Fast Facts on
Santa Barbara

LOCATION: Along the Pacific Coast, Santa Barbara serenely sits just 92 miles (148 kilometers) north of Los Angeles and 332 miles (534 kilometers) south of San Francisco.

POPULATION: Approximately 88,255 residents reside within Santa Barbara city limits. 446,475 reside in all of Santa Barbara County.

TIME ZONE: Santa Barbara is in the Pacific Time Zone, observing daylight savings times from mid-March to early November.

WEATHER: Moderate year-round Mediterranean climate 15-20 degrees C/60-80 degrees F. Learn More

TRANSPORTATION: Visitors may arrive via scenic Highway 101, daily stops on Amtrak trains or air service via:

  • Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is 8 mi/3 kilometers drive north of downtown.
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 90 mi/148 kilometers drive south from Santa Barbara.
  • Bob Hope Burbank Airport (BUR) 100 mi/160 kilometers drive southeast from Santa Barbara.

TAXES: 8.75% sales tax, 12% hotel occupancy tax.

BEACHES: Twenty-five beaches stretch approximately 100 miles/160 kilometers of south-facing, scenic shoreline. Learn More

OUTDOORS: 55 parks and 8 public gardens offer an array of outdoor recreation and activities. Learn More

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS: 50+ museums and galleries, El Presidio State Park, Old Mission Santa Barbara (“The Queen of the Missions”) and Channel Islands National Park known as “The Galapagos of North America.”

LODGING: Citywide, Santa Barbara offers 81 properties with 5,179 hotel rooms from economy to luxury. Learn More

RESTAURANTS: Over 400 restaurants known for fresh and sustainably-sourced cuisine. Learn More

ENTERTAINMENT: 6 major performance venues, 200+ annual classic and contemporary stage productions and lively nightlife at local breweries, tasting rooms and nightclubs.

VINEYARDS & WINERIES: 200+ vineyards are located on 21,349 acres countywide representing seven American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and 40 wine tasting rooms are accessible in walkable downtown along the Urban Wine Trail. Learn More

GOLF COURSES: 6 golf courses. Learn More

LARGEST MEETING VENUE: Earl Warren Fairgrounds – 35,000 sq. ft.

LARGEST HOTEL: 360 committable guestrooms; 23,000 sq. ft. of indoor and 20,000 sq. ft. of outdoor meeting space.

LARGEST HOTEL BALLROOM SPACE: 12,000 sq. ft.

ACCOLADES:
Wine Region of the YearWine Enthusiast Magazine
Santa Barbara: Southern California’s Top Destination For A Gourmand GetawayForbes Travel Guide
18 Best Beach Towns in the USTripsavvy
The Best Smart Luxury Destinations for 2023Sherman’s Travel

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