Know Before You Go
What should I pack? How can I get there? How old do I need to be to order a glass of wine? What kind of money do Californians use, anyway?
It's always best to prepare for your trip in advance, so you can make the most of every moment of your stay once you arrive. This handy quick-reference page places essential information at your fingertips. Climate, financial services, religious centers, rules and regulations, bus lines - nearly everything you need to know is just a click away. Still have questions? Just ask us!
LOCATION, POPULATION & GEOGRAPHY
Santa Barbara lies on the West Coast of the United States, 92 miles (148 km) north of Los Angeles and 332 miles (534 km) south of San Francisco. It is the largest city and the seat of Santa Barbara County, which covers 2,774 square miles. The Santa Ynez Mountains, which run along the east-west section of the Santa Barbara coast, serve as the boundary distinguishing "North County" (Ballard, Buellton, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Solvang) from "South County" (Carpinteria, Goleta, Montecito, Santa Barbara and Summerland). While the South County cities and towns nestle in the Santa Ynez foothills on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, North County communities are located in higher-elevation inland mountain valleys.
The county is famous for its beautiful beaches, most of which lie along a unique south-facing stretch of coastline that affords beach visitors sun all day long and more shelter from winds and surf. But there's far more here than beaches. The county encompasses enormously varied terrain: Nearly one-third of its total acreage is set aside in the Los Padres National Forest, which includes the rugged San Rafael Wilderness Area. Santa Barbara County's topographical diversity creates a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities in a relatively compact area.
DISTANCES TO SANTA BARBARA FROM OTHER DESTINATIONS INCLUDE:
Hearst Castle: 118 mi./189 km
Santa Barbara County Wine Country: 32 mi./51 km
Universal Studios: 85 mi./136 km
Disneyland: 110 mi./176 km
Hollywood: 89 mi./142 km
LAX: 92 mi./148 km
San Diego: 228 mi./367 km
San Francisco: 332 mi./534 km
TIME ZONE
Santa Barbara is in the Pacific Standard Time Zone, 8 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.
ATTIRE
In dress, as in most other respects, Santa Barbara style is comfortable and casual, though evening wear may be dressier in some places. Throughout the county, you'll be most comfortable if you layer your clothing. Early mornings, evenings and nights may be cool enough for a sweater, but daytime temperatures in the seaside areas and the drier, hotter wine country and valley regions are comfortable enough for short sleeves. Check out Santa Barbara weather for current conditions and the forecast.
RULES TO REMEMBER
It is illegal in California for anyone under 21 years old to consume alcohol in any quantity. To purchase alcohol in a bar, restaurant or store, you must be able to produce photographic identification that proves your age. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is a serious offense in California. A person is considered legally drunk when the concentration of alcohol in his or her blood is at or above .08%.
In California, the driver and all passengers must wear their seatbelts at all times when traveling in a car. Any child too small to be protected by a seatbelt must be secured in a child safety seat.
California law prohibits smoking in restaurants, bars, theaters, auditoriums, museums and most other public buildings.
Keep your eyes on the road, as California law prevents drivers from using hand-held devices while operating a motor vehicle. Play it safe and use a hands-free controller if you must use a phone while on the road.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
For all life-threatening medical, fire and police emergencies, call 911.
For non-emergency calls, dial the following numbers:
- Buellton: 805-681-5500 (fire), 805-686-8150 (police)
- Carpinteria: 805-684-4591 (fire), 805-684-4561 (police)
- Gaviota: 805-681-5500 (fire), 805-681-4100 (police)
- Goleta: 805-681-5500 (fire), 805-681-4100 (police)
- Isla Vista: 805-681-5500 (fire), 805-681-4179 (police)
- Lompoc: 805-736-4513 (fire), 805-736-0159 (police)
- Montecito: 805-969-7762 (fire), 805-684-4561 (police)
- Santa Barbara: 805-965-5254 (fire), 805-897-2300 (police)
- Santa Ynez: 805-686-5000 (fire), 805-686-5000 (police)
- Solvang: 805-686-5000 (police)
- Summerland: 805-684-4591 (fire), 805-684-4561 (police)
CURRENCY & BANKING
Bank-card, bank-cash and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are located throughout the city. Members of participating banking networks and credit card companies can obtain U.S. currency by using an ATM card or credit card and a Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you need to exchange foreign currency, contact Paul A. Brombal (3601-A State St., 805-687-3641), open Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 376 Avenue of the Flags, P.O. Box 231
- Buellton, CA 93427
- Information: (805) 688-7829
The Buellton Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau are here to serve you and make your stay in our area most enjoyable. If there is anything we can do to assist you with your plans or provide you ...MORE
- 5285 Carpinteria Avenue
- Carpinteria, CA 93014
