SANTA BARBARA
Known as the American Riviera.
Santa Barbara is one of California’s best coastal towns, it’s a seaside escape full of inspiration, serenity, a laid-back lifestyle, and dramatic coastal beauty.
Santa Barbara has the perfect climate throughout the year for outdoor activities like surfing, biking, hiking, and sailing. With world-class wineries, fine dining, spas, manicured gardens, and beautiful Mediterranean-style architecture, you'll understand why Santa Barbara is so beloved.
Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is one of California's best coastal towns. You couldn’t ask for a more inspiring setting. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Santa Barbara has always beckoned to anyone with a passion for the arts, culture, and the good life. Located between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is the perfect getaway for families, couples, and friends.
Known for wine tasting, seafood, art galleries, and historic landmarks, Santa Barbara has it all. Hikers will find endless trails in the Los Padres National Forest with breathtaking views of the Pacific. Plus, Santa Barbara is one of the most dog-friendly places you’ll visit.
Santa Barbara's culture and history.
Casual yet fashionably elegant, Santa Barbara is steeped in history, featuring one of Santa Barbara’s most iconic sites, Old Mission Santa Barbara.
The Mission is one of the city’s most picturesque landmarks. Perched on a hill, this beauty is known as “Queen of the Missions” for its exceptional beauty. Founded by the Spanish Franciscans in 1786, it is still home to the Franciscan Friars, and thousands of visitors from around the world walk the halls of history touring the museum every year.
Unlike most American cities, Santa Barbara realized the economic and cultural value of preserving its historic buildings early on. Because of early intervention, original Spanish Colonial and Mexican-era adobe structures still exist, giving downtown its distinctive white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs that reflect the city’s heritage.
Santa Barbara is packed with museums for every interest. From art to history and kid-friendly to maritime-focused, there is something for every museum lover.
If you prefer to stay outside to enjoy the sunshine, there is a unique botanical garden located just outside of Santa Barbara — The Ganna Walska Lotusland. Lotusland is considered to be one of the top 10 botanic gardens in the world. This 37-acre botanical wonderland was created by Madame Ganna Walska, who owned the property from 1941 until her death in 1984.
The food & wine scene.
If your ideal vacation involves tasting your way through a destination, Santa Barbara is your culinary paradise. Santa Barbara is more than just its signature annual Food & Wine Festival, it is a year-round extravaganza of culinary options, including the ability to go from the coastline to tasting rooms downtown to the wine country… all within 30 minutes.
Enjoy one of many food & wine tours, or if you prefer to explore on your own, State Street is lined with restaurants offering local wines and seasonal fare. Another must-see is the Funk Zone — a hub for arts, dining, wine and spirits, retail and business, hotels, gorgeous scenery, and unique culture. Located between the ocean and Highway 101, it’s a great place to wander around and enjoy the art, including all the murals featured around this unique district.
Not the most famous wine region in California, Santa Barbara County is home to some of California's most exciting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. There are more than 275 wineries in the area. You can do your own self-guided tour of the 26 urban tasting rooms after you sun, shop, and dine downtown.
Outdoor activities galore.
Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to Santa Barbara because of its perfect climate and dramatic backdrop, the Santa Ynez Mountains. Santa Barbara obliges with endless opportunities to hike and bike your way to amazing scenic vistas. You’ll find an abundance of activities on the water, including kayaking, surfing, whale watching, stand-up paddleboarding, and more.
Did we mention Santa Barbara is extremely pet-friendly? No need to leave your fur baby at home. Bring Fluffy to dog-friendly beaches, parks, eateries, and wine-tasting rooms. The activities you can enjoy with your pup are endless. Don’t miss Arroyo Burro Beach, a dog-friendly spot to take in the ocean.
A healthy dose of shopping.
Shopping in Santa Barbara comes with its own distinct flair — in addition to an array of eclectic restaurants, State Street and the Funk Zone are loaded with shops and showrooms.
On State Street itself, you’ll find plenty of surf shops, as well as the best of the stores and brands you already know and love. Additionally, you’ll find the entrance to Paseo Nuevo Mall. Continue to follow State Street and you’ll also find small, locally-owned boutiques inside La Arcada. This hidden gem is an architectural delight, home to the iconic turtle fountain.
As you near the water, head east off of State Street between Montecito and Mason Streets to find yourself in the Funk Zone. This up-and-coming area is bursting with energy, and, while it is definitely known for its abundance of wine-tasting rooms, it has a wide array of shops to explore.
Shops are scattered throughout Santa Barbara, including Arlington Plaza and De La Guerra Plaza. And everywhere you look, there are consignment shops, souvenir shops, gift shops, and galleries just waiting to be discovered.
How to get there.
Once in Santa Barbara, it’s easy to get around, opt for a nearby trolley, water taxi, public bus, pedicab, and bike path. Leave the car at home and let WingTips take you there.
WingTips Fast Flights provide a more convenient way to get to Santa Barbara. Our Fast Flights allow you to book only the number of seats you need. You and your guests fly in the luxury of a private aircraft, that is certified and operated to air carrier standards.
If traveling to Santa Barbara from within California, a 90-mile road trip from Los Angles can take more than 4 hours. Traveling the 230 miles from San Diego? It’s easily a 6-hour journey.
WingTips will get you there 4x faster than driving and there’s no traffic, long security lines, lost luggage, and hours of waiting at the airport. Another perk? Pets sit right by your side and never leave your sight. Our flights serve the Santa Barbara area via the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), which is only a 10-mile drive from downtown.
We are all about getting more people where they need to be — faster and easier — avoiding the stress and frustration of other options.
Interested in our private or shared charters to and from Santa Barbara?
Charter an entire flight or book individual seats.
Book a private charter or request a shared charter where you book and pay for only the number of seats you need.
Our private charters will fly you and your guests anywhere in the Continental US. Our shared charter flights depart from California, Nevada & Arizona to multiple regional airports that are both conveniently located and easy to access.
To learn about flights to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, contact us at
or
888-890-1063.
“Somewhere between living and dreaming, there’s Santa Barbara.”
— Megan Jones, Travel Blogger
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