Late winter · Weather & things to do
Santa Barbara in February
Little changes in Santa Barbara from January: highs stay near 63°F (17°C), lows near 51°F (10°C), and about 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain falls.
Its comfort score of 89/100 is still Good, though it ranks 11th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 63°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 51°F (10°C)
- Rain
- 3.1 in (78 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 43%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 46 min
- Comfort score
- 89/100 · Great
What February feels like
Days are mild at around 63°F (17°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
Nights cool to an average low of 51°F (10°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.1 in (78 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around February
February is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April – June and September – November.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort holds steady from January (88 → 89/100).
- Our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends Apr – Oct, so February falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Solvang & Santa Barbara route is planned for Early Dec – early Jan, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — February falls outside it.
What to pack for February
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 51°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Santa Barbara in February
February 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 February scores 89/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
La Super-Rica Taqueria
Tiny taqueria praised by Julia Child for its handmade tortillas.
Ganna Walska Lotusland
Eccentric Montecito garden of cycads, cacti and themed garden rooms.
Why now Highs near 63°F and 3.1 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Potek Winery
Single-vineyard Santa Barbara County wines in a lounge at The Mill, with a patio shared with Third Window Brewery.
Nearby in February
- Solvang in February~28 mi · highs 62°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Hollywood in February~81 mi · highs 66°F, 3.0 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Los Angeles in February~87 mi · highs 67°F, 3.0 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in February~91 mi · highs 65°F, 3.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, 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 February: quick answers
Is February a good time to visit Santa Barbara?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 89/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are April – June and September – November. Expect highs of 63°F (17°C) and 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends Apr – Oct, so February is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Santa Barbara in February?
Average highs are 63°F (17°C) and average lows 51°F (10°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Santa Barbara in February?
Some: about 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain falls across February on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 15.9 in (404 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Barbara in February?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 51°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Santa Barbara
Planning Santa Barbara in February?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.