Destination guides > North America > USA > West Coast > California > Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is billed as a playground for the wealthy and the lack of budget accommodation means that most backpackers just stop for the day en route to somewhere else.
Practical information
Santa Barbara Beachfront Visitors Center
1 Garden Street, Santa Barbara
Tel (805) 965 3021
Website www.santabarbara.com
Open Jan-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Jul-Aug 9am-6pm daily; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm
Coming & going
BUS
Greyhound coaches (tel (805) 965 7551) to Los Angeles and San Francisco stop at 34 West Carrillo Street.
TRAIN
Amtrak trains to Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo leave from the station on Lower State Street.
Local transport
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD; tel (805) 683 3702) runs bus services around the city. Bus fares are $1.25 and a 10-ride ticket is $10.
Hostel accommodation
Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel
134 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara
Tel (805) 963 0154
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
This magnificent Spanish-Moorish style courthouse was built in 1929 featuring exquisite hand-painted ceilings. There are lovely views of Santa Barbara from the clock tower.
1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara
Tel (805) 962 6464
Admission free
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; tours Mon 10.30am, 2pm, Tue-Fri 10.30am, Sat 2pm
Mission Santa Barbara
This mission – 1.5km north of the city centre – dates from 1820.
2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara
Tel (805) 682 4713
Website www.sbmission.org
Admission $4
Open 9am-5pm daily
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
This art museum features works by prominent American and European artists including Marc Chagall, Thomas Eakins, Claude Monet, Georgia O'Keeffe and Pablo Picasso. The exterior features a mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros.
1130 State Street, Santa Barbara
Tel (805) 963 4364
Website www.sbmuseart.org
Admission $9 ($6 students), free Sun
Open Tue-Sun 11am-5pm
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