3 days in Phoenix & Santa Barbara Itinerary

Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. Kick off your visit on the 6th (Wed): explore the world behind art at Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, examine the collection at Musical Instrument Museum, and then see Off-Road Tours.

For traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, read Phoenix trip itinerary planning website.

Use the Route module to find travel options from your starting location to Phoenix. In July, plan for daily highs up to 106°F, and evening lows to 85°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) early enough to fly to Santa Barbara.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a solid vacation destination with its wide beaches, renowned wineries, and some of California's finest shopping and dining options.

On the 7th (Thu), savor the flavors at Food & Drink. Keep things going the next day: admire the landmark architecture of Santa Barbara County Courthouse, steep yourself in history at Old Mission Santa Barbara, then get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, and finally take in the waterfront at Stearns Wharf.

For traveler tips, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Santa Barbara trip itinerary planner.

Fly from Phoenix to Santa Barbara in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Mountain Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Prepare for colder weather when traveling from Phoenix in July: high temperatures in Santa Barbara hover around 75°F and lows are around 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can fly back home.