56 Passenger Charter Bus
santamariacoachbuscompany.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
Got 30 seconds? That's all it takes to fill out one quick form and instantly compare charter buses, minibuses, and party buses from a large network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria, California. No account needed, No waiting for callbacks to get pricing, no calling five different companies.
Just vehicles, pricing, and a free quote online or by phone at 805-862-1660 — right now!
The Simple Way to Rent a Charter Bus in Santa Maria
Through Santamariacoachbuscompany.com, finding group transportation in Santa Maria has never been this easy. You fill out one quick form — your date, your group size, your pickup location — and you're instantly looking at vehicles and pricing from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving the Central Coast. No account required.
No waiting on callbacks. Just buses, prices, and pictures, side by side, in seconds.
Want WiFi for the ride up to Pismo Beach? A built-in bar for the bachelorette night? Reclining seats and undercarriage luggage bays for the long haul down to LA?
Request the amenities you want right in the form, and the results page shows you exactly what's available. Compare pictures and prices side by side in seconds — buses available statewide for local trips around Santa Maria and long-distance runs across California. Call 805-862-1660 or use the online tool to get started right now!
Santa Maria Charter Bus Rental Options
Get online pricing instantly for minibuses, party buses, charter buses, sprinter vans, and school buses — all from one quick form. Whether your group is 10 people or 56, there's a bus in the network sized exactly right for your trip. Compare vehicle types, amenities, and rates from a large network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria and the surrounding Central Coast — all in one place!
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 805-862-1660 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
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Reclining Seats
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Onboard Restroom
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Individual Climate Control
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Onboard Wi-Fi
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Power Outlets
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Overhead Storage
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Under-Bus Luggage Storage
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TV Monitors
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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 805-862-1660 before booking.
Get Bus Rental Prices Right Online!
Compare Santa Maria Charter Bus Rental Pricing From Several Companies
Santamariacoachbuscompany.com lets you skip the phone tag and see pricing from a network of bus companies serving Santa Maria in under a minute. Enter your date, your headcount, and your pickup location — and you land on a results page showing available vehicles, photos, and pricing from independently owned transportation companies, all without creating an account.
Pricing depends on the bus type and size, how long you need it, the day of the week, and any extra amenities on your list. A 15-passenger minibus for a wine-trail afternoon on Foxen Canyon Road prices differently than a 56-passenger motorcoach for a full-day county fair shuttle. The fastest way to see the number for YOUR trip?
Use the 30-second online quote tool — or call 805-862-1660 any time and a live agent will build a custom package around your exact 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 805-862-1660. | ||||
Find and Compare Options From Providers Serving Santa Maria
Get Santa Maria Charter Bus Quotes in Minutes, Not Days
Santamariacoachbuscompany.com helps you get the best options possible for your transportation needs by giving you multiple vehicles, multiple price points, and multiple package types from a large network of transportation companies — all in one place, all in one search. You're never limited to whatever one company happens to have parked in its lot on your date.
Because Santamariacoachbuscompany.com is not a local bus company, you get something better than one fleet: a whole network of independently owned transportation providers serving Santa Maria and the entire Central Coast. Fill out one form and the results page does the comparing for you. You see the vehicle photos, the amenities, and the pricing side by side — then you choose the bus that works for your group and your budget.
One-way transfers, round trips, hourly bookings, full-day packages, multi-day charters — whatever your trip looks like, the network has a package to match. And if you ever need help sorting through the options, a team is available every day of the year at 805-862-1660 to walk you through it. Find your next bus rental the smart way!
Bus Rentals Available For Any Event
See the Santa Maria Charter Bus Services You Can Book Right Now
One quick form opens up group transportation for every occasion in Santa Maria and across California. From airport transfers and wine-trail tours to prom nights, wedding shuttles, and corporate events — whatever brings your group together, there's a bus in the network ready for it. Here's a look at what you can find and book right here!
santa maria airport transportation Santa Maria Airport Transportation
Choosing the right airport for your group is the first decision; getting everyone there without a caravan of cars is the second. Santamariacoachbuscompany.com makes the second one easy. Whether your group is flying out of Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) (3249 Terminal Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455) for a quick regional hop, heading north to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) (903 Airport Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401) about 50 miles up US-101, or making the run south to Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) (500 Fowler Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93117) roughly 65 miles away, one bus keeps everyone on the same schedule and skips the parking scramble entirely.
