Public Transportation
The Transit Center is the hub of the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) system and is located at 1020 Chapala Street in downtown Santa Barbara. More than 10,000 passengers use this facility every day. The mission of MTD is to enhance the personal mobility of South Coast residents and visitors by offering safe, clean, reliable, courteous, accessible, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective transit service. Customer service representatives on staff are happy to provide detailed trip planning services or you can visit the MTD website to learn more.
Santa Barbara Vistor Trolley
We are thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting pilot program, the "Santa Barbara Visitor Trolley," aimed at addressing the transportation needs and concerns of businesses in the downtown Santa Barbara area. Community partners, including Santa Barbara’s South Coast Chamber of Commerce, Visit Santa Barbara, the City of Santa Barbara, and the Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara have come together to offer this convenient shuttle service aims to enhance the experience of visitors exploring downtown Santa Barbara and the Funk Zone.
The Visitor Trolley runs Friday through Monday. The route begins at 11 am with first pick up at the iconic Hotel Californian at 26 State Street before heading into downtown Santa Barbara. The departure time starting at Hotel Californian is scheduled on the hour and half hour, ensuring a regular and reliable service for visitors. If the Visitor Trolley arrives a few minutes early, it will patiently wait until the next scheduled departure time to accommodate passengers. The last departure from Hotel Californian is at 4:30 pm, so guests are encouraged to plan their visits accordingly. Please refer to the Route Map for detailed information on the Visitor Trolley's stops and route.
Tickets for the Santa Barbara Visitor Trolley can be purchased for $1 at the State Street Visitor Center – 120 State Street, Suite F - where both cash and card payments are accepted. Alternatively, riders can contribute $1 in the collection box available on the Visitor Trolley, but please note that only cash is accepted on the Visitor Trolley, and no change will be provided.
Operating from 11 am to 5 pm, Friday through Monday, now through Labor Day, the Santa Barbara Visitor Trolley provides a convenient, ADA compatible, mode of transportation for visitors. Visitors will be able to easily identify the bright red, open-air Visitor Trolley, perfect for sightseeing while on the route. This service seeks to enhance accessibility and create a positive experience for tourists exploring the downtown area.
Additional inquires can be directed to:
State Street Visitor Center
120 State Street Ste. F
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Open Daily from 11 AM to 5 PM
Phone Number: (805) 869-2632
