Santa Maria travel guide
Santa Maria Tourism | Santa Maria Guide
You're Going to Love Santa Maria
With a population of 99,553, Santa Maria is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Santa Maria deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
When to visit Santa Maria
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Santa Maria in July, when the average temperature is 62.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 73.4 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 39.2 °F, with an average temperature of 51.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in February, when precipitation is around 2.8″. In contrast, June is usually the driest month of the year in Santa Maria, with an average rainfall of 0″.
How to Get to Santa Maria
Plane
When flying to Santa Maria, you’ll arrive at Santa Maria Public (SMX), which is located 4 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Santa Maria departs from Seattle and takes around 6h 36m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Santa Maria. The train journey from Santa Maria to Fullerton takes 5h 35m and costs around $44 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Anaheim, expect to pay about $44 for a 5h 45m trip.
Car
Another option to get to Santa Maria is to pick up a car rental from Los Angeles, which is about 136 miles from Santa Maria. You’ll find branches of Ace and Kyte, among others, in Los Angeles.
Bus
The most popular bus station is Santa Maria Amtrak Bus Stop, located 1.1 miles from downtown Santa Maria. Santa Maria Transit Center is also a commonly used station, and is 0.5 miles from the city center.
Airlines serving Santa Maria
Where to stay in Santa Maria
Average rates range from around $111 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $204 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Travelodge by Wyndham Santa Maria and Days Inn by Wyndham Santa Maria.
Where to stay in popular areas of Santa Maria
Most booked hotels in Santa Maria
Renting a car in Santa Maria
Renting a car in Santa Maria costs $68 per day, on average, or $137 if you want to rent if for 2 days.
You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 8% more expensive than at Santa Maria Public.
Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Santa Maria (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Santa Maria is Full-size (Ford Transit or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Mitsubishi i-Miev or similar) are, on average, 75% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.
Best car rental deals in Santa Maria
Compact
4 Adults, 2 Bags
$32/day
Intermediate
5 Adults, 3 Bags
$35/day