Road trip from Merced to Santa Barbara
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Sights & Landmarks
Outdoor Activities
Fun & Games
Concerts & Shows
Nature & Parks
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Spas & Wellness
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All Category
Sights & Landmarks
Outdoor Activities
Fun & Games
Concerts & Shows
Nature & Parks
Shopping
Spas & Wellness
Museums
Nightlife
Water & Amusement Parks
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ITINERARY
5h 54m310 miles21 stops
1
Island Waterpark
2
Forestiere Underground Gardens
Take a tour off Highway 99 and visit Fresno's best kept secret. *A hand-built network of underground rooms, courtyards and passageways reminiscent of the ancient catacombs. *Unique fruit producing trees, shrubs, and vines growing underground - some over 90 years old! *Ancient Roman architecture - arches, vaults and stone-built walls. *Underground micro-climates - temperature variations of 10 to 30 degrees! *Underground home of Sicilian visionary and self-taught artist/builder Baldassare Forestiere.
3
The Artist In Me
4
The Park at River Walk
5
Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
Combination, Steakhouse, theater and a museum housing memorabilia spanning Buck Owens' 40 year career in country music.
6
Peacocks at Hart Park
7
Ethels Old Corral
8
California Fruit Depot
9
Inspiration Point
10
Earl Warren Showgrounds
11
Zen Massage Place
We have successfully run massage business for over ten years in Southern California. Zen Massage place is our new established place in Santa Barbara. The facility is very nicely well- built, warm, cozy while luxury. All our masseuses are full time and so they can service any walk-in customers at any time. Your satisfaction is our priority!
12
The Historic La Arcada Courtyard
13
Paseo Nuevo
We are open! The perfect place to shop, dine, and explore! SHOP & DINE Paseo Nuevo is your premier outdoor shopping destination and the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, offering 50+ national retailers, specialty shops, and restaurants. Shop Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Aveda, PacSun, See's Candies, American Eagle, Solstice Sunglasses, and more! Wine and dine at Eureka!, California Pizza Kitchen, Panda Express, 805 Boba or Pressed Juicery. #EXPLORE the beautiful courtyards of Paseo Nuevo surrounded by sunny Spanish-style archways and architectural details and gardens in full bloom. Step off State Street to wind your way through our shopping paseos. After sunset, our romantic pathways dazzle with Moroccan lights as you meander your way to dinner, shopping or just to grab take out. And don’t miss the colorful photo-op with our famous Spanish-tile steps!
14
Orcutt Ranch
15
Lake Balboa Park
16
Zuma Beach
Live out the California dream of surf, sand, and sun at one of Los Angeles’ finest beaches. Besides being a popular filming location, Zuma Beach is known for its clean water conditions and excellent surf. It’s also an ideal spot to see dolphins and California sea lions frolicking in the waters during the warm summer months. With 1.8 miles of beach frontage, this seaside gem affords plenty of space for you to play frisbee, people-watch, try kite-flying, or simply enjoy a picnic. There are food stands selling snacks and drinks at each end of the beach. – Tripadvisor
17
Malibu Pier
18
Santa Monica Visitor Center
19
MagIQ Room
MagIQ Room is a creative family business, a Hungarian-American “co-production”. Based upon the undisputed success of live escape games, MagIQ Room has decided to bring the activity to the next level. Game plots are more immersive and action based, with amazing theming and more difficulty levels, the adventure will be interesting for all ages.
