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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Solana Beach to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from Solana Beach to Santa Barbara usually takes around 10 hours and 5 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 171 mi (275 km) |
| Shortest duration | 10h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $51.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Solana Beach to Santa Barbara?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Solana Beach 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 | 10h 5m | $51.70 |
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 Solana Beach to Santa Barbara start at $51. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 171 miles from Solana Beach 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 Solana Beach to Santa Barbara. It leaves the station in Solana Beach at 9:00pm 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 Solana Beach 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 Solana Beach to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at $43.00.
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.
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 Solana Beach?
Main departure station: 105 N Cedros Ave - Solana Beach Transit Ctr
Most buses depart from the main station in Solana Beach.
All bus stations in Solana Beach:
105 N Cedros Ave - Solana Beach Transit Ctr
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
All buses from Solana Beach arrive at one main station in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
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