Travel to Santa Barbara

You can't fly directly to the city, but there are plenty of indirect flights to Santa Barbara available from the UK. Airlines such as US Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways and bmi offer flights from a range of departure points across the country including London Heathrow, Manchester, Glasgow International and Birmingham. You'll land at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport which is just 10 kilometres from the city itself.

Taking a taxi from the airport to your Santa Barbara hotel will ensure your holiday gets off to a swift start. There are plenty of cabs available at the airport and the trip to the city centre shouldn't be more than $20. If you're not in any real rush and want a cheaper option you can catch the local bus which stops at various points across the city.

Santa Barbara's often known as being a playground for the rich and famous, but that's doesn’t mean a holiday in the city has to cost a fortune. There are plenty of affordable hotels in Santa Barbara whether you'd prefer to stay in a motel or guesthouse. Have a good look around online to compare prices and find accommodation to suit your needs and budget.

Getting around during your Santa Barbara holiday doesn't have to cost a lot just so long as you avoid taking taxis which are extremely expensive! The bus is a much cheaper option and serves most areas of the city. You could also opt to rent a car in Santa Barbara and this will give you the freedom to explore the city and its surrounding areas at your leisure.

When it comes to dining out during a holiday in Santa Barbara you'll be spoilt for choice. While the city attracts some of the world's top chefs who work out upmarket establishments, there's still plenty of affordable grub around. Look out for Mexican restaurants and BBQ places which tend to offer great filling meals at affordable prices.