20
Wiltern Theatre
The Wiltern Theatre first opened its doors to movie crowds on October 7th, 1931. Recognized by the City of Los Angeles as a Historic Cultural Monument, this Art Deco Landmark was renovated and restored to its original splendor in 1985, under the direction of Bill Graham Presents. Following a legendary history of performances and events, a $1.5 million facelift led to the Grand Re-Opening on October 15, 2002. Formerly an all-seated venue, the theatre had its 1,200-orchestra seats removed and now features a five-tiered floor that slants upward from the stage, thereby accommodating a standing-room-only configuration. The balcony still offers a thousand seats, and the flexible new arrangement allows for seats to be brought in for more intimate performances. The venue's new capacity is roughly 2,300, depending on how the floor is set up. In October 2003, The Wiltern and LG Electronics, a leading global consumer electronics company, celebrated the renaming of the theater. Currently known as The Wiltern LG, this venue sponsorship will offer concert-goers the opportunity to become acquainted with LG Electronics' line of well-designed, groundbreaking digital products. Formerly a great place to catch more sedate acts, the Wiltern's new design makes it one of “LA's coolest venues to check out performers of any type of music” says AOL’s City Guide. Join us for love, laughter and music!
21
Venice Pier
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
Merced to Santa Barbara
1
Start:Island Waterpark
Fresno, California·
4.0
(82) review
6099 W Barstow Ave, Fresno, CA 93723-9372
2
Start:Forestiere Underground Gardens
Fresno, California·
4.5
(862) review
Take a tour off Highway 99 and visit Fresno's best kept secret. *A hand-built network of underground rooms, courtyards and passageways reminiscent of the ancient catacombs. *Unique fruit producing trees, shrubs, and vines growing underground - some over 90 years old! *Ancient Roman architecture - arches, vaults and stone-built walls. *Underground micro-climates - temperature variations of 10 to 30 degrees! *Underground home of Sicilian visionary and self-taught artist/builder Baldassare Forestiere.
3
Start:The Artist In Me
Fresno, California·
5.0
(8) review
1085 E Herndon Ave Ste 108 near TGIFridays, Fresno, CA 93720-3160
4
Start:The Park at River Walk
Bakersfield, California·
4.0
(65) review
11200 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA
5
Start:Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
Bakersfield, California·
4.5
(564) review
Combination, Steakhouse, theater and a museum housing memorabilia spanning Buck Owens' 40 year career in country music.
6
Start:Peacocks at Hart Park
Bakersfield, California·
4.0
(55) review
River Rd, Bakersfield, CA
7
Start:Ethels Old Corral
Bakersfield, California·
4.5
(7) review
4310 Alfred Harrell Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93308-9606
8
Start:California Fruit Depot
Bakersfield, California·
5.0
(72) review
10854 Redbank Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93307-9143
9
Start:Inspiration Point
Santa Barbara, California·
4.0
(9) review
1498 Tunnel Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2139
10
Start:Earl Warren Showgrounds
Santa Barbara, California·
4.0
(9) review
3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93105-3285
11
Start:Zen Massage Place
Santa Barbara, California·
4.0
(9) review
We have successfully run massage business for over ten years in Southern California. Zen Massage place is our new established place in Santa Barbara. The facility is very nicely well- built, warm, cozy while luxury. All our masseuses are full time and so they can service any walk-in customers at any time. Your satisfaction is our priority!
12
Start:The Historic La Arcada Courtyard
Santa Barbara, California·
4.5
(90) review
1114 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2717
13
Start:Paseo Nuevo
Santa Barbara, California·
4.0
(93) review
We are open! The perfect place to shop, dine, and explore! SHOP & DINE Paseo Nuevo is your premier outdoor shopping destination and the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, offering 50+ national retailers, specialty shops, and restaurants. Shop Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Aveda, PacSun, See's Candies, American Eagle, Solstice Sunglasses, and more! Wine and dine at Eureka!, California Pizza Kitchen, Panda Express, 805 Boba or Pressed Juicery. #EXPLORE the beautiful courtyards of Paseo Nuevo surrounded by sunny Spanish-style archways and architectural details and gardens in full bloom. Step off State Street to wind your way through our shopping paseos. After sunset, our romantic pathways dazzle with Moroccan lights as you meander your way to dinner, shopping or just to grab take out. And don’t miss the colorful photo-op with our famous Spanish-tile steps!
