SANTA BARBARA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (SBA) INFORMATION

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (IATA, FAA LID: SBA ICAO: KSBA) is a medium-sized public airport located west of downtown Santa Barbara, California, United States.

It is a 16-kilometer drive from the downtown area, offering flier-friendly facilities to give inbound and outbound passengers a pleasant travel experience.

The airport is 13 feet Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL) with coordinates 34°25′34″N and 119°50′25″W. It covers 384 hectares of land.

Santa Barbara Airport is city-owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Airport Department. It is near the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the city of Goleta.

It has one main terminal building with two levels.

The First Level is a location for the Baggage Claim area on the left and the Ticketing Counters on the right. On the same level, you can also find Car Rental agencies. Restrooms, payphone, courtesy phones, ATMs, elevators, escalators, and an Observation Deck are available on this floor level.

The Second Level houses the Passenger Screening Area. Next are the boarding Gate Areas. One side is for Gate 1 and Gate 2. The other is for Gate 3 and Gate 4. Inside each Boarding Area is a Gift Shop, Restaurant, and Bar. There are also available amenities on this level, such as restrooms, payphone, ATMs, elevators, escalators, stairs, and a Public Art area.

The terminal has been a friendly facility for disabled passengers and elderlies by incorporating convenient glass boarding tunnels.

The airport serves non-stop daily flights to and from significant hub points like Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle.

In 2021, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics recorded a total of 439,248 passenger enplanements.

In May 2021, the airport Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

History of Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Santa Barbara’s Municipal Airport history started in 1914 when Lincoln J. Beachey, a famous flying exhibitor of California, drove an airplane flying across Goleta Valley.

After two years, the Loughead brothers, who later changed their name to Lockheed, opened Alco Hydro-Aeroplane Company, a seaplane factory on State Street, and built a wooden ramp on West Beach to launch their aircraft.

In 1928, two aviators, Gordon Sacket and Royce Stetson, landed a Hisso-powered airplane in a grass field area near Hollister and Fairview Avenues. They both established an aviation school on the same spot. That was the first landing strip and the beginning of the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

In the late 1930s, manufacturing aircraft grew, and the landing strip developed into an airfield.

In 1932, airline flights began, served by Pacific Seaboard Air Lines. The company operated two daily round-trip flights. In the latter years, Pacific Seaboard Air Lines moved its entire operation to the eastern part of the U.S. and renamed its company Chicago and Southern AirLines.

In 1936, United Airlines began its flight operation from Santa Barbara.

In the event of World War II, the airport became the Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara (MCAS Santa Barbara). It was made as a training base for U.S. Marine aviators.

In 1946, the facility faced further expansions. They have added large buildings with extensive floor areas. In the same year, it was reverted to a civilian airport.

In 1947, Santa Barbara Flying Club was founded to promote general aviation in the whole region.

In 1986, the aviation industry in the region flourished, and the Santa Barbara Airport became bigger with a $12 million project, expanding the terminal from 32,000 sq. ft. to 90,000 sq. ft with six boarding tunnels.

In August 2011, the airport added a 72,000 sq. ft. terminal which approximately cost $63 million. This facility was built next to the existing terminal built by United Airlines in 1942.

The year passed, and restorations, new projects, and additional facilities were constructed. The airport embraced modernization and applied it to new facility rules and regulations.

A new loop road, parking lot, three passenger tunnels, and five hardstands were constructed along with the redesigned aircraft parking ramp.

The new terminal building is an eco-friendly facility that features environmentally sustainable elements. It is also registered in the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

In 2019, the fourth boarding tunnel was installed, replacing a hardstand. The Car Rental parking lot was also relocated to cater to all four passenger tunnels due to the airport's increased flight activities.

There are still further changes in the airport to help keep up with the increased passenger counts in the region.

Transfer Services at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport offers various options for transportation. These include Car Rentals, taxis, buses, and airport shuttles. They are all available in the ground transportation area.

An Amtrak train is also available outside the airport vicinity.

Travelers should check what is allowed to bring in their hand-carry baggage and what things to put in their check-in baggage.

Please always secure your personal belongings before and after deplaning and before leaving the airport.

Also, please transact with legitimate transport services for safety.

Rental Car Services at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Rental Car counters are located at the ground transportation center near the Baggage Claim Area.

