Santa Barbara Scenic Drive
Santa Barbara Scenic Drive
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Santa Barbara Scenic Drive and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
210 within 5 kms
Attractions
214 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
329 reviews
Excellent
212
Very good
82
Average
27
Poor
6
Terrible
2
Denny W
Santa Barbara, CA79 contributions
Dec 2019
Santa Barbara is a picturesque small city built in a valley that goes from the mountains to the ocean. The historic Mission looks down over the city to the Pier at the base of the primary road, State Street. Wonderful restaurants and charming hotels with a beautiful downtown shopping area.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mort7777
Clive, IA41 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
I wrote a previous review of the Scenic Tour, It is a very popular review of one of the most beautiful urban drives. But recently Santa Barbara and specifically Montecito has experienced a very serious natural disaster, which has taken lives and left this amazing place in a state not recommended for tourists. With respect for the land and the residents here, I am respectfully posting this review to inform would be visitors to consider another activity if traveling to the area. The residents of Montecito need time to heal and much of the recommended drive is not currently navigable. Consider staying in Santa Barbara proper or driving out to the Santa Ynez Valley for sight seeing and of course wine tasting, paragliding, sail plane rides. Or coastal activities such as whale watching and beach combing. The residents will thank you and you will get the most out of your visit to this magical place.
Written February 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KKGSB
Santa Barbara, CA125 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
I notice that some reviewers seem to have had a difficult time finding the scenic view. (Actually, Santa Barbara is full of them, but to my mind, driving along the ocean is at the top of the list.)
Coming from the south on Hwy. 101, exit at Cabrillo. Turn left and go under the railroad tracks. You will drive by the Santa Barbara Cemetery on your left. If you have time, this is worth a visit for the views and tombstones of interesting people who are buried there. Otherwise, continue driving on Cabrillo. You will notice the gates to the Hugette Clark estate on your left (the book "Empty Mansions"). On your right is the Bird Refuge and the Santa Barbara Zoo.( If you look quickly, you may see a giraffe or two!) Looking to your left you will see beautiful beaches, the ocean, and the channel islands off-shore. There are several public parking lots, as well as parking on the street. It's not hard to find at all!
You can continue driving past East Beach and Sterns Wharf, past State Street to Ledbetter Beach, or when you reach State Street, you can turn right and continue into town.
If you are coming to Santa Barbara on the 101 from the north, there are several ways to get to the ocean. You can exit on Carrillo and just follow the road as it changes to Meigs and then Shoreline, or you can exit on Castillo and follow the street until it runs into Cabrillo at the ocean.
Santa Barbara beaches are easily accessible, clean, and as I mentioned, there is parking either on the street or in lots. Enjoy your visit!
Coming from the south on Hwy. 101, exit at Cabrillo. Turn left and go under the railroad tracks. You will drive by the Santa Barbara Cemetery on your left. If you have time, this is worth a visit for the views and tombstones of interesting people who are buried there. Otherwise, continue driving on Cabrillo. You will notice the gates to the Hugette Clark estate on your left (the book "Empty Mansions"). On your right is the Bird Refuge and the Santa Barbara Zoo.( If you look quickly, you may see a giraffe or two!) Looking to your left you will see beautiful beaches, the ocean, and the channel islands off-shore. There are several public parking lots, as well as parking on the street. It's not hard to find at all!
You can continue driving past East Beach and Sterns Wharf, past State Street to Ledbetter Beach, or when you reach State Street, you can turn right and continue into town.
If you are coming to Santa Barbara on the 101 from the north, there are several ways to get to the ocean. You can exit on Carrillo and just follow the road as it changes to Meigs and then Shoreline, or you can exit on Castillo and follow the street until it runs into Cabrillo at the ocean.
Santa Barbara beaches are easily accessible, clean, and as I mentioned, there is parking either on the street or in lots. Enjoy your visit!
Written March 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barb D
Frisco, TX156 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
We found this to be a wonderful way to see some of the scenic views of Santa Barbara and the beautiful neighborhoods. Allow at least an hour and a half for this unless you don't plan to stop. We actually spent about 2 hours doing it. We stopped at several beaches for the views (Hendry Beach was very interesting) and at the Mission. Before going, stop at the Visitor's Center across from West Beach and get a printed copy of the drive. It was very helpful in figuring out the many turns. There are signs along the way marking the scenic drive, but sometimes they don't show up at important turns.
Written February 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanulele
Mumbai, India12 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
If you love driving , this scenic drive from LA to SFO is a must . Take the 10hr route , you wont regret it !
Renting a car from LA airport is the easiest and seamless.
Do get your self a GPS + Spend a little more on a nice sturdy SUV , which is surely a pleasure on a long drive.
As we landed we drove out in our rented car and stopped for breakfast at - Ihop ! ( yummmiiieeeee is the word.)
We then started our drive to SFO.. via Santa Barbara .. Santa Barbara is lovely town you must drive through.. we planned to stay there but dint get any hotel rooms available of our choice.
We then drove further down to - Pismo beach ! now thats what we were looking for . Stayed a night in Pismo.
Next day started our drive into SFO.
We were just 2 girls sharing the drive. Plus left hand drive for the first time. It was an experience of a lifetime and highly recommended !
At times it was confusing which is the route to take.. as there were 2 highways running parallel.
(Route 1, parts of it is combined with highway 101)
.. but always found our way back on the Scenic route 1.
Renting a car from LA airport is the easiest and seamless.
