Arlington Theatre Best Seats

Find the best seats, views, and ticket options for your next event.

1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Capacity: 2,000

The best seats at Arlington Theatre are in the center floor and lower balcony sections, offering the clearest stage views and balanced sound for most concerts and live shows. Compare seating sections, views, and ticket prices to find the best seats for your budget and event type.

Updated: October 30, 2026
9
Upcoming Events
$50
Tickets From
Theater
Venue Type
2026
Current Schedule
Next Event Starts In:
Rene Vaca & That Mexican OT
Nov 17 · 7:00 PM · Santa Barbara, CA
View tickets · From $50
On this page:

Arlington Theatre Seating Maps

View seating charts and find the best sections for shows and events.
Address: 93101, 1317 State Street
Capacity: 2,000 seats
Type: venue
Coordinates: 34.4246, -119.7062

Best Seats & Seating Guide

Find the best theatre seats, stage views, and seating options at Arlington Theatre.


Not every seat at Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA feels the same once the lights go down. Some fans want to catch every facial expression from up close, others just want the cleanest full-stage view without spending orchestra money.

Orchestra Seats

If you want the classic Broadway-style experience, this is usually where people look first. The center orchestra tends to feel the most immersive, especially for big musicals and touring productions.

Front Mezzanine

Honestly, a lot of theater regulars swear by mezzanine seats. You can actually see the whole stage, choreography, lighting, and set changes without constantly turning your head.

Front Row Seats

Cool experience for plays and smaller productions, but for larger musicals, you can end up a little too close to everything happening on stage.

Balcony & Upper Levels

Usually, the cheapest way into Arlington Theatre. Depending on the theater layout, some upper rows still have surprisingly good sightlines for the price.

Seats Fans Usually Avoid

Super far side sections and partial-view seats can block parts of the stage. Some older theaters also have railings or overhangs that affect the view.


At the end of the day, the “best seat” at Arlington Theatre really depends on the show, your budget, and whether you care more about being close or seeing the whole production unfold in Santa Barbara.

Best Seat Comparison at Arlington Theatre

Compare theatre seating views, comfort, pricing, and fan-favorite sections.


Seating can totally change the experience at Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA. Some fans want close-up stage energy, while others prefer elevated rows with a cleaner full-stage view.

Seating Area Best For View Quality Price Range Fan Tip
Center Orchestra Broadway & musicals Excellent High Classic theater experience with the closest full-stage connection.
Front Mezzanine Full-stage views Excellent Medium–High Popular with theater regulars for balanced sightlines.
Side Orchestra Closer stage views Good Medium Great atmosphere, though side angles can miss small details.
Front Row Plays & intimate shows Varies High Amazing up close, but large productions may feel too near.
Rear Mezzanine Budget-friendly seats Good Low Usually the best value seats at Arlington Theatre.
Partial View Seats Lowest prices Limited Lowest Cheap way in, but parts of the stage may be blocked.

The best seats at Arlington Theatre usually depend on the show and your budget. Orchestra seats feel immersive up close, while mezzanine sections often deliver the best overall stage perspective.

Upcoming Shows & Events 2026

Browse upcoming theatre shows and events by date.
Select dates...
Upcoming Events: 9
  • Nov 17, 2026, 7:00 PM Tue — COMEDY, Best Value: Rene Vaca & That Mexican OT at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $50, Avg. price ~ $131, Tickets Available: 1130. Select Seats
  • Dec 05, 2026, 7:30 PM Sat — JAZZ / BLUES, Weekend Event: Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $59, Avg. price ~ $119, Tickets Available: 517. Select Seats
  • Dec 12, 2026, 2:30 PM Sat — BALLET, Weekend Event: Santa Barbara Festival Ballet: The Nutcracker at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $74, Avg. price ~ $135, Tickets Available: 1131. Select Seats
  • Dec 12, 2026, 7:00 PM Sat — BALLET, Weekend Event: Santa Barbara Festival Ballet: The Nutcracker at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $74, Avg. price ~ $135, Tickets Available: 877. Select Seats
  • Dec 13, 2026, 2:30 PM Sun — BALLET, Weekend Event: Santa Barbara Festival Ballet: The Nutcracker at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $76, Avg. price ~ $447, Tickets Available: 48. Select Seats
  • Jan 31, 2027, 3:00 PM Sun — LECTURE, High Demand, Weekend Event: Theresa Caputo at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $66, Avg. price ~ $138, Tickets Available: 2108. Select Seats
  • Apr 23, 2027, 7:30 PM Fri — LECTURE: Margaret Atwood - In Conversation with Pico Iyer at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $65, Avg. price ~ $100, Tickets Available: 72. Select Seats
  • May 06, 2027, 7:00 PM Thu — COMEDY, High Demand: Matt Mathews at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $63, Avg. price ~ $250, Tickets Available: 356. Select Seats
  • May 07, 2027, 7:30 PM Fri — LECTURE: John McEnroe - In Coversation with Pico Iyer at Arlington Theatre • 2000 seats, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, US. From $69, Avg. price ~ $113, Tickets Available: 102. Select Seats

Arlington Theatre Location

Arlington Theatre is a Entertainment Venue in Santa Barbara, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

What theater fans should know about seating views, orchestra rows, mezzanine sections, and stage sightlines.

So where are the best seats at Arlington Theatre?

If money’s no object, most people shoot for center orchestra. But ask theater people in Santa Barbara and a bunch of them will tell you front mezzanine is actually the move.

Are mezzanine seats actually good?

Yeah — way better than some people think. You see the whole stage without craning your neck the entire night, especially during big musical numbers.

Is the front row worth it?

Can be awesome for plays. For huge Broadway-style productions though, sometimes you’re so close you miss stuff happening higher up on stage.

What are the best cheaper seats?

Usually, a mezzanine or lower balcony. Not flashy, but in a lot of theaters, the view is still pretty solid without paying orchestra prices.

What seats should I avoid at Arlington Theatre?

Fans usually try to avoid partial-view seats and extreme side orchestra sections where parts of the stage can get blocked during the performance

Orchestra or mezzanine?

Really depends on how you watch the theater. Some people want to see every facial expression. Others would rather take in the full stage, lighting, and choreography all at once.