Airbnbs are currently ok in Santa Barbara only if they're in the "commercial zones". So if you're next to a hotel or restaurant or on a busy street with shops and bakeries it's probably okay. And that's where you want to be anyway, within a few blocks of either lower State Street , or else a couple of blocks from the beach.

I found a Santa Barbara based rental company that states all of their properties are legal rentals, so think I'm fine there.

We're wondering if we even need a car. I assume there is some sort of transportation available from/to the airport? It appears there is a trolley where we could get to the SB Mission and Courthouse. We plan to stay in the West End, so it looks like shops and restaurants are all walkble.

The only day trip we would be taking is a wine tour to Santa Ynez Valley. Someone mentioned a company that had been in business for a long time and did a good job, but I can't remember the name of it now.

Is going without a car possible? I hate to spend the $ and then have it sit all week unused.

So, you now plan to base your entire trip from SB? How many days altogether?

There's no way to answer your question about a car without knowing all that you hope to see and do and what your priorities are.

I think you should rent a car. Too frustrating and time consuming otherwise.

We plan on spending 6 days/5 nights. All in Santa Barbara, with a wine country tour that picks up and drops off in SB one day, and maybe - we're not sure - a trip to SLO. We want to see the Courthouse, the Mission, and the Natural History Museum, visit the beaches, and shops/restaurants and the Urban Wine Trail. We'd like to take a sunset sail, walk the Pier, take a Trolley Tour and maybe see the Channel Islands.

We're aware that some of this is closed right now (Trolley) due to COVID. We have no intention of coming until COVID is over as we are high risk.

With regard to hotels in Santa Barbara or rentals, what is your budget? That will determine a lot. Some of the rental properies that are near the bach are not exactly within walking distance to the beach so be sure to look at a map and figure out if you want to be there or not. You don't want to stay on State Street and I'm guessing you wont spend much time there either. Many shops have closed and with covid on top of that, its depressing. There is a trolley that runs from the beach, through downtown and to Upper State, which would be fine for a day or two but not for a week. I really think you will want to have a car. Ojai is a great day trip from Santa Barbara and although you haven't mentioned it, it makes a great day visit.

Favorite things to do in Santa Barbara: ( Check closer to monitor covid restrictions)
Lotusland
Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Mission
Maritime Museum
Museum of Natural History
Go to the newly renovated Rosewood Miramar and have drinks and apps at the Beach Bar ( for casual, our favorite) or for a bit fancier eat inside.
Refugio Beach is our favorite with the palm trees
The earlier suggestion of checking out the Santa Barbara Bowl was a great one and add to that the Granada and Lobero Theaters along with UCSB's Arts and Letters for great concerts and lectures.

The website www.sbcountywines.com will show you your options for wine tasting throughout the county. ( Including Los Olivos and downtown Santa Barbara) Right now, most tasting rooms are open by appointment only or have reduced hours. Again, you'll have to check closer to the time. My favorite wineries to visit: Cambria ( their pinot noir clones 2A and 4 are my absolute favorite), Presquile' for their rose', Bien Nacido"s Qupe Chardonnay and so many others. Check out the website and concentrate on what you're interested in.

We haven't even talked about restaurants yet... but we can! You're going to have a wonderful time!

Unless you're taking redeye flights to/from SB, it's likely your 5 nights would translate to 4 uninterrupted days of sightseeing plus the afternoon on arrival day and some hours on the departure day. For that short of a stay, I would absolutely want a car to maximize the activity and destination options.

The Channel Islands N.P. is an all-day excursion which I would only do if the weather is clear, dry and not too windy. Ditto the sunset sail.

Thank you for all the great ideas! We've found 2 rentals with a local rental company that fit our budget that are a block from West Beach - 0.3 miles to Stearns Wharf. I'd love to hear about the restaurants! On my list so far are SB Shellfish Co, Brophy Brothers, Santa Barbara Fishouse, Jane, Opal. We're not looking for high-end, dressy places.

Thank you for the info on the water excursions. We've decided to get a car.

IMO, you'll have to wait and see which restaurants survive the Covid era. Unless indoor dining starts to become an option soon, lots of places might not make it through the winter months.