Santa Barbara MTD’s Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle, left, and the State Street Loop Shuttle, consisting of two five-seater golf carts and one ADA-compliant cart, will operate throughout the summer in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara MTD’s Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle, left, and the State Street Loop Shuttle, consisting of two five-seater golf carts and one ADA-compliant cart, will operate throughout the summer in Santa Barbara. Credit: Noozhawk photos

Getting around downtown and the shoreline will be easier than ever after the City of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District announced two shuttle services that will operate throughout the summer months.  

The first service is the State Street Loop Shuttle, which will run Thursdays to Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. starting this week.

The electric shuttle is a collaboration between the city and Sweep SB and will carry passengers along State Street.

The service is free to the public and consists of two five-seater golf carts and one ADA-compliant cart.

The loop shuttle will do continuous trips between Stearns Wharf and Solas Street, and people will be able to get off at multiple points along that route.

“It is designed to test solutions that support a more walkable, accessible and vibrant downtown experience,” the city said in a statement.

To find a stop, passengers can look for orange stars along the route. A full loop will take 15 to 20 minutes.

Also making its return is Santa Barbara MTD’s Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle.

The shuttle made its return last year after a four-year hiatus and is set to begin operating Friday and continue until Sept. 1.

The shuttle will operate between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The route for the State Street Loop Shuttle in Santa Barbara, with the free service beginning Thursday.
The route for the State Street Loop Shuttle in Santa Barbara. Credit: Courtesy map

The shuttle was brought back for one year in 2024, but Santa Barbara MTD was able to bring it back after the Santa Barbara City Council allocated funds for it to return for this summer.

Using the shuttle, passengers will be able to travel between the harbor and the waterfront, the Santa Barbara Zoo, the Santa Barbara Train Depot, the County Courthouse and downtown. The loop begins at the Transit Center on Chapala Street.

There will be a slight change to the stop at the Santa Barbara Zoo because of construction at Dwight Murphy Park, but all the stops are the same, according to MTD.

The cost for a ticket will be 50 cents for one way and 25 cents for seniors and people with disabilities. The $1 day pass also will be available and allow for unlimited rides for the rest of the calendar day.

Riders with a valid Amtrak ticket also can ride for free on the shuttle or any other MTD bus service for that day.

— Noozhawk staff writer Daniel Green can be reached at dgreen@noozhawk.com.