Visit Pacifica Graduate Institute
Schedule a Tour
Campus tours are available by appointment.
To schedule a tour, please contact the Office of Admissions at applicant@pacifica.edu or 805-879-7305.
Santa Barbara, California
Both campuses lie between the coastal California foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. These two quiet and beautifully-landscaped campuses offer ideal settings for graduate study.
Santa Barbara is sometimes referred to as the American Riviera. Its beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, and colorful culture make Santa Barbara a premier destination. Santa Barbara is a 2-hour drive north from Los Angeles or a short hop from any corner of the world via the Santa Barbara airport.
Campus tours can be arranged on weekdays by contacting the Admissions Office at 805.879.7305 to set up a time to meet with an admissions counselor. And check on our website for One-Day Introductions to Pacifica, usually held on a Saturday to learn more about Pacifica’s graduate degree programs through faculty-led, program-specific information meetings and alumni presentations. Visit retreat.pacifica.edu to view future Pacifica Experience dates.
Pacifica’s Lambert Road Campus
Pacifica’s Lambert Road Campus is on the site of a former private estate that was built in 1924. Special efforts have been taken to enhance and maintain the campus in a manner appropriate to the history of the property and its geographic location. In addition to classrooms and lecture halls, the 13-acre Lambert Road campus houses faculty and administrative offices, the Graduate Research Library, The Joseph Campbell & Marija Gimbutas Library, extensive organic gardens, and the Pacifica Bookstore. Because of Santa Barbara County’s land use requirements, Pacifica is restricted regarding the number of cars parked on the Lambert Road Campus. All visitors to the Lambert Road Campus are required to park at the Best Western Carpinteria Inn, directions below, and call the Pacifica shuttle for transportation to the campus, see directions, links and map below.
Pacifica’s Shuttle Service
The reception desk at the Best Western will call Pacifica’s shuttle for you, or you may call the shuttle directly. The phone number is 805.896.1887 or 805.896.1888. Although it may not take more than 15 minutes, please allow one-half hour transportation time to the Lambert Campus once you reach the Best Western.
Pacifica’s Ladera Lane Campus
A short drive from its sister campus on Lambert Road, Pacifica’s Ladera Lane Campus is home to a conference center, classrooms, administrative offices, and branches of both the Graduate Research Library and Pacifica Bookstore. The Opus Archives and Research Center’s rare collections are also housed on this campus. Residential buildings offer lodging for students when classes are in session, and healthful meals are shared in the large communal dining hall. Spacious lawns present spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara Channel Islands, and surrounding Santa Ynez Mountains. Beautiful gardens and wooded pathways afford spaces for quiet contemplation, and a network of hiking trails lead off into the wilderness. You can drive directly onto our Ladera Lane Campus; see directions and link to map below.
801 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
How to Reach Pacifica’s Campuses
Transportation from Santa Barbara Airport
The Santa Barbara Airport is approximately 20 miles from the Best Western Carpinteria Inn and/or the Ladera Lane Campus. Taxi service is available. The following cab companies often offer special rates if reservations are made well in advance and Pacifica is mentioned as your destination (via the Best Western or directly to the Ladera Lane campus):
- Blue Dolphin (805.962.6886)
- Rose Cab (805.564.2600)
- Checker Cab Company (805.964.6666)
- Fly by Night Taxi (805.745.8294)
Transportation from Los Angeles Airport
The Los Angeles International Airport is approximately 90 miles from the Santa Barbara area. The Santa Barbara Airbus provides bus transfer service to a central location at the Santa Barbara Hyatt (formerly Hotel Mar Monte). The Airbus also has a drop off point in Carpinteria, at The International House of Pancakes, but as there is no taxi service in Carpinteria, you will be better served by going into Santa Barbara. One of the above taxi services can be taken from the Santa Barbara Hyatt to the Best Western Carpinteria Inn or directly to the Ladera Lane Campus. Reservations for the Airbus are discounted if made at least 24 hours in advance. For schedules and reservations, call the Santa Barbara Airbus at 805.964.7759 or 800.423.1618 or online at www.santabarbaraairbus.com.
Transportation from the Santa Barbara Train Station
There is an Amtrak Train Station located in downtown Santa Barbara, approximately 15 miles from the Best Western Carpinteria Inn and/or the Ladera Lane Campus. Taxi service is available from the companies listed above, again, often with special rates if reservations are made well in advance and Pacifica is mentioned as your destination.
Driving Directions From South
To Lambert Campus/Best Western Carpinteria
Hwy 101 North:. When you reach Carpinteria, take the Santa Monica Rd exit and turn right at the stop sign. Turn right again at the corner of Santa Ynez and Via Real, go over the freeway bridge, and continue to the signal lights. The Inn will be on your left at the corner of Santa Ynez and Carpinteria Ave.
To Ladera Campus, 801 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Hwy 101 North: Northbound through Carpinteria. Exit Summerland. Right turn at the end of exit. Right turn on to Via Real, the frontage road. Travel ¼ mile then left onto Toro Canyon Rd. Follow Toro Canyon about 1 mile. Pass the intersection at Foothill Road. Toro Canyon will wind up hill, curve to the left and become East Valley Road. After another ¼ mile, Right turn onto Ladera Lane. The driveway is about ¼ mile up Ladera Lane on your left.
Driving Directions From North
To Lambert Campus/Best Western Carpinteria, 4558 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013
Hwy 101 South: Approximately 10 miles past Santa Barbara to the Reynolds Ave exit and continue to the stop sign. The Inn will be on your right at the corner of Carpinteria Ave and Santa Ynez Ave.
To Ladera Campus, 801 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Hwy 101 South: Southbound, through Santa Barbara and Montecito. Exit Sheffield Drive note: Sheffield is a left hand lane exit. Left turn at the end of the exit. Right turn at the stop sign onto Jameson Road which curves immediately left onto Sheffield Drive. Continue on Sheffield Drive to stop sign at East Valley Road. Right turn onto East Valley Road. Approximately 1.3 miles, left turn onto Ladera Lane. The driveway is about ¼ mile up Ladera Lane on your left.