Is Santa Barbara expensive? It’s a common question people ask since the city is known to be on the pricier side. While it’s certainly true that you could spend a lot in Santa Barbara, the same could be said about any United States city.
The truth is, Santa Barbara doesn’t have to be expensive. The city offers many free things to do, cheap eats, reasonable accommodations, and more. Here’s how not to spend a fortune in Santa Barbara.
Is Santa Barbara expensive?
The cost of living in Santa Barbara may be expensive compared to other cities in California, but if you’re visiting as a tourist, the costs are reasonable. Generally speaking, accommodations can be on the pricier side if you stay closer to the beach. That said, there are many budget options and hotel deals available. As far as food is concerned, there are plenty of options that won’t cost you a fortune.
In case you’re wondering, the average rent for an apartment in Santa Barbara, CA, is about $2,600 a month.
Where is Santa Barbara, California?
Santa Barbara is located about 100 miles west of Los Angeles or 325 miles southeast of San Francisco. It sits on the Pacific Ocean, so you’ll get easy access to the water. Highway 1 cuts right through the city, so it’s a natural stop for anyone going for a cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway.
What makes Santa Barbara unique is that the city sits on the coast and faces south. As a result, the city has a Mediterranean climate. Many people refer to the city as”The American Riviera.” As this area was once part of Mexico, many residents still speak Spanish.
How to get to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located about 90 to 120 minutes from Los Angeles. Many people will opt to head there for a weekend to enjoy the local amenities or to get away from the L.A. traffic. Alternatively, many people driving along the Pacific Coast Highway will opt to stop in Santa Barbara since it offers great food and interesting attractions.
Airports near Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is located 15 minutes west of downtown Santa Barbara. The airport has direct flights from many major cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and Sacramento.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest major international airport and is located 100 miles east of Santa Barbara.
How to get from LAX to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Airbus offers direct service from LAX to downtown Santa Barbara, with a stop in Carpinteria. Buses depart every 1.5 to 2 hours. A one-way ticket is $55/$50/$45 for 1, 2, or 3 passengers. There is no discount for roundtrip tickets.
Trains from LA to Santa Barbara
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliners train will take you from downtown Santa Barbara to Los Angeles’ Union Station. There are multiple departures daily, and the journey takes roughly 2.5 hours with multiple stops along the way. Coach tickets cost $30, while a business seat is $39.
Getting around Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara has a bus system that will get you around the entire city. A standard fare is $1.75. Since Santa Barbara is relatively small, it shouldn’t be too hard to navigate on your own. That said, the city is also walkable. You can walk to many of the top attractions.
If you plan on taking Uber, note that there are not many drivers available at any given time. As a result, the prices might be higher than what you’re used to in other cities. Taxis are available, but you’ll likely need to call for one. Note that taxis are a bit more expensive than Uber. That said, there aren’t many Ubers at the airport, so take a taxi if you’re coming from there.
Santa Barbara accommodations
Is Santa Barbara expensive? That depends on how much you want or are willing to spend on accommodations and what neighborhoods you’re interested in. Admittedly, some luxury properties in the downtown area will cost you quite a bit, but Santa Barbara does offer some reasonably priced accommodations.
Cheap Santa Barbara hotels
What many people don’t realize is that there are quite a few cheap Santa Barbara hotels. You’ll find most of them on State Street, where it meets San Roque Road. This is just a seven-minute drive to the beach. You won’t get an ocean view, but it’s a convenient way to save money. Some of the best cheap Santa Barbara hotels include:
- Sunset Motel
- Oasis Inn & Suites
- Sandpiper Lodge
In addition, if you happen to collect hotel loyalty to points, there are a few Marriott and Hilton properties available, including:
- Courtyard Santa Barbara Downtown
- The Waterman
- Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Santa Barbara hotel deals
What many visitors don’t realize is that Santa Barbara hotel deals are easy to come by. The official tourism website often has a book two nights, get your third-night free promotion. This is easily one of the best ways to save money on Santa Barbara hotels since many hotels participate in the deal. Note that some hotels have blackout dates and other restrictions.
Free things to do in Santa Barbara
You don’t need to break the bank when there are so many free things to do in Santa Barbara. Some of the things you can enjoy without spending any money include:
- The Santa Barbara County Courthouse
- Stearns Wharf
- Santa Barbara Historical Museum
- Red Tile walking tour
- West beach, Butterfly, and East beach
- El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park (a few free rooms)
- Outdoor activities like hiking trails
Even though there are many free things to do in Santa Barbara, the paid attractions are also relatively inexpensive compared to major cities. Some things worth checking out include a polo match, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and wine tasting rooms in the Funk Zone. Tourists may also want to consider a biking or whale watching tour as it’ll give you a different perspective of the city. Some people will also opt for a bike tour, kayaking or surf lessons.
Cheap food in Santa Barbara
There’s plenty of cheap food in Santa Barbara and it tastes great. When I visited, I went to Mexican restaurants every day. Breakfast would cost me less than $10, while lunch was less than $15. Dinner could be had for less than $20. What I like about Mexican food is the variety. Tacos, burritos, bowls, and enchiladas all taste wonderful. Some of my favourite Mexican restaurants in Santa Barbara include:
- Rudy’s
- Mony’s
- Lilly’s Taqueria
Most of the cheaper restaurants are found further away from State street. That said, the restaurants that line State street often have happy hour deals. Although not cheap, the Santa Barbara Public Market is worth a mention since it has a variety of food options.
Santa Barbara trip cost
Overall, you’ll likely spend much less than you’d expect in Santa Barbara. The city is easy to get around, so you won’t be spending much on gas, parking, or rideshares. There are plenty of free things to do, and accommodations can be reasonably priced.
If you’re trying to minimize costs, you should be able to keep your costs at under $200 per day for a solo traveller. However, you’d be staying at budget motels/hotels and focusing on cheaper meal options.
FAQ
How long do you need in Santa Barbara?
Three nights is ideal if you really want to explore the city. However, if you’re just driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, a quick stop is also worth it.
Where’s the best place to stay in Santa Barbara
If costs are not an issue, staying close to the beach is the ideal location. For those on a budget, you’ll want to look at the north end of State Street or even Goleta.
When’s the best time to visit Santa Barbara?
The best time to visit depends on your weather preferences. May and September are great if you don’t want things too hot. This is also a good time to go because hotels tend to be a bit cheaper compared to the summer months.
Is Santa Barbara for rich people?
While there are many well-off people that live in Santa Barbara, it’s not just for the rich. Santa Barbara is a great place to visit, regardless of your income. That said, many of the wealthy people are located in Montecito. The locals are friendly, and the atmosphere is laid back, which makes Santa Barabra one of the top destinations in California.
If you’re looking for something completely different and aren’t afraid to spend, consider a trip to Antarctica.
