Tourism statisticsRegion2026
Santa Barbara County Tourism Statistics: 62,205 Airbnb Stays
AirROI estimates 62,205 Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara County, in California, United States, in the 12 months to October 2026, with Santa Barbara the most booked town. The busiest month was August. All of the United States had 72.4 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, UN Tourism reports, via Our World in Data.
Airbnb figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026. Read the method
- Estimated Airbnb nights
- 302,298
- Typical Airbnb stay
- 4.9 nights
- Busiest Airbnb month
- August
- From within the United States, among guests who left a review
- 92.9%
Key facts
Santa Barbara County Tourism Facts
Each sentence names its place, period and source, so it can be quoted alone.
Official
- UN Tourism puts all of the United States at 72.4 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, via Our World in Data.
Airbnb stays
- AirROI puts Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara County at 62,205 in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara County added up to 302,298 nights in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates a typical Airbnb stay in Santa Barbara County lasted 4.9 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 56 days ahead.
Busiest months
- AirROI ranks August the busiest Airbnb month in Santa Barbara County in the 12 months to October 2026, followed by July and June, with January the quietest.
- AirROI estimates the four busiest Airbnb months in Santa Barbara County ran unbroken from June to September in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara County in June were booked furthest ahead, about 75 days, against 39 days for January, in the 12 months to October 2026.
Guests
- AirROI estimates 92.9% of Santa Barbara County Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 were from within the United States, and the United Kingdom at 1.2% were the top countries abroad.
By place
- AirROI estimates Santa Barbara County took 0.2% of all Airbnb stays in the United States in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Santa Barbara had the most Airbnb stays of Santa Barbara County's 9 towns in the 12 months to October 2026, at 32,915, ahead of Solvang and Montecito.
Official numbers
How Many Tourists Visit the United States?
UN Tourism counted 72.4 million international tourist arrivals for all of the United States in 2024, via Our World in Data. On AirROI's estimates, Santa Barbara County accounted for 0.2% of Airbnb stays in the United States in the 12 months to October 2026.
| Figure | What it counts | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72.4 millionInternational tourist arrivals, all of United States | Trips by visitors arriving from abroad who stay at least one night, each arrival counted separately | 2024 | UN Tourism, via Our World in Data |
Airbnb stays
Airbnb Stays in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County had 1,945 Airbnb homes in the 12 months to October 2026. They took an estimated 62,205 stays and 302,298 nights. A typical stay lasted 4.9 nights and was booked about 56 days ahead. AirROI's figures cover the 9 towns it tracks in Santa Barbara County; places it does not track are not counted, so every total is a floor.
- Airbnb homes
- 1,945
- Airbnb stays, estimate
- 62,205
- Airbnb nights, estimate
- 302,298
- Typical stay
- 4.9 nights
- Booked ahead
- 56 days
Busiest months
When Is the Busiest Time in Santa Barbara County?
On Airbnb, August was the busiest month in Santa Barbara County in the 12 months to October 2026, then July and June. January was the quietest. The four busiest months run unbroken from June to September.
August ranks first, January last
Airbnb months in calendar order, 12 months to October 2026. The number is the month's rank, and 1 is the busiest. The bar shows its part of Airbnb nights.
- Three busiest months
- Other months
From busiest to quietest: August, July, June, September, March, October, April, May, November, December, February, January.
Month by month: rank, typical stay and days booked ahead
| Month | Share of nights | Booked ahead |
|---|---|---|
| August | 9.9% | 65 days |
| July | 9.6% | 75 days |
| June | 9.2% | 75 days |
| September | 8.9% | 55 days |
| March | 8.6% | 42 days |
| October | 8.3% | 59 days |
| April | 8.2% | 46 days |
| May | 8.2% | 52 days |
| November | 7.8% | 55 days |
| December | 7.7% | 48 days |
| February | 7.0% | 45 days |
| January | 6.8% | 39 days |
Share is each month's part of the year's Airbnb nights. Typical stay and days booked ahead are AirROI estimates for stays in each month.
Where guests come from
Where Do Santa Barbara County Airbnb Guests Come From?
About nine in ten Santa Barbara County Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 were from within the United States (92.9%), and the top countries abroad were the United Kingdom at 1.2%, AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, Los Angeles was the top origin city at 11%, ahead of San Diego at 3.9%. The figures rest on 199,575 reviews, written over many years.
92.9% from within the United States
Among guests who left a review, as of October 2026
- From within the United States 92.9%
- From abroad 7.1%
Top countries abroad
Among guests who left a review
Top origin cities
Among guests who left a review
By town
Most Booked Towns in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara, Solvang and Montecito took 70% of Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara County in the 12 months to October 2026. August is the busiest Airbnb month in 3 of the 9 towns, led by Santa Barbara, and July in 3, led by Solvang. Among guests who left a review, the share from abroad across these towns runs from 3.7% in Santa Ynez to 14% in Santa Maria.
| Santa Barbara | 32,915 |
| Solvang | 6,173 |
| Montecito | 4,556 |
| Santa Ynez | 4,533 |
| Carpinteria | 4,440 |
| Summerland | 3,591 |
| Goleta | 3,328 |
| Lompoc | 1,415 |
| Santa Maria | 1,254 |
* Among guests who left a review. Stays, nights and other figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, and cover Airbnb only. US is the top origin in every town, among guests who left a review, so this column names the top country abroad. A town with no tourism page of its own links to its Airbnb market page.
FAQ
Questions About Tourism in Santa Barbara County
How many tourists visit Santa Barbara County?
The United States as a whole had 72.4 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, according to UN Tourism, via Our World in Data. AirROI puts Santa Barbara County at 0.2% of Airbnb stays in the United States in the 12 months to October 2026. AirROI estimates 62,205 Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara County in the 12 months to October 2026, which counts bookings and not tourists.
When is high season in Santa Barbara County?
The busiest Airbnb month in Santa Barbara County in the 12 months to October 2026 was August, then July and June. The four busiest months run from June to September.
What is the quietest month in Santa Barbara County?
January was the quietest Airbnb month in Santa Barbara County in the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 12th of 12, and February ranked 11th. Stays in January were booked about 39 days ahead, against 75 days for June.
How long is a typical Airbnb stay in Santa Barbara County?
A typical Airbnb stay in Santa Barbara County lasted 4.9 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 56 days ahead. By month, stays ran from 3.6 nights in September to 6.1 nights in January.
Where do Airbnb guests in Santa Barbara County come from?
Of Santa Barbara County Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 92.9% were from within the United States, AirROI estimates. The top countries abroad were the United Kingdom at 1.2%. Among the same guests, the top origin city was Los Angeles at 11%, ahead of San Diego at 3.9%.
What is the most booked town in Santa Barbara County on Airbnb?
Santa Barbara was the most booked town in Santa Barbara County on Airbnb, with an estimated 32,915 stays in the 12 months to October 2026, ahead of Solvang and Montecito.
Are Airbnb stays the same as tourists?
No. UN Tourism counts international tourist arrivals (72.4 million in 2024 across the United States). An Airbnb stay is one booking on one platform, however many guests it holds. AirROI's 62,205 stays are estimates for the 12 months to October 2026.
Method
How These Numbers Are Made
Official figures come from their publishers, linked above, and were last checked in November 2026. Stays and nights are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, built from Airbnb listing data, and cover Airbnb only. Nights add up each town's stays times its typical stay, across 9 towns. Month ranks compare each month's part of Airbnb nights. Origin rests on 199,575 reviews and describes guests who left a review, not everyone who stayed. Read the method page.