Trolley service now rolling through the Funk Zone and downtown Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A Santa Barbara Visitor Trolley is now rolling from the Funk Zone to downtown and the waterfront and back.

It is connecting popular areas to circulate those who would normally be walking or driving back and forth. Another shuttle operated by MTD was stopped during the pandemic and did not resume.

It is a partnership with Santa Barbara’s South Coast Chamber of Commerce, Visit Santa Barbara, the City of Santa Barbara, and the Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara .

There will be a stop at the Hotel Californian at 26 State Street, on Chapala at the Paseo Nuevo and after turning on Anapamu St. there will be two stops on Anacapa St. One of the more popular stops is expected to be by the landmark Courthouse.

The tickets are $1.00 each and can be purchased at the Visitors Center on lower State St. On board the fee is $1.00 with no change provided. The $1.00 ride is for each time you get on. There's no all day pass or other type of pay level.

The shuttles run each half hour starting at 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The service will be available Friday through Monday.

For now it will continue through Labor Day.

Businesses along the route were very supportive.

Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization Robin Elander said, "they want a shuttle from the Funk zone, waterfront area  into the heart of downtown and vise versa so that way we have this great circulation."
On board Rita said, "I love it.  It's really cool."

One of the youngest riders was a two-year old.

 "He loves buses and we found out there was going to be a new trolley route and wow it is perfect timing," said Calvin Yoskowitz. "He always said bus and points at buses but this is the first time he has been able to hop on one and ride it in real time."

The trolley has an open air feel, which is very comfortable on a hot summer day.
Tina Adams from Pismo Beach came in on the train and said, "we already walked all the way to end of the pier and back so we were happy to know there was a trolley ."

 Elander said it makes a strong connection. "We have so many diverse amenities. So many businesses.  So many attractions for people to see  you can't  necessarily do it all on foot. "

This trolley can save you a few steps, but also be a nice mini-tour of the area.

Jonathon Schuhrke rode with his daughter and said, "we live in a beautiful place and getting to see it with open air  and getting around town I think it is a good idea". 

 For information about tickets, routes, and schedules, please visit:https://sbscchamber.com/community/visitor-services/ for the most up-to-date information.  To find out about Downtown Santa Barbara happenings and access a downtown business directory, visit www.downtownsb.org

To plan your trip to Santa Barbara visit https://santabarbaraca.com/