Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, a compact regional field that opened in the 1940s, serves Santa Barbara County from a single terminal with roughly 4–6 gates and is an important gateway for coastal California travel. Known for its scenic coastal approaches near the Santa Barbara Harbor and wine country, the airport handles mainly domestic flights and is a convenient alternative to LAX, located just a few miles west of downtown with easy access via US-101, local MTD buses, shuttles, taxis and ride-shares. Not a major airline hub, it’s regularly served by carriers such as Alaska, American and United plus occasional low-cost seasonal services; fares tend to be mid-priced — often higher than larger hubs but worth the time saved for many travelers.