Santa Barbara vacation question (August: to rent, hotels, house)

[tjua97]

The fam and I are going out to Santa Barbara for vaca the first week of April 2008. We have been warned about the coastal fog. We are looking to rent a house overlooking the ocean, but some people said you might not see it, due to the fog. So, is that a time of year where there is a lot of fog? Does it burn off, or does it stay around all day? Does it just come in go during the day, or is it there for 4-5 days?

Thanks in advance.

[IcantSELLmyHouse]

The fog should not be to bad in April. The nights cool off though.
Bring lots of MONEY your going to need it!!!
I Can't Sell My House

[Pier]

Originally Posted by tjua97

The fam and I are going out to Santa Barbara for vaca the first week of April 2008. We have been warned about the coastal fog. We are looking to rent a house overlooking the ocean, but some people said you might not see it, due to the fog. So, is that a time of year where there is a lot of fog? Does it burn off, or does it stay around all day? Does it just come in go during the day, or is it there for 4-5 days?

Thanks in advance.

The Eastern Pacific High and the storm track (jet stream peaks and troughs of air pressure) drive the SB weather. The Eastern Pacific High arrives during late Spring and lasts through Summer.

As the Eastern Pacific High pushes down toward SB during March and April, most windy days happen when the strongest wind blows.

During the early summer months, the fully arrived Eastern Pacific High works with the storm track to form coastal eddys, which draw cooler water from the sea depths toward the sea top. When this happens, the now cooled air above the cooler water forms low clouds and fog through "condensation".

Since the sun heats the land and sea with the land heating faster than the sea heats, the air above the heated land rises faster than the air above the heated sea. This warmer rising air of the inland valleys and hillsides pulls the cooler sea air causing a sea breeze and bringing with it, low clouds and fog.

As the fog comes over the warmer land mixing with the heated from the land and also becoming heated by the sun, the sun "burns off" the low clouds and fog. This happens throughout the morning.


Everyday low clouds and fog happen most from mid-May to mid-July.

[tjua97]

Wow, thanks Pier. i know I should have paid attention in Geology class.

Thanks for the info guys.

[enlightenme]

We call it May Gray and June Gloom. It can rain in April, but you will probably be fine. Have fun! July-August are great beach times, but I am sure it would be more expensive to visit then. I was lucky to grow up there, but I tell you, that fog can get old fast!

[tigerclaws]

whatever said about the fog, you will surely have a great time. The state street is a great experience, the whale watching, the slow pace of life. Be sure to check out for upcoming festivals during that period.

A good resource for SB is Santa Barbara.com - Hotels Restaurants Attractions Wineries Weddings. It gives you a list of activities etc. etc. Also be sure to check out neighboring towns like Carpenteria, the Indian casino (i forget the name but its only like 30-45 min drive) near Lake Cachuma. More info. on the website.

My 2 cents.

[IcantSELLmyHouse]

This was taken in Santa Barbara

[eekwine]

april is a nice time to visit sb (long time sb resident here)

[tjua97]

thanks guys. One week away, and I assume the weather is nice right now.

[IcantSELLmyHouse]

Let us know how it goes.