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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Fullerton to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from Fullerton to Santa Barbara usually takes around 7 hours and 55 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 108 mi (174 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $34.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Fullerton to Santa Barbara?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Fullerton to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Thruway is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 7h 56m | $34.91 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Fullerton to Santa Barbara start at $34. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 55 minutes to cover the 108 miles from Fullerton to Santa Barbara. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
There is usually only one bus per day from Fullerton to Santa Barbara. It leaves the station in Fullerton at 12:00am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one bus per day from Fullerton to Santa Barbara. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Fullerton to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at $36.00.
City Information
Fullerton
Fullerton was founded in 1887 and is roughly 22 miles from Los Angeles. The area around Fullerton was the original California orange growing zone due to its great Mediterranean environment. The nightlife in downtown Fullerton is well-known, plus there are around 50 parks in the city, including the famed Fullerton Arboretum, which features 26 acres of uncommon and rare species as well as sculpted gardens.
Fullerton has some of the best art museums in the country, including Muckenthaler Art and Cultural Center and the Clayes Performing Arts Center. You can also experience amazing lakes such as the Laguna Lake Park.
If you're a beer-lover, visit the Bootleggers Brewery. Founded in 2008 by home brewer and beer enthusiast Aaron Barkenhagen, Bootleggers Brewery is one of Orange County's largest artisan breweries.
As for transportation, Amtrak and Fullerton Metrolink are the two best train stations in Fullerton serviced by Amtrak's Southwest Chief and Pacific Surfliner. These Amtrak lines connect from Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and even as far away as Chicago. For buses, Amtrak Thruway comes from Santa Ana, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and Riverside to Fullerton. The nearest airport is Long Beach Airport, which is only 14 miles away from the city.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a major travel destination along the southern coast of California. Dramatically situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara offers incomparable scenery with a comfortably warm climate year-round. White stucco buildings with Mediterranean-style architecture, gorgeous beaches, and upscale local cuisine give Santa Barbara the nickname "The American Riviera."
There are many kinds of vacations to enjoy in Santa Barbara. You can spend days on the soft sand of Leadbetter Beach, surfing in the swells at Rincon Point, or shopping for trinkets along Stearns Wharf. Or embrace the area's history by visiting the Mission Santa Barbara, a Spanish mission founded in 1786. Highlights from the mission include Spanish architecture, a rose garden, a museum, and even crypts.
Santa Barbara Airport, only a few miles from downtown, serves passengers to the region. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner stops in Santa Barbara on its way from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, with plenty of connections to other SoCal hotspots. Intercity buses, including FlixBus, offer routes from Santa Barbara to destinations like L.A., San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Fullerton?
Main departure station: 120 East Santa Fe Ave - Fullerton Transp Ctr
Most buses depart from the main station in Fullerton.
All bus stations in Fullerton:
120 East Santa Fe Ave - Fullerton Transp Ctr
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
All buses from Fullerton arrive at one main station in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
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