56 Passenger Charter Bus
santamariacharterbuscompany.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
Santa Maria Charter Bus Rentals
Because finding group transportation in Santa Maria, California should take minutes, not hours, Santamariacharterbuscompany.com lets you fill out one quick form and instantly compare buses, packages, and prices from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving the Central Coast. Whether your group is heading up US-101 to Paso Robles, down to Santa Barbara, or staying right here in the Santa Maria Valley, you'll see vehicles and pricing in under 30 seconds. Call 805-602-5055 or use the online quote tool right now!
The Simple Way to Rent a Charter Bus in Santa Maria
If you've ever spent an afternoon calling bus company after bus company, waiting on callbacks, and trying to compare quotes that never quite line up, Santamariacharterbuscompany.com was built for you. This is a quote-comparison and referral website — not a local bus operator — which means you fill out one form and instantly see vehicles, photos, and pricing from a large network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria and the entire Central Coast. That's it.
No account required. No waiting for callbacks to get pricing. No settling for whatever one fleet happens to have available on your date.
Request the amenities you want — WiFi, onboard restrooms, reclining seats, a built-in bar — and compare pictures and prices side by side in seconds. Buses are available statewide for local trips around the Santa Maria Valley and long-distance runs all the way to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and beyond. Whether you need a 15-passenger minibus for a winery crawl along Foxen Canyon Road or a 56-passenger charter bus for a corporate conference, your options are right here.
Call 805-602-5055 or use the online tool to get started!
Santa Maria Charter Bus Rental Options
Santamariacharterbuscompany.com will help you find minibuses, party buses, charter buses, sprinter vans, and school buses from a large network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria, California. Whether your group is 8 or 80, there's a vehicle in the network that fits your headcount, your itinerary, and your budget. Compare what's available for your date right now!
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 805-602-5055 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 805-602-5055 before booking.
Get Bus Rental Prices Right Online!
See Santa Maria Charter Bus Rental Prices Without Calling Around
With one form and about 30 seconds, you can unlock instant pricing from a network of bus companies serving Santa Maria and the surrounding Central Coast. Enter your pickup location, travel date, group size, and where you're headed — and you'll land on a results page showing available vehicles, photos, and pricing side by side. No account needed.
No waiting on a callback.
Prices vary based on the type of bus, how many hours you need it, the day of the week, and your specific route — a Saturday party bus to the Santa Barbara County Fair prices differently than a Tuesday corporate shuttle to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. The fastest way to see what YOUR trip costs is to fill out the form or call 805-602-5055 any time. A live agent is available every day of the year to build a custom package around your 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 805-602-5055. | ||||
Find and Compare Options From Providers Serving Santa Maria
Get Santa Maria Charter Bus Quotes in Minutes, Not Days
With Santamariacharterbuscompany.com, renting a bus in Santa Maria means comparing more options than any single company could ever show you. Because Santamariacharterbuscompany.com is not a bus company, you're never limited to one fleet or whatever one operator happens to have parked in their lot on your date. Instead, you get a large network of independently owned transportation companies, all in one place, with instant online pricing in under 30 seconds.
That means you get TONS of different bus types — from compact sprinter vans to full 56-passenger motorcoaches. TONS of different amenities. And pricing tailored to YOUR group, YOUR route, and YOUR schedule.
Need an ADA-accessible vehicle for a school field trip to the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum?
Mention it when you fill out the form. The network has options, and a live support team at 805-602-5055 is always ready to help you find exactly what you need.
Why call five companies when you can compare them all in one place? Fill out one form and see your options in seconds — or call 805-602-5055 right now!
