Tourism statisticsCity2026
Santa Barbara Tourism Statistics: 32,915 Airbnb Stays
AirROI estimates 32,915 Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara, in California, United States, in the 12 months to October 2026. The busiest month was August, and the quietest was January. 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
- 169,810
- Typical Airbnb stay
- 5.2 nights
- Busiest Airbnb month
- August
- From within the United States, among guests who left a review
- 92.2%
Key facts
Santa Barbara 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 at 32,915 in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara added up to 169,810 nights in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates a typical Airbnb stay in Santa Barbara lasted 5.2 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 in the 12 months to October 2026, followed by June and September, with January the quietest.
- AirROI estimates the four busiest Airbnb months in Santa Barbara ran unbroken from June to September in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara in June were booked furthest ahead, about 74 days, against 41 days for January, in the 12 months to October 2026.
Guests
- AirROI estimates 92.2% of Santa Barbara Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 were from within the United States, and the United Kingdom at 1.7% and Germany at 1% were the top countries abroad.
By place
- AirROI estimates Santa Barbara took 0.1% of all Airbnb stays in the United States in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI ranks Santa Barbara 15th for Airbnb stays among the 237 towns it lists in California in the 12 months to October 2026.
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 accounted for 0.1% 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
Santa Barbara had 1,028 Airbnb homes in the 12 months to October 2026. They took an estimated 32,915 stays and 169,810 nights. A typical stay lasted 5.2 nights and was booked about 56 days ahead.
- Airbnb homes
- 1,028
- Airbnb stays, estimate
- 32,915
- Airbnb nights, estimate
- 169,810
- Typical stay
- 5.2 nights
- Booked ahead
- 56 days
Busiest months
When Is the Busiest Time in Santa Barbara?
On Airbnb, August was the busiest month in Santa Barbara in the 12 months to October 2026, then June and September. 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, June, September, July, 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 |
| June | 8.9% | 74 days |
| September | 8.9% | 54 days |
| July | 8.8% | 69 days |
| March | 8.8% | 45 days |
| October | 8.3% | 60 days |
| April | 8.3% | 44 days |
| May | 8.2% | 48 days |
| November | 7.9% | 55 days |
| December | 7.7% | 45 days |
| February | 7.2% | 49 days |
| January | 7.0% | 41 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 Airbnb Guests Come From?
About nine in ten Santa Barbara Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 were from within the United States (92.2%), and the top countries abroad were the United Kingdom at 1.7% and Germany at 1%, AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, Los Angeles was the top origin city at 9.3%, ahead of San Diego at 4%. The figures rest on 100,615 reviews, written over many years.
92.2% from within the United States
Among guests who left a review, as of October 2026
- From within the United States 92.2%
- From abroad 7.8%
Top countries abroad
Among guests who left a review
Top origin cities
Among guests who left a review
FAQ
Questions About Tourism in Santa Barbara
How many tourists visit Santa Barbara?
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 at 0.1% of Airbnb stays in the United States in the 12 months to October 2026. AirROI estimates 32,915 Airbnb stays in Santa Barbara in the 12 months to October 2026, which counts bookings and not tourists.
When is the busiest time in Santa Barbara?
The busiest Airbnb month in Santa Barbara in the 12 months to October 2026 was August, then June and September. The four busiest months run from June to September.
What is the quietest month in Santa Barbara?
January was the quietest Airbnb month in Santa Barbara in the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 12th of 12, and February ranked 11th. Stays in January were booked about 41 days ahead, against 74 days for June.
How long is a typical Airbnb stay in Santa Barbara?
A typical Airbnb stay in Santa Barbara lasted 5.2 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 56 days ahead. By month, stays ran from 3.7 nights in September to 6.4 nights in January.
Where do Airbnb guests in Santa Barbara come from?
Of Santa Barbara Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 92.2% were from within the United States, AirROI estimates. The top countries abroad were the United Kingdom at 1.7% and Germany at 1%. Among the same guests, the top origin city was Los Angeles at 9.3%, ahead of San Diego at 4%.
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 32,915 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 are stays times the typical stay: 32,915 stays at 5.16 nights. Month ranks compare each month's part of Airbnb nights. Origin rests on 100,615 reviews and describes guests who left a review, not everyone who stayed. Read the method page.