Harbor View Inn Santa Barbara: Soaking Up Sun And Fun By The Sea

Review of Harbor View Inn | 28 W Cabrillo Blvd
  • Trip101 Review
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Kurt
Kurt 
Updated
| 2 min read

When visiting Santa Barbara, who wouldn’t want to stay right by the Pacific Ocean? The Harbor View Inn has not only a great oceanfront location; they also have a new north wing adding more comfortable lodging. Just steps from your room find Stearns Wharf, beaches, and loads of other tourist options.

Welcoming guests for over 35 years

Spacious room in the new North Wing
Source: Kurt Jacobson

This AAA four diamond rated boutique inn has been greeting guests for over 35 years under the current ownership. The new north wing has 32 rooms and 2 suites. The main building has 102 for a total of 134 rooms and 15 luxurious suites. Choose a king room with an ocean or city view if one bed is sufficient. Some king rooms come with a balcony to for guests to breathe in the fresh sea air. A double room with two queen size beds accommodates up to four guests if traveling with family or close friends.

When you check in, pay attention to the intricate mosaic reception counter and floor artwork. The reception staff will have you checked into your room or suite in no time at all. From there you get to choose what to experience first. All rooms come with waffle-weave robes, Keurig coffee makers, stocked mini-bar, USB outlets, room safe, and large work desk. A room service menu tempts you with an imported cheese plate to pair with local wines or chocolate covered strawberries. Maybe you’ll want chips and guacamole brought up to your room with ice cold beer and just hang out in watching HBO and Starz on TV?

Pool, spa, or wharf

harbor view inn santa barbara: soaking up sun and fun by the sea | pool, spa, or wharf

The Harbor View Inn has a spa onsite to indulge in massage and other treatments in style. There’s nothing like a good massage after a day of bicycling around town exploring the shops and wine tasting rooms. There’s also an onsite fitness center if a workout is desired. Just five minutes walk away is Stearns Wharf where an assortment of shops and eateries await. Consider renting a fishing pole on the Wharf and try your luck with the catch of the day while pelicans watch your progress in hopes of a free meal.

If the Pacific Ocean is too chilly for a swim, try the Harbor View Inn’s pool that’s open year round. They also have a hot tub for soothing travel weary bodies. Pull up a lounge chair in the shade of palm trees and relax poolside with a favorite libation in hand. This is the life!

So many shops, wine tasting rooms, and restaurants

Sailing class near Stern's Wharf
Source: Victor Jacobson

Just a short walk into the downtown Funk Zone you’ll find shops, restaurants, and several wine tasting rooms to explore. Santa Barbara has nearly 30 wine tasting rooms featuring some of the best wines in the country. Riverbench Winery recently opened a tasting room a SIP- Certified maker of excellent pinot noir and sparkling wines. Vegetarians will love Satellite, a restaurant featuring farm-to-table cuisine and several natural wines.

Over 20 museums and attractions are worth seeing. On Stearns Wharf check out the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, or go into town to see Old Mission Santa Barbara. These Spanish missions once dotted the coast of California when priests built their missions along the Camino Real in the 1700s.

Ask the front desk where to rent kayaks or bikes to take advantage of blue sky days outdoors. Try electric bike tours for those not wanting to huff and puff along. Learn to sail at Santa Barbara Sailing Center, suitable for all abilities. All this and more is just outside your hotel.

Add it all up

When you consider how much is at your doorstep of the Harbor View Inn, it’s easy to see why this boutique hotel is a winner. Add to that clean, comfortable, rooms with views for one of the best lodging choices in Santa Barbara.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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