Distance: 33 miles
Driving Time: 45 minutes
Santa Barbara rush hour starts about 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and traffic backs up in both directions between the north edge of town and Carpinteria. It experiences Sunday afternoon traffic jams going southbound as well, as Los Angeles residents head back home from weekend excursions. Rather than sit in traffic, use your map, GPS or smartphone to find an alternate route through town.
North of town, avocado orchards grow on the inland side of the road. Highway 101 veers northward a little west of Santa Barbara, away from the ocean and over the Gaviota Pass.
The Shortcut
During daylight hours, you can save about 20 miles (and 20 minutes) and enjoy one of California's prettiest drives at the same time, passing through a broad valley filled with horse ranches and beside a beautiful, blue lake set against a backdrop of white hills. Hwy 154 is a two-lane road with occasional passing sections where they're needed. Exits from US Hwy 101 are well marked at both ends.
It departs from US 101 north of Santa Barbara and rejoins it north of Solvang, which is the next stop on this driving tour. Read about Solvang and if you want to take this route and go there, too, take CA Hwy 246 west from CA Hwy 154.
A Side Trip
The road marked by a dashed blue line on the map is California Hwy 1. It's a moderately-interesting alternative to US 101 and rejoins 101 at Pismo Beach. Taking it will add about an hour to your journey.
Primary Needs
At Gaviota Pass, you'll find one of only two state-run rest stops between Los Angeles and San Francisco on US Hwy 101, but don't start tightening the puckering string yet; you're seldom more than a half hour's drive away from an exit where you can find gasoline and food.
North of Santa Barbara, you'll find Gaviota State Park and Refugio State Beach, where you can set up camp. These parks are very popular, and in summer or holiday weekends you might have to reserve as much as seven months in advance to get in.
Another option nearby is El Capitan Canyon, which has small cabins and tent cabins, as well as an RV/tent campground next door. You'll need a reservation here, too.