For groups traveling to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — about 160 miles south via US-101 — a full-size charter bus with reclining seats, WiFi, and undercarriage luggage bays turns a 2.5- to 3.5-hour drive into a comfortable, productive ride. Fill out one form to compare airport shuttle buses from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria, and call 805-862-1660 to lock in your pickup!
santa maria concert transportation Santa Maria Concert Transportation
The Central Coast concert and festival circuit runs from Santa Maria to San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, and getting your whole group there without splitting into a five-car convoy is exactly what a party bus or charter bus is built for. Whether you're heading to a show at the Santa Barbara Bowl (1122 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103) about 65 miles south, catching a touring act at the Fremont Theater (1035 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401) 50 miles north, or gathering the group for a local event at the Santa Maria Fairpark grandstand, one bus keeps everyone together from the first pickup through the last song.
Instead of worrying about parking and rideshare surge pricing at the end of the night, your group boards together and rides home together — on your timeline, not the app's. Compare minibuses, charter buses, and party buses from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria right here, and call 805-862-1660 for a free quote!
santa maria corporate transportation Santa Maria Corporate Event Transportation
Finding corporate transportation in Santa Maria that actually fits your schedule — and your headcount — is the easy part when you use Santamariacoachbuscompany.com. Whether you're moving a team between offices in the Santa Maria Valley, shuttling clients down to a meeting in Santa Barbara, or coordinating group travel for a conference in San Luis Obispo, one bus keeps everyone on the same itinerary without the chaos of a multi-car caravan.
Compare minibuses and full-size charter buses with amenities like onboard WiFi, power outlets, and reclining seats — so your team can stay productive on the road. Custom routes, multi-stop itineraries, and recurring shuttle schedules are all available through the network. Fill out one form to compare corporate bus options from transportation companies serving Santa Maria, or call 805-862-1660 any time to build a custom package around your company's needs!
santa maria employee transportation Santa Maria Employee Transportation
With Santamariacoachbuscompany.com, securing a reliable employee shuttle in Santa Maria is fast and straightforward. Instead of asking your team to coordinate carpools or fight for parking near the worksite, a dedicated employee shuttle picks everyone up, runs the route on your schedule, and drops them off at the door. Whether you need a 15-passenger minibus for a small team or a 56-passenger motorcoach for a large workforce, the network has the right vehicle.
Recurring daily routes, temporary shuttles during a facility project, event-day transportation for a company outing — all of it is available through one quick form. Onboard WiFi, climate control, and comfortable seating mean your employees arrive ready to work, not worn out from the commute. Call 805-862-1660 or use the online quote tool to compare employee shuttle options from transportation companies serving Santa Maria today!
santa maria government military transportation Santa Maria Government & Military Transportation
Fill out one form and instantly compare buses for government meetings, training events, base transfers, and personnel moves across the Central Coast. Whether you're coordinating group travel to Vandenberg Space Force Base (747 Nebraska Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436) roughly 15 miles west of Santa Maria, moving personnel between facilities in Santa Barbara County, or organizing multi-day transportation for a government conference, the network has minibuses and full-size charter buses ready to fit your group size and schedule.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — just mention your requirements when you submit your trip details. Custom routes, multi-stop itineraries, and flexible scheduling are all on the table. Call 805-862-1660 any time for a free quote, or use the online tool to compare government and military transportation options from independently owned companies serving Santa Maria!
santa maria long distance transportation Santa Maria Long-Distance Transportation
Through a network of independently owned transportation companies, you can find full-size motorcoaches for long-distance trips from Santa Maria to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and destinations across California and beyond. A 56-passenger charter bus with reclining seats, climate control, onboard WiFi, power outlets, an onboard restroom, and spacious undercarriage luggage bays makes a 160-mile run to LAX or a 350-mile trip to Las Vegas genuinely comfortable — not just tolerable.
