Santa Barbara Transportation

1 more image

They have parking on the pier, but the spots were prime. Parking map of the pier.

ATTENDANT PARKING SYSTEM
First 90 Minutes Free With Stearns Wharf Merchant Validation
No In and Out Privileges

143 single vehicle stalls
7 ADA parking stalls
2 E-plate stalls
6 Motorcycle stalls

2 more images

We found this parking lot and at the time it had plenty of parking. Although it was very crowded at the beach and the arts show, there was still lots of parking spots available. It was only $3.00 for 3 hours which was plenty of time to explore the pier.

East Cabrillo Street Parking

Without the car, The Santa Barbara Air Bus is the next convenient way to get to S.B. especially from the airport (LAX ). There are just 3 stops for duration of travel: Goleta, Carpintera (greater S.B. county) and Santa Barabra. Pickup at LAX is at the Green Pickup signs on the lower level.

Fares for the ride are $44 a person, one-way, pre-paid (way cheaper than a taxi surely!). The more passengers, the better. For 2 people, costs are just $76 one way, pre-paid. Costs are slightly more if paying at the time of travel. Check website for more info. Paying in advance can be done on-line or by calling.

Accomodations are great on the Air Bus. Persons in wheelchairs have to make a 2 day advance notice of travel. Pets can even ride on board. they can ride for free if contained in a small carrier. If not contained, they are charged a passenger ticket.

Also of note:

There are wonderful excursions that the Air Bus takes throughout the year, well beyond LAX. Notable highlights are roundtrips from S.B. to San Francisco and S.B. Rose Parade in Pasadena.

There is no power hookup on board but laptop use is allowed.

2 bags and a small carry-on are the max for luggage on board. Extra bags are charged extra cost.
Overall, the bus is comfortable: great plush seats, roomy and well air-conditioned. Tips are welcomed but not mandatory.

Physical address of the S.B. bus terminal is :

Santa Barbara Airbus
5755 Thornwood Drive
Goleta, CA 93117-3801

If you are hanging around Santa Barbara, most of the sites are close enough that you can walk. You can rent bicycles for a reasonable price and cycle around the area for a healthy alternative.
If you want to get from State Street to the Waterfront area, there is a service called the Downtown Waterfront Shuttle which charges 25 cents for the ride. Parking is readily available in Santa Barbara and the taxi service is also quick and affordable.

Most guides say it is a 2.5 hour drive, what they don’t tell you is with traffic, it could take up to 3 or 4 hours to get there. For a less scenic route, take the 405 North to 101 north, without traffic, it should take about 2 hours. On the way back, with a longer drive you can take the 101 south to PCH south. This drive takes you from Santa Barbara all the way back to LA along the coast. You will pass by Malibu and Santa Monica with some amazing ocean views.

We left LA around 6:30 PM as the sun was getting low in the sky for the ride up to Santa Barbara. We could have taken a quicker route but why do that when you can go up the coast and right by Malibu? So, it took about two hours right up 100 miles of the Pacific Highway. There was no time for stopping and taking photos, that was time well-spent with G in LA but it being spring, it remained light for the whole trip.

When we left, it was 200 miles to Big Sur but that was a drive to take at a leisurely pace, stopping often. It is a winding, mountainous coastal road so even if driving with not stops it would take you over four hours.

There were few worries, we knew we would be driving up not only most of the California coast in the ensuing weeks but the entire coast of the United States.

Arrive at Mediterranian-style Santa Barbara Airport, take a cab to your hotel. At night call my son
David Bang 455-8180, he's the best cab driver with a sense of humor and has over 20 yrs. experience in Santa Barbara.
During the daytime you must take the electric buses for 25¢ on fascinating State Street to the waterfront and zoo.

2 more images

Its very convenient to take the train. Beautiful view along the coast. Fare is approximately $64.00 roundtrip coming from Orange County. An advice i could give is never travel during holidays! Fare rates are higher and the trains are so crowded, seats are very hard to find.