Do get your self a GPS + Spend a little more on a nice sturdy SUV , which is surely a pleasure on a long drive.
As we landed we drove out in our rented car and stopped for breakfast at - Ihop ! ( yummmiiieeeee is the word.)
We then started our drive to SFO.. via Santa Barbara .. Santa Barbara is lovely town you must drive through.. we planned to stay there but dint get any hotel rooms available of our choice.
We then drove further down to - Pismo beach ! now thats what we were looking for . Stayed a night in Pismo.
Next day started our drive into SFO.
We were just 2 girls sharing the drive. Plus left hand drive for the first time. It was an experience of a lifetime and highly recommended !
At times it was confusing which is the route to take.. as there were 2 highways running parallel.
(Route 1, parts of it is combined with highway 101)
.. but always found our way back on the Scenic route 1.
Written September 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard G
Boynton Beach, FL16 contributions
Sept 2016
My wife and I had read a number of positive reviews of this self-guided tour so stopped by the Tourist Office to pick up directions. As ususal, she was the navigator, and except for one confusing turn near the end, we managed to stay on course! It was wll worth the effort, and along the way we were led to a great public beach just north of Santa Barbara and stopped for an hour. What more could one want: a scenic cove just steps away, clean bathrooms, a lovely cafe and free parking? Then we continuted up into the mountains, and down again with incredible views. This is a chance to taken an hour or so to see more of this beautiful region.
Written October 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stanleyjs
Scotland187 contributions
Sept 2016
On our way from Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara we headed for Solvang, a lovely little Danish town, then onto the 154 which takes you to Santa Barbara. The drive is through the wine country and hills, much better than taking the 101
Written September 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rollngstone
Milwaukee, WI1,355 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
"SB Scenic drive" is kind of an understatement --- it's hard to find drives around SB that AREN'T scenic. Our tourist map had the scenic drive marked, but from what I can tell -- there are several different versions of the SB Scenic Drive.
Enjoy your cruising around town / and above it. If there are locals who need to get where they're going, get out of their way.
While you're up in the Riviera area, seek out Franceschi Park for some amazing views. This park includes urban ruins - a rundown house with a fascinating history (google it). There are some picnic tables / you'll have a hard time finding a better view for a picnic.
Enjoy your cruising around town / and above it. If there are locals who need to get where they're going, get out of their way.
While you're up in the Riviera area, seek out Franceschi Park for some amazing views. This park includes urban ruins - a rundown house with a fascinating history (google it). There are some picnic tables / you'll have a hard time finding a better view for a picnic.
Written April 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UncleBob
Cardiff, UK127 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
This was a pleasant drive through some very nice areas of Santa Barbara. Unfortunately, one is forced to stop at the Santa Barbara Visitors center to get typed directions, and a folding map. All enjoyed the short trip (1-2 hours, depending on length of stops).
Written December 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vickie T
Papillion, NE12 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Traveling along the coast and going to Santa Ynez Valley and Los Olivos was beautiful. Solvang is a great little Danish town with lots of curt shops and wonderful pastries. Wish we could have tasted them all.
Written September 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The route for the Santa Barbara trolley starts at the Visitor's office, which is on Cabrillo Drive. Cabrillo Drive runs parallel to the ocean. There is a walking path between Cabrillo Drive and the beach, again, parallel to the ocean. This path is approximately 2 miles, from the Harbor at East Beach to the building at West Beach.
Written March 7, 2019
does the bus have a stop for pickup at the harbor view inn
Also what are the times of pickup
Written October 2, 2018
I do have the paper somewhere in the house with the info but can't find it just yet. If I find it, I'll post the info. Meantime, best thing is to just call Harbor View Inn and ask them. They'll know. I expect that they'll be a pick up close to there - if not it's pretty close to the Tourist Office to pick up from there. Even better call the Tourist Office and perhaps they can tell you or send the points and times. Try and get free tickets from hotel if not it costs around $ 23 each.
Written October 5, 2018
Where do we get more info as to were/when to catch this bus, tour hours, etc?
Written August 31, 2018
Either at the Visitors Center, where there happens to be a stop, or if you're staying at one of the hotels there, there may be a stop there. Where we stayed on Bath St -opp. the marina - there is a stop and also at a number of other hotels. If you're staying at a hotel you may get a free ticket to the bus if not I think it's around $ 18. We very much enjoyed the ride through the City and the commentary too.
Written September 2, 2018
From where can you pick up the Waterfront Shuttle Bus - and see the general area around?
Written August 3, 2018
There should be signs on the street that show the pick up...One of the stops is near the Hyatt, near the pier and at the zoo
Written August 3, 2018
Vou de carro para Santa Bárbara, melhor estacionar em algum lugar e fazer tudo a pé? Ou consigo achar vaga pela cidade?
Written June 6, 2018
The tour is one you drive yourself, so there is not cost, but you'll need a car. However, the route has been recently damaged due to serious landslides in January 2018 that claimed 22 lives. It is recommended that you do not try and follow this tour at this time.
Written March 7, 2018
darreljrt
Boston, Massachusetts
where do we pick up transportation or do we drive the scenic drive ourselves?
Written May 26, 2017
Sorry to answer this way, but we were on a bus trip and this is the way we traveled the drive by the shore. It is beautiful though I really loved the sailboats and cabin cruisers.
Written May 28, 2017
Looking for tour guide to take us on the Scenic Santa Barbara drive. Personal recommendations are appreciated.
Written April 27, 2017
Showing results 1-10 of 24
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing