Where is Santa Barbara, California Located in the United States? - Santa Barbara is a city located in the Santa Barbara County in California, United States. Santa Barbara lies between 34.4208 Degrees North latitudes and -119.6982 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
About Map: The map shows the location of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, in the U.S. state of California.
Santa Barbara Map, California, USA
About Santa Barbara Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.
About Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southwestern part of the state in the state of the United States along the Pacific coastline between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The city was incorporated in 1850 and was named after Saint Barbara, reflecting its Spanish colonial heritage, and it developed as a mission settlement before becoming a cultural and coastal tourism center.
Population
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Santa Barbara is 88,665 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 4,700 people per square mile.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Santa Barbara covers a total area of approximately 42.0 square miles (about 108.8 square kilometers), including about 19.5 square miles (50.5 square kilometers) of land and 22.5 square miles (58.3 square kilometers) of water.
Location and Surroundings
Santa Barbara is situated southeast of Goleta and northwest of Carpinteria, positioned along a south-facing stretch of coastline. The city features beaches, coastal bluffs, and foothills rising toward the Santa Ynez Mountains. U.S. Route 101 runs through the city, providing a major transportation corridor along California’s central coast.
Top Attractions
Santa Barbara offers beaches, historic landmarks, and cultural institutions that support recreation and tourism. Popular destinations include the Santa Barbara Mission, Stearns Wharf, and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The city is also home to the University of California, Santa Barbara nearby, contributing to higher education, research, and cultural activities in the region.
Transportation
Santa Barbara is served by U.S. Route 101, connecting the city to Los Angeles and San Francisco along the Pacific coast. Passenger rail service is available via Amtrak, and local transit provides bus connections throughout the area. The nearest major airport is Santa Barbara Airport, located approximately 10 miles to the west.
Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.
Sources:
Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Santa Barbara City Website.
Most Viewed US Maps
| USA Sttae Map | USA Region Map | USA Road Map |
| USA County Map | Where is USA in World Map? | US ZIP Code Map |
| USA Time Zones Map | US State and Capitals Map | USA Physical Map |
Find 4,400+ U.S. Cities by State - Explore Their Locations and Get Detailed Information
Santa Barbara, California Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Santa Barbara |
| County | Santa Barbara County |
| State | California |
| State Capital | Sacramento |
| US Region | West |
| Latitude | 34.4208° N |
| Longitude | 119.6982° W |
| Elevation | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Land Area | 19.46 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.00 sq mi |
| Total Area | 19.46 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 88,665 |
| Population Density | 4,555 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 93101, 93102, 93103, 93105, 93108, 93109, 93110, 93111 |
| Area Code | 805 |
| Time Zone Standard | Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8 |
| Time Zone Daylight | Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 06-69070 |
| Congressional District | California's 24th Congressional District |
Transportation and Connectivity in Santa Barbara, California
| Transportation Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Santa Barbara Airport |
| IATA Code | SBA |
| Port | Santa Barbara Harbor |
| Major Highways | U.S. Highway 101, State Route 154, State Route 192 |
| Train Service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight service |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Santa Barbara MTD bus service |
- U.S. Highway 101: Main coastal highway connecting Santa Barbara with Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, and other Central Coast communities.
- State Route 154: Provides access through the Santa Ynez Mountains and inland Santa Barbara County.
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner: Provides passenger rail service along the Southern California coast.
- Santa Barbara Airport: Provides regional commercial air service for the Central Coast.
Top Places to Visit in Santa Barbara, California
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Santa Barbara Mission | Historic Mission |
| Stearns Wharf | Historic Pier and Waterfront Attraction |
| Santa Barbara County Courthouse | Historic Landmark |
| Santa Barbara Botanic Garden | Garden and Nature Attraction |
| Santa Barbara Museum of Art | Art Museum |
| Santa Barbara Zoo | Zoo and Family Attraction |
| Arroyo Burro Beach County Park | Beach Recreation Area |
| Lotusland | Botanical Garden |
| Presidio of Santa Barbara State Historic Park | Historic Site |
| Los Padres National Forest | Forest and Outdoor Recreation Area |
Driving Distances from Santa Barbara, California to Nearby Cities
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goleta | California | 7 mi | 15 minutes |
| Carpinteria | California | 12 mi | 20 minutes |
| Ventura | California | 27 mi | 35 minutes |
| Oxnard | California | 40 mi | 50 minutes |
| San Luis Obispo | California | 105 mi | 2 hours |
| Los Angeles | California | 95 mi | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Santa Monica | California | 85 mi | 1 hour 35 minutes |
| Bakersfield | California | 130 mi | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Fresno | California | 190 mi | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| San Diego | California | 220 mi | 4 hours |
Colleges and Universities Near Santa Barbara, California
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Public | University | Research, engineering, sciences, environmental studies, and humanities |
| Santa Barbara City College | Public | Community College | Transfer programs, career education, arts, and technology |
| Westmont College | Private | Liberal Arts College | Liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs |
| Antioch University Santa Barbara | Private | University | Social sciences, education, and professional studies |
| Santa Barbara Unified School District | Public | K–12 District | Primary and secondary education |
Waterbodies Near Santa Barbara, California
Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara Harbor, Mission Creek, Arroyo Burro Creek, and nearby coastal waterways along Santa Barbara County.
Golf Courses Near Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Golf Club, La Cumbre Country Club, Glen Annie Golf Club, Sandpiper Golf Club, and Rancho San Marcos Golf Course.
Santa Barbara, California — Key Historical Facts
- The Santa Barbara area was originally inhabited by the Chumash Native American people.
- Mission Santa Barbara was founded in 1786 by Spanish Franciscan missionaries and became a major regional landmark.
- The city developed through agriculture, ranching, maritime trade, and tourism along the Central Coast.
- Santa Barbara was incorporated as a city in 1850 and became one of California’s oldest municipalities.
- The city was rebuilt with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture after the 1925 earthquake and is known for its historic character.
- Today, Santa Barbara is recognized for its beaches, historic sites, universities, cultural attractions, and scenic coastal setting.
Stadiums and Sports Facilities Near Santa Barbara
| Facility Name | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Harder Stadium | College Soccer Stadium | Santa Barbara, California |
| Thunderdome (The Thunderdome at UCSB) | College Sports Arena | Santa Barbara, California |
| La Playa Stadium | Sports Stadium | Santa Barbara, California |
| Santa Barbara High School Peabody Stadium | High School Sports Stadium | Santa Barbara, California |
| Leadbetter Beach Recreation Facilities | Outdoor Sports and Recreation Area | Santa Barbara, California |
References
- City of Santa Barbara Official Website
- Santa Barbara County Government
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Visit California Tourism
- University of California, Santa Barbara
California Related Links
- Where is Adelanto
- Where is Alameda
- Where is Alhambra
- Where is Aliso Viejo
- Where is Antioch
- Where is Apple Valley
- Where is Arcadia
- Where is Atascadero
- Where is Atwater
- Where is Azusa
- Where is Baldwin Park
- Where is Banning
- Where is Barstow
- Where is Beaumont
- Where is Bell Gardens
- Where is Bell
- Where is Bellflower
- Where is Belmont
- Where is Benicia
- Where is Beverly Hills
- Where is Brawley
- Where is Brea
- Where is Brentwood
- Where is Buena Park
- Where is Burbank
- Where is Burlingame
- Where is Calexico
- Where is Camarillo
- Where is Campbell
- Where is Carlsbad
- Where is Carson
- Where is Cathedral City
- Where is Ceres
- Where is Cerritos
- Where is Chico
- Where is Chino Hills
- Where is Chino
- Where is Citrus Heights
- Where is Claremont
- Where is Coachella
- Where is Colton
- Where is Compton
- Where is Concord
- Where is Costa Mesa
- Where is Covina
- Where is Culver City
- Where is Cupertino
- Where is Cypress
- Where is Daly City
- Where is Dana Point
- Where is Danville
- Where is Davis
- Where is Delano
- Where is Desert Hot Springs
- Where is Diamond Bar
- Where is Downey
- Where is Dublin
- Where is East Palo Alto
- Where is Eastvale
- Where is El Cajon
- Where is El Centro
- Where is El Cerrito
- Where is El Monte
- Where is Encinitas
- Where is Eureka
- Where is Fairfield
- Where is Folsom
- Where is Foster City
- Where is Fountain Valley
- Where is Galt
- Where is Gardena
- Where is Gilroy
- Where is Glendora
- Where is Goleta
- Where is Hanford
- Where is Hawthorne
- Where is Hemet
- Where is Hercules
- Where is Hesperia
- Where is Highland
- Where is Hollister
- Where is Huntington Park
- Where is Imperial Beach
- Where is Indio
- Where is Inglewood
- Where is Jurupa Valley
- Where is La Habra
- Where is La Mesa
- Where is La Mirada
- Where is La Puente
- Where is La Quinta
- Where is La Verne
- Where is Lafayette
- Where is Laguna Hills
- Where is Laguna Niguel
- Where is Lake Elsinore
- Where is Lake Forest
- Where is Lakewood
- Where is Lathrop
- Where is Lawndale
- Where is Lemon Grove
- Where is Lemoore
- Where is Lincoln
- Where is Livermore
- Where is Lodi
- Where is Lompoc
- Where is Los Altos
- Where is Los Banos
- Where is Los Gatos
- Where is Lynwood
- Where is Madera
- Where is Manhattan Beach
- Where is Manteca
- Where is Martinez
- Where is Maywood
- Where is Menifee
- Where is Menlo Park
- Where is Merced
- Where is Milpitas
- Where is Mission Viejo
- Where is Monrovia
- Where is Montclair
- Where is Montebello
- Where is Monterey
- Where is Monterey Park
- Where is Moorpark
- Where is Morgan Hill
- Where is Mountain View
- Where is Murrieta
- Where is Napa
- Where is National City
- Where is Newark
- Where is Newport Beach
- Where is Norco
- Where is Norwalk
- Where is Novato
- Where is Oakley
- Where is Pacifica
- Where is Palm Desert
- Where is Palm Springs
- Where is Palo Alto
- Where is Paramount
- Where is Paso Robles
- Where is Perris
- Where is Petaluma
- Where is Pico Rivera
- Where is Pittsburg
- Where is Placentia
- Where is Pleasant Hill
- Where is Pleasanton
- Where is Porterville
- Where is Poway
- Where is Rancho Cordova
- Where is Rancho Palos Verdes
- Where is Rancho Santa Margarita
- Where is Redding
- Where is Redlands
- Where is Redondo Beach
- Where is Redwood City
- Where is Reedley
- Where is Rialto
- Where is Richmond
- Where is Ridgecrest
- Where is Rocklin
- Where is Rohnert Park
- Where is Rosemead
- Where is San Bruno
- Where is San Carlos
- Where is San Clemente
- Where is San Dimas
- Where is San Gabriel
- Where is San Jacinto
- Where is San Juan Capistrano
- Where is San Leandro
- Where is San Luis Obispo
- Where is San Marcos
- Where is San Mateo
- Where is San Pablo
- Where is San Rafael
- Where is San Ramon
- Where is Sanger
- Where is Santa Barbara
- Where is Santa Cruz
- Where is Santa Maria
- Where is Santa Monica
- Where is Santa Paula
- Where is Santee
- Where is Saratoga
- Where is Seal Beach
- Where is Seaside
- Where is Simi Valley
- Where is South Gate
- Where is South Pasadena
- Where is South San Francisco
- Where is Stanton
- Where is Suisun City
- Where is Temecula
- Where is Temple City
- Where is Tracy
- Where is Tulare
- Where is Turlock
- Where is Tustin
- Where is Twentynine Palms
- Where is Union City
- Where is Upland
- Where is Vacaville
- Where is Ventura
- Where is Vista
- Where is Walnut Creek
- Where is Walnut
- Where is Wasco
- Where is Watsonville
- Where is West Covina
- Where is West Hollywood
- Where is West Sacramento
- Where is Westminster
- Where is Whittier
- Where is Wildomar
- Where is Windsor
- Where is Woodland
- Where is Yorba Linda
- Where is Yuba City
- Where is Yucaipa