Santa Barbara is popular year-round as a tourist and resort destination, renowned for its fair weather, downtown beaches, and Spanish architecture with embedded culture around every corner. There are plenty of things to do in Santa Barbara, especially things you can do with your significant other. They are also known for being a booming hub for the silver screen since the city is the home of California’s first major movie studio and for amazing and colorful fiestas all year round. There are even numerous restaurants with a view in Santa Barbara that you and your loved one can enjoy a romantic dinner at. With so many things to do and places to visit, you have to find a great place to stay with your loved one. There are numerous great hotels that are a great fit for couples. Check out the following list of romantic hotels in Santa Barbara.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to couple-friendly amenities and activities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 16, 2025.
1. Inn by the Harbor (from USD 283)
Good breakfast options, complimentary wine, and cheese, and a kitchenette in rooms
Reasonable pricing with complimentary happy hour and breakfast
Central location, walking distance to the beach, wharf, and downtown attractions
Free rental bikes, pool, kitchenette, laundry facilities, and complimentary wine and cheese
Just seven minutes away from the beach, Inn by the Harbor offers an unforgettable beachside romantic getaway in Santa Barbara for you and your loved one. It has an outdoor swimming pool if you need to cool off. The rooms come with a refrigerator, coffee maker, cable TV, and a DVD player. To maximize your romantic evening in these rooms, you can rent some DVDs from the hotel’s library. Not to mention that guests can freely utilize the bike rentals to get around the area.
When going into the city, the hotel is only a 20-minute walk away from Stearns Wharf and is close to Santa Barbara Wine Collective, Les Marchands, Area 5.1, and the Brooks Institute of Photography.
Inn by the Harbor This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
3.1 km (2.0 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
2. 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.
Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach is a Mediterranean-style hotel that’s only a six-minute walk away from the beach. With a gym, hot tub, outdoor pool, and free bike rental services, this romantic place to stay in Santa Barbara guarantees any couple a fun and soothing time throughout their stay. The guestrooms are equipped with a cable TV, WiFi connection, DVD player, refrigerator, and a coffee maker. Guests can also borrow movies to further set the mood for a romantic evening in the rooms.
In terms of nearby places to visit, the hotel is less than a kilometer (0.6 miles) away from Pershing Park, Stearns Wharf, and the Sea Center Marine Museum.
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
3. Harbor House Inn (from USD 221)
Harbor House Inn is a 2 minute walk from the beach and 1 block from West Beach. The property offers complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, and beach towels for the guests’ convenience.
Each unique room includes amenities like TV with premium cable film channels and a Netflix account, air-conditioning as well as tea and coffee making facilities. There are selected rooms that include a kitchen but all rooms have WiFi ready. Couples rated this property 9.7 because of the location and good value for money and of course the convenience they experience.
Harbor House Inn
2.7 km (1.7 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
4. Belmond El Canto (from USD 1067)
Varied dining experiences, with some slow service but exceptional food quality.
Luxurious and worth the cost, with some pricey add-ons.
Tucked into the Santa Barbara hills, offering stunning views and peaceful surroundings.
Beautiful infinity pool, e-bikes, and pet-friendly with thoughtful amenities.
Looking for real privacy and the celebrity treatment with world-class service? Then choose Belmont El Canto. This romantic boutique hotel is 5 minutes away from Central Santa Barbara and tourist attractions. This romantic hotel offers a 24-hour reception, a business centre, an outdoor pool, spa and wellness centre, an on-site bar and restaurant and sweeping Pacific Ocean views.
Guests have an option to choose from these different bungalows: Superior Bungalow, Deluxe Bungalow, Premier Bungalow, Superior Suite, Deluxe Premier Bungalow, and Deluxe Suite. All rooms have flat-screen cable satellite TV, a minibar, a fireplace and a seating area. All rooms offer garden views and include free WiFi.
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
3.99 km (2.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
5. Cheshire Cat Inn (from USD 329)
This romantic bed and breakfast caters 15 uniquely furnished and cozy rooms that have amenities that suit your needs like a flat-screen cable TV in each guest room, and a bath robe with free toiletries available in each private bathroom. Some rooms feature views of the English-style gardens and flower filled patios from private balconies and free WiFi. Couples rated this property 9.2 for the location and good value for money.
Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages
4.19 km (2.7 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
6. Kimpton Canary Hotel (from USD 562)
The Kimpton Canary Hotel was rated 9.4 by couples for its location and price value. It features an outdoor rooftop swimming pool, rooftop lounge, free WiFi and a same-day drying cleaning service. And the good news - pets are welcome on this property without any extra cost.
They have a variety of rooms to choose from, from a King Suite to Deluxe King room with amenities included like a flat-screen cable TV and en suite bathrooms and make-up mirrors. They serve fresh farmer’s market vegetables, fresh seafood and central coast wines. They also offer gourmet treats in each room. The place is just walking distance (about 5-minutes) from the shopping area Paseo Nuevo.