One bus, one flat rate, and everyone arrives together — no splitting the group across rental cars or coordinating who's driving. Multi-day packages are available through the network for trips that go further or last longer. Fill out one form to compare long-distance charter buses from transportation companies serving Santa Maria, or call 805-862-1660 to build a custom package around your destination and travel dates!
santa maria event transportation Santa Maria Private Event Transportation
Get a bus that runs on YOUR schedule for your next private event in Santa Maria. Birthday parties, quinceañeras, family reunions, anniversary celebrations — whatever brings your group together, Santamariacoachbuscompany.com makes it easy to find and compare transportation that fits the occasion. A 15- to 50-passenger party bus with a built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, and a premium Bluetooth sound system keeps the celebration going from the first pickup to the last drop-off.
Prefer a more classic look? Compare minibuses and charter buses in white, black, or silver to match your event's theme. Multi-stop itineraries, custom pickup windows, and round-trip packages are all available through the network.
Fill out one quick form to compare private event buses from transportation companies serving Santa Maria — or call 805-862-1660 any time for a free, personalized quote!
santa maria prom transportation Santa Maria Prom Transportation
Santamariacoachbuscompany.com makes it easy to find and compare prom party buses for students across Santa Maria — from Santa Maria High School and Pioneer Valley High School to Righetti High School and every school in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. Prom season runs April through May, and the buses your group wants fill up fast across the Central Coast. Book early — January is not too soon for a May date.
A 15- to 50-passenger party bus with LED lighting, a premium sound system, and flat-panel TVs keeps the energy high from the first pickup to the post-prom drop-off. You set the itinerary, you pick the stops, and the whole group rides together safely. Fill out one form to compare prom buses from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria, or call 805-862-1660 to lock in your date before the options disappear!
santa maria church transportation Santa Maria Religious Group Transportation
Getting your congregation to a weekend retreat, a regional conference, or a multi-church event is a lot smoother when everyone travels together on one bus. Santamariacoachbuscompany.com helps you compare minibuses and full-size charter buses for religious group transportation across Santa Maria and the Central Coast — whether you need a 15-passenger minibus for a small group or a 56-passenger motorcoach for the whole congregation.
Recurring weekly service, one-time event transportation, and multi-day retreat packages are all available through the network. ADA-accessible vehicles are available too — just mention your needs when you submit your trip details. Fill out one form to compare religious group transportation options from independently owned companies serving Santa Maria, or call 805-862-1660 any time for a free quote and a custom package built around your schedule!
santa maria field trip transportation Santa Maria School Event Transportation
Santamariacoachbuscompany.com can help you find and compare school buses, minibuses, and full-size charter buses for field trips and school events across Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County. Instead of organizing a long line of parent carpools, one bus keeps the whole class together — students, teachers, and chaperones all on the same itinerary, on the same schedule.
A trip to the Santa Maria Museum of Flight (3015 Airpark Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455) is a great fit for a 15- to 35-passenger minibus for smaller classes, while a full-size motorcoach handles a large group heading to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History or the Exploratorium in San Francisco. ADA-accessible buses are available through the network — just mention it when you request your quote. Fill out one form to compare school field trip buses from transportation companies serving Santa Maria, or call 805-862-1660 to get your trip on the calendar!
santa maria sporting event transportation Santa Maria Sporting Event Transportation
Let a charter bus handle the logistics so your team can focus on the game. Whether you're moving a youth travel team to a tournament in San Luis Obispo, shuttling a fan group to a Dodgers game in Los Angeles, or organizing transportation for a local sporting event at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Grounds (1708 Stowell Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454), one bus keeps athletes, coaches, and fans together from warmup to the final whistle.
Full-size charter buses with undercarriage luggage bays have room for duffels, equipment bags, and everything else your team is hauling. Party buses with perimeter seating and sound systems are a great call for fan groups who want the celebration to start before tip-off. Compare sports team and sporting event buses from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria — fill out one form or call 805-862-1660 for a free quote!
santa maria wedding transportation Santa Maria Wedding Transportation
When your wedding day arrives, the last thing you want to think about is how your guests are getting from the hotel to the ceremony and back. Santamariacoachbuscompany.com makes wedding transportation in Santa Maria easy — compare minibuses, charter buses, and party buses from a network of independently owned transportation companies, all in one place, with pricing in under a minute.
