This was just an overnight stop on our way to Los Angeles. However, Santa Barbara deserves more time for a first-time visit. There is a lot to see and do. The beach is great and State Street is a fun place to shop and take part in the nightlife.
Santa Barbara is a California jewel that lies about an hour and half from Los Angeles and is a scenic drive up the coast. At times 101 hugs the California coastline.
Santa Barbara seems to be the perfect town. It's not too big but big enough to have most of the major-city amenities. It's been home to everyone from the Reagans to Michael Jackson. People flock here to visit or live because of the near-perfect Mediterranean climate and upscale lifestyle.
Santa Barbara started as one of the California mission stops along the coast. Today you can still visit the historic Santa Barbara mission. The town still has a feel of the Spanish influence here. Santa Barbara has strict building codes and even new buildings feel historic.
Santa Barbara is a college town and during the school year has that college town beat. State Street is lined with bars and clubs and students who are not hitting the books frequent this area. It's young and hip and feels fun.
The town is a mix of everyone. It also has its fair share of free spirits. On this trip we were walking State Street and a young lady in costume was belly dancing down the street. Besides the rich and the famous, Santa Barbara does have a growing homeless and panhandling problem. As in most beach cities, it's advisable to pay attention and stay around people.
Santa Barbara is fun. It's an easy day trip up from LA, but there is so much to see and do here that I suggest you spend at least a weekend.
${QuickSuggestions} If you want to do a nice day trip from Los Angeles, I would suggest taking Amtrak up. First you can leave LA from historic Union Station and in less than 2 hours be in the heart of Santa Barbara. The train ride is scenic and follows the coast north.
Once in Santa Barbara, you need only to walk 1 block, and here you can rent a bike or a small electric car about the size of a golf cart. You can get to the beach from here or up to State Street to shop. It's a fun day trip, and you can catch a 7pm train back to Los Angeles. What could be more fun?
${BestWay} Most folks arrive by car from Los Angeles. However, Santa Barbara is served by Amtrak and the train station is in the heart of the city. Santa Barbara also has a commercial airport, and many U.S. airlines serve this city with code shares or commuter flights.
If you arrive without a car, you many want to consider renting an electric car. There are several locations on the beach that rent these cars. Some even look like mini Hummers!
Parking is easy, but be warned that on a weekend traffic can be bad. Often driving back to LA on a Sunday night can be bumper-to-bumper traffic.
From journal Santa Barbara