The Best Time to Visit Santa Barbara: A Detailed Guide
There really isn’t a bad time to plan a Santa Barbara vacation. The Central Coast city has generally pleasant weather year-round, and there’s always something to do, whether it be relaxing on the beach, shopping on State Street, or indulging in the wine scene. Of course, there are still some times to visit that are better than others.
In general, the best time to visit Santa Barbara is from the late spring to early summer, or in the early fall. That said, you can still have a wonderful vacation in this beautiful destination during other times of the year – it will ultimately come down to what you’re interested in doing and what your priorities are while on vacation. There are also a few cons to be aware of when visiting in the late spring, early summer, and early fall.
In order to help you determine the best time to visit for your specific needs and preferences, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of visiting during each season.
The Best Time to Visit Santa Barbara: A Breakdown by Season
Here’s a complete guide into what you can expect when visiting the gorgeous city of Santa Barbara during each season.
Visiting in the Spring
Best For: Travelers who want to hike, be outside, and enjoy the pleasant weather (but are okay with not swimming at the beach!) while avoiding the big crowds of the summer.
The late spring is one of the best times to vacation in Santa Barbara. The weather tends to hit the low 70s, which is perfect for spending time outside without getting uncomfortably hot. The early spring is still a nice time to visit, but keep in mind that temperatures are typically a bit cooler, hitting the mid to high 60s. There’s also a good chance you’ll experience some rain.
Keep in mind that those who really want to swim at the beach should wait for the weather to warm up a bit more. In the spring, it will still typically be too cold to jump in the water (unless you’re bringing a wetsuit!).
What’s also great about visiting in the spring is that, while it can get somewhat busy (particularly during schools’ spring break weeks), it’s generally not going to be as crowded as it is in the summer.
The spring is also a particularly nice time to spend a day in Solvang, Los Olivos, or one of the other towns in the Santa Ynez Valley – Santa Barbara’s wine region. Temperatures are warmer in the area, ranging from the low 70s to the low 80s during the day, depending on the exact time of year. Just keep in mind that there’s still a good chance you’ll run into some rain in March and early April.
I also highly recommend travelers going to Santa Barbara in the mid to late spring make their way to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for a chance to see the California poppies in bloom! You’ll also see other seasonal wildflowers, and will be able to explore the lush landscape (which is particularly beautiful after a good rainy season!).
Santa Barbara Spring Events
- Santa Barbara International Orchid Show (One Weekend in March)
- Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival (One Weekend in April, Free Admission!)
- Taste of Santa Barbara (One Week in May)
- I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival (One Weekend in May, Free Admission!)
Pros of Visiting SB in the Spring
- Pleasant weather that is great for being outside
- Great time to go wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley, before it gets too hot
- Not super busy (although there can be an influx of visitors around spring break weeks)
Cons of Visiting SB in the Spring
- Typically not warm enough to swim at the beach
- High chance of rain in the early spring
Visiting in the Summer
Best For: Travelers who want to soak up the sun at the beach (so long as you don’t mind crowds!).
As you can probably guess, Santa Barbara sees the biggest influx of visitors in the summer – particularly in July and August. Travelers flock to the city to spend time outside, swim at the beach, and enjoy the warm weather.
The best weather is in July and August, when the temperatures tend to average around the high 70s – perfect beach weather! Santa Barbara’s weather in June is still super pleasant, with temperatures typically hitting the low 70s during the day. If you want to enjoy the warm weather and avoid the worst of the crowds, you might want to consider visiting in June, before the majority of summer travelers make their trips. That said, keep in mind that “June gloom” – a common California weather pattern characterized by overcast skies – may happen, so you might miss out on sunny days.
Another thing to consider when planning a summer Santa Barbara trip is that hotels and house rentals will be more expensive. They can also book up more quickly, so you should make your reservations as soon as you’re ready to commit.
One last important note: travelers interested in spending time in the Santa Ynez Valley during their trip may want to think twice before visiting in the summer. Temperatures are much hotter once you’re in the valley, typically hitting the mid-80s in June and the low 90s in July and August. It’s still doable, but just be prepared to face the hotter temperatures.
