Late summer · Weather & things to do
Santa Barbara in August
Santa Barbara's warmest month brings highs averaging 82°F (28°C), lows of 67°F (19°C) and less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain.
It scores 96/100 for comfort, 8th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 82°F (28°C)
- Avg low
- 67°F (19°C)
- Rain
- less than 0.1 in (3 mm)
- Humidity
- 54%
- Cloud cover
- 21%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 17 min
- Comfort score
- 96/100 · Great
What August feels like
Warm afternoons near 82°F (28°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Nights cool to an average low of 67°F (19°C).
It's one of the drier stretches, with only less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain.
Sunny spells dominate: cloud cover averages 21%.
Plan around August
August is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April – June and September – November).
- Comfort holds steady from July (97 → 96/100).
- August 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 — August falls outside it.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clothes82°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Santa Barbara in August
August is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
1786 mission called the Queen of the Missions, with a museum and rose garden.
Stearns Wharf
California's oldest working wharf with views back to the mountains.
Funk Zone
Former warehouse blocks near the beach, now full of wine tasting rooms, breweries and murals.
Why now August scores 96/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Potek Winery
Single-vineyard Santa Barbara County wines in a lounge at The Mill, with a patio shared with Third Window Brewery.
Brophy Bros
Seafood restaurant upstairs on the harbor, known for clam chowder and views over the boats.
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Counter seafood shack at the end of Stearns Wharf; lobster and crab.
Nearby in August
- Solvang in August~28 mi · highs 81°F, 0.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Hollywood in August~81 mi · highs 89°F, 0.0 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Los Angeles in August~87 mi · highs 90°F, 0.0 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in August~91 mi · highs 88°F, 0.0 in rain · 3°C (5°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 August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Santa Barbara?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 96/100 against a best of 100 in April – June and September – November. Expect highs of 82°F (28°C) and less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain. August is inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
How hot is Santa Barbara in August?
Average highs are 82°F (28°C) and average lows 67°F (19°C), making it the warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Santa Barbara in August?
Not much: less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the driest month of the year. The annual total is about 15.9 in (404 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Barbara in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (82°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Santa Barbara
Routes in season in August
- Pacific Coast Highway Apr – Oct
Planning Santa Barbara in August?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.