Casago\u2019s vacation rental specialists can arm you with all the Santa Barbara travel information you need to make your visit memorable and hassle-free.Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the California coastal city of Santa Barbara is a favorite destination, featuring Mediterranean-style white stucco architecture topped with red-tile roofs that reflect the city\u2019s Spanish colonial history. The area is frequently referred to as \u201cthe American Riviera,\u201d as the long stretch of Pacific coastline it resides on is reminiscent of that of the popular one in southern France.<\/p>\n
Whether you prefer to peruse its upscale restaurants and boutiques, explore its 250-year-old Mission, or catch a wave at one of its beautiful beaches, the city beckons with its charm and energy.<\/p>\n
Santa Barbara boasts an average of more than 300 sunny days per year. The average daytime temperature ranges between the mid-60s to the mid-70s; nights cool down slightly. The months of June through September are the busiest for travel to Santa Barbara, as the period is warmer and less humid and rainy than the rest of the year. That being said, vacation rentals fill up faster at this time. It should be noted that June can often be foggy as well.<\/p>\n
If you plan to visit during the fall, you can take advantage of the Santa Anas, the noticeably warm winds that blow from the inland areas toward the ocean. This typically occurs at sunset, which is why it\u2019s frequently referred to as the Sundowner Wind.<\/p>\n
December through March are the months typically favored by winter visitors because the winter months are usually very mild, and when it\u2019s not raining the day\u2019s tend to be sunny and warm with coastal fog burning off by mid morning to early afternoon. Winter visitors also often come out for longer stretches of time. We\u2019ll typically see winter visitors stay for an average of three months, some even staying through April to avoid the mud season back home after the snow melts. Many of the regular winter visitors will re-book the same home year after year, because of this the demand is high and it can be difficult to find the home you want.<\/p>\n
If you are looking to visit long term during the winter you will want to book at least 1 year in advance. The winter is also the time of year that Santa Barbara gets the big pacific swells that create the ideal waves surfers crave for and it\u2019s also when we get the King\u2019s tide which makes for fun walks along the beach at low tide with plenty of tide pools to explore local marine life.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a common misperception on the part of visitors to Santa Barbara that you must fly into a Los Angeles airport (LAX, Burbank, Ontario) almost 90 miles south and drive up to the coastal city, or pay higher fares flying into the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)<\/a>. The regional SBA receives flights from several major airlines through six major cities including Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Denver. Historically, fares are not much more than those into LAX, and when you factor in the cost of a rental car, the savings (if any) disappears.<\/p>\n While the Santa Barbara Airport is much smaller than Los Angeles\u2019 airports, most travelers find it\u2019s very easy to navigate, has shorter lines, and possesses all the basic services needed, including car rental desks.<\/p>\n Santa Barbara prides itself on its great walkability, so the best way to get around is on foot. The three-mile-radius city center is built up around the historic architecture and sites that make Santa Barbara unique. State Street is a hub of activity with open-air shops and restaurants that you can stroll through on your way to the coastline.<\/p>\n Santa Barbara is also known for its green, eco-friendly transportation options and car-free program that provides walking maps and alternative means of transportation, like the extensive bus and shuttle system around the city. The Downtown-Waterfront electric shuttle takes passengers from State Street to waterfront attractions like the zoo and Santa Barbara Harbor. The fare for bus routes is $1.75 one-way; the shuttle routes are only 50 cents one-way. Schedules and fares are subject to change, so be sure to check out MTD\u2019s website<\/a> for more information. Trolley tours are also available to see the sights from the Old Santa Barbara Mission to East Beach. Pedicabs are also abundant and can accommodate up to two adults and a couple of small children; prices vary.<\/p>\n If you are planning to visit Santa Barbara Wine Country or the suburbs, you will need a car (though some tour companies do provide transportation). If you rent a car or drive to Santa Barbara, there is plenty of parking downtown and by the waterfront, and best of all, the first 75 minutes are free (and it\u2019s only $1.50\/hr. after that). Convenient, prepaid parking cards are also available for purchase.<\/p>\n The city is also relatively easy to get to by car, since it\u2019s right off U.S. Highway 101, also known as the scenic Pacific Coast Highway \u2013 an attraction in and of itself.<\/p>\nSanta Barbara Transportation Options<\/h2>\n
\nSanta Barbara Vacation Rentals<\/h2>\n
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