The striking scenery of the Santa Ynez Mountains only adds to Santa Barbara’s allure. This laidback city on California’s central coast is a delight for anyone seeking ideal weather, fine wine-tasting opportunities, world-class restaurants, top-tier shopping, and endless sights of brilliant white-stucco structures with vibrant red-tiled roofs. And, don’t forget, there’s the immense Pacific Ocean to provide limitless recreation. A stay in Santa Barbara almost demands lodging at a wonderful beachfront hotel. So if you’re ready to put this city at the top of your list of travel destinations then you must scroll down to see the best beachfront hotels in Santa Barbara, California.
Beaches to visit:
- Refugio State Beach is about 30 minutes from Santa Barbara and totally worth the trip thanks to its calm waters and pristine shores. Whether you're a lone traveler looking to go kayaking in the ocean or traveling with your family and looking for the best picnic spot, this beach is the one to go to.
- Challenge your friends to a fun game of beach volleyball at East Beach, famous for its volleyball courts and tournaments. There are also playgrounds here in case you're coming with little ones.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and location with easy access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 21, 2025.
1. Hotel Milo Santa Barbara (from USD 188)
It is easy to see why Hotel Milo Santa Barbara is a top choice in the city. This gorgeous property boasts lovely Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture and is situated directly across the beach. Exuding a trendy vibe, this hotel features premier luxuries and cozy, tastefully decorated rooms.
Relish a fine continental breakfast while admiring the calm Pacific Ocean view. The dining area of the hotel is on a patio adorned with a tropical garden. They also have an outdoor picnic area with furniture and an outdoor fireplace. They also have a swimming pool and a hot tub on the premises.
Enjoy an easy four-minute stroll to Stearns Wharf and West Beach or take advantage of the hotel’s bike-hire service and explore the area on two wheels.
Hotel Milo Santa Barbara This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
2.54 km (1.6 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
2. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara (from USD 820)
Mixed dining experiences, with some overpriced and slow service, but delicious fresh food choices.
High-end pricing, with some room discrepancies and overpriced amenities.
Scenic oceanfront setting, though some noise and distance issues.
Beautiful location, spa services, pools, beach access, and free bike rentals.
Be treated like royalty at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. This Mediterranean-inspired hotel oozes resort-style living from top to bottom. This five-star lodging is the place for deluxe splendor, and each unit provides a private patio with a nice view, delightful soaking tubs, and cushy beds so you can easily drift off to sleep.
Complimentary bathrobes and comfy slippers enhance the pampered feel. The property features a 2-mile (3.21-kilometer) natural beach, and golf fanatics will love the fabulous waterfront 18-hole golf course next door. There are on-site hiking trails and expert tennis courts for even more recreational fun. This posh hotel is also home to one of the biggest spas on the West Coast and offers an elaborate menu of beauty services and massages. They also feature an on-site hot tub, a sauna, and a fitness center.
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
23.28 km (14.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
3. Harbor View Inn (from USD 313)
Numerous dining options nearby, although breakfast is not included. Some guests found the onsite restaurant small with long queues.
Reasonable pricing for spacious, clean rooms with ocean views. Onsite parking available for a fee.
Prime location within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and attractions. Close to the beach and State Street.
Convenient location near the beach, pier, and dining options. Pool and gym facilities. Some rooms offer balconies and ocean views.
A luxury four-star accommodation by the water, Harbor View Inn is exactly what you need for peaceful relaxation. Indulge in rejuvenating facials, massages, and other spa treatments at the on-site Spa Beaumontia or take a refreshing dip in the crystal-blue swimming pool that includes an adjacent soothing hot tub.
This oceanfront lodging provides each modern suite a breezy balcony with views, and guests receive soft terry cloth robes. It is a completely smoke-free hotel offering well-furnished family rooms and a honeymoon suite. Free Wi-Fi is available in the hotel and car parking is available at an additional charge.
Stroll to the popular tourist site Stearns Wharf - as well as West Beach - in less than five minutes. If you love vino, head to Santa Barbara Winery - just a seven-minute walk away.