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG
3.27 km (2.1 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
7. Bath Street Inn (from USD 243)
Delicious homemade breakfast with different meals every morning, tailored to dietary needs.
Reasonable pricing for a quaint B&B in a quiet district.
Conveniently located in a quiet residential neighborhood close to downtown Santa Barbara.
Complimentary teas, coffees, and wine tasting, homemade breakfast, and cozy decor.
Bath Street Inn is a Victorian B&B where you can have a home-away-from-home. The rooms provide cable TV and en suite bathrooms with toiletries. Bath Street Inn provides a full hot gourmet breakfast, daily wine and cheese social hour, and evening desserts. They have a 3-course gourmet breakfast that includes home-made granola, fresh fruit, yogurt and a hot entree that varies daily, such as eggs Florentine or cottage cheese pancakes. Organic free trade coffee, a large selection of choice teas and juice are also included.
Bath Street Inn
4.42 km (2.8 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
8. 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.
Looking for a place to stay in Santa Barbara near the beach? This place suits you - it is only a minute away from the beach and less than a 5 minute walk from Stearn’s Wharf. Santa Barbara Mission and Arroyo Burro Beach County Park are both a 10 minute drive away.
This place has a swimming pool, Spa Beaumontia, a sauna, a business centre, and some shops for your needs and souvenirs. There are also several on-site dining options available, like the poolside bar and grill and State Street Coffee. Eladios Restaurant and Bar, offering intimate and comfortable dining, features sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Harbor View Inn
2.32 km (1.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
9. Bacara Resort & Spa (from USD 1261)
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.
This property is another getaway since it is just a 10 minute walk from the beach. Bacara Resort & Spa offers beautiful ocean views, an outdoor pool and on-site dining. All rooms have complete amenities that include a private patio with a view.
The property has an on-site fitness centre, a tennis court and hiking trails on-site and they host one of the largest spas on the west coast with added features like an adults-only pool and a rooftop terrace. They also have a meeting area for your business needs.
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
23.29 km (14.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
10. Simpson House Inn (from USD 455)
Delicious, carefully cooked breakfasts and delightful evening hors d’oeuvres.
Reasonable pricing for a Victorian B&B with complimentary wine and canapés.
Walking distance to attractions like the Presidio and State Street's trendy shops.
Tranquil gardens, attentive staff, and a historic setting with well-maintained rooms.
The Simpson House Inn is a Victorian bed and breakfast that offers rooms individually styled with uniqueness. Each room has a flat-screen cable TV and a DVD player, coffee maker and a work desk and the bathrooms have the complete amenities needed.
The house is picturesque and quaint, it features gourmet breakfast and evening wine tastings. Guests have an option to enjoy their breakfast in their rooms or out in the garden. All rooms are unique and offer WiFi and guests have the option to choose from this variety - Mary Simpson Room (detached private bath), Katherine McCormick Room, Parlor Room, Margaret Simpson Room, Sun Room, The Garden Room, Tack Room, Robert and Julia Simpson Room, Abbeywood Cottage, Plumstead Cottage, Weathervane, Hayloft, and Pendle Cottage.
Simpson House Inn
3.88 km (2.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
11. Spanish Garden Inn (from USD 559)
Spanish Garden Inn has one of the best-rated locations since it is near to the Santa Barbara Golf Club. Couples rated this place 9.5 out of 10. They have a private balcony or garden patio, flat screen HD cable TV, and a seating area with fireplace is included in each air-conditioned room, plus an over-sized soaking tub and a refrigerator. Guests have the option to choose from a Deluxe King Room, Superior King Room, Junior Suite, and Deluxe Double Queen Room.
The place has a heated outdoor pool that every guest can enjoy. They have underground parking and WiFi is also provided, and a free deluxe continental breakfast is served. A fitness center and in-room spa treatments can be arranged also.
Spanish Garden Inn
Address: 915 Garden Street
2.85 km (1.8 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
12. San Ysidro Ranch (from USD 845)
This boutique resort is considered one of the top rated romantic hotels in Santa Barbara. It gives you a beautiful experience since it has an outdoor pool, hot tub and fitness centre. They also have 2 on-site restaurants.
At San Ysidro Ranch all rooms are air-conditioned and offer polished oak floors, antique furnishings and sea or garden views. They have free Wi-Fi, an Old World masonry fireplace, a flat-screen cable TV with a DVD player and a coffee maker. San Ysidro Ranch is around a 15-17 minute drive from Santa Barbara Golf Club and the Historic Mausoleum at Old Mission Santa Barbara.
San Ysidro Ranch
Address: 900 San Ysidro Lane
4.97 km (3.1 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
A place embedded with colorful culture
Truly, this city is highly recommended for everyone to visit and explore. A place where history, architecture and modernity combine - you will be amazed by its colorful culture.
Frequently asked questions about Romantic hotels in Santa Barbara
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