Whether you're celebrating at a vineyard along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, a reception hall in downtown Santa Maria, or a venue in the Santa Ynez Valley, one shuttle keeps every guest on the same itinerary — no stragglers, no parking headaches, no one missing the first dance. Request white, black, or silver buses to match your wedding colors, and build a custom package that covers the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, and the last hotel return. Call 805-862-1660 or use the online quote tool to compare wedding buses from transportation companies serving Santa Maria today!
santa maria wine tour transportation Santa Maria Wine Tour & Brewery Transportation
You can count on Santamariacoachbuscompany.com to help you find the perfect bus for a wine-trail day on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail or a craft brewery crawl through the Central Coast. Instead of designating a driver and limiting someone's afternoon, one bus keeps the whole group together — from the first pour at Foxen Winery & Vineyard (7600 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454) to a late-afternoon tasting at Cambria Estate Winery (5475 Chardonnay Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93454) or Zaca Mesa Winery (6905 Foxen Canyon Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441).
You set the stops. You set the pace. And the whole group rides together on Foxen Canyon Road without anyone worrying about the drive home.
Compare minibuses and party buses from transportation companies serving Santa Maria — fill out one form or call 805-862-1660 for a free quote and a custom wine-tour package!
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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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 in Santa Maria and All Across California
Santamariacoachbuscompany.com will help you find bus rentals in Santa Maria and the entire surrounding region — from Lompoc and Orcutt to Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, and Santa Barbara. Fill out one form to compare vehicles and pricing from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast, and find the right bus no matter where your group is headed!
Questions? We're Ready to Help You!
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Maria Bus Rentals
Santamariacoachbuscompany.com is an advertising and quote-comparison website. It is not a bus company, not a motor carrier, and it does not own any vehicles. The site makes it easy for anyone who needs group transportation to fill out one quick form and compare buses, packages, and pricing from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Santa Maria and the surrounding Central Coast — all in one place, with no account required.
Transportation is provided by independent operators, and booking is completed through a national booking platform.
Fill out the 30-second online quote form with your pickup location, date, group size, and any stops or amenities you want. Once submitted, you land on a results page showing available vehicles, photos, and pricing from a network of transportation companies serving your area through a national booking platform. Review your options side by side, pick the bus that fits your group and your budget, and book right online — all in just minutes.
If you'd rather talk it through, call 805-862-1660 any day of the year and a live agent will build a custom quote for you.
The Santa Maria Fairpark (937 S Thornburg St, Santa Maria, CA 93458) covers roughly 150 acres with a large south-perimeter lot off Thornburg Street that handles oversized vehicles and buses. For major events like the Santa Barbara County Fair in July and the Elks Rodeo in late May or early June, event-specific staging assignments may apply. Call the fairpark at 805-862-1660 before your visit to confirm current bus parking and drop-off arrangements for your specific event date, since assignments can shift by event.
From US-101, your bus uses the Stowell Road exit, continues east for about a mile, then turns south onto South Thornburg Street; the Santa Maria Fairpark directions place the fairgrounds on the left after that approach. Your bus gets a direct route from the freeway to the fairgrounds instead of threading through downtown streets.
Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) is right in town — buses drop curbside at the small terminal. Santa Maria Public Airport curbside rules allow active loading and unloading only; an unattended bus at the terminal curb can be towed. Your bus unloads the group and moves on instead of waiting at the curb while passengers gather.
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is about 50 miles north via US-101, roughly 50–60 minutes; buses use the arrivals/departures curbside loop. Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is about 65 miles south via US-101, roughly 60–75 minutes; charter bus pickup is curbside on the arrivals level. For Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), roughly 160 miles south and 2.5–3.5 hours by bus, charter buses use the Upper/Departures level Authorized Bus Zone; arrivals pickup is at the LAX-it lot (6000 W 96th St) via the free terminal shuttle.
Confirm current curbside procedures with your booking before travel, as airport access protocols can change.
Civilian groups cannot enter Vandenberg Space Force Base without advance military sponsorship and clearance, so most launch-viewing groups watch from public areas outside the installation. The two most popular spots are Ocean Avenue in Lompoc — a wide four-lane corridor with room for buses to stage along the roadside — and the Surf Beach parking area near the Surf Amtrak station off CA-1, which accommodates oversized vehicles on a fee basis. Monitor the official launch schedule at vandenberg.spaceforce.mil closely before your trip; launches reschedule frequently, sometimes with only hours of notice.
