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.
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 March 21, 2024.
1. Harbor View Inn (from USD 275)
Reasonable pricing for spacious, clean rooms with ocean views. Onsite parking available for a fee.
Convenient location near the beach, pier, and dining options. Pool and gym facilities. Some rooms offer balconies and ocean views.
Prime location within walking distance to restaurants, shops, and attractions. Close to the beach and State Street.
Numerous dining options nearby, although breakfast is not included. Some guests found the onsite restaurant small with long queues.
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. 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
Address: 28 W Cabrillo Blvd
2.32 km (1.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
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2. Hotel Milo Santa Barbara (from USD 154)
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. 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
Address: 202 W Cabrillo Blvd
2.54 km (1.6 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
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3. Cabrillo Inn at the Beach (from USD 109)
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
Address: 931 East Cabrillo Boulevard
528 meters (0.4 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
4. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara (from USD 599)
High-end pricing, with some room discrepancies and overpriced amenities.
Beautiful location, spa services, pools, beach access, and free bike rentals.
Scenic oceanfront setting, though some noise and distance issues.
Mixed dining experiences, with some overpriced and slow service, but delicious fresh food choices.
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!
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
Address: 8301 Hollister Avenue
23.28 km (14.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
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5. Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt (from USD 237)
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.
Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Address: 1111 East Cabrillo Boulevard
410 meters (0.3 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
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6. Hotel Californian (from USD 879)
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
Address: 36 State Street
2.25 km (1.4 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
7. Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara (from USD 595)
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is a slice of paradise. Situated on 20 acres (8 hectares) of well-manicured and abundant seaside gardens, this accommodation is pure opulence. Sitting across the beach, this hotel features rooms that showcase an elegant simplicity. Even the bathrooms exude a snazzy style, with pretty Spanish tiles. Guests can choose to cool off by floating in a lush, garden-pool setting or do some serious swimming in the large lap pool that offers nice views of the Pacific Ocean. Avid tennis players can enjoy two types of playing courts: a traditional hard surface or a unique faux-grass area.
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
Address: 1260 Channel Drive
2.33 km (1.5 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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