Santa Barbara Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a coastal city and county seat situated in Santa Barbara County, California. Often referred to as "The American Riviera," the city is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and lies along a south-facing section of the Pacific coastline, which represents the longest such coastal orientation on the West Coast of the United States outside of Alaska. The community occupies a setting bordered directly by the ocean to the south and the steeply ascending Santa Ynez Mountains to the north.

Human settlement in the area dates back at least 13,000 years, with the indigenous Chumash establishing multiple villages across the region. Spanish explorers navigated the offshore channel in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, leading to permanent European occupation in 1782 with the construction of a military presidio. The Santa Barbara Mission followed in 1786. Rebuilt after a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake destroyed it in 1812, the historic mission remains an active Franciscan church today. Following eras of Mexican governance and American integration, another destructive earthquake hit the downtown area in 1925, sparking an architectural effort that unified much of the city around Spanish Colonial style designs.

Beyond its role as a resort and travel destination, Santa Barbara maintains a diverse economy. Key employment sectors include local government, private education, healthcare, leisure, hospitality, technology, and finance. The area hosts several institutions of higher learning, including the University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Westmont College, Antioch University Santa Barbara, and The Colleges of Law.

Outdoor environments surrounding the city include the Los Padres National Forest, which spans the mountains behind the urban center. Approximately 20 miles offshore, visitors can explore the marine environments of Channel Islands National Park and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Ground transportation connects Santa Barbara along U.S. Highway 101, located 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 325 miles southeast of San Francisco. Long-distance transit is available through Santa Barbara Municipal Airport as well as Amtrak rail service along the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner lines.