Bus Rentals Available For Any Event
See the Santa Maria Charter Bus Services You Can Book Right Now
In Santa Maria and across the Central Coast, Santamariacharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to find group transportation for virtually any occasion. From airport transfers and winery tours to prom nights and corporate shuttles, the network of bus companies serving this area is ready to move your group. Here's a look at the services you can find and book right here!
santa maria airport transportation Santa Maria Airport Transportation
Coordinating airport pickups and drop-offs for a group is stressful enough without adding a parking scramble on top of it. Whether your group is flying in or out of Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) (3249 Terminal Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455), heading south to Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) (500 Fowler Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93117) about 55 miles down US-101, or catching a flight at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) (975 Airport Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401) roughly 30 miles north, Santamariacharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to find the right airport shuttle bus for your group.
For groups flying into or out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — about 175 miles south via US-101 — a full-size charter bus with reclining seats, WiFi, and onboard restrooms turns a 2.5- to 3.5-hour drive into a comfortable ride instead of a caravan of cars. Compare airport transportation options from a network of bus companies serving Santa Maria right now, or call 805-602-5055 to get a custom quote built around your flight schedule!
santa maria concert transportation Santa Maria Concert Transportation
What's better than a great concert? Getting there and back without worrying about parking, surge pricing, or who's driving. The Central Coast's biggest concert venues are all within easy charter bus range of Santa Maria.
Chumash Casino Resort (3400 E CA-246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460), about 25 miles south, hosts major touring acts year-round in an intimate theater setting — and the casino parking lot handles bus drop-off without the street-closure chaos of a stadium show.
Vina Robles Amphitheatre (3800 Mill Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446), about 50 miles north via US-101, is one of the premier outdoor concert venues on the Central Coast, with a capacity of around 3,300 and a stunning vineyard setting. Bus parking is in the general lot — confirm your oversized vehicle placement with the venue ahead of your date. A party bus with a built-in bar and Bluetooth sound system keeps the energy going from Santa Maria all the way to the first song.
Compare concert transportation options right here, or call 805-602-5055!
santa maria corporate transportation Santa Maria Corporate Event Transportation
Santamariacharterbuscompany.com can make corporate transportation across the Central Coast the easiest part of your event planning. Whether you're shuttling a team from the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria (3455 Skyway Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455) to a meeting in San Luis Obispo, moving a conference group between Santa Maria and Santa Barbara, or arranging a multi-day employee shuttle for a project at a local facility, the network of bus companies serving Santa Maria has the right vehicle for your needs.
Full-size charter buses come with WiFi, power outlets, and reclining seats — so your team can stay productive on the ride between locations instead of losing that time to the wheel. Minibuses are nimble enough to handle surface streets in downtown Santa Maria or the tighter turns near the Santa Maria Fairpark. Compare corporate transportation options from a large network of independently owned bus companies, and find the vehicle that fits your team's schedule and budget.
Call 805-602-5055 for a custom corporate quote!
santa maria employee transportation Santa Maria Employee Transportation
Give your team a better commute and a more productive workday with a dedicated employee shuttle bus in Santa Maria. Instead of sending every employee hunting for parking or fighting US-101 traffic on their own, a recurring shuttle route keeps your whole team on the same schedule — and gives everyone a chance to decompress, check emails, or catch up on rest before the workday begins.
Whether you need a daily shuttle between a Orcutt neighborhood and a Santa Maria facility, a weekly run connecting employees from Lompoc or Guadalupe, or temporary transportation while your parking lot is closed for construction, Santamariacharterbuscompany.com helps you compare employee shuttle options from a large network of bus companies serving the Central Coast. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — just mention it when you fill out your quote. Call 805-602-5055 or use the online tool to compare employee shuttle options for your route and schedule!
santa maria government military transportation Santa Maria Government & Military Transportation
Santamariacharterbuscompany.com connects you to a network of bus companies ready to handle government and military group transportation across the Central Coast. Vandenberg Space Force Base (Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437), about 15 miles west of Santa Maria via CA-135, generates significant group transportation demand — from personnel moves and base access events to launch-viewing shuttles for authorized visitors. All base access requires advance coordination with base security, so plan your bus booking alongside your access approval.
