Experience Santa Barbara
City is located in:
California,United States
Airport(s):
Santa Barbara Airport - SBA *note: this is a relatively small airport so the flights are limited and can be expensive.
Los Angeles International Airport -LAX Most international visitors fly into LAX and drive into Santa Barbara - it is a 2.5 hour drive.
Language(s) Spoken:
English, Spanish, Mandarin
Things to Know Before you Go
Currency Used:
United States Dollar
Main Methods of Payment:
All major credit cards are accepted. Santa Barbara has many locally owned and operated businesses so be prepared to have some cash on hand for some of the smaller businesses. Payment Apps like Venmo, CashApp and Square are also accepted.
Sales Tax/ GST:
8.75%
General Climate:
The climate normally has a dry summer and is classified overall as sub-tropical. Since it is an oceanside city, you can expect the evenings to get chilly and windy.
Getting Around the City:
Public Transportation is available but is not the most connected method. When visiting you should either rent a car or use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. The main street is very walkable and leads right to the pier and you will often see people out and about on foot enjoying the beautiful coastal weather.
Electronic Appliance Support:
110-120 volt electricity is generated at 60 Hz (60 cycles per second) alternating current
Safety:
Santa Barbara generally is a safe and beautiful city, home to college students and long-standing residents alike. However, like with any city, you should be aware of your surroundings and be vigilant when walking in the city at night. There is a large number of homeless people, and it is not uncommon to encounter someone who may ask for spare change. They are normally harmless but vigilance is always advised.
Cultural Norms:
NA