Harbor View Inn
2.32 km (1.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
4. Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt (from USD 293)
A top-notch pick in the city, Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt is a stellar beachfront property that boasts a sophisticated 1930s Spanish Colonial atmosphere. A dazzling four-star hotel, this accommodation is located across the sandy East Beach and is only a five-minute car ride to tourist spots like Stearns Wharf.
All rooms are inviting, with handsome wood furnishings and classy decor. To unwind at the end of the day, you must head to the fabulous poolside lounge that provides a heavenly place to sip a cocktail and enjoy soul-nourishing ocean breezes.
The guestrooms feature modern dark-wood furnishings and red accents, and some feature spellbinding sea views. This is a pet-friendly property, which means you don’t have to leave your furry friends behind if you book a stay here. The on-site restaurants serve lip-smacking American, Mediterranean, and Italian dishes. The terrace garden with a fireplace will also fascinate you.
Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
410 meters (0.3 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
5. Hotel Californian (from USD 1010)
With a sparkling outdoor pool, tasty dining choices, and a luxurious Moroccan-style spa, you may never want to leave Hotel Californian. Just moments from the beach, this posh Spanish Colonial Revival lodging features rooms with irresistible Morrocan decor that adds a cool ambiance to this property. This hotel is adjacent to Funk Zone - an entertainment complex offering everything from tasting rooms to quaint shops. Guests can reach Stearns Wharf in seven minutes on foot, and when you’re ready for dinner just drop by the hotel’s Blackbird restaurant and sample yummy Mediterranean-infused dishes.
Hotel Californian
2.25 km (1.4 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
Hotels and other accommodations near the beach
Though these options don’t front the beach, they’re still situated close enough to the sands to ensure a fantastic seaside getaway, so check them out!
6. Cabrillo Inn at the Beach (from USD 145)
Just steps from the beach, Cabrillo Inn at the Beach is a top contender for many who visit Santa Barbara. Overlooking the lengthy, palm-lined sandy shoreline of East Beach, this is an unassuming lodging with lots of comforts and subtle tropical flair. No less than two second-floor sundecks with great views of the ocean provide a prime spot to soak up some sun rays. Guests can also enjoy a leisurely swim in the heated outdoor pool. For those who love nature, the enticing Santa Barbara Zoo is a quick trip on foot, or hop in the car and take the three-minute drive to the bustling Stearns Wharf.
Cabrillo Inn at the Beach
528 meters (0.4 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
7. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (from USD 420)
As the name suggests, this charming resort is located by the Californian beachfront in Santa Barbara. You will still get direct and free access to the beach. The rooms at this property are comfy and cozy, and offer fascinating views of the ocean from their balconies. Plus, they also come equipped with double vanities, a mini-bar, and a cable TV.
This Santa Barbara luxury resort has an outdoor swimming pool and a full-service spa. Fitness enthusiasts can also head to their on-site fitness center. Wi-Fi and on-premises parking are available at an additional cost. The on-site restaurant serves sumptuous dinner and cocktails.
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
900 meters (0.6 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
8. Mason Beach Inn (from USD 318)
Santa Barbara’s West Beach is just 200 m (656 ft) away from this property, whereas the East Beach is only 600 m (1968.5 ft) away. Their guestrooms are nice, warm, and come equipped with amenities, such as a cable TV, a work desk, a hairdryer, and more. This is a smoke-free hotel, suited for a family getaway.
Wi-Fi and vehicle parking are available free of charge on the premises. You can relax in their outdoor heated pool and hot tub whenever you feel like it. In case you need any assistance during your stay, they also have a 24-hour front desk for your convenience.
Mason Beach Inn
2.81 km (1.8 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
9. West Beach Inn (from USD 238)
Continental breakfast with fresh options and a delightful wine and cheese hour.
Reasonably priced for the exceptional location and amenities offered.
Perfect location near the beach, marina, and downtown area with easy access to restaurants and shops.
Clean, spacious rooms, heated pool, free parking, and complimentary wine and cheese.
