Santa Barbara is located just 100 miles north of Los Angeles and about 365 miles from San Francisco. There are many travel options if you wish to fly. Driving from San Francisco will take about 5hrs and you will enjoy some of the best California scenery there is to offer.
By Air:
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (airport code: SBA) is located in the neighboring town of Goleta, which is just a few miles north of downtown. SBA provides access to LAX through a variety of transportation options. There is a shuttle service which makes frequent trips to/from SBA-LAX: Santa Barbara Airbus
There are also regular flights on United (via SFO) & American Eagle (via LAX), however these can be expensive, so we recommend you fly into LAX and drive up. You can view a detailed list by clicking here.
By Car:
Santa Barbara has only one major highway, the 101, referred by the locals as "the 101". The drive via north or south is one of the most scenic, so this is also another great option. Downtown Santa Barbara can be accessed via the Garden St. exit, while the beaches can be found off the Cabrillo Blvd. off ramp.
By Train:
If you feel the urge to travel with a flair of nostalgia, then Santa Barbara's Amtrak station is your stop. Amtrak is housed in a historical landmark on lower State Street, provides service on both the Pacific Surfliner (San Luis Obispo to San Diego) and Coast Starlight (Seattle to Los Angeles).