For county government meetings at the Santa Barbara County Government Center (105 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101) or multi-agency training events across the region, full-size charter buses and minibuses are both available through the network. Compare vehicles, confirm ADA accessibility if needed, and find a bus that fits your headcount and your government travel requirements. Call 805-602-5055 any time for a custom quote!
santa maria long distance transportation Santa Maria Long-Distance Transportation
Why send your group down US-101 to Los Angeles in a five-car caravan when one charter bus handles the whole trip? Long-distance bus rentals from Santa Maria are one of the most practical ways to move a group to LA, San Francisco, Las Vegas, or anywhere across California and beyond. A full-size 56-passenger motorcoach comes with reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, and large undercarriage luggage bays — everything your group needs to arrive comfortable and ready, whether the destination is 100 miles or 500 miles away.
From Santa Maria, US-101 connects your group south toward Santa Barbara (55 miles), Ventura, and Los Angeles (175 miles), or north toward San Luis Obispo (30 miles), Paso Robles (55 miles), and the Bay Area. Compare long-distance charter buses from a network of transportation companies serving Santa Maria right here, or call 805-602-5055 to build a custom long-distance package around your itinerary!
santa maria event transportation Santa Maria Private Event Transportation
Whatever brings your group together in Santa Maria — a milestone birthday, a family reunion, an anniversary dinner, or a private celebration — Santamariacharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to find the right bus for your event. A party bus keeps a birthday group together from the hotel pickup through the last stop of the night, with a built-in bar, LED lighting, and a Bluetooth sound system to set the mood. A minibus moves a smaller family group between the Santa Maria Inn (801 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454) and a private dinner without anyone worrying about parking on Broadway.
For larger gatherings, a 56-passenger charter bus can shuttle guests between multiple locations across the Santa Maria Valley or down to Solvang for a wine-country afternoon. Compare private event transportation options from a large network of bus companies serving Santa Maria, find the vehicle that fits your group and your plans, and book right online. Call 805-602-5055 or use the online quote tool to get started!
santa maria prom transportation Santa Maria Prom Transportation
Keeping prom night safe, fun, and on schedule starts with the right bus. Santamariacharterbuscompany.com makes it easy for Santa Maria students and parents to compare party buses and minibuses for prom, so the whole group rides together from the first pickup through the last drop-off. Students from Santa Maria High School (901 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454), Pioneer Valley High School (675 Panther Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454), Ernest Righetti High School (941 E Foster Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455), and Orcutt Academy (500 Dyer St, Orcutt, CA 93455) all hold proms in April and May — and that stretch is the single busiest period of the year for party bus rentals across the Central Coast.
Book early — prom season availability fills fast, and waiting until the last minute means fewer options and higher prices. Compare available party buses and minibuses for your prom date right here, or call 805-602-5055 as soon as your date is confirmed!
santa maria church transportation Santa Maria Religious Group Transportation
It's easier than ever to arrange transportation for your congregation, youth group, or faith community in Santa Maria. Whether you need a minibus for a weekly service shuttle, a charter bus for a weekend retreat to La Purísima Mission State Historic Park (2295 Purisima Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436) about 20 miles west, or a full-size motorcoach for a multi-day conference, Santamariacharterbuscompany.com connects you to a network of bus companies ready to serve your group.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — just mention your accessibility needs when you fill out the quote form. Compare bus sizes, amenities, and pricing from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Santa Maria, and find the vehicle that works for your congregation's schedule and budget. Call 805-602-5055 any time for a custom religious group transportation quote!
santa maria field trip transportation Santa Maria School Event Transportation
You'll love how easy Santamariacharterbuscompany.com makes it to plan field trip transportation for your class or school group in Santa Maria. Instead of coordinating a long line of parent carpools, one charter bus or minibus keeps every student and chaperone together on the same itinerary — from pickup at the school to drop-off at the destination and back again.