Build flexibility into any charter booked around a specific launch window.
Solvang is approximately 30 miles east of Santa Maria via US-101 to CA-246 — roughly 35 to 45 minutes by charter bus under normal conditions. The primary bus staging area in Solvang is the Solvang Municipal Parking Lot at 1630 Mission Dr, which accommodates full-size motorcoaches. A second lot near Copenhagen Drive and Alisal Road handles overflow.
No advance permit is required for the municipal lots, though time-limit rules apply in the downtown core. Check current parking guidance at cityofsolvang.com before your visit.
Waller Park (3400 Skyway Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455) has a large paved main parking lot off Skyway Drive that accommodates buses and oversized vehicles — no advance permit is required for day-use parking. The main entrance off Skyway Drive is the standard bus approach. For groups reserving picnic shelters or planning large gatherings, contact Santa Barbara County Parks at 805-862-1660 to confirm current access and any event-specific arrangements.
The park covers 153 acres with two lakes, a seasonal train ride, a carousel, and picnic shelters, making it a popular destination for school field trips and family reunions.
Pismo Beach is approximately 25 miles north of Santa Maria via US-101 — roughly 30 to 40 minutes by charter bus under normal conditions. Summer weekends push that closer to 40 to 50 minutes as beach traffic builds on northbound US-101. The most common bus drop-off points near the pier and downtown are the Hinds Avenue Lot (100 Hinds Ave), which accommodates oversized vehicles about two blocks from the pier, and the corridor along Dolliver Street and the lot off Price Street.
No advance bus permit is required for the public lots; metered or fee parking applies. Drop your group near the pier and stage nearby while they enjoy the beach, the Monarch Butterfly Grove, or the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets.
Downtown Pismo Beach paid parking is enforced from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and the Pismo Preserver overflow parking lot is closed through 2026 while it serves as a construction staging area; see the Pismo Beach parking page and Pismo Beach construction update for the current street-level picture. Your bus keeps the unload separate from the closed overflow lot, so the group can head to the pier without sending the coach hunting for a space.
For most Santa Maria trips, booking two to four weeks out is workable during slower periods. For high-demand dates, plan further ahead: the Santa Barbara County Fair in July and the Elks Rodeo in late May or early June both pull large groups across the region, so book three to six months out for those weekends. Prom season in April and May books out early — January is not too soon for a May date across the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District.
Summer beach weekends (June through August) and wine harvest season (September and October) also fill fast. The earlier you book, the better your vehicle selection and the better your price. Call 805-862-1660 right now to lock in your date!
Go Anywhere, Anytime!
Popular Charter Bus Destinations in Santa Maria
Waiting for the right reason to get the group together? Santa Maria and the surrounding Central Coast have more than enough to fill a full day — or a full weekend. Here are some of the best destinations a charter bus can take you to, with everything your group planner needs to know before you go!
Use the previous and next buttons, the left and right arrow keys, or swipe to browse eight destinations.
Santa Maria Fairpark
The Santa Maria Fairpark is the anchor of community events in the Santa Maria Valley, covering roughly 150 acres with exhibition halls, an outdoor grandstand, and open-field parking. The Santa Barbara County Fair takes over the grounds every July, drawing huge numbers of visitors across its run. The Elks Rodeo & Parade — one of California's oldest continuous rodeos, dating to 1908 — fills the grandstand in late May or early June.
Swap meets, holiday events, and trade shows round out the calendar year-round. Buses stage along the south-perimeter lot off Thornburg Street; call 805-862-1660 to confirm event-specific staging for your date.
Address: 937 S Thornburg St, Santa Maria, CA 93458 Phone: 805-862-1660
Waller Park
At 153 acres, Waller Park is one of the largest county parks on the California Central Coast — and one of the most popular destinations for school field trips, family reunions, and large group outings in the Santa Maria area. Two lakes (Preisker and Waller) anchor the grounds, with paddle boat rentals, a children's play area, a nine-hole disc golf course, picnic shelters, and a seasonal train ride and carousel that kids love. The large paved lot off Skyway Drive accommodates full-size motorcoaches with no advance permit required for day use.
