Travel
Things to See Near UCSB
Explore the wonders of the natural world at the Santa Barbara Zoo, where the beauty of the wildlife is matched only by the lush grounds and sweeping views. Located just two miles from State Street, this 30-acre park is home to more than 146 species, including mammals, reptiles, birds and insects, exhibited in open, naturalistic habitats overlooking the Pacific Ocean and San Ynez Mountains. Some of the Zoo’s most famous residents include penguins, giraffes, anteaters, gorillas, and a flock of native California condors.
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a 78-acre botanical garden, containing over 1,000 species of rare and indigenous plants. It is located in Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara, California, United States.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum in Santa Barbara, California. Uniquely nestled in nature, the museum is located along Mission Creek in the Mission Canyon area. The museum has ten indoor exhibit halls focusing on regional natural history including astronomy, birds, insects, geology, mammals, marine life, paleontology, plant life, and the Chumash Indians. Also, the museum is home to the only full-dome planetarium on the Central Coast, a research library, and the John & Peggy Maximus Art Gallery.
Getting Here
Plane
The fastest way to get to UCSB by plane is via the Santa Barbara Airport, just a few miles away from UCSB.
Bus
UCSB is reachable via regular buses from the Los Angeles International Airport with the Santa Barbara Airbus.
Train
In addition to plane and bus, UCSB can also be reached via train serviced by Amtrak.
Lodging
Lodging in and around UCSB is fairly costly. WAIL does not have any direct affiliation with any particular hotel and cannot speak to the quality nor experience that you might have at any particular establishment. We encourage you to do your own research and make the decision that makes the most sense for you and your situation. That being said, the following hotels appear to have good rates for the area with decent overall reviews:
Extended Stay America - Santa Barbara - Calle Real
Best Western Plus South Coast Inn
Pacifica Suites
Motel 6 Goleta, CA - Santa Barbara
Super 8 by Wyndham Santa Barbara/Goleta