Early autumn · Weather & things to do
Santa Barbara in September
Little changes in Santa Barbara from August: highs stay near 81°F (27°C), lows near 65°F (18°C), and about 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain falls.
September opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 98/100 (6th of 12).
- Avg high
- 81°F (27°C)
- Avg low
- 65°F (18°C)
- Rain
- 0.1 in (3 mm)
- Humidity
- 55%
- Cloud cover
- 23%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 12 min
- Comfort score
- 98/100 · Great
What September feels like
Highs settle around 81°F (27°C), warm enough for short sleeves most of the day.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 65°F (18°C).
Rain is scarce: about 0.1 in (3 mm) for the whole month.
Clear skies are common, with cloud cover averaging only 23%.
Plan around September
September 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 holds steady from August (96 → 98/100).
- September 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 — September falls outside it.
What to pack for September
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 81°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Santa Barbara in September
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
El Presidio de Santa Barbara
Reconstructed Spanish fort from 1782, with adobe quarters and a chapel, two blocks from State Street.
Why now September scores 98/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
East Beach
Wide sandy beach with volleyball courts and a palm-lined bike path.
Why now Highs near 81°F and 0.1 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Spanish-Moorish courthouse with a free clock tower lookout over red roofs.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.
Funk Zone taproom of a Santa Ynez Valley brewery with a patio.
Funk Zone
Former warehouse blocks near the beach, now full of wine tasting rooms, breweries and murals.
La Super-Rica Taqueria
Tiny taqueria praised by Julia Child for its handmade tortillas.
Nearby in September
- Solvang in September~28 mi · highs 80°F, 0.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Hollywood in September~81 mi · highs 88°F, 0.1 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Los Angeles in September~87 mi · highs 88°F, 0.1 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Pasadena in September~91 mi · highs 86°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 September: quick answers
Is September 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 81°F (27°C) and 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain. September is inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
How hot is Santa Barbara in September?
Average highs are 81°F (27°C) and average lows 65°F (18°C), making it the 3rd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Santa Barbara in September?
Not much: about 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain falls across September on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 15.9 in (404 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Barbara in September?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 81°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 September
- Pacific Coast Highway Apr – Oct
Planning Santa Barbara in September?
Share this September plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.