25 Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the best place to park for the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum?
2. Where is the best place to park for the Wharf?
3. Where is the best place to park for the Waterfront?
4. Where can I park my over-sized vehicle or RV?
5. What type of annual parking permits is available?
6. I received a parking collection envelope. How do I pay for it?
7. How soon after issuance must I pay a collection envelope?
8. How do I appeal a parking collection envelope?
9. What are the hours of operation at the Waterfront lots?
10. Where is the Parking Division Office located and what are their hours?
11. Where can I catch Highway 101 North or South?
12. Where is Tourist Information Center?
13. Where are the public bathrooms and showers?
14. Where can I camp?
15. How do I get to the Santa Barbara Mission or other landmarks?
16. Where is the center of town and State Street?
17. Where is the nearest gas station?
18. What are those off-shore islands?
19. How far is Goleta?
20. Where is UCSB?
21. Where is the Airport?
22. Where is Santa Barbara City College?
23. When and where is the Art Show?
24. Where is the nearest hospital?
25. How far is Ventura?
ANSWERS 1-5:
1. Where is the best place to park for the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum?
For the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, use the Main Harbor Lot, Harbor West Honor Fee Lot, or available 90-minute lots.
2. Where is the best place to park for the Wharf?
Use the Stearns Wharf, Palm Park Lot or Garden Street Lot.
3. Where is the best place to park for the Waterfront?
Use any of the Waterfront Area Lots.
4. Where can I park my over-sized vehicle or RV?
Over-sized vehicles or RVs may park in Leadbetter Park lot, Harbor West Lot, Garden Street Lot, or Palm Park Lot. Each lot provides five (5) designated yellow marked spaces for over-sized vehicles and RVs over 20-feet up to 33-feet long. No parking allowed across marked stalls. No parking allowed between 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. per SBMC 17.36.020. You must pay for both stalls if your vehicle overlaps into another space.
5. What type of annual parking permit is available for purchase?
You can purchase an Annual Waterfront Parking Permit valid at all waterfront parking lots, except on Stearns Wharf. An over-sized vehicle (over 20-feet) is not eligible for a Waterfront Parking Permit. Please contact the Parking Division Office at (805) 897-1965 or (805) 564-5523 for more details.
ANSWERS 6-10:
6. I received a parking collection envelope. How do I pay for it?
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Option 1: Pay a collection envelope by Cash or Tri-Counties check: Accepted at any Waterfront Parking Kiosk. Harbor Kiosk is open 24-hours a day, year round.
Option 2: Pay a collection envelope by Tri-Counties Check or Money Order: Via mail, please pay with personal check or money order.
Mail the collection envelope with the appropriate payment to:
Waterfront Parking
City of Santa Barbara
P.O. Box 1990
Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990
7. How soon after issuance must I pay a parking collection envelope?
A collection envelope must be paid within 10 business days to avoid delinquent penalties. After 10 days, the collection envelopes are sent to Police Department, where a $20 delinquent penalty for the first notice will be levied; another $20 for the second notice.
8. How do I appeal a parking collection envelope?
You must request a Parking Review within 10 days of the issuance date. The request for review may be made by mail, by telephone (805) 897-1965 or in person at the Parking Division located at 132-A Harbor Way, Santa Barbara CA 93109.
9. What are the hours of operations at the Waterfront?
Parking lot hours of operation vary by season and lot type. Each lot is posted with a fee schedule and its hours of operation. A typical attendant parking Kiosk/Honor Fee lot is open 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
10. Where is the Parking Division Office located and what are their hours?
We are located on the second floor at 132-A Harbor Way, Santa Barbara CA 93109. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed Noon to 1:00 p.m.), except major holidays. The Parking Division phone number is (805) 897-1965 or (805) 564-5523.
ANSWERS 11-15:
11. Where can I catch Hwy 101 North or South?
Hwy 101 entrances are located at Castillo Street , Garden Street, Milpas Street and Coast Village Road.
12. Where is Tourist Information Center?
The Santa Barbara Visitor Information Center is located at the corner of Garden Street and Cabrillo Boulevard.
The Center has information about local events, restaurants, hotels, maps and other tourist items of interest.
13. Where are the public bathrooms and showers?
Public restrooms between East Beach and the Wharf are available at 1) the Cabrillo Bath-house, 2) mid-way between Palm Park and the Cabrillo West parking lot, 3) Garden Street lot, 4) Carousel Park, 5) Stearns Wharf, and 6) near the dolphin fountain. There are three public restrooms in the Harbor area at 1) Sea Landing, 2) Marina 4 (7am-10pm), and 3) under Brophy Brother’s Restaurant. There is a public restroom at the west end of Harbor West parking lot as well. There are cold showers for rinsing off at Cabrillo East beach and at Harbor West. A person can pay a small fee to use a hot water shower at the Cabrillo Bath-house or Los Banos Pool.
14. Where can I camp?
Take Hwy 101 North approximately 25 miles to find State Beaches which have campsites: El Capitan or Refugio; or take Hwy 101 South approximately 11 miles to Carpinteria State beach. Lake Cachuma also has camp sites and charges a fee.
15. How do I get to the Santa Barbara Mission or other landmarks?
Proceed north on State Street and turn right on Padre Street (follow the signs). For other landmarks, please use the Santa Barbara Visitors Information Center at the corner of Cabrillo Boulevard and Garden Street.
ANSWERS 16-20
16. Where is the center of town and State Street?
State Street begins at the base of Stearns Wharf and is Santa Barbara’s main street. The center of town lies within the vicinity of the Paseo Nuevo Mall (approximately 7 blocks up from the ocean).
17. Where is the nearest gas station?
Corner of Castillo Street and Montecito Street.
18. What are those off-shore islands?
They are the Santa Barbara Channel Islands: Santa Barbara Island (never visible), Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, and San Miguel Island. The island seen directly offshore is Santa Cruz Island.
19. How far is Goleta?
Approximately 12 miles North on Hwy 101.
20. Where is UCSB?
Approximately 12 miles North on Hwy 101 and follow the signs.
ANSWERS 20-25:
21. Where is the Airport?
Same exit as UCSB, approximately 12 miles North on Hwy 101 and follow the signs.
22. Where is Santa Barbara City College?
SBCC is located near the Waterfront at Cliff Drive/Loma Alta Drive (721 Cliff Drive). SBCC Garvin Theater is located on west campus. SBCC Stadium is located on east campus along Shoreline Drive.
23. When and where is the Art Show?
Every Sunday year-round on Cabrillo Boulevard near the east of Stearns Wharf (weather permitting). On three-day holiday weekends, the art show will run on Saturday.
24. Where is the nearest hospital?
Cottage Hospital (Pueblo and Bath St.) Take Hwy 101 North and exit at Pueblo. Proceed three blocks to Pueblo and turn left on Bath Street (follow the signs).
25. How far is Ventura?
Approximately 30 miles south on Hwy 101.