Summerland Travel Information


Summerland vacations offer the getaway that's quiet and simple. Located south of Santa Barbara a few miles, you have easy access to the big city life and all it entails by driving to Santa Barbara on Highway 101 a few minutes north of your destination. In Summerland, there's only one market, a gas station, post office, a few restaurants and antiques shopping, plus a few other stores. That's the charm of this somewhat sleepy town that overlooks the Pacific Ocean on a hill. Coming to life on the weekends, you'll find more availability in accommodations during the week days and off season. On a rare Central Coast rainy day, there's no better place to stay than Summerland, home to the eternal summer.

One of our favorite gems of Summerland is the beach. You can park atop a hill at a community park with a volleyball court, kids playground and barbeques, then wander down the path to the sand beach. From the beach or atop the hill you can get a glimpse of Santa Barbara channel and beaches. The beach offers a great place to sunbathe and swim, and we've seen many people walk their dogs at this beach, which I assume is dog-friendly.

At the top of the hill at the park you'll find nice restrooms, and as you head for the beach there's one of those clocks where you move the hands on it, showing you what time the beach closes for the day. Be sure to take a look at our favorite sculpture on a rock that commemorates the passing of time and history of Summerland seen in its oil operations off shore. Murals, sculptures and the views of the Pacific Ocean atop a hill are the little things you grow to love about Summerland.