Flying into Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)

It is relatively easy and convenient to fly into Santa Barbara. Most of the major airline carriers offer routes into SBA with stops through hubs such as LAX, SFO, PHX, DEN and SLC. For those traveling from west coast cities, there are direct flight options.

For those traveling from Chicago, United Airlines now offers one direct flight per day in the evenings.

Southwest also now offers flights into Santa Barbara from DEN, OAK and LAS. Flight options from other cities are also available with a stop through one of those cities.

Flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Another option is to fly into LAX, rent a car and drive to Santa Barbara (approx. 95 miles; length of time will highly depend on traffic). If you have time to spare, we would suggest taking the scenic route via the Pacific Coast Highway and stopping in Malibu for lunch or dinner.

While LAX will likely have the most flight options, it might also be worth checking out some of the smaller airports in the Southern California area like Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in order to avoid some of the LAX-specific traffic.

Flying into NorCal (SFO, OAK or SJC)

For those looking to make a trip out of the drive and take the super scenic route, you can fly into Northern California and drive down Highway 1 through destinations such as Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo and Solvang.

Below is a list of some hotel options that are either within walking distance of the wedding venue or a short car ride. This is not an exhaustive list, but many of the hotels are clustered right in downtown and easily searchable on a map. As many of these are independently owned properties, they may not all have availability on booking sites like Expedia or Booking.com so try checking their direct websites.

We suggest booking your accommodations as soon as possible in order to get the best rates and availability since August is peak season in Santa Barbara.

Hotel Californian ($$$$): Located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara and central to the wedding venue as well as dining and shopping

Franciscan Inn ($$): Boutique hotel that is walking distance to the wedding venue and one block to the beach. Rates as of mid-January are pretty reasonable for the wedding weekend

Castillo Inn at the Beach ($$): Recently renovated hotel that is walking distance to the wedding venue and one block to the beach. We enjoyed a recent stay here during a visit to Santa Barbara

Beachside Inn ($$): Right on the waterfront with views of the beach and harbor. Walking to distance to everything downtown with newly renovated rooms

Eagle Inn ($$): A cute B&B within walking distance to the wedding venue and main Santa Barbara attractions

Harbor House Inn ($$): Homey boutique hotel one block from the beach and down the street from the wedding venue

Hotel Milo Santa Barbara ($$$): Beachside hotel within walking distance of the wedding venue

Harbor View Inn ($$): Boutique hotel that has one building beach side and one building very close to the wedding venue. The North Wing rooms are newly built

Kimpton Canary Hotel ($$$$): Located in downtown Santa Barbara with a rooftop pool. About a mile from the wedding venue and wharf, so would be a quick Uber/Lyft/taxi or a little walk

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort ($$$): Historic Santa Barbara hotel with beach views. About a mile from the wedding venue and wharf, so would be a quick Uber/Lyft/taxi or a little walk.

Santa Barbara Inn ($$$): Boutique hotel located right by the beach and a short oceanside Uber/Lyft/taxi ride to the wedding venue

Hyatt Mar Monte Hotel ($$$): Located right by the beach and a short oceanside Uber/Lyft/taxi ride to the wedding venue

Airbnb

Vrbo