UC Santa Barbara & Isla Vista, California

UCSB & Isla Vista Car Service

Seaside Transportation provides private car service for UC Santa Barbara and Isla Vista: parents visiting students, graduation weekends, move-in and move-out days, and airport runs to Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) or LAX. A professional chauffeur drives every ride in a black sedan, SUV or Sprinter, booked in advance.

Black Chevrolet Suburban for a UCSB graduation and airport car service
To SBA
About 5–10 minutes
To downtown
About 20 minutes
To LAX
About 105 miles
Busiest dates
June graduation, fall move-in

UCSB & Isla Vista questions

How far is UCSB from Santa Barbara Airport?

UCSB is only a few miles from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), usually a 5 to 10 minute drive to the terminal. Isla Vista is about the same distance. That makes SBA the easiest airport for parents and students. For international flights, LAX is about 105 miles away, normally 2 to 3 hours by car.

Should we book UCSB graduation transportation early?

Yes. UCSB commencement weekends in June are among the busiest dates of the year in Santa Barbara, with hotels and vehicles reserved months ahead. Book as soon as you know the ceremony times. We can move families between hotels, the ceremony, celebration dinners and the airport.

  • Hotel to ceremony and back for the whole family
  • Celebration dinners in downtown Santa Barbara, Montecito or Goleta
  • SBA or LAX transfers on departure day
  • A Sprinter for extended family groups of up to 14

Can you help with move-in and move-out days?

Yes, for passengers and their luggage. A Chevrolet Suburban carries up to 6 passengers with 6 bags and is the usual choice for a student flying in with suitcases. We are a passenger service, not a moving company, so furniture and boxes beyond normal luggage need a separate mover.

Can a parent book a ride for a student?

Yes. Book with your own contact details and add the student’s name and mobile number in the trip details, so the chauffeur can reach the passenger directly. The confirmation goes to you. This works well for airport pickups when a student flies home for holidays or arrives for the start of term.

Which vehicle should we book?

One student with a suitcase or two parents usually fit a black BMW 7 Series sedan, which carries 3 passengers and 3 bags. A family with more luggage needs a Chevrolet Suburban, which carries 6 and 6. For a graduation group of up to 14, book a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Vehicle capacity: passengers and standard bags
VehicleTypePassengersBagsBest for
BMW 7 SeriesBlack executive sedanUp to 3Up to 3Solo travelers, couples, executives
Chevrolet SuburbanBlack luxury SUVUp to 6Up to 6Families, small groups, heavy luggage
Mercedes-Benz SprinterExecutive passenger vanUp to 14Up to 14Wedding parties, teams, large groups

Exact vehicle, capacity and availability are confirmed with your quote. Oversized items such as golf bags, surfboards and strollers take extra room.

FAQ

More questions

Still unsure about your trip? Call (805) 635-8000. Reservations are answered 24/7.
Do you pick up inside Isla Vista?

Yes. Share the exact address and any parking or access notes; Isla Vista streets can be narrow and busy on weekends.

Can you drive a student from UCSB to LAX?

Yes. Most domestic travelers leave UCSB about 4.5 hours before departure. Dispatch confirms the pickup time with your quote.

Is this a shared campus shuttle?

No. Every ride is private to your party, with a professional chauffeur and no shared stops.

Book a UCSB & Isla Vista car serviceSend the date, pickup time, addresses, passengers, luggage, and flight number. Our team confirms availability and sends your quote.
Request a QuoteCall (805) 635-8000