Malibu vs. Santa Barbara: Which is Best for Your Beach Vacation?

Santa Barbara and Malibu are both popular California destinations for travelers seeking a chill beach vacation. That said, despite their general proximity and seemingly similar vibes, there are some major differences between the two…which means one may be better for your travel style and interests!

As a California native and Los Angeles local who has spent plenty of time in both spots, I’ve created a handy guide comparing Malibu vs. Santa Barbara so that you can plan your perfect beach trip!

View of the Malibu Coastline during sunset, with a large open sandy space. There is the ocean to the left, and the Santa Monica Mountains to the right.

View from the Clock Tower at the Santa Barbara Courthouse

Zuma Beach in Malibu | The Santa Barbara Courthouse

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Malibu vs. Santa Barbara: What to Know About Each California Destination

If you’re deciding whether to go to Santa Barbara or Malibu for your next vacation, here are some key things to consider before booking your trip.

Key Things to Know About Malibu

With 21 miles of coastline, visiting Malibu is all about spending time by the water – and there are tons of beaches to explore!

Zuma Beach is always a good choice, as it has 1.8 miles of beach frontage (so there’s plenty of space to spread out and soak up the sun!). Some others worth mentioning include the famed El Matador Beach, as well as Surfrider Beach.

If you really want to get into the Malibu culture, consider booking a private surf lesson at Surfrider Beach!

Beyond the beaches, Malibu is also known for its incredible hiking trails. I’d recommend spending part of your Malibu trip hiking one or two of the most famous trails in the area. I particularly love exploring Point Dume and the Charmlee Wilderness Park. For a more unique hiking experience, you can even book a guided vineyard hike in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains!

Something that surprises many first-time Malibu visitors is that there isn’t a central downtown area. The closest thing the area has to a main town is the Malibu Village Mall, an upscale outdoor shopping center with restaurants and shops. Beyond that, you’ll find smaller shopping centers along the Pacific Coast Highway, as well as restaurants peppered throughout the area.

Given the lack of a central area and the sprawling nature of the region, this means you should be ready to drive a bit to explore (don’t worry – the drive down the Pacific Coast Highway and up into the Santa Monica Mountains is beautiful!).

In addition to the trails and beaches, a few key Malibu attractions include Adamson House and the Malibu Pier (Surfrider Beach sits right between these spots). The Getty Villa is also a major attraction in the area, but it is closed indefinitely due to the January 2025 wildfires.

Essential Malibu Travel Info

Nearest Airport: LAX (approximately 35 minute to 1+ hour drive, depending on traffic) and BUR (approximately 45 minute to 1.5 hour drive, depending on traffic)
Transportation: A car is needed to explore Malibu. Rideshares are available, but can be difficult to get at times. I recommend reserving a rental car in advance.

View of a rocky beach and coastal cliffs from above on the Point Dume Trail

The Malibu Pier sign, which reads Malibu Sport Fishing Pier, Live Bait & Charter Boats

Key Things to Know About Santa Barbara

Compared to Malibu, Santa Barbara has a much more urban environment (which is surrounded by a gorgeous natural landscape). Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara boasts a walkable town with beautiful Mediterranean and Spanish-style architecture and a great food, bar, shopping, and arts scene.

That all said, Santa Barbara is still a small city. It’s much more calm and laid-back than other bigger cities in California.

Of course, you’ll want to include plenty of time at the beach in your Santa Barbara itinerary. Santa Barbara has beautiful beaches, including Arroyo Burro Beach (also known as Hendry’s Beach) and Butterfly Beach (in Montecito).

Much like Malibu, Santa Barbara is also known for its amazing hikes. Some of my favorite trails in the area include the Inspiration Point Trail and the easy Arroyo Burro Beach Loop.

Beyond hiking and relaxing at the beach, some key activities that you won’t want to miss during a Santa Barbara trip include exploring the historic courthouse, walking through the Funk Zone (and stopping at a wine tasting room!), checking out Stearns Wharf, shopping on State Street, and stopping by Old Mission Santa Barbara.

