Top Hotel & Airbnb Stays
Resort
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Tours & Experiences
My Santa Barbara County Reels
About Santa Barbara County
Top Places To See or Explore
- Funk Zone
- Montecito
- State Street
- Butterfly Beach
- Courthouse Tower
- Best time to go:
- Year-round — March – May and September – November are best
- Getting there:
- About 1.5 hours from Los Angeles up Highway 101
Planning a Trip to Santa Barbara County
The American Riviera earns the nickname. Bike the waterfront path, climb the courthouse tower, and use it as the softest possible landing between Los Angeles and Big Sur.
What to Do in Santa Barbara County
Climb the courthouse clock tower
Free, open to anyone, and the best view in the city.
Ride the beach path end to end
Three flat miles on the water. Rentals sit by the wharf.
Taste through the Funk Zone on foot
A dozen tasting rooms in four blocks by the train station.
Watch the sunset from Butterfly Beach
Faces south, so the sun drops into the water off to your right.
Common Questions About Santa Barbara County
- When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara County?
- Year-round — March – May and September – November are best.
- How do you get to Santa Barbara County?
- About 1.5 hours from Los Angeles up Highway 101.
- Where should you stay in Santa Barbara County?
- Good bases are Downtown Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria. The places I'd book first are Rosewood Miramar Beach, Palihouse Santa Barbara, La Playa Inn and Casa Iglesia.
🧰 My Suggested Travel Apps
- ✈️ Flights
Skyscanner
Search flights - ✈️ Flights
Kayak
Search flights - 🚗 Cars
DiscoverCars
Compare cars - 🏨 Rooms
Expedia
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Booking.com
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Hotels.com
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Vrbo
Find rooms - 🎟️ Tours
GetYourGuide
Browse tours - 🎟️ Tours
Viator
Browse tours - 🥾 Trails
AllTrails
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