Road trip from Oakland to Santa Barbara
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Boat Tours & Water Sports
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Museums
Outdoor Activities
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ITINERARY
6h 15m313 miles10 stops
1
Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park
2
Inspiration Point
3
Earl Warren Showgrounds
4
The Historic La Arcada Courtyard
5
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!
6
Douglas Family Preserve
7
Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center
Open to the public, the Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. Visitors can walk through the colorful gardens lined with towering palm trees, sit by the fountains and cascading waterfall, enjoy the beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay Area, and feel the peace of the grounds. While you're there, you can take a guided tour at the Visitors' Center, learn more about you're family's history at the FamilySearch Library, and attend events at the Temple Hill Auditorium. Only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can enter the temple itself. A coveted location for photographers, the Oakland Temple is one of the best locations to enjoy a sunset over the Bay. At night, the Oakland Temple is brightly lit and can be seen throughout the Bay Area. Devotionals, concerts, and performances are hosted throughout the month in the Temple Hill Auditorium and most events are free.
8
Lake Merritt
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
9
Jack London's Cabin
Jack London's Yukon home during the winter of 1897-98.
10
St. Patrick Catholic Church
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
1
Start:Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park
Santa Barbara, California·
4.0
(69) review
Painted Caves Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
2
Start:Inspiration Point
Santa Barbara, California·
4.0
(9) review
1498 Tunnel Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2139
3
Start:Earl Warren Showgrounds
Santa Barbara, California·
4.0
(9) review
3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93105-3285
4
Start:The Historic La Arcada Courtyard
Santa Barbara, California·
4.5
(90) review
1114 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2717
5
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!
6
Start:Douglas Family Preserve
Santa Barbara, California·
4.5
(77) review
Mesa School Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
7
Start:Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center
Oakland, California·
5.0
(940) review
Open to the public, the Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. Visitors can walk through the colorful gardens lined with towering palm trees, sit by the fountains and cascading waterfall, enjoy the beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay Area, and feel the peace of the grounds. While you're there, you can take a guided tour at the Visitors' Center, learn more about you're family's history at the FamilySearch Library, and attend events at the Temple Hill Auditorium. Only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can enter the temple itself. A coveted location for photographers, the Oakland Temple is one of the best locations to enjoy a sunset over the Bay. At night, the Oakland Temple is brightly lit and can be seen throughout the Bay Area. Devotionals, concerts, and performances are hosted throughout the month in the Temple Hill Auditorium and most events are free.
8
Start:Lake Merritt
Oakland, California·
4.5
(926) review
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
9
Start:Jack London's Cabin
Oakland, California·
3.5
(90) review
Jack London's Yukon home during the winter of 1897-98.
10
Start:St. Patrick Catholic Church
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(98) review
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
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 Oakland and Santa Barbara?
The distance is 313 miles
What's the travel time between Oakland and Santa Barbara?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 6h 15m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Oakland 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 Oakland?
We have a lot of great trip options for Oakland! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you