Have your consistent work demands been wearing you down lately? Have you been waking up grouchy and unwilling to face your tasks for the day? Maybe you’ve been longing for a vacation, but don’t have the time or the budget to go far from your home city.
Well, if you live in Santa Barbara, California, then this is the sign you’ve been waiting for! You can go for a food tour among the city’s numerous restaurants or relax on one of its pristine beaches. Take a break and reconnect with your home city by diving into this list of great accommodations that will afford you much-needed relaxation. Keep scrolling to discover the top staycations in Santa Barbara, California, which are complete with world-class amenities to help you relax and unwind for a few days.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 13, 2024.
1. 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.
Santa Barbara’s Harbor View Inn is a spacious beachside property that both couples and families will appreciate. Even though the place is just a minute’s walk away from the beach, it still offers its guests an outdoor pool and hot tub. After a long soak in the hot water, get pampered at the on-site Spa Beaumontia, which will help you forget all about your outside woes.
Not enough relaxation? Burn away the stress on the property’s fitness center’s elliptical machines and stationary bikes!
Harbor View Inn
Address: 28 West Cabrillo Boulevard
2.32 km (1.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
2. Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt (from USD 289)
Whether it’s mountain views or the salty mist from the sea you want, you can find a room that’s perfect for you in Mar Monte Hotel. The beachfront property has two on-site dining options, a modern Italian and Mediterranean restaurant called costa Kitchen & Bar, and a poolside eatery called Café Lido.
There is no better way to unwind than to dip into the outdoor pool while sipping on some well-made cocktails from the poolside bar. And because the beach is just a short walk away, you can even ask the staff to pack a picnic basket for you to enjoy by the sea.
Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Address: 1111 East Cabrillo Boulevard
445 meters (0.3 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
3. Hotel Californian (from USD 909)
Looking to have a romantic getaway with your significant other? Hotel Californian is a highly rated hotel that is just steps away from everything you could want and need for a relaxing staycation. Lose yourself in their on-site spa and salon, then wash away your troubles on the beach and outdoor pool.
The hotel has on-site dining options, too. You can try out the pastries and baked goods from Goat Tree, or dine in their Mediterranean-influenced restaurant, Blackbird. If you’d rather stay in the rooms, that’s fine too! Each room is furnished with a flat-screen TV complete with cable channels. Some rooms even have balconies!
Hotel Californian
Address: 36 State Street
2.25 km (1.4 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
4. El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel (from USD 1270)
Luxurious and worth the cost, with some pricey add-ons.
Beautiful infinity pool, e-bikes, and pet-friendly with thoughtful amenities.
Tucked into the Santa Barbara hills, offering stunning views and peaceful surroundings.
Varied dining experiences, with some slow service but exceptional food quality.
Just a five-minute drive away from Central Santa Barbara, El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel will sweep you off your feet with its hospitality and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The well-known Belmond group manages the hotel, which means you can look forward to great service (including a 24-hour reception!) and value for money.
Their spacious rooms have everything you’ll need for a relaxing stay, such as comfy beds and even a fireplace. However, even though all rooms are granted garden views, not all of them have soaking tubs and a fireplace, so book your room carefully. You’ll also want to look into their outdoor terrace dining options and spa for a relaxing day in.
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
Address: 800 Alvarado Place
3.99 km (2.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
5. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (from USD 328)
If your ideal staycation involves staying active through sports and other activities, you’ll want to take advantage of the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort’s services. Its friendly concierge team can help you plan activities such as kayaking, cruises, and golfing, and the property is complete with an on-site car hire service for your convenience.
You can also take a few laps around their tree-lined pool, play tennis with a friend on the tennis court, or rent a bike and ride down to the beach. The hotel is easy on the eyes with muted wooden tones adorning each room and even offers a buffet restaurant that uses no plastic to combat ocean pollution.
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Address: 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard
900 meters (0.6 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
6. Kimpton Canary Hotel (from USD 339)
Staycation in style at Kimpton Canary Hotel, which offers plush white linens, en-suite baths with luxury amenities, and an on-site restaurant that uses fresh produce from the farmer’s market and the sea. A meal in Finch & Fork might just be what you need to fall in love with life again.
When staying at the property, you won’t need a large suitcase full of clothes. Instead, take advantage of the hotel’s same-day dry cleaning services and pack light. The only baggage you should be bringing is the kind you can wash away after a few days of being pampered.
Kimpton Canary Hotel, an IHG Hotel
Address: 31 West Carrillo Street
3.27 km (2.1 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
7. Santa Barbara Inn (from USD 479)
Beach lovers will enjoy their stay in the Santa Barbara Inn as it is a short two-minute walk away from the beach. When here, try your hand at some nearby activities such as kayaking, sailing, and paddle boarding.
At the property, you’ll have access to a fitness center and an outdoor pool, not to mention an Italian restaurant called Convivo with stunning views of the ocean. The rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and private bath or shower to make your stay truly comfortable.
Santa Barbara Inn
Address: 901 East Cabrillo Boulevard
582 meters (0.4 ft) from Santa Barbara Zoo
8. Best Western Plus Santa Barbara (from USD 199)
Families will do well to book a room or apartment at the Best Western Plus Santa Barbara. Located in a residential neighborhood and offering accommodations with a fