One of America’s most expensive cities, Santa Barbara boasts an affluent community and beautiful cityscape comprising imposing Mediterranean mansions and stunning floral gardens. For most Americans, the city is a great weekend escape. For Californians, it’s a popular road-trip destination. There are plenty of great things to do in Santa Barbara. The city not only has an entertaining shopping scene but also offers a lot of activities to indulge in, including a couple of hiking and trekking spots. If you are in for a little splurge, make way to one of the city’s awe-inspiring fine-dining restaurants for some lip-smacking food. From kid-friendly adventures to historic buildings and from scenic hiking trails to palm-lined beaches, Santa Barbara has everything and then some. Check out this list of the best Santa Barbara Beach Resorts.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 11, 2024.
1. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (from USD 279)
As the name suggests, this charming resort is located on the Californian beachfront in Santa Barbara. This means that if you book a stay here, you will 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
Address: 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard
900 meters (0.6 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
Other accommodations near the beach
2. West Beach Inn (from USD 239)
Reasonably priced for the exceptional location and amenities offered.
Clean, spacious rooms, heated pool, free parking, and complimentary wine and cheese.
Perfect location near the beach, marina, and downtown area with easy access to restaurants and shops.
Continental breakfast with fresh options and a delightful wine and cheese hour.
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
Address: 306 West Cabrillo Boulevard
2.69 km (1.7 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
3. Harbor View Inn (from USD 285)
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.
Located at a walking distance from the famous Stearns Wharf, this hotel features modern rooms with a minibar, a safety deposit box, and a work desk. Santa Barbara’s East Beach is only a short five-minute driving distance from this property.
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. They also have two pools and a spa with a hot tub and a gym.
Harbor View Inn
Address: 28 West Cabrillo Boulevard
2.32 km (1.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
4. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara (from USD 909)
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.
This beachfront Santa Barbara hotel is situated just beside the renowned Sandpiper Golf Club, which is an 18-hole course with a restaurant and shop on site. At the hotel, all rooms are equipped with a TV and a comfy seating area. There is also a small chapel on site, alongside a gift shop and five restaurants serving a variety of dishes.
Their on-site spa is one of the largest 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. Paid wireless Internet and car parking are available on the premises.
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
Address: 8301 Holllister Avenue
23.29 km (14.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
5. Mason Beach Inn (from USD 274)
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
Address: 324 West Mason Street
2.81 km (1.8 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
6. Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach (from USD 279)
Reasonably priced compared to other hotels, walking distance to beach and downtown.
Free bike hire, gorgeous pool, spacious and well-appointed rooms, happy hour with complimentary wine and snacks.
Great location, 10-minute walk to the beach, short walk to the harbor and pier, close to shops and restaurants.
Generous breakfast with healthy options, afternoon tea/coffee, and wine with light snacks, complimentary champagne.
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
Address: 223 Castillo Street
2.98 km (1.9 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
7. Hotel Milo Santa Barbara (from USD 279)
This is a beautiful beachfront hotel located right in downtown Santa Barbara. It has colorful, modern guestrooms offering majestic views of the sea. The dining area of the hotel is in a patio adorned with a tropical garden. They also have an outdoor picnic area with furniture and an outdoor fireplace.
Several up-to-date amenities and services are offered to guests at this hotel. These include free Wi-Fi, paid car parking, a 24-hour front desk, an ATM, daily housekeeping, a business center, and an on-site convenience store and gift shop. They also have a swimming pool and a hot tub on the premises.
Hotel Milo Santa Barbara
Address: 202 West Cabrillo Boulevard
2.54 km (1.6 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
8. Franciscan Inn & Suites (from USD 239)
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
Address: 109 Bath Street
2.76 km (1.8 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
9. Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt (from USD 289)
This Santa Barbara resort on the beach boasts a lavish vibe from the inside out. The guestrooms feature modern dark-wood furnishings and red accents, some of which 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. Free Wi-Fi and paid parking are provided on the premises, and there is also a hot tub and fitness center if you wish to unwind a bit.
Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Address: 1111 East Cabrillo Boulevard
445 meters (0.3 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
10. Harbor House Inn (from USD 241)
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
Address: 104 Bath Street
2.7 km (1.7 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
11. Lavender Inn by the Sea (from USD 259)
Good value compared to other properties in the area.
Free parking, complimentary breakfast, wine hour, and access to sister hotel's jacuzzi and bikes.
Conveniently close to the center, beachfront, marina, and pier.
Enjoyable breakfast with quality food, happy hour with wine and snacks, and a complimentary bottle of champagne.
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
Address: 206 Castillo Street
2.94 km (1.9 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
Splurge a bit during your Santa Barbara weekend
The city that is home to some of the most expensive zip codes in the US, Santa Barbara is for those who don’t shy away from treating themselves and splurging a bit. Take your family and kids along and make the most of your stay in the city. Book a stay at one of these Santa Barbara resorts and hotels on the beach and make merry memories; the city never ceases to impress!
Frequently asked questions about Santa Barbara Beach Resorts
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