Popular Santa Maria area field trip destinations include the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum (705 S McClelland St, Santa Maria, CA 93454), the Santa Maria Museum of Flight (3015 Airpark Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455) adjacent to Santa Maria Public Airport, and La Purísima Mission State Historic Park about 20 miles west — where the park has a large lot that accommodates buses and admission runs $6 per vehicle. ADA-accessible buses are available through the network. Compare school field trip transportation options right here, or call 805-602-5055 to match the right bus to your student and chaperone headcount!
santa maria sporting event transportation Santa Maria Sporting Event Transportation
Rather than sending your team or your fan group to the game in a caravan of separate cars, a charter bus or minibus keeps everyone together — from the pregame energy on the ride up to the celebration (or commiseration) on the way home. Santamariacharterbuscompany.com makes it easy to find sports team transportation and sporting event shuttles for groups across the Central Coast.
Local athletic events at Allan Hancock College (800 S College Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454) and high school sports across the Santa Maria Valley are great fits for a minibus. For fan groups heading to bigger events — a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo game at Mustang Memorial Field (formerly Alex G. Spanos Stadium) (1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407) about 30 miles north, or a UC Santa Barbara event in Goleta — a full-size charter bus with undercarriage storage handles equipment and gear alongside your passengers. Compare sports transportation options from a large network of bus companies serving Santa Maria, or call 805-602-5055 to get a custom quote for your team or fan group!
santa maria wedding transportation Santa Maria Wedding Transportation
On your wedding day, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your guests found parking on Broadway or made it to the venue on time. A wedding shuttle bus in Santa Maria keeps every guest on your timeline — from hotel pickups at the Santa Maria Inn or the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria through the ceremony, the reception, and the final hotel return.
Weddings in the Santa Maria Valley often span multiple locations — a ceremony at a vineyard on Foxen Canyon Road, a reception at a winery estate, and a hotel return at the end of the night. A charter bus or minibus handles every leg without your guests navigating narrow wine country roads in the dark. White, black, and silver vehicles are available through the network — just mention your preference when you request your quote.
Call 805-602-5055 or use the online tool to compare wedding transportation options for your date!
santa maria wine tour transportation Santa Maria Wine Tour & Brewery Transportation
View instant online quotes for wine tour transportation in the Santa Maria Valley and compare buses from a large network of independently owned companies — all in one place, in under 30 seconds. The Santa Maria Valley AVA is one of California's most celebrated wine regions, known for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown on the valley floor and along Foxen Canyon Road. A party bus or minibus keeps your group together from the first pour to the last, with no one worrying about the drive home.
Popular wine tour stops include Presqu'ile Winery (5391 Presqu'ile Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454), Foxen Winery (7200 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454), Riverbench Vineyard & Winery (6020 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454), and Cambria Estate Winery (5475 Chardonnay Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93454). Note that Foxen Canyon Road narrows in sections — a minibus navigates it more smoothly than a full-size 56-passenger coach. Extend the tour south to Solvang and Los Olivos for a full day in wine country.
Call 805-602-5055 or fill out the quote form to find your wine tour bus today!
Fast, Free Quotes
3 Steps Is All It Takes to Book a Charter Bus in Santa Maria
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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
With so many cities and destinations within easy reach of Santa Maria, Santamariacharterbuscompany.com helps you find bus rentals across the entire Central Coast region. Whether you need transportation to Lompoc, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, or Arroyo Grande, the network of bus companies serving this area has you covered. Fill out one form and compare options across the whole region!
Not Sure What You Need? We're Here to Help!
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Maria Bus Rentals
Santamariacharterbuscompany.com helps you compare buses rental options; it is not a transportation company and does not rent, own, or operate vehicles. When you submit the quote form, your trip details go through a booking company so you can review pricing and available vehicles for your date. You compare the options and book through the process shown with your quote.
Santamariacharterbuscompany.com is a quote-comparison and referral website — not a local bus company or motor carrier. It brings together a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Santa Maria and the Central Coast, so you can compare buses, amenities, packages, and pricing in one place without calling multiple companies. You fill out one form, review your options, and book the bus that works for your group.
