates skyrocket.

Santa Barbara Travel Guide

45 miles S of Solvang; 105 miles S of San Luis Obispo; 92 miles NW of L.A. Read More

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Hotels

from: $197

Emerald Iguana Inn

Best Resorts & Lodges
11794 North Venture Ave Building B Hwy 33
Ojai, CA 93023 Map

Distance: 23.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 2 class stars

from: $198

Upham Victorian Hotel & Garden Cottages

1404 De La Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Map

Distance: 0.7 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 2 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
from: $148

Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara

202 W Cabrillo Blvd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Map

Distance: 0.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
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Attractions

Santa Barbara Adventure Company

expert favorite attraction
Kayak tours leave from Santa Barbara Harbor and Ventura Harbor


Distance: 0.3 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Stearns Wharf

expert favorite attraction
Cabrillo Blvd at State Street
Santa Barbara, California

Distance: 0.8 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Stearns Wharf is California's oldest working wharf. Visitors can see local fishing boats... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Santa Barbara Channel

expert favorite attraction
Oxnard, California

Distance: 27.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Pull up a beach chair while more than 20,000 Pacific gray whales swim through the channel as they... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Santa Barbara

Distance (mi.)
Burbank Bob Hope Airport 78.5 map
Los Angeles International Airport 81.8 map
Santa Ana John Wayne Airport 117.1 map

Other Smaller Airports near Santa Barbara

Distance (mi.)
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport 7.8 map
Santa Maria Public Airport 54.2 map
Bakersfield Meadows Field 79.5 map

Feature Articles

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See All Trip Ideas »

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals

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Your Own Private Resort in Santa Barbara, CA!

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Alarm Clock, BBQ, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Hair Dryer, Hot Tub, Internet Access, Iron, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oven, Patio, Phone, Playground, Pool Table, Refrigerator, Restaurant, Stereo, Stove, Swimming Pool, TV, Toaster, Towels, VCR, Wireless Internet Access
check rates
from: $242

Santa Barbara Vacation Rental

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Sleeps: 7
Amenities: Alarm Clock, BBQ, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Garage, Hair Dryer, Hot Tub, Internet Access, Iron, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oven, Patio, Phone, Playground, Refrigerator, Restaurant, Stereo, Stove, TV, Toaster, Towels
check rates
from: $295

The Dower Cottage

Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
Amenities: CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Ceiling fans, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Fireplace, Freezer, Linens, Microwave, Patio, Refrigerator, Stereo, TV, Toaster, Utensils, VCR, Wireless Internet Access
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Santa Barbara Travel Guides

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