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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Santa Maria to Solana Beach. Traveling by bus from Santa Maria to Solana Beach usually takes around 8 hours and 20 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 226 mi (364 km) |
| Shortest duration | 8h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $75.75 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Santa Maria to Solana Beach?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Santa Maria to Solana Beach. 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 | 8h 21m | $75.75 |
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 Santa Maria to Solana Beach start at $76. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 20 minutes to cover the 226 miles from Santa Maria to Solana Beach. 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.
There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Maria to Solana Beach. It leaves the station in Santa Maria at 8:00pm 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 Santa Maria to Solana Beach. 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 Santa Maria to Solana Beach; ticket prices start at $71.00.
City Information
Solana Beach
Solana Beach is a small coastal city in San Diego. Its name directly translates to 'warm wind' due to its sunny position by the beach. Some of the best activities in the city involve the sunny coast, like visiting Fletcher Cove Beach Park or going to Seascape Surf Park. You can also enjoy snorkeling, surfing, and fishing trips out on the Pacific. The area is well-known for its classic Californian hiking, with trails such as Annie's Canyon and the Coastal Rails Trail. When you've worked up an appetite, head to the famous Fish Market, which serves fresh-caught Californian seafood.
For air travel, the San Diego Airport is the closest. The city is also on Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route, which runs from Los Angeles, Fullerton, and Santa Ana to Solana Beach. If you'd prefer to take the bus, the Amtrak Thruway also operates in Solana Beach to connect from nearby cities like Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and Santa Barbara.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Santa Maria?
Main departure station: Santa Maria Bus Stop
Most buses depart from the main station in Santa Maria.
All bus stations in Santa Maria:
Santa Maria Bus Stop
Where does the bus arrive in Solana Beach?
Main arrival station: 105 N Cedros Ave - Solana Beach Transit Ctr
All buses from Santa Maria arrive at one main station in Solana Beach.
All bus stations in Solana Beach:
105 N Cedros Ave - Solana Beach Transit Ctr
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