Mid-summer · Weather & things to do
Santa Barbara in July
Santa Barbara warms up: highs climb to 82°F (28°C), from 78°F in June, with lows of 67°F (19°C) and less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain.
It scores 97/100 for comfort, 7th 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
- 55%
- Cloud cover
- 25%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 05 min
- Comfort score
- 97/100 · Great
What July feels like
Days are warm, averaging 82°F (28°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
Lows average 67°F (19°C).
Rain is scarce: less than 0.1 in (3 mm) for the whole month.
Clear skies are common, with cloud cover averaging only 25%.
Plan around July
July is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April – June and September – November).
- Comfort slips from 100/100 in June to 97/100.
- July 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 — July falls outside it.
What to pack for July
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 82°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Santa Barbara in July
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Funk Zone
Former warehouse blocks near the beach, now full of wine tasting rooms, breweries and murals.
Why now July scores 97/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
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 82°F and 0.1 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.
Ganna Walska Lotusland
Eccentric Montecito garden of cycads, cacti and themed garden rooms.
La Super-Rica Taqueria
Tiny taqueria praised by Julia Child for its handmade tortillas.
Nearby in July
- Solvang in July~28 mi · highs 80°F, 0.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Hollywood in July~81 mi · highs 88°F, 0.1 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Los Angeles in July~87 mi · highs 89°F, 0.1 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in July~91 mi · highs 87°F, 0.1 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 July: quick answers
Is July a good time to visit Santa Barbara?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 97/100 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. July is inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
How hot is Santa Barbara in July?
Average highs are 82°F (28°C) and average lows 67°F (19°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Santa Barbara in July?
Not much: less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain falls across July on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 15.9 in (404 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Barbara in July?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 82°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Santa Barbara
Routes in season in July
- Pacific Coast Highway Apr – Oct
Planning Santa Barbara in July?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.