- Information: (805) 684-5479
Founded in 1912 the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s business is the community. The Chamber of Commerce serves as an advocate organization for area businesses at the local, county, state and ...MORE
- 132-A Harbor Way
- Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Information: (805) 564-5531
WHALE WATCHING SEASON IS IN FULL SWING: Between December and May nearly 15,000 California gray whales travel 10,000 miles along the Pacific Coast. These whales swim from cold Arctic feeding grounds to ...MORE
- 105 E. Anapamu Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 681-4200
Accountability * Customer-Focus * Efficiency
- 610 Mission Canyon Road
- Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Information: (805) 568-2461
Visitors find in each of our parks a distinctive spirit that may stimulate or soothe, but is sure to satisfy. Cool redwood groves, wide open lawns for recreation, the picturesque Pacific, and two of ...MORE
- 1421 Chapala Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 962-8680
EF International Language Centers is the world's leading international English school. We offer a broad variety of courses ranging from basic junior courses up to exam preparation classes. To learn ...MORE
- ,
- Information: 800EXPEDIA
Why it pays to book with Expedia: * Huge savings on Flight + Hotel vacations * No Expedia booking fees on flights * More hotels (and more deals!) in more places ...MORE
- UC Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara, CA 93106-1120
- Information: 805-893-8416
Welcome to the UC Santa Barbara Family Vacation Center, located in Santa Barbara, CA. - The American Riviera®. Families stay in suite style accommodations with 2-4 bedrooms, bathroom, living room ...MORE
- P.O. Box 781
- Goleta, CA 93116
- Information: 805-967-2500
The Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce (GVCoC) is a business-oriented membership organization founded in 1947. GVCoC helps to advance the interests of the Goleta Valley, its people and its commerce ...MORE
- P.O. Box 40260
- Santa Barbara, CA 93140
- Information: (805) 881-3385
The GSBL&RA serves as a voice for the hospitality industry in our area, serving both lodging and tourism associates through information, education and advocacy.
- Call or email for more information
- Santa Barbara, CA 93110
- Information: (805) 895-9794
- 633 West 5th Street, Suite 6000
- Los Angeles, CA 90071
- Information: (213) 624-7300
- 111 South I St.
- Lompoc, CA 93436
- Information: (805) 736-4567
Lompoc is known as the “City of Murals in the Valley of Flowers.” Historically a center of ranching and floriculture, the surrounding landscape is still dominated by huge fields of larkspur, lavender, ...MORE
- 2201 Laguna Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Information: 805.682.4713
The picturesque Mission lies between the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish heritage of the town is reflected in the architecture and street names of this popular ...MORE
- 3860 Elijah Court, #1032
- San Diego, CA 92130
- Information: (858) 205-8977
Let us help you build your occupancy, room nights, RevPar and TOT for the city. We have many distribution channels for your hotel where consumers can book your property via domestic, international or ...MORE
- 1105 Chapala St.
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: 805-965-6547
The Santa Barbara Club provides a luxurious, timeless setting renown for its Wine Country cuisine and exceptional service. Serving Santa Barbara for over 115 years, the Club is a quiet and refreshing ...MORE
- 3669 Sagunto, Ste. 101
- 3669 Sagunto, Ste. 101
- Santa Ynez, CA 93460
- Information: 805.688.0881
The Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a premium wine producing and wine grape growing region. The ...MORE
- 27B E. De La Guerra St.
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 962-2098
Downtown Santa Barbara… The Most Beautiful Downtown in America. Downtown Santa Barbara features world-class shopping, from major retailers to unique local specialty shops. Wander through outdoor ...MORE
- 125 Harbor Way #13
- Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Information: 805-962-2826
- P.O. Box 6592
- Santa Barbara, CA 93160
- Information: (805) 233-3690
Our mission is to foster the Economic Vitality and Prosperity of the Latino Business Community as well as the quality of life in the greater Santa Barbara area.
- 924 Anacapa St. Suite 1
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 965-3023
"Business is great in Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara is great for business" The Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce is a California non-profit corporation. We are located on 924 Anacapa ...MORE
- 2020 Chapala Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Information: (805) 563-0500
CUSTOM MEDIA develops and creates compelling one-to-one communication solutions. At a time when relationship marketing is critical for success, custom publishing has emerged as an effective tool: ...MORE
- 614 South Broadway
- Santa Maria, CA 93454
- Information: (805) 925-2403
The Santa Maria Valley is nestled in the foothills of Santa Barbara County wine country. Located in the heart of California's Central Coast, here you will discover beautiful scenery, championship golf ...MORE
