Late spring · Weather & things to do
Santa Barbara in May
Santa Barbara warms up: highs climb to 73°F (23°C), from 67°F in April, with lows of 56°F (14°C) and about 0.4 in (11 mm) of rain.
At 100/100 for comfort (the top score of the year), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 73°F (23°C)
- Avg low
- 56°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 0.4 in (11 mm)
- Humidity
- 65%
- Cloud cover
- 31%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 48 min
- Comfort score
- 100/100 · Great
What May feels like
Warm afternoons near 73°F (23°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Nights cool to an average low of 56°F (14°C).
Rain is scarce: about 0.4 in (11 mm) for the whole month.
Clear skies are common, with cloud cover averaging only 31%.
Plan around May
May is one of Santa Barbara's best months on the climate data.
- First warm month: highs reach 73°F, up from 67°F in April.
- Comfort holds steady from April (98 → 100/100).
- May 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 — May falls outside it.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 73°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Santa Barbara in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Ganna Walska Lotusland
Eccentric Montecito garden of cycads, cacti and themed garden rooms.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best spring.
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 May scores 100/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
La Super-Rica Taqueria
Tiny taqueria praised by Julia Child for its handmade tortillas.
Potek Winery
Single-vineyard Santa Barbara County wines in a lounge at The Mill, with a patio shared with Third Window Brewery.
Nearby in May
- Solvang in May~28 mi · highs 71°F, 0.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Hollywood in May~81 mi · highs 77°F, 0.4 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Los Angeles in May~87 mi · highs 78°F, 0.4 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in May~91 mi · highs 76°F, 0.4 in rain · 2°C (3°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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Santa Barbara?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 100/100. Expect highs of 73°F (23°C) and 0.4 in (11 mm) of rain. May is inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
How hot is Santa Barbara in May?
Average highs are 73°F (23°C) and average lows 56°F (14°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Santa Barbara in May?
Not much: about 0.4 in (11 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 15.9 in (404 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Barbara in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 73°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 May
- Pacific Coast Highway Apr – Oct
Planning Santa Barbara in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.