Santa Barbara Summer Events
- Santa Barbara Wine and Food Festival (One Day in June)
- Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration (One Weekend in June, Free Admission!)
- Summer Courthouse Film Series (Fridays in July and August, Free Admission!)
- Old Spanish Days Fiesta (Five Days in July or August)
Pros of Visiting SB in the Summer
- Perfect weather for going to the beach and spending time outside
- Lots of fun seasonal events
Cons of Visiting SB in the Summer
- Huge influx of crowds
- Higher hotel and house rental prices
- Uncomfortably hot temperatures in the Santa Ynez Valley
Visiting in the Fall
Best For: Travelers who want the benefits of good weather without the crowds of the summer.
If you have complete flexibility in your schedule, I’d recommend planning a Santa Barbara vacation in the fall – particularly the early fall. In September and October, the daytime temperatures average around the mid 70s, so it’s still an ideal time for swimming at the beach and enjoying the beautiful hikes in the area.
The crowds from the summer also drastically drop, which means you’ll have more of the city to yourself. Just keep in mind that hotel and house rental prices in the early fall can still be somewhat comparable to what you’d find in the summer.
Once you get into November, the temperatures average around the low 70s during the day. You can still comfortably spend time outside – just don’t expect to jump in the ocean! Crowds are even thinner during this time, as well.
Just like during the summer, if you’re planning on heading to the Santa Ynez Valley, you may want to wait until the later fall, depending on your tolerance for heat. Temperatures in September and October typically hit the mid 80s to low 90s during the day. It’ll be much more comfortable in November, when temperatures average around the mid 70s.
The fall in Santa Barbara is also an especially amazing time for food and wine aficionados. There are some excellent events, including the Santa Barbara Seafood Festival and the Vintners Festival.
Santa Barbara Fall Events
- Santa Barbara Sea Glass & Ocean Arts Festival (One Weekend in September)
- Santa Barbara Vintners Festival (One Day in October)
- Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival (One Day in October)
Pros of Visiting SB in the Fall
- Great weather, especially in the early fall
- Fewer crowds compared to the summer
Cons OF VISITING SB IN THE FALL
- Uncomfortably hot temperatures in the Santa Ynez Valley in the early fall
- Hotel and house rental prices can still be somewhat high, particularly in the early fall
Visiting in the Winter
Best For: Travelers looking to visit in the off-season to get great deals on hotels and house rentals.
Winter in Santa Barbara tends to be a bit quieter, with the exception being around the holidays. Since this is the off-season, this is a particularly nice time to visit for those who would prefer to spend less on accommodations. Of course, there are some trade offs to visiting during this time.
If you’re planning on visiting Santa Barbara in the winter, the biggest factor to consider is rain. The winter is Santa Barbara’s rainy season, so it’s not an ideal time for those prioritizing going on hikes or spending time lounging at the beach. While still pleasant, temperatures are “cold” by Santa Barbara’s standards, averaging in the mid 60s during the day. Keep in mind that the rain and cooler temperatures extend to the Santa Ynez Valley, as well.
With this in mind, if you care more about indulging in the amazing food and wine scene and exploring the downtown area, the winter can still be a wonderful time to visit. Just be sure to bring an umbrella!
If you’re planning on visiting Santa Barbara in December, you can enjoy some of the fun holiday activities. There is the Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights, which takes guests on a tour throughout the area to check out some of the most festive holiday lights. Travelers can also kick off the holiday season during the waterfront Parade of Lights, which includes a firework show.
Santa Barbara Winter Events
- Santa Barbara Harbor Parade of Lights (One Day in December, Free Admission!)
- Santa Barbara International Film Festival (One and a Half Weeks in February)
- World of Pinot Noir (One Weekend Around Late February or Early March)
Pros of Visiting SB in the Winter
- Generally lower hotel and house rental prices (except for around the holidays!)
- Fewer crowds (again, with the exception of the holidays)
Cons of Visiting SB in the Winter
- Mild temperatures, but still too cold to spend time swimming at the beach
- Higher risk of rainy weather
If you’re planning a getaway to Santa Barbara, here are some other travel guides to help you put together the perfect itinerary:
