56 Passenger Charter Bus
santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com is a comparison and referral website, not a local company. We do NOT own or operate vehicles. Use our online quote form to view pricing and vehicle choices from independent transportation providers through a national booking platform. Read more: terms and referral details
Charter Bus Rentals in Santa Maria
You deserve group transportation that's actually easy to find. Whether you're heading to the Santa Barbara County Fair at the Santa Maria Fairpark, planning a wine tour through the Santa Maria Valley AVA, or shuttling a group down US-101 to Santa Barbara, Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com puts buses, prices, and pictures from a large network of transportation companies right in front of you — in seconds, with no account required. Call 805-364-0400 or fill out one quick form and get instant pricing today!
The Simple Way to Rent a Charter Bus in Santa Maria
Forget calling five different bus companies, waiting on callbacks, and trying to compare quotes that never quite line up. Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com is a quote-comparison and advertising website — not a local bus company — and that distinction is exactly what makes finding group transportation in Santa Maria so much easier. Because Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com isn't tied to a single fleet, you get to compare vehicles and prices from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving the area, all in one place. Request the amenities you want — WiFi, reclining seats, a built-in bar, power outlets — and compare pictures and prices side by side in seconds.
Buses are available for local trips around Santa Maria and long-distance runs to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and beyond. Fill out one quick form, land on a results page showing vehicles and pricing, and book right online through a national booking platform. No account needed.
A free quote is always available online or by phone at 805-364-0400!
Santa Maria Charter Bus Rental Options
Instead of settling for whatever one company happens to have parked in its lot, you can compare minibuses, party buses, charter buses, sprinter vans, and school buses from a large network of providers serving Santa Maria and the surrounding Central Coast region. Whatever your group size and whatever your trip, there's a bus that fits!
35 Passenger Minibus
30 Passenger Minibus
28 Passenger Minibus
25 Passenger Minibus
20 Passenger Minibus
18 Passenger Minibus
15 Passenger Minibus
15-50 Passenger Party Buses
Sprinter Van with Driver
Sprinter Limo
School Bus
Vehicles shown above are NOT the exact makes and models available for every trip. We are NOT a transportation company and do not own or operate vehicles. Photos are examples only and may show stock or typical vehicles, not the exact vehicle offered for your reservation. Fill out the online quote form or call 805-364-0400 to view current vehicle options, photos, availability, and pricing. Confirm the exact vehicle details and amenities before booking.
Relax With Modern Santa Maria Charter Bus Amenities
Reclining Seats
Onboard Restroom
Individual Climate Control
Onboard Wi-Fi
Power Outlets
Overhead Storage
Under-Bus Luggage Storage
TV Monitors
PA System
Amenities listed above are common features that MAY be available on buses. Because we are a referral website and do NOT own or operate buses, exact features vary by vehicle, provider, and availability. After you submit your quote request, you can browse vehicle options, pricing, and available details on the results page. To confirm the exact amenities included with a specific vehicle offered for your trip, call 805-364-0400 before booking.
Get Bus Quotes So Much Easier!
See Santa Maria Charter Bus Rental Prices in Under 30 Seconds
Planning a group trip in Santa Maria and wondering what a bus actually costs? You'll get pricing in under 30 seconds right here — no account, No waiting for callbacks to get pricing, no guessing. Enter your pickup location, date, group size, and trip times, and you'll land on a results page showing vehicles, photos, and pricing from a network of transportation companies serving the Santa Maria area.
Pricing depends on the bus type and size, how long you need it, the day of the week, and any amenities your group wants. A 15-passenger minibus for a short winery run on Foxen Canyon Road prices differently than a 56-passenger charter bus for a weekend trip to Los Angeles. The fastest way to know your exact number is to fill out the form — or call 805-364-0400 any time and a live agent will build a custom quote around your itinerary!
| Type of Vehicle | Cost Per Hour Weekdays | Cost Per Hour Weekends | Cost Per Day | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 Passenger Charter Bus | $205 – $385+ | $225 – $410+ | $1,650 – $2,950+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 35 Passenger Minibus | $225 – $370+ | $255 – $385+ | $1,815 – $2,415+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 30 Passenger Minibus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.90 – $8.60+ |
| 28 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $355+ | $220 – $370+ | $1,540 – $2,255+ | $5.65 – $8.25+ |
| 25 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $350+ | $195 – $365+ | $1,420 – $2,180+ | $5.40 – $7.90+ |
| 20 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| 18 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $330+ | $190 – $350+ | $1,210 – $1,990+ | $5.00 – $7.25+ |
| 15 Passenger Minibus | $180 – $310+ | $180 – $330+ | $1,150 – $1,880+ | $4.75 – $6.95+ |
| 15-50 Passenger Party Bus | $248 – $426+ | $265 – $460+ | $1,827 – $2,954+ | $6.75 – $9.95+ |
| Sprinter Van with Driver | $190 – $373+ | $218 – $466+ | $1,395 – $2,848+ | $5.00 – $6.95+ |
| Sprinter Limo | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| School Bus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.00 – $7.60+ |
| ABOVE PRICES ARE JUST EXAMPLES. Your final price and vehicle options depend entirely on your specific trip details. To get an instant price quote for your trip, request an online quote or call 805-364-0400. | ||||
Find and Compare Options From Providers Serving Santa Maria
Get Santa Maria Charter Bus Quotes in Minutes, Not Days
It's easier than ever to find the right bus for your group in Santa Maria, and here's why: Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com brings together a large network of independently owned transportation companies so you can compare more options and more price points than any single operator could offer. You fill out one quick form, and the results page does the rest — showing you vehicles, photos, amenities, and pricing side by side. Want a party bus with LED lighting and a built-in bar for a bachelorette night?
It's in there. Need a 56-passenger motorcoach with undercarriage luggage bays and onboard WiFi for a long-distance run down US-101 to Los Angeles? That's in there too.
Need something compact enough to navigate the curves of Foxen Canyon Road through wine country? A sprinter van or minibus is right at your fingertips. You're never limited to one fleet, one price point, or one vehicle type.
Compare what's available for your date, pick the bus that fits your group, and book right online. Or call 805-364-0400 — a live agent is available every day of the year to put together a custom package just for you!
Bus Rentals Available For Any Event
See the Santa Maria Charter Bus Services You Can Book Right Now
With one search, you can find group transportation for virtually any occasion in Santa Maria and across the Central Coast. From airport transfers and wine tours to prom nights, field trips, corporate shuttles, and long-distance runs, the network has a bus for every trip and every group size. Here's a look at everything you can find and book right here!
santa maria airport transportation Santa Maria Airport Shuttle Bus Rentals
Start your trip the right way by skipping the parking scramble entirely. Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) (3249 Terminal Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455) is served by Allegiant Air with nonstop flights to Las Vegas, and a group shuttle from the terminal to your hotel or event venue is one of the easiest ways to get everyone moving together the moment they land. For groups flying into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) (500 Fowler Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93117) or all the way down to Los Angeles International (LAX), a charter bus handles the 60-mile or 170-mile run up US-101 so nobody's renting cars or coordinating rideshares across two counties.
Fill out one quick form to compare airport shuttle buses from a large network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria — or call 805-364-0400 to get a custom quote for your airport run today!
santa maria concert transportation Charter Bus Rentals to Concerts & Festivals in Santa Maria
Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com makes it incredibly easy to find concert and event transportation in and around Santa Maria. Whether your group is heading to a show at the Santa Maria Civic Theater (1660 N McClelland St, Santa Maria, CA 93454), catching a performance at the Santa Barbara Bowl (1122 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103) about 60 miles south on US-101, or making the run to a major arena show in Los Angeles, one bus keeps your whole group together from the first pickup to the last drop-off. No surge pricing.
No splitting into separate cars. No hunting for parking after the show ends. A party bus or minibus turns the ride into part of the night — with a sound system, LED lighting, and a Bluetooth connection so the playlist starts before you even arrive.
Compare concert buses and pricing from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria right online, or call 805-364-0400 to lock in your date!
santa maria corporate transportation Efficient Corporate Bus Rentals in Santa Maria
On a corporate trip, every detail reflects on your organization — and that includes how your team gets from point A to point B. Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to find group transportation for client meetings, off-site events, company dinners, and conference shuttles throughout the Santa Maria area and across the Central Coast. Move your team between hotels and meeting venues in downtown Santa Maria without worrying about parking on Broadway or coordinating a dozen separate cars. Need to get a large group down to Santa Barbara for a conference?
A charter bus with reclining seats, onboard WiFi, and climate control turns the 60-mile run on US-101 into productive travel time instead of lost hours behind the wheel. Compare corporate bus options from a large network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria — or call 805-364-0400 to build a custom corporate transportation package for your team!
santa maria employee transportation Easy Transportation for Employees in Santa Maria
Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com is the smart way to set up recurring employee shuttle service in Santa Maria. Whether your team commutes between a central pickup point and a worksite, you need temporary transportation while a parking lot is under construction, or you want to get staff to and from a large employer like Marian Regional Medical Center (1400 E Church St, Santa Maria, CA 93454) without the daily parking headache, Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com helps you compare shuttle bus options that fit your schedule and your headcount. Minibuses work well for smaller teams on shorter routes; full-size charter buses with reclining seats and onboard WiFi make longer commutes a whole lot easier.
You set the pickup points and the timing, and the network handles the rest. Compare employee shuttle options from transportation companies serving Santa Maria right online — or call 805-364-0400 to put together a custom recurring shuttle package!
santa maria government military transportation Charter Buses for Santa Maria Military and Government Groups
Find exactly what your agency or unit needs for group transportation in and around Santa Maria. With Vandenberg Space Force Base (Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437) just 15 miles west of Santa Maria, government and military group transportation is a constant need in this region — from contractor shuttle runs and personnel transfers to multi-day transportation packages for training events and base access. Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com helps you compare minibuses and full-size charter buses from a network of transportation companies serving the Santa Maria area, so you can match the right vehicle to your headcount and your mission. ADA-accessible buses are available through the network too — just mention it when you request your quote.
Call 805-364-0400 or fill out one quick form to compare government and military transportation options in Santa Maria today!
santa maria long distance transportation Simplify Your Journey with Santa Maria Long-Distance Charter Bus Rentals
Just because the destination is far doesn't mean the trip has to be hard. Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to find long-distance charter buses for groups heading from Santa Maria to Los Angeles (~170 miles south on US-101), Las Vegas (~300 miles east), San Francisco (~250 miles north), or anywhere across California and beyond. Full-size 56-passenger motorcoaches come with reclining seats, climate control, onboard restrooms, undercarriage luggage bays, and WiFi — so your group arrives rested instead of exhausted. One flat rate, one vehicle, and no one stuck navigating the Gaviota Pass or the I-405 in their own car.
Compare long-distance charter buses from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria — or call 805-364-0400 to get a custom quote for your next long-distance group trip!
santa maria event transportation Santa Maria Private Event Transportation for Groups and Attendees
Moving a group to a private event in Santa Maria is easy when everyone's on the same bus. Whether you're planning a milestone birthday celebration, a family reunion, a graduation party, or a private dinner, Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com helps you compare buses sized to your guest list and loaded with the amenities your event calls for. A 15-passenger minibus handles an intimate gathering with ease; a 50-passenger party bus with LED lighting, a built-in bar, and a premium sound system turns the ride itself into part of the celebration.
From pickup at your home or hotel to drop-off at the Santa Maria Fairpark (937 S Thornburg St, Santa Maria, CA 93458) or any private venue in the area, one bus keeps your whole group together. Compare private event transportation options from a network of companies serving Santa Maria — or call 805-364-0400 today!
santa maria prom transportation Make the Ride Part of the Fun with Santa Maria Prom Transportation
What better way to kick off prom night than arriving together in a bus that's already part of the party? Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to compare prom buses for students at Santa Maria High School (901 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454), Pioneer Valley High School (675 Panther Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454), Righetti High School (1300 E Clark Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93455), and St. Joseph High School (4120 S Bradley Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455). Party buses with color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound systems, flat-panel TVs, and wraparound perimeter seating are the top pick for prom groups — and with Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com, you can compare available buses, colors, and packages from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria. Prom season in April and May fills up fast across Santa Barbara County, so the earlier you start comparing, the better your options.
Call 805-364-0400 or fill out the form to see what's available for your date!
santa maria church transportation Santa Maria Church and Religious Group Charter Bus Rentals
Rather than coordinating a long line of volunteer drivers for your next church retreat, mission trip, or congregation outing, let Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com find the right bus for your group. Whether you need a 15-passenger minibus for a small group heading to a weekend retreat or a 56-passenger charter bus for your full congregation traveling to a regional conference, Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com helps you compare vehicles and pricing from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria and the surrounding Central Coast. ADA-accessible buses are available through the network — just mention it when you submit your trip details.
Everyone travels together, on one itinerary, with no one left to find their own way. Compare religious group transportation options right online — or call 805-364-0400 to build a custom package for your next group trip!
santa maria field trip transportation Field Trip Charter Buses for Santa Maria Teachers and Parents
If you're tired of organizing parent carpools and chasing down chaperone drivers, Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com makes school field trip transportation easy. Compare school buses, minibuses, and full-size charter buses from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria and the surrounding area, so you match the bus to your exact student-and-chaperone headcount. Take your class south on US-101 to the Santa Barbara Zoo (500 Niños Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93103), where bus drop-off is at the main entrance on Niños Drive and oversized-vehicle parking is available in the main lot.
Or head to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105) with bus drop-off on Puesta del Sol. ADA-accessible buses are available through the network too — just mention it when you request your quote. Call 805-364-0400 or fill out one quick form to compare field trip buses today!
santa maria sporting event transportation Streamlined Sports Team and Fan Group Transportation in Santa Maria
Look no further for sports team and fan group transportation in Santa Maria! Whether you're loading up the team for an away game or rallying a fan group for a night at Santa Maria Speedway (1900 Hutton Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454) — where buses drop at the main gate on Hutton Road and the large gravel lot handles oversized vehicles with ease — Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com makes finding the right bus simple. Full-size charter buses with undercarriage luggage bays are the right call when the team is bringing equipment; a party bus keeps the fan energy high from the first pickup to the final buzzer.
Compare sports team and sporting event transportation from a network of companies serving Santa Maria — or call 805-364-0400 to lock in your game-day bus today!
santa maria wedding transportation Santa Maria Wedding Bus Rentals for Small and Large Celebrations
You can count on Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com to make wedding transportation the easiest part of your big day. Whether you're shuttling guests between a hotel on Broadway and a vineyard ceremony in the Santa Maria Valley, running hotel pickups before a ceremony in Solvang (~30 miles east on CA-246), or arranging a full weekend of rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception transportation, Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com helps you compare buses, colors, and packages from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria. White, black, and silver vehicles are available through the network — just mention your preference when you request your quote.
One bus keeps all your guests on the same timeline, so nobody misses the first dance because they got lost on Foxen Canyon Road. Compare wedding transportation options right online — or call 805-364-0400 to start building your wedding day transportation plan today!
santa maria wine tour transportation Santa Maria Winery Shuttle Bus Rentals
You don't have to worry about who's driving when Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com finds your wine tour bus. The Santa Maria Valley AVA is one of California's most celebrated wine appellations, and the tasting rooms along Foxen Canyon Road — from Foxen Winery & Vineyard (7600 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454) to Riverbench Vineyard & Winery (6020 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454) and Presqu'ile Winery (5391 Presqu'ile Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454) — are spread across rural roads that narrow in sections. A minibus or sprinter van navigates those roads with ease while your group focuses on the tasting.
You set the stops and the timing; the bus handles the rest. Compare wine tour and brewery transportation options from a network of companies serving Santa Maria — or call 805-364-0400 today!
Fast, Free Quotes
3 Steps Is All It Takes to Book a Charter Bus in Santa Maria
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01
Submit Your Request
Use the online quote tool to share your trip details, including the date, passenger count, and pickup/drop-off locations. It only takes a minute to fill out.
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02
Compare The Options
Your request goes to a national booking platform, where you compare pricing and vehicle photos of available buses to find the right fit for your group.
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03
Lock In Your Bus
Pick the vehicle that fits your group and complete your booking right on the platform. Now you can relax!
Charter Bus Rentals Beyond Santa Maria
Keep in mind that Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com doesn't just serve Santa Maria — the network covers the entire Central Coast and beyond! Find buses for groups in Lompoc, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Guadalupe, Solvang, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara — one form, one network, every nearby city covered!
Nearby Cities You Can Get Bus Rentals To
Have Questions? Help Is Just a Call Away!
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Maria Charter Bus Rentals
Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com helps you compare buses rental options; it is not a transportation company and does not rent, own, or operate vehicles. When you submit the quote form, your trip details go through a booking company so you can review pricing and available vehicles for your date. You compare the options and book through the process shown with your quote.
Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com is a quote-comparison and advertising website that makes it easy to find and compare bus rentals in Santa Maria, California. It is not a local transportation company or motor carrier. Instead, Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com connects you to a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving the area, so you can compare vehicles, amenities, and pricing in one place — with no account required.
Transportation is provided by independent operators, and booking is completed through a national booking platform.
Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) is the closest airport, served by Allegiant Air with nonstop flights to Las Vegas. Charter bus pickup and drop-off is curbside at the terminal entrance on Terminal Drive. For groups flying into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) (~60 miles south) or Los Angeles International (LAX) (~170 miles south), a charter bus handles the run on US-101 so your whole group travels together.
Gather everyone and all luggage before calling the bus forward — California limits commercial vehicle idling, so the bus stages nearby and pulls to the curb when your group is ready to board.
A sprinter van or minibus is the best call for Foxen Canyon Road. The road narrows in sections between Santa Maria and Los Olivos, and a compact vehicle navigates the curves and rural driveways at tasting rooms like Foxen Winery (7600 Foxen Canyon Rd) and Riverbench Vineyard (6020 Foxen Canyon Rd) far more easily than a full 56-passenger motorcoach. Most tasting rooms along the route have large parking areas and welcome groups — call ahead to confirm, especially on weekends during harvest season (September–October) when demand is highest.
Hearst Castle (750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452) is about 65 miles northwest of Santa Maria on US-101 and CA-1. Charter buses park in the large designated lot at the Visitor Center at the base of the hill — buses do not drive up the hill to the castle itself. All guests, including those arriving by charter bus, board the Hearst Castle shuttle from the Visitor Center to reach the castle grounds.
Plan your timing around tour departure windows, which you can confirm on the official Hearst Castle website before you visit.
Charter buses drop off at the main entrance to Santa Maria Fairpark on Thornburg Street. Overflow and oversized-vehicle parking is available on the east side of the fairgrounds along Hummel Drive. The Santa Barbara County Fair runs in July and is one of the busiest transportation weeks of the year in the Santa Maria region — book your bus at least three to six months in advance if your date falls during Fair week.
Yes, and it's a popular run. Solvang is about 30 miles east of Santa Maria on CA-246, roughly 45 minutes by bus. Solvang offers free parking throughout the village, including three public lots on Copenhagen Drive, Alisal Road, and Oak Street — all a short walk from the main village shops, bakeries, and tasting rooms.
Solvang is a natural add-on to a Santa Maria Valley wine tour or a standalone day trip. Compare minibuses and charter buses for the route right online, or call 805-364-0400 to build a custom itinerary!
The Santa Barbara County Fair in July at the Santa Maria Fairpark is the single biggest demand spike of the year. Prom season in April and May across Santa Maria high schools books party buses and minibuses early every spring. Wine harvest season in September and October drives heavy winery tour demand along Foxen Canyon Road.
Santa Maria Speedway race nights run seasonally on Fridays. For any of these dates, booking three to six months in advance gives you the best vehicle selection and pricing.
For most trips in Santa Maria, booking three to six months in advance gives you the best selection of vehicles and the most competitive pricing. For high-demand dates — the Santa Barbara County Fair in July, prom nights in April and May, harvest season winery tours in September and October, and holiday weekends on US-101 — booking six months or more in advance is strongly advised. Waiting until the last minute means fewer available vehicles and higher prices.
Call 805-364-0400 as soon as your date is set to lock in the best options for your group!
Visit Any Destination in Santa Barbara and Beyond!
Travel to Popular Santa Maria Destinations by Charter Bus
With Santabarbaracharterbuscompany.com, you'll have access to buses that can take your group to the best destinations in and around Santa Maria — from vineyard tasting rooms and coastal state parks to historic castles and fairgrounds. Here are six popular spots your group will love arriving at together!
Use the previous and next buttons, the left and right arrow keys, or swipe to browse six destinations.
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery sits on more than 300 estate acres in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley AVA and is one of the most celebrated stops on the Central Coast wine trail. Known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Riverbench opens its tasting room daily and welcomes groups who call ahead. The property has ample parking for larger vehicles, making it one of the most bus-friendly tasting rooms on Foxen Canyon Road.
A sprinter van or minibus handles the rural road approach with ease, keeping your group together from the first pour to the last. Contact the venue directly to arrange your group visit before your bus rolls in.
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is one of California's most iconic landmarks, perched above the Pacific Ocean about 65 miles northwest of Santa Maria on US-101 and CA-1. Charter buses park in the large designated lot at the Visitor Center at the base of the hill — all guests board the official Hearst Castle shuttle from the Visitor Center to reach the estate. Tours depart on a set schedule, so plan your bus departure from Santa Maria with the tour times in mind.
The Neptune Pool, the Assembly Room, and the panoramic coastal views make this an unforgettable group outing. Contact the venue directly to book your tour tickets before your bus departs.
Santa Maria Fairpark
Santa Maria Fairpark is the heart of Santa Maria's event calendar, hosting the Santa Barbara County Fair every July along with agricultural expos, swap meets, concerts, and private events throughout the year. Charter bus drop-off is at the main entrance on Thornburg Street, with oversized-vehicle overflow parking available on the east side of the fairgrounds along Hummel Drive. The County Fair draws enormous crowds from across Santa Barbara County, making a charter bus the smartest way to get your group in and out without the parking gridlock.
Check the venue’s official website for event schedules and group admission information.
Pismo State Beach & the Monarch Butterfly Grove
Pismo State Beach sits about 25 miles northwest of Santa Maria on US-101 and is one of the Central Coast's most beloved group destinations, offering wide sandy beaches, the famous Pismo Beach Pier, and the Monarch Butterfly Grove where huge numbers of monarch butterflies cluster in the eucalyptus trees from November through February. Bus drop-off for the beach and pier area runs along the Pier Avenue and Dolliver Street corridor in Pismo Beach. The Monarch Butterfly Grove (North Beach Campground area) has a large parking lot that accommodates oversized vehicles.
A minibus or charter bus keeps your whole group together for the 30-minute run up the 101 — no parking hunt required.
Solvang
Solvang is a Danish-inspired village about 30 miles east of Santa Maria on CA-246, famous for its windmills, half-timbered architecture, Danish bakeries, and thriving wine tasting scene. Solvang offers free parking throughout the village, including three public lots on Copenhagen Drive, Alisal Road, and Oak Street — all a short, easy walk to the main village shops and tasting rooms. From there, your group can explore the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhøy Way, Solvang, CA 93463), sample æbleskiver at the bakeries, and taste Santa Ynez Valley wines without anyone worrying about parking.
Confirm current parking details with the Solvang parking guide before your visit.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo is about 60 miles south of Santa Maria on US-101 and is one of the top group and field trip destinations on the Central Coast. Charter bus drop-off is at the main entrance on Niños Drive, with designated oversized-vehicle parking available in the main lot. The zoo is home to more than 500 animals across 30 acres of oceanfront grounds, with programs for school groups, family reunions, and private events.
Admission pricing and group rates are available on the zoo's website. A charter bus from Santa Maria makes the 60-mile US-101 run smooth and keeps your group on one arrival timeline instead of scattered across multiple cars. Contact the venue directly to arrange group tickets before your bus departs.