Transportation is provided by independent operators, and booking is completed through a national booking platform.
Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) is right in town and serves general aviation and limited commercial flights. San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is about 30 miles north via US-101 — roughly 30 to 40 minutes off-peak. Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is about 55 miles south — roughly 55 to 70 minutes.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 175 miles south via US-101, roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic through the Ventura and LA corridor. For large groups flying into LAX, a full-size charter bus with onboard restrooms and WiFi is far more comfortable than a caravan of rental cars.
Yes, but with an important distinction. Foxen Canyon Road narrows in several sections between Santa Maria and the Foxen Canyon winery corridor. Full-size 56-passenger motorcoaches can navigate the road but require careful maneuvering on the narrower stretches, and some winery driveways are tight.
A 15- to 35-passenger minibus is generally the more practical and comfortable choice for a Foxen Canyon wine tour — easier to park at winery tasting rooms, more maneuverable on the road's curves, and a better fit for the typical wine tour group size. Mention your specific stops when you fill out the quote form, and the network will match you with the right vehicle.
For most wine tour groups in the Santa Maria Valley, a 15- to 25-passenger minibus is the sweet spot. It's large enough to keep your group together, small enough to navigate Foxen Canyon Road and pull into winery parking areas without difficulty, and comfortable enough to enjoy between stops. If your group is larger — 30 to 50 people — a party bus is a great choice, with a built-in bar, LED lighting, and a Bluetooth sound system that turns the ride between wineries into part of the experience.
Compare minibuses and party buses for your wine tour date right here, or call 805-602-5055!
Yes. Vandenberg Space Force Base (Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437) requires all visitors to have advance base access authorization coordinated through the base's security office before arrival — and that applies to charter bus groups as well. The bus itself does not grant access; every passenger must be on the approved visitor list.
If you're organizing transportation for a launch-viewing event, a personnel move, or any authorized base visit, start the base access process well before your transportation date, then book your bus once access is confirmed. Call 805-602-5055 to discuss timing and vehicle options for your Vandenberg event.
The Santa Maria Fairpark (937 S Thornburg St, Santa Maria, CA 93458) hosts the Santa Barbara County Fair each year in July, along with concerts, rodeos, and community events throughout the year. Bus drop-off is along S Thornburg Street. No dedicated bus parking lot is published by the fairgrounds, so buses typically stage on nearby surface streets while your group is inside.
For fair events, a minibus or party bus is a great choice — easy drop-off, no parking stress, and the whole group arrives together. Book early for fair weekend, as transportation demand across the Santa Maria area spikes during the fair. Call 805-602-5055 or use the online quote tool to compare options for your fair date!
For most Santa Maria trips, booking three to six months in advance gives you the best selection and the most competitive pricing. For high-demand dates — prom season in April and May, the Santa Barbara County Fair in July, concerts at Chumash Casino Resort or Vina Robles Amphitheatre, and any weekend during peak wine country season — booking six months or more in advance is strongly advised. Waiting until the last minute almost always means higher prices and fewer vehicles to choose from.
The earlier you book, the better your options! Call 805-602-5055 right now to lock in your date, or use the online quote tool to see what's available.
Any Destination, Any Time!
Hit These Santa Maria Destinations With a Charter Bus Rental
Get your group to the best destinations in and around Santa Maria with a charter bus, minibus, or party bus from the network! From wine country estates along Foxen Canyon Road to historic missions and beach towns up and down the Central Coast, there's no shortage of great places to take your group. Here are some of the most popular destinations Santa Maria charter bus groups love to visit!
Use the previous and next buttons, the left and right arrow keys, or swipe to browse six destinations.