Renters should be ready with their driver’s license and passport to get a printed form.

Renters must be at least 21 years old and above. They must be credit or debit cardholders.

For convenience, renters may also book a car before their flight schedule by downloading the car rental company’s app on their smartphone. See and compare all rental car companies at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

Ride Shares at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

One of the standard transportation services in Santa Barbara Municipal Airport is rideshare.

Rideshare service can pick up and drop off passengers in the ground transportation area of the airport.

Passengers are advised to book rideshare in advance to determine the right vehicle size for their baggage and special instructions to the driver.

Taxis at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Taxi cabs are available in the ground transportation area of Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

The downtown area is just 9 miles or 20 minutes drive via US 101 route from the airport.

The estimated cost for a taxi fare from Santa Barbara Airport to the downtown area is $33.00 to $34.00.

Note that taxi fares may vary depending upon your destination. See more information about taxis at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

Buses at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Public buses are available at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. Metro Transit District (MTD) and Santa Barbara Airbus are famous bus companies in the area.

Buses pick up and drop off passengers in the ground transportation center of the airport.

The standard bus fare starts at $1.75. More information about buses to and from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

Trains at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Santa Barbara, California, is served by two Amtrak Trains, the Pacific Surfliner and the Coast Starlight.

The Amtrak Station is just 10 miles or 25 minutes drive from Santa Barbara Airport.

Pacific Surfliner serves the Southern line of California coasts with multiple stops in various counties.

Coast Starlight connects the most significant cities on the West Coast side of the United States.

Train tickets cost depend upon the passenger’s destination. More information about train services near Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

Hotel Shuttle Services at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Hotel Shuttles can pick up and drop off passengers in the ground transportation center of the airport.

Travelers are advised to contact their hotel accommodation for reservation of shuttles.

Non-hotel Shuttle Services are also available at the airport's economy parking lot. Their rates may vary depending on the destination.

Parking at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

There are two available parking lots at Santa Barbara Airport.

They may opt to park in the Short-term or Long-term parking lots.

The parking rate starts at $15.00 per day. See more information about short and long term parking at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

Other Services at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Wi-Fi at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Wireless Internet Connection (Wi-Fi) service is accessible throughout the airport.

ATMs at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Automatic Teller Machines are available on the first and second levels of the main terminal building.

Currency Exchange at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Currency exchange agencies are not available at the airport.

Nursing Stations at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

There are no Nursing rooms at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

Restrooms at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Restrooms are located on the first and second levels of the Main Terminal Building.

Food and Beverages at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Santa Barbara Airport has restaurants that offer food choices good for dine-in and takeaway meals.

Food hubs are available on the first and second levels of the airport terminal.

Smoking at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

There are no smoking facilities inside the terminal building.

Smoking is only allowed in designated areas outside the airport terminal.

Lost and Found Section at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Lost and found items in the terminal or within the airport premises are taken to the Security Operations Office of the airport.

For further details about the lost item, you may contact them at +1 805-861-4803.

You may contact your respective airline for lost items inside the aircraft for more information.

Airport Communication Center at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

There are no information desks inside the airport terminal, but you may directly approach any airport staff for assistance and queries.

Pet Relief at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

A well-maintained pet relief area is available outside the airport terminal. It is located at the North end of the site; when facing the terminal, it is on the right-hand side of the terminal.

There are several signs leading you to the area. Once you are there, you will find some waste bags for your pets.

Baggage Claim at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

The baggage claim area is located at the ground level of the airport terminal.

There are available baggage carts in the area for easy baggage transport.

Disabled Passengers at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport is a handicap-friendly facility that accommodates passengers with special needs.

There are access ramps, elevators, and wheelchair assistance in the area.

Passengers may also contact their airline for wheelchair reservation and further assistance.

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport Contacts

Address: 500 James Fowler Rd, Santa Barbara, California 93117, United States
General Phone: +1 805 966-9222
General Email: Airport@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Lost and Found Phone: +1 805-861-4803
Official Website: www.flysba.santabarbara.gov

Local Information

Drive on: Right
Electricity: 120V/60Hz
Plug: A, B
Currency: U.S. Dollar. US$, USD, $
Wi-Fi at Airport: There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the airport.