14
Start:Orcutt Ranch
Los Angeles, California·
4.0
(9) review
23600 Roscoe Blvd West Hills, Los Angeles, CA 91304-3057
15
Start:Lake Balboa Park
Los Angeles, California·
4.5
(95) review
6300 Balboa Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91406
16
Start:Zuma Beach
Malibu, California·
4.5
(834) review
Live out the California dream of surf, sand, and sun at one of Los Angeles’ finest beaches. Besides being a popular filming location, Zuma Beach is known for its clean water conditions and excellent surf. It’s also an ideal spot to see dolphins and California sea lions frolicking in the waters during the warm summer months. With 1.8 miles of beach frontage, this seaside gem affords plenty of space for you to play frisbee, people-watch, try kite-flying, or simply enjoy a picnic. There are food stands selling snacks and drinks at each end of the beach. – Tripadvisor
17
Start:Malibu Pier
Malibu, California·
4.0
(839) review
23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265-4936
18
Start:Santa Monica Visitor Center
Santa Monica, California·
4.0
(92) review
1400 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401-2117
19
Start:MagIQ Room
Los Angeles, California·
5.0
(99) review
MagIQ Room is a creative family business, a Hungarian-American “co-production”. Based upon the undisputed success of live escape games, MagIQ Room has decided to bring the activity to the next level. Game plots are more immersive and action based, with amazing theming and more difficulty levels, the adventure will be interesting for all ages.
20
Start:Wiltern Theatre
Los Angeles, California·
4.0
(99) review
The Wiltern Theatre first opened its doors to movie crowds on October 7th, 1931. Recognized by the City of Los Angeles as a Historic Cultural Monument, this Art Deco Landmark was renovated and restored to its original splendor in 1985, under the direction of Bill Graham Presents. Following a legendary history of performances and events, a $1.5 million facelift led to the Grand Re-Opening on October 15, 2002. Formerly an all-seated venue, the theatre had its 1,200-orchestra seats removed and now features a five-tiered floor that slants upward from the stage, thereby accommodating a standing-room-only configuration. The balcony still offers a thousand seats, and the flexible new arrangement allows for seats to be brought in for more intimate performances. The venue's new capacity is roughly 2,300, depending on how the floor is set up. In October 2003, The Wiltern and LG Electronics, a leading global consumer electronics company, celebrated the renaming of the theater. Currently known as The Wiltern LG, this venue sponsorship will offer concert-goers the opportunity to become acquainted with LG Electronics' line of well-designed, groundbreaking digital products. Formerly a great place to catch more sedate acts, the Wiltern's new design makes it one of “LA's coolest venues to check out performers of any type of music” says AOL’s City Guide. Join us for love, laughter and music!
21
Start:Venice Pier
Los Angeles, California·
4.0
(95) review
Washington Blvd and Ocean Front Walk, Los Angeles, CA 90291
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Merced and Santa Barbara?
The distance is 310 miles
What's the travel time between Merced and Santa Barbara?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 5h 54m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Merced and Santa Barbara?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Santa Barbara?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Santa Barbara
What’s the weather like in Santa Barbara?
The weather in Santa Barbara is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Santa Barbara in January
Weather in Santa Barbara in February
Weather in Santa Barbara in March
Weather in Santa Barbara in April
Weather in Santa Barbara in May
Weather in Santa Barbara in June
Weather in Santa Barbara in July
Weather in Santa Barbara in August
Weather in Santa Barbara in September
Weather in Santa Barbara in October
Weather in Santa Barbara in November
Weather in Santa Barbara in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Santa Barbara?
Plan your dream Santa Barbara trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Santa Barbara
A 2-day itinerary in Santa Barbara
A 3-day itinerary in Santa Barbara
A 4-day itinerary in Santa Barbara
A 5-day itinerary in Santa Barbara
A 6-day itinerary in Santa Barbara
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Merced?
We have a lot of great trip options for Merced! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you