Santa Maria Fairpark
The Santa Maria Fairpark (937 S Thornburg St, Santa Maria, CA 93458; (805) 925-8824) is the Central Coast's premier fairgrounds and event venue in the heart of Santa Maria. It's home to the beloved Santa Barbara County Fair each July, along with year-round concerts, rodeos, swap meets, and community events that draw crowds from across the region. Bus drop-off is along S Thornburg Street, with buses staging on nearby surface streets while your group is inside.
For fair weekend and major concert events, book your bus early — transportation demand across Santa Maria spikes significantly during the fair, and availability fills faster than most groups expect. A minibus or party bus is ideal for local groups making the short hop from anywhere in the Santa Maria Valley.
Presqu'ile Winery
Presqu'ile Winery (5391 Presqu'ile Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454; (805) 937-8110) is one of the anchor estates of the Santa Maria Valley AVA, producing estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc from vineyards planted on the valley floor. The tasting room is open daily except Tuesday, by reservation, and is accessed via a private drive off Presqu'ile Drive, set among the vines with sweeping valley views. Because the winery sits on a working estate, a minibus is the most practical vehicle for the approach — easier to maneuver on the private drive and simpler to park near the tasting room than a full-size coach.
Presqu'ile is a natural anchor for a Santa Maria Valley wine tour, often paired with nearby Riverbench and Cambria Estate for a full afternoon in the vines.
Foxen Winery & Vineyard
Foxen Winery (7200 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454; (805) 937-4251) is one of the most storied names in Santa Maria Valley wine, with two distinct tasting rooms along Foxen Canyon Road — the beloved original "shack" with its rustic solar-powered charm, and the newer Foxen 7200 facility next door, open Friday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm. The winery produces exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux varieties that have earned national acclaim for decades. Foxen Canyon Road narrows in sections north of Santa Maria, so a 15- to 25-passenger minibus is the right vehicle for this corridor — easier on the curves, easier to park at the tasting room, and the perfect size for most wine tour groups.
Book your wine tour bus early for weekend dates, which fill quickly throughout harvest season.
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park (2295 Purisima Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436; (805) 733-3713) sits about 20 miles west of Santa Maria and is widely considered one of the most completely restored of California's 21 missions. Founded in 1787 and painstakingly rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the mission complex includes a fully restored church, workshops, soldiers' barracks, and gardens spread across a stunning natural landscape. The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with a vehicle admission of $6 (not per person — one fee per vehicle, which makes a bus even more economical).
The park has a large parking area that comfortably accommodates buses. Group tours are available with advance reservation, making it an outstanding field trip or heritage tour destination for Santa Maria groups.
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery (6020 Foxen Canyon Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454; (805) 937-2058) is a family-owned estate on Foxen Canyon Road producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris from one of the Santa Maria Valley's most naturally cool growing sites. The vineyard sits just south of the Sisquoc River, where morning fog and afternoon winds off the Pacific create ideal conditions for the cool-climate varieties the valley is famous for. The tasting room is a welcoming stop on any Foxen Canyon wine tour, and Riverbench pairs naturally with Foxen and Presqu'ile for a full Santa Maria Valley itinerary.
A minibus keeps your group comfortable and together on the Foxen Canyon Road corridor, with easy parking near the tasting room and no one navigating the winding road after a full afternoon of tastings.
Solvang
Solvang (Solvang, CA 93463) is a Danish-themed village about 30 miles south of Santa Maria via US-101 S to CA-246, and it's one of the most popular day-trip destinations for Santa Maria groups. The town is packed with wine tasting rooms, Danish bakeries, windmills, and half-timbered buildings that make it feel unlike anywhere else in California. The city has designated bus and RV parking areas — the lot near Mission Dr and Alisal Rd is commonly used for larger vehicles.
Solvang pairs beautifully with a Los Olivos wine stop at Carhartt Family Wines (2939 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441) for a full wine country day. For bachelorette groups, birthday outings, and family reunions, a party bus from Santa Maria to Solvang and back is one of the region's most popular private event itineraries. Use the online quote form to build your custom Solvang day trip!