A Group Travel Guide to Santa Barbara, California's Best Destinations

Old Mission Santa Barbara

Known as the "Queen of the Missions," Old Mission Santa Barbara is perhaps the city's most iconic landmark and a must-visit for history buffs, school groups, and sightseers alike. Founded in 1786, this active parish church sits on a rise overlooking the Pacific Ocean and features twin bell towers, lush gardens, and a fascinating museum showcasing art and artifacts from the colonial era. The Mission is located at 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

When you visit with a large group, parking in the standard visitor lot can be tight, especially on weekends or during religious services. By booking a charter bus rental with Charter Bus Santa Barbara, you can arrange for a convenient drop-off right near the entrance of the Mission. Your driver can handle the parking logistics while your group explores the historic cemetery, the mausoleum, and the beautiful Huerta Historic Garden. After your tour, your bus will be waiting to whisk you away to your next stop, perhaps a picnic at the nearby A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden across the street. The Mission offers discounted rates for scheduled group tours, so be sure to call them in advance, and then call us to handle the ride!

Stearns Wharf

For a quintessential Santa Barbara experience, you cannot skip Stearns Wharf. As California’s oldest working wooden wharf, it offers spectacular views of the harbor and the mountains, along with a variety of seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and the Sea Center museum. Located at the end of State Street (217 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101), this is a high-traffic area where parking is notoriously difficult and expensive for individual cars.

Avoid the headache of hunting for multiple parking spots on the narrow wooden pier by renting a minibus or charter bus. Your driver can drop your group off at the designated loading zone near the Dolphin Fountain at the foot of the wharf. From there, your group can walk the planks, enjoy fresh crab cakes at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, or visit the touch tanks at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center (211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101). Once everyone has had their fill of the salty sea air, your private shuttle will be ready to pick you up curbside, keeping your group together and on schedule.

The Santa Barbara Zoo

Often called one of the world’s most beautiful zoos, the Santa Barbara Zoo is a fantastic destination for school field trips, family reunions, and private corporate events. Located on 30 acres near the ocean at 500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, the zoo is home to more than 140 species, including giraffes, lions, and western lowland gorillas.

Coordinating travel for a large group of students or families can be a logistical nightmare, but a charter bus rental makes it easy. Our buses come equipped with ample undercarriage storage for packed lunches, strollers, and backpacks, keeping the aisles clear for a comfortable ride. Teachers and chaperones will appreciate the ability to do a headcount on the bus before disembarking at the zoo's group entrance. Plus, with amenities like onboard DVD players and flat-screen TVs, you can keep the kids entertained with educational wildlife documentaries during the drive. Whether you are coming from local schools or traveling from Ventura or San Luis Obispo, Charter Bus Santa Barbara ensures a safe and comfortable journey for your group.

The Funk Zone

If you are planning a bachelor or bachelorette party, a corporate team-building outing, or a birthday celebration, the Funk Zone is the place to be. This vibrant arts district, located between State Street and Garden Street near the waterfront, has transformed old warehouses into a hip collection of boutique wine tasting rooms, craft breweries, art galleries, and trendy eateries. It is a dense, walkable area, but getting a large group there—and getting them home safely—requires a solid transportation plan.

Don't rely on splitting your group into multiple rideshares or drawing straws for a designated driver. Rent a party bus or a sleek minibus from Charter Bus Santa Barbara and enjoy the Urban Wine Trail responsibly. Your driver can drop you off at popular spots like The Lark (131 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101) or the Santa Barbara Wine Collective (131 Anacapa St c, Santa Barbara, CA 93101). You can store wine purchases in the overhead bins and enjoy air-conditioned comfort as you hop between venues or head back to your hotel. With a private charter bus, the party starts the moment you step onboard.

Ganna Walska Lotusland

For a truly unique experience, take your group to Ganna Walska Lotusland, a stunning 37-acre botanical garden located in the foothills of Montecito at Cold Spring Rd, Montecito, CA 93108. Home to over 3,000 plants from around the world, this garden is a masterpiece of landscape design. However, Lotusland is located in a private residential neighborhood and operates under a strict conditional use permit, meaning all visits must be booked in advance, and vehicle size restrictions apply.

This is where Charter Bus Santa Barbara’s expertise comes in handy. We can provide the appropriately sized minibus or sprinter van that meets the local regulations for accessing the Montecito hills while keeping your group comfortable. You can’t just drive up to Lotusland; reservations are mandatory. Once you have secured your tour time, call us to arrange the transportation. The drivers are familiar with the winding roads of Montecito and will ensure your garden club or tour group arrives relaxed and ready to explore the exotic flora.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

It might seem unusual to list a government building as a top attraction, but the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a Spanish-Moorish architectural masterpiece that draws visitors from all over the world. Located at 1100 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, the courthouse is famous for its hand-painted Mural Room, sunken gardens, and the El Mirador clock tower, which offers the best 360-degree panoramic views of the city and ocean.

The Sunken Gardens are a premier location for weddings in Santa Barbara. If you are getting married here, a wedding shuttle from Charter Bus Santa Barbara is essential. Parking around the courthouse is limited to street spots and public garages that fill up quickly. A private shuttle can transport your wedding party and guests from their hotels directly to the Anacapa Street entrance, ensuring everyone arrives on time for the ceremony. After the vows and the photos in the clock tower, your driver can shuttle the group to your reception venue, whether it’s at a nearby hotel or a vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley.

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

Located right on State Street near the train station, MOXI is Santa Barbara’s destination for science and technology education. The museum is located at 125 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. With three floors of interactive exhibits focusing on sound, light, speed, and magnetism, it is a favorite for school field trips and STEM programs.

Navigating lower State Street with a large group of students can be chaotic without a plan. By booking a charter bus with us, you ensure a safe, curb-to-curb experience. We can drop your group off right near the entrance, allowing teachers to keep students organized and safe. While the students explore the interactive rooftop deck, your driver will handle the bus parking off-site. When the field trip concludes, the bus will return for a seamless pickup. Forget the yellow school bus—upgrade to a modern charter bus with reclining seats and climate control to keep the kids comfortable and the chaperones happy.

Santa Barbara Bowl

If your group is in town for a concert, there is no better venue than the Santa Barbara Bowl. Carved into the hillside, this 4,562-seat amphitheater hosts some of the biggest names in music. It is located at 1122 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. However, accessing the Bowl can be a challenge; parking is extremely limited and expensive, and the walk up the hill from street parking can be strenuous.

A private group shuttle is the ultimate VIP hack for the Santa Barbara Bowl. Charter Bus Santa Barbara can drop your group off as close to the venue as permitted, saving you the long hike and the stress of finding parking in the residential Milpas neighborhood. Whether you are a group of friends seeing your favorite band or a corporate group enjoying a night out, a minibus rental allows you to pre-game responsibly and stick together. After the encore, avoid the surge pricing of rideshare apps and step right onto your waiting bus for a safe ride home.

Book Your Santa Barbara Bus Rental Today

Santa Barbara offers endless opportunities for exploration, celebration, and relaxation. Don’t let transportation logistics overshadow the beauty of your trip. Charter Bus Santa Barbara is here to provide the most reliable, comfortable, and professional group transportation in the 805 area code. Whether you need a sprinter van for a wine tour, a minibus for a wedding, or a fleet of motorcoaches for a corporate convention, we have the perfect vehicle for you. Our team is available 24/7/365 to answer your questions and build a custom itinerary just for you.

Call us today at 805-834-8960 to get your free, no-obligation quote!