Key Highlights
Here’s a quick look at what this guide covers for your travel to Santa Barbara:
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The main airport is Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). It is just a few miles from the center of the city.
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SBA is served by big carriers like United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
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You can get many direct flights to and from big cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, and Dallas.
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There are also other domestic and private airports near Santa Barbara if you want other ways to travel.
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Getting from SBA is easy. There are rental cars, shuttles, and rideshares ready for you to use.
Introduction
Welcome to Santa Barbara, also called the American Riviera. Planning your trip can be simple and easy, just like your time here should be. This travel guide gives you the main things to know about flying into this area. You can arrive at the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), or you might look at another one close by. This guide lets you know which airlines fly to santa barbara and the santa barbara airport, and how to get to your hotel. Let this guide help make your travel plans better.
Main Airport in Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
The main airport for the area is the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, or SBA. You can find it in the city of Goleta, only about 10 miles from downtown Santa Barbara. This makes it easy and quick for people to get in and out of the region. The airport got its start with the Loughead brothers, who had a seaplane factory near West Beach. Later, the first airstrip sat in a cow pasture. Over the years, it grew and now has a modern setup with large hangars and many runways. The airport was also part of early airplane manufacturing. Companies like Lockheed were involved, and many groundbreaking ceremonies took place to make SBA into the important airfield it is now.
When you fly into SBA for the first time, you will notice the good things right away. The airport is not very big, which makes travel smooth. Its Spanish Colonial Revival buildings give SBA a special look. It is also close to the University of California, Santa Barbara. The relaxed feel here is different from what you find in bigger hubs. Before your trip, check which airlines fly out of Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. Find out what direct flights are open to you. If you know these things, you can make your trip simple, fast, and easy.
Airlines Serving Santa Barbara Airport
Wondering which airlines can get you to Santa Barbara? You have several excellent choices. Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is serviced by a handful of the nation’s top carriers, ensuring you can connect from almost anywhere.
These airlines provide reliable service and connect Santa Barbara to their major hubs across the country. You’ll find that United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines all operate regularly scheduled flights from SBA, making it easy to plan your journey.
Below is a simple breakdown of the main airlines that fly into Santa Barbara Airport.
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Airline |
Common Hubs Served from SBA |
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Alaska Airlines |
Portland (PDX), Seattle (SEA) |
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American Airlines |
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Phoenix (PHX) |
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Delta Air Lines |
Salt Lake City (SLC) |
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United Airlines |
Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) |
Direct Flights and Major Destinations from SBA
One of the big reasons people like flying into SBA is because you get daily nonstop flights from many top U.S. cities. These direct flights mean you can save time and skip the trouble of making connections. You get to start your break as soon as you land.
You can get to Santa Barbara with a direct flight if you are coming from big business or vacation cities on the West Coast, in the Rocky Mountains, or from Texas. The daily nonstop flights make your trip easy and quick. Even if you want to travel out of the country, SBA makes it easy. You can get a short flight from airports like Los Angeles or San Francisco, and then it’s simple to go around the world.
Some of the major cities that have direct flights to Santa Barbara are:
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Denver (DEN)
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Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
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Los Angeles (LAX)
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Phoenix (PHX)
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Portland (PDX)
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San Francisco (SFO)
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Salt Lake City (SLC)
Other Airports Near Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Airport is the most handy option. But it is not your only pick. If you look at other airports near Santa Barbara, CA, you might save money on tickets. There are a few other airports. Some are small, local spots. Some are big, busy spots not too far away by car.
Checking out these airports is a good plan. This is true if you will get a rental car. We will talk about a few small local and private airports near Santa Barbara. We will also share more about bigger domestic and international airports that you could use.
Regional and Private Airports in the Area
If you are a pilot, or if you are looking for flights on small carriers, you can find many regional and private airports near Santa Barbara. These smaller airports are good for general aviation. They can also be good for private trips or certain routes in the area.
The Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) is about 60 miles north of Santa Barbara. It is a good choice for flights in the country. There are some smaller airports even closer. They help the area’s local governments and private flyers from all over the county. You can find these by looking for local airports near Santa Barbara, CA, on flight maps or trip planning websites.
Here are a few of the local airports in the area:
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Santa Ynez Airport (SQA)
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Oxnard Airport (OXR)
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Lompoc Airport (LPC)
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Camarillo Airport (CMA)
International and Domestic Alternatives Nearby
If you want more flight choices, mainly for trips out of the country, think about flying into one of the bigger airports in Southern California. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the biggest airport near Santa Barbara. LAX is around 100 miles south of Santa Barbara. Here, you will find many flights in and out of the United States, plus flights to other countries.
Driving from these larger airports is a good way to save some money. If you land at Los Angeles International Airport, it will take about two hours to get to Santa Barbara. There is less traffic if you pick the right time, and the drive lets you see great views along the Pacific coast.
Some good airports to look at besides LAX are San Diego International Airport, John Wayne Airport in Orange County, and Hollywood Burbank Airport. Each one has its own airlines and places you can fly to. This gives you more ways to find good airfare for your trip to Santa Barbara or anywhere in the United States.
Transportation Options To and From Santa Barbara Airport
When you arrive at Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), getting where you need to go is easy. The airport is only 10 miles from downtown Santa Barbara. This lets you reach the city fast and without any trouble. You may be going to a hotel, the University of California campus, or a vacation rental. There are many ways to get there.
You can rent a car if you want to see more of santa barbara on your own. There are also shuttles and rideshare options, which are very convenient. This gives you choices, based on how much you want to spend and what fits you. We will explain these options for you.
Ground Transportation, Shuttles, and Rental Car Services
Getting out of Santa Barbara Airport is easy. If you want to have more freedom, you can rent a car right at the airport. The main rental car companies are inside the terminal, so you can get your car and be on the road fast.
If you do not want to drive a car, there are shuttles and private car rides ready for you. These services can take you right to hotels in downtown Santa Barbara and places close by. You can also use rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft at SBA. These are easy to use and can save you money.
At Santa Barbara Airport, your main ways to travel are:
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Rental car agencies (desks in the terminal)
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Hotel shuttles
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App-based rideshares (Uber, Lyft)
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Taxis and private car services
Conclusion
To sum up, getting around Santa Barbara is easier when you know about the airports in the area. The Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is busy, but there are other choices close by. It helps if you know which airlines fly here, what direct flights you can get, and what ways there are to get around. This will make your trip better. No matter if you come for fun or work, it’s good to know these things. It helps you enjoy your time in this lovely coast city even more. If you plan your trip early, it will go well. Take time to check out all your options before you travel. If you want to book your trip soon, you can reach out to get more travel ideas and make your Santa Barbara trip the best it can be!