Of course, there is so much more to do in Santa Barbara if you have more time. Consider visiting the Santa Barbara Zoo, exploring the beautiful Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, booking a kayak tour, or doing an electric bike tour through some of the city’s most famous spots.

For a longer getaway, you can also explore the nearby Santa Ynez Valley wine region. Spend a day in Solvang, check out the picturesque town of Los Olivos, and do a few wine tastings. To make things easier, you can book a guided vineyard tour (they can even pick you up at your accommodation in Santa Barbara!).

Essential Santa Barbara Travel Info

Nearest Airport: SBA (a smaller municipal airport, which is about a 15 to 25 minute drive), LAX (approximately 2 to 4 hour drive, depending on traffic), and BUR (approximately 1.5 to 3 hour drive, depending on traffic)
Transportation: You can get by without a car in Santa Barbara, as the town is fairly walkable and it is easy to get a rideshare. That said, it can still be helpful to rent a car, especially if you’re spending a lot of time outside of Downtown Santa Barbara. If you are flying into one of the LA airports, you’ll want to rent a car.

View from Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara. White boats sitting in the water, with the coastline and mountains in the background

Sunken Gardens at the Santa Barbara Courthouse

Malibu or Santa Barbara: Which Should You Visit?

Santa Barbara and Malibu are both incredible destinations worth visiting. That said, Malibu is a particularly great choice for anyone looking to fully spend their getaway by the beach and out in nature. Meanwhile, Santa Barbara is an excellent option for someone who wants the perfect combo of vibrant city life and beautiful natural scenery.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of each.

Malibu Pros

Stunning beaches, and a lot of options to choose from
Amazing hiking opportunities
Varied accommodation options (stay right on the water, or enjoy a peaceful escape up in the mountains!)
Plenty of vacation house rentals

Santa Barbara Pros

Vibrant, walkable downtown with lots to do
A ton of great restaurants and bars
Beautiful beaches
Amazing hiking opportunities
Accommodation options (including both hotels and vacation rentals) at all price points

Malibu Cons

No real central town area with little to do in the evenings
Very car reliant
Crowds at the beaches and traffic on the Pacific Coast Highway in the summer and on holiday weekends
Fewer hotel options (and generally speaking, they are on the pricier end)

Santa Barbara Cons

The town and beaches can get crowded, especially in the summer and on holiday weekends
If you are flying, it is more difficult to get to compared to Malibu (unless you are able to fly into the local Santa Barbara airport)

Choosing Your Accommodations

Once you’ve picked your beach vacation destination, it’s time to book your accommodations! Here are my recommendations on where to stay, as well as a few things to keep in mind.

Where to Stay in Malibu

Since Malibu is so spread out, there’s no one “best” area to stay. It ultimately depends on your preferences and budget! Here are a few Malibu hotels I recommend:

The Surfrider Hotel – a charming, beautifully designed boutique hotel on the Pacific Coast Highway, right near the Malibu Pier.
Malibu Beach Inn – a beachfront luxury hotel right on the beach.
The M Malibu – a more budget-friendly hotel option located on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Calamigos Guest Ranch & Beach Club – a stunning resort in the Santa Monica Mountains that is perfect for a quiet escape.

There are also a lot of great vacation rentals in Malibu worth checking out.

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara

For ease, I generally recommend staying within walking distance of Downtown Santa Barbara. That said, if you don’t mind having to drive into town, there are some great hotels outside of the downtown area.

Here are a few hotel options I recommend:

Palihouse Santa Barbara – a charming and eclectic boutique hotel in Downtown Santa Barbara.
Hotel Californian – an ideally located luxury hotel that is just steps from the beach and the Funk Zone.
Santa Barbara Inn – a beachfront hotel located a mile away from the Funk Zone.
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel – a luxury Spanish Colonial-style hotel tucked away from the action of Santa Barbara.

Alternatively, consider booking a vacation home rental in Santa Barbara. There are plenty of options in and around downtown, as well as in the greater Santa Barbara area.

Check out these California travel guides to help you plan the perfect vacation:

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