Contact Santa Barbara County Parks at 805-862-1660 to reserve a picnic shelter for your group.
Address: 3400 Skyway Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455 Phone: 805-862-1660
Santa Maria Museum of Flight
Aviation enthusiasts and school groups love the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, located on the grounds of Santa Maria Public Airport. More than 40 aircraft fill the indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, and a North American F-86 Sabre — all in various stages of restoration and display. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission runs $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, and $5 for children 6–17; under 6 are free (verify current rates at smmof.org). The gravel parking area in front of the museum can accommodate a full-size motorcoach; call 805-862-1660 ahead for large group visits.
Address: 3015 Airpark Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455 Phone: 805-862-1660
Los Flores Ranch Park
About 15 miles west of Santa Maria via CA-1, Los Flores Ranch Park (4085 Highway 1, Lompoc, CA 93436) is a 1,485-acre working ranch park managed by Santa Barbara County — one of the most scenic and undervisited group destinations on the Central Coast. Hiking trails wind through oak woodland and open grassland with sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific. A historic ranch complex anchors the property, and the park is popular for school field trips, nature walks, and equestrian groups.
CA-1 is navigable by full-size coaches; the gravel parking area at the ranch entrance can fit a motorcoach. Call Santa Barbara County Parks at 805-862-1660 to confirm access for large groups before your visit.
Address: 4085 Highway 1, Lompoc, CA 93436 Phone: 805-862-1660
Pismo Beach
Just 25 miles north of Santa Maria via US-101, Pismo Beach (Pomeroy Ave & Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449) is the Central Coast's most popular beach destination for day-trip groups — and a 30- to 40-minute bus ride from downtown Santa Maria. The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove draws visitors from November through February when huge numbers of monarch butterflies overwinter in the eucalyptus trees along CA-1. The Pismo Beach Pier, the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets, and the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (the only California state beach where you can drive and camp on the dunes) round out a full-day itinerary.
Buses drop near the pier at the Hinds Avenue Lot (100 Hinds Ave) or along the Dolliver Street corridor; no advance permit required.
Address: Pomeroy Ave & Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Solvang
Thirty miles east of Santa Maria via US-101 and CA-246, Solvang (Mission Dr & Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463) is California's Danish Village — a walkable downtown of half-timbered storefronts, windmills, aebleskiver bakeries, and wine tasting rooms that draws more than a million visitors a year. Mission Santa Inés (1760 Mission Dr), founded in 1804, anchors the historic district. The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art and Hans Christian Andersen Park are popular group stops.
The primary bus staging area is the Solvang Municipal Parking Lot at 1630 Mission Dr, which accommodates full-size motorcoaches; a second lot near Copenhagen Drive and Alisal Road handles overflow. Check current parking guidance at cityofsolvang.com before your visit.
Address: Mission Dr & Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Vandenberg Space Force Base
Roughly 15 miles west of Santa Maria via CA-135 and CA-1, Vandenberg Space Force Base is the primary West Coast orbital launch facility in the United States — home to SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy missions, ULA launches, and dozens of national security payloads every year. Civilian groups watch launches from public areas outside the installation: Ocean Avenue in Lompoc is the most accessible bus-friendly vantage point, with a wide roadway that allows staging along the corridor. The Surf Beach parking area near the Surf Amtrak station off CA-1 is another popular option.
Monitor the current launch schedule at vandenberg.spaceforce.mil — launches reschedule frequently, sometimes with only hours of notice, so build flexibility into any charter booked around a specific launch window.
Address (main gate): 747 Nebraska Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
Foxen Canyon Wine Trail
The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail runs roughly 20 miles along Foxen Canyon Road between Santa Maria and Los Olivos, passing through the heart of the Santa Maria Valley AVA — one of California's most celebrated cool-climate wine regions. The southern end begins about 10 miles northeast of Santa Maria off Betteravia Road. Standout stops include Foxen Winery & Vineyard, Cambria Estate Winery, Riverbench Vineyard & Winery (6020 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454), and Zaca Mesa Winery.
Full-size motorcoaches can navigate the road with care; reservations are strongly recommended for all groups.