Just a minute away from Santa Barbara Beach, West Beach Inn showcases a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean. Take in the fresh ocean breeze from the inn’s various air-conditioned rooms equipped with a flat-screen TV, dark wood furnishings, and a refrigerator. The accommodation provides guests with a free deluxe continental breakfast every morning, daily complimentary tea, coffee, and hot chocolate, and nightly poolside wine and cheese. Guests can also rent a bike for two hours. There is also an outdoor pool and hot tub.
The property is only 10 minutes away from the Museum of Natural History Santa Barbar, and Stearn’s Wharf and Santa Barbara City College are both only 15 minutes away.
West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel
2.69 km (1.7 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
10. Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach (from USD 306)
Generous breakfast with healthy options, afternoon tea/coffee, and wine with light snacks, complimentary champagne.
Reasonably priced compared to other hotels, walking distance to beach and downtown.
Great location, 10-minute walk to the beach, short walk to the harbor and pier, close to shops and restaurants.
Free bike hire, gorgeous pool, spacious and well-appointed rooms, happy hour with complimentary wine and snacks.
This is a beautiful property just a couple of blocks away from Santa Barbara’s multiple beaches and yacht harbor. The look and feel of this hotel are Mediterranean: it features a well-manicured garden with a fountain and gazebos. The rooms are beautiful and come with a refrigerator and a coffee maker, alongside other amenities.
Hot American breakfast is served to guests each morning. A kid-friendly buffet is also served. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel; however, car parking is not available on site. Other services provided here include a 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, a business center, a hot tub, and a gym.
Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
2.98 km (1.9 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
11. The Franciscan Hotel (from USD 226)
Sitting just about 200 m (656 ft) away from Santa Barbara’s West Beach and about 550 m (1804.5 ft) away from East Beach, this hotel impresses every step of the way. It’s a perfect place to stay in Santa Barbara, CA, on the beach if you’re traveling with a family. A non-smoking property all throughout, it is suitable for families with kids. They feature non-smoking family rooms that are aptly lit, fully furnished, and contain all the required amenities.
Wi-Fi and vehicle parking are available free of cost at this hotel. They also have an outdoor swimming pool, which is open all year round. If you want to unwind after a busy day or just want to take a swim, you can use the pool free of charge.
The Franciscan Hotel
2.76 km (1.8 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
12. Harbor House Inn (from USD 221)
This is a completely non-smoking property featuring beautifully decorated guestrooms. They also offer independent studios equipped with a kitchen, an indoor fireplace, and a spa bath. Located within a short walking distance from the city’s best beaches, this hotel is perfect for a comfy family holiday.
Free parking and Wi-Fi are provided at the hotel. They also have a state-of-the-art business center on site. Guests can indulge in several free and paid on-site and off-site activities while at this hotel, such as snorkeling, cycling, hiking, canoeing, windsurfing, horseback riding, and fishing, among others.
Harbor House Inn
2.7 km (1.7 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
13. Lavender Inn by the Sea (from USD 272)
Enjoyable breakfast with quality food, happy hour with wine and snacks, and a complimentary bottle of champagne.
Good value compared to other properties in the area.
Conveniently close to the center, beachfront, marina, and pier.
Free parking, complimentary breakfast, wine hour, and access to sister hotel's jacuzzi and bikes.
Sitting only at a short walking distance from the beach, this property has been highly rated as a good place to stay for couples. The rooms are elegant and are equipped with a refrigerator, a coffee maker, and a DVD player. On arrival, guests are served a flavorful beverage, and every morning, a hot American breakfast is also served.
On the premises, there is a massage center, a hot tub, and a fitness center to enable you to relax and unwind a little. Free wireless Internet can be accessed throughout the hotel. Services such as daily housekeeping, baggage storage, and a 24-hour front desk are also provided.
Lavender Inn by the Sea This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
2.94 km (1.9 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara's beachfront bliss
Even with Santa Barbara’s outstanding collection of restaurants, wonderful wineries, scenic mountain trails, and intriguing Spanish colonial history, the Pacific Ocean still looms large over this idyllic city. The palm-filled beaches along the shoreline are a compelling setting, so it’s no surprise oceanfront hotels are the number one choice for many who visit. Ensure your time in Santa Barbara is memorable by opting for one of these amazing beachfront accommodations so you can lounge and play in California grandeur.
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