Mid-spring · Weather & things to do
Santa Barbara in April
Santa Barbara edges warmer than March, with highs of 67°F (20°C), lows of 53°F (12°C) and about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain.
April opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 98/100 (5th of 12).
- Avg high
- 67°F (20°C)
- Avg low
- 53°F (12°C)
- Rain
- 1.1 in (27 mm)
- Humidity
- 70%
- Cloud cover
- 35%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 52 min
- Comfort score
- 98/100 · Great
What April feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 67°F (20°C), good for long walks.
Lows average 53°F (12°C).
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain.
Sunny spells dominate: cloud cover averages 35%.
Plan around April
April is one of Santa Barbara's best months on the climate data.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: April – June and September – November.
- Comfort improves from 93/100 in March to 98/100.
- April sits inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
- Our Solvang & Santa Barbara route is planned for Early Dec – early Jan, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — April falls outside it.
What to pack for April
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 53°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Santa Barbara in April
April is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Ganna Walska Lotusland
Eccentric Montecito garden of cycads, cacti and themed garden rooms.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best spring.
Funk Zone
Former warehouse blocks near the beach, now full of wine tasting rooms, breweries and murals.
Why now April scores 98/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Counter seafood shack at the end of Stearns Wharf; lobster and crab.
El Presidio de Santa Barbara
Reconstructed Spanish fort from 1782, with adobe quarters and a chapel, two blocks from State Street.
Why now Highs near 67°F and 1.1 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
East Beach
Wide sandy beach with volleyball courts and a palm-lined bike path.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Spanish-Moorish courthouse with a free clock tower lookout over red roofs.
Nearby in April
- Solvang in April~28 mi · highs 66°F, 1.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Hollywood in April~81 mi · highs 73°F, 0.7 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Los Angeles in April~87 mi · highs 73°F, 0.7 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in April~91 mi · highs 71°F, 0.7 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~313 m to Santa Barbara's ~15 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Santa Barbara in April: quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Santa Barbara?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 98/100. Expect highs of 67°F (20°C) and 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain. April is inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
How hot is Santa Barbara in April?
Average highs are 67°F (20°C) and average lows 53°F (12°C), making it the 5th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Santa Barbara in April?
Not much: about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain falls across April on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 15.9 in (404 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Barbara in April?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 53°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Santa Barbara
Routes in season in April
- Pacific Coast Highway Apr – Oct
Planning Santa Barbara in April?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.