travel

Getting here

• Airports

  Santa Barbara (SBA)

  Our local airport, about a 15-20 minute drive from nearly anywhere in town. Flights might seem more expensive into SBA than other options, but sometimes if you factor in the travel costs associated with getting to SB from somewhere like LAX, it ends up being a wash.

  Los Angeles (LAX)

  Obviously more direct flight options for many people. There are a couple different shuttle options that run between LAX and Santa Barbara, depending on the time you land. You may also choose to rent a car; the drive from LAX to SB can be anywhere from an hour and a half to a little over 2 hours, depending on time of day and traffic.

  Rent a car or try:

  Santa Barbara Airbus: Airbus.com

  Central Coast Shuttle Services: Centralcoastshuttle.com

  Burbank (BUR)

  Also about an hour and half from SB, but some different flight options. There aren't any shuttles to SB from this airport, though there is an Amtrak stop here. May not always work with flight timing, so we'd recommend renting a car if you fly into Burbank.

• Train Stations

  Santa Barbara Amtrak Station (SBA)

  For those flight averse, Amtrak is an option and our train station is close to the beach and drops you right into downtown.
  
  Take the scenic route up from Union Station in Los Angeles.

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Staying here

• There are many hotels in SB and prices can vary greatly. Depending on how long you plan on staying and how much exploring you'd like to do outside of the downtown area, you may want to consider a vacation rental site like VRBO or AirBnB.

  There really are no bad areas to stay in Santa Barbara, even in Goleta, if you're able to find something more budget-friendly out there. Everything in Santa Barbara is (typically) no more than a 15 minute drive. We live in one of the most southern parts of the city and it takes Hannah 15 minutes to drive to work at the most northern part of the city.

  While you may have an easier time getting around if you rent a car, it's not essential. There are walkable areas, bikes rentals, and plenty of rideshare options.

• Hotels

  • Courtyard Marriott SB - Friends and family have stayed here over the years.

  • The Leta in Goleta. A little further out by the airport, but might more bang for your buck. Double check that, though.

  • The Franciscan - Some family members with kids are staying here. It's close to the beach and downtown.

  • Harbor View Inn - More friends and family are staying here. Also close to the beach and downtown.

  • The Eagle Inn - Another beachside hotel option.

  • The Upham - Family is staying here, too.

  • Casa Jardin - Small boutique hotel by the reception venue.

  • El Encanto - If you really want to splurge, here you go.

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Other considerations when planning your trip

• There is plenty to do in Santa Barbara, but if you'd like to stay in the area longer and expand your exploration, we love driving up the coast or over the mountains and into the valley for wine tasting and exploring the cute small towns up there. One of our favorites is Los Alamos, about a 45 minute drive from SB.
  
  And if you'd like some other recommendations or have any questions, feel free to reach out!