Santa Barbara County
A county on California's Central Coast, where Santa Barbara is known for its Spanish colonial-style architecture, beaches and wine country.
Santa Barbara County lies on California's Central Coast, with the Santa Ynez Mountains behind it and the Pacific Ocean in front. Its mild climate has earned it the nickname the "American Riviera." The city of Santa Barbara is distinguished by its red-tile-roofed, white-walled Spanish Colonial Revival architecture; Mission Santa Barbara, the Courthouse and Stearns Wharf are all worth a visit. Inland, the Santa Ynez Valley is dotted with wineries, and the Danish-style town of Solvang is also popular. The area is pleasant year-round, especially in spring and fall. The gateway is Santa Barbara Airport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner stops along the coast.
Destinations
Itineraries
- Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles – Drive south along Highway 1, connecting San Francisco, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, and Santa Barbara
- US West National Parks & Coast Grand Loop – A Los Angeles loop passing through Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Yosemite, and San Francisco, returning…
- Los Angeles Neighborhood Life and Santa Barbara – Stay downtown and use the metro to explore Olvera Street, Hollywood and Fairfax, plus a day train trip to Santa Barbara.