Santa Barbara Airport
Santa Barbara Airport
Aviation in the Santa Barbara area dates back to 1914, when Lincoln J. Beachey flew over the Goleta Valley.
In 1926–28, the Loughead brothers (later known as Lockheed) established a seaplane factory and built a wooden ramp on West Beach. Around the same time, a flight school was set up in a cow pasture near Hollister & Fairview Avenues. These early strips and hangars laid the foundation for what would become Santa Barbara Airport.
In 1941, Santa Barbara officially broke ground for a municipal airport under a federal program aimed at improving nationwide aviation infrastructure.
The original terminal, designed in Spanish Colonial Revival style by architects William Edwards and Joseph Plunkett, was built in 1942.
To improve capacity, security, and passenger experience, a new terminal was constructed and opened on August 18, 2011.
Prior to that, facilities were often overwhelmed. Following the expansion, Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) handled nearly 1 million passengers in 2019. Today, service continues to expand, with airlines returning post-COVID and new nonstop and regional routes being added regularly.
Airlines Serving Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
- Alaska Airlines – Seattle, Portland
- American Airlines – Dallas (DFW), Phoenix (PHX)
- Delta Air Lines – Atlanta (ATL), Salt Lake City (SLC)
- Southwest Airlines – Las Vegas (LAS), Oakland (OAK), Sacramento (SMF)
- United Airlines – Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Denver (DEN)
- Surf Air – San Carlos (SQL), Hawthorne (HHR)
SBA vs. LAX vs. BUR — Which Airport Is Cheaper?
Trying to decide between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), Los Angeles International (LAX), or Burbank (BUR)? Here’s what you should consider:
- Flight availability & competition – LAX has more routes and airlines, which can reduce airfare.
- Distance & ground transportation costs – Driving further (especially from Ventura, Ojai, or Solvang) may cancel out flight savings.
- Time of travel – Midweek or off-peak flights often have better deals.
- Airport fees – Large airports may charge more in hidden fees.
- Layovers & convenience – Sometimes a cheaper ticket with layovers ends up costing more in lost time.
Summary:
- For regional and domestic travel, SBA and BUR are often more convenient and competitively priced than LAX.
- For international flights, LAX offers more nonstop options and may be cheaper due to airline competition.
- Always factor in total costs: airfare + parking + gas + time + transportation.
Restaurants Inside Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
Here are some dining options available to travelers:
- Costa Terraza Restaurant & Tapas Bar (post-security) – Full meals, local wine, and beer
- Santa Barbara Roasting Company – Coffee, light snacks
- Santa Barbara News & Gifts – Souvenirs, drinks, and grab-and-go options
- Silvergreens Smart Fridge – Healthy, quick eats
- Available in baggage claim and near Gate 2
Ground Transportation & Car Services at Santa Barbara Airport
For a comfortable, professional, and luxury travel experience, Paramount Limousine provides top-tier airport limo service.
Since 1987, we have proudly served Santa Barbara, Ojai, Solvang, and Ventura County, offering premier airport transportation with brand-new luxury vehicles.
Our Ground Transportation Services Include:
- Limo to Santa Barbara Airport
- Sedan to Santa Barbara Airport
- Chauffeur service Santa Barbara Airport
- Santa Barbara Sprinter limo to airport for larger groups
- Executive Limousine & Coach Santa Barbara – Ideal for corporate clients
- Santa Barbara Car Service – Premium vehicles for local and long-distance rides
- Ventura Car Service – Reliable transfers from Ventura to SBA and beyond
- Solvang Car Service – Convenient and elegant airport rides from the wine country
Our chauffeurs offer meet-and-greet service inside the terminal, help with luggage, child seats, and ADA-compliant vehicles upon request. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, you can book a limo or sedan to Santa Barbara Airport for a seamless, on-time, and comfortable journey.