LAX to Santa Barbara Drive is one of the most beautiful drives on a California road trip. Driving across the Pacific Coast Highway from LA to Santa Barbara ranks among one of the best beautiful road drives. So let’s read about where to stop between LA and Santa Barbara.
Book your rent a Car in advance ….

Click here for detailed Stunning California Road Trip Itinerary 21 – 25 days
Where To Stop Between LA And Santa Barbara? – Perfect LAX to Santa Barbara drive
Beautiful Stopovers at Pacific Coast Highway between LA and Santa Barbara
Venice Beach
Distance from LA – 46 min (25.5 mi) via I-110 S
CLICK HERE TO BOOK HOTELS AT VENICE BEACH BROADWALK

Venice Beach is the most exotic and famous beach nearby Los Angeles. Many people come here to spend their weekends under the sunny sky and wavy waters. Venice is one of the most popular destinations for Los Angeles locals and international visitors. It is home to famous Beat Generation poets and artists.
Why Venice Beach – For beach lovers, art and craft lovers, local artisans market, exotic beach fun.
Santa Monica
Distance from LA – 33 min (16.5 mi) via I-10 W
CLICK HERE TO BOOK HOTELS NEAR SANTA MONICA PIER
Santa Monica is a beautiful beach city with a pier, small aquarium, historic merry-go-round, large, huge swath of beach with volleyball, and a long beach bike path to enjoy it all. It is like a fair and carnival on the beachside, with lots of people enjoying rides overlooking the Pacific coast. Safe, easily walkable, pretty, seaside.
Why Santa Monica – For fun and frolic beach type of getaway, colorful beach fun, lots of amusement rides with many eateries on Pier.
Getty Villa
Distance from LA – 41 min (21.5 mi) via I-10 W
It shows the ancient world with ancient Greek and Roman art, tranquil gardens, and ocean breezes. Getty Villa has lovely coastal and artistic vibes.

Malibu
Distance from LA – 1 hr 18 min (45.7 mi) via CA-1 N
CHECK AVAILABILITY OF HOTELS IN MALIBU
Why Malibu – Malibu is a beach town in western Los Angeles county. Malibu is known for its beautiful Mediterranean climate and scenic sunsets. It is an excellent spot for surfing, scuba diving, and windsurfing with a long oceanfront.
Things to do in Malibu
- Zuma Beach
- Malibu Country Mart
- Point Dume
- Malibu Lagoon state beach & Adamson House
- Malibu State Creek Park
- Solstice Canyon
- Leo Carrillo State Park
- Santa Monica Mountains National
- El Matador Beach
Oxnard
Distance from LA – 1 hr 30 min (63.5 mi) via CA-1 S
CLICK HERE TO BOOK HOTELS IN OXNARD

Oxnard is a well-preserved historic downtown with magnificent beaches and a lively beach town in California’s central coastal region. It is located next to Ventura and is a perfect weekend destination for your California road trip.
Things to do in Oxnard
- Channel Islands Harbor
- Oxnard State Beach and Park
- Mullin Automotive Museum
- Mandalay State Beach
- Silver Strand Beach
- Heritage Square
- The Murphy Auto Museum
Ventura
Distance from LA – 1 hr 50 min (73.9 mi) via CA-1 N
CLICK HERE TO BOOK HOTELS IN VENTURA

A perfect laidback coastal town with lovely beaches and beach resorts is just half an hour’s drive from Santa Barbara. The beautiful industry across PCH no and the shores of this town make it a perfect day trip from Santa Barbara. Also, this county is famous for farmer’s markets too.
Why Ventura – Ventura is a perfect beach chill town with fantastic local produce, friendly people, and lovely weather.
Things to do in Ventura
- Ventura Pier and Promenada
- Ventura to Ojai Paved Bike path
- Serra Cross Park
- Ventura Botanical Gardens
- Surfers Point Park
- Ventura City Hall
- Mission San Buenaventura
Ojai
Distance from LA – 83 Miles (Approx. – 1 Hour 30 minutes)
CHECK AVAILABILITY OF HOTELS AT OJAI
Why Ojai – Ojai is a famous tourist spot for hiking, recreation, boutique hotels, and local farmer’s market. It has a unique, beautiful sky with a quaint town on the foothills of Topatopa mountains and is 15 miles away from the Pacific coast. Also a famous wellness spa resort town.
Things to do in Ojai
- Ojai Farmer’s market
- Ojai Meadows Preserve.
- Rose Valley Falls Trails
- Art Galleries & Shopping
- Ojai Olive Farm visit
- Libbey’s Park
- Krishnamurthi Education Center
- Ecotopia Hot Springs
Carpinteria – LA to Santa Barbara road trip
Distance from LA – 2 hr 5 min (90.2 mi) via CA-1 N and US-101 N
CHECK AVAILABILITY OF HOTELS IN CARPINTERIA

Carpinteria is a quiet, peaceful beach town in southeastern Santa Barbara county. Carpinteria State Beach is one of the United States’ safest beaches.
Things to do in Carpinteria
- Carpinteria State Beach
- Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve and Rookery
- Island Brewing Company
- Canzelle Alpacas
- Tar Pits Beach
Santa Barbara – Click here to book your stay in Santa Barbara.
VIDEO TOUR OF LA TO Santa Barbara scenic drive
Google Map – LA to Santa Barbara road trip – LAX to Santa Barbara drive

I hope you loved reading about Where To Stop Between LA And Santa Barbara and would enjoy the LAX to Santa Barbara drive.
So enjoy this Pacific Coast Highway between LA and Santa Barbara on your California road trip.
MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP
- Perfect LA to San Francisco Road Trip Itinerary 8 – 10 Days
- 10 Best Things To Do This Weekend In Monterey CA
- Best Day trips and weekend getaways from San Jose CA – Road Trips from San Jose
- Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary – 6 Best Places To Stop In California
- 9 Most Romantic Getaways ( Cities ) / Places in California
Follow my blog on social media channels at
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
All content and photos belong to travelwithme247blog(dot)com and use of content/photos without permission would result in legal action.
DISCLAIMER – The content of the blog is solely my views of a place or a thing. This is not to offend any class, religion, ethnicity, or nation. My views can change from time to time. This blog may contain some advertisements or links to commercial products and for that, this site is not responsible after you click those advertisements. We are the independent owner of this site and the views expressed in this are our own.
All photographs are owned by me. There can be slight differences in distances, locations, or some details for which I (owner) am not responsible. This post may contain some affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you. I will earn if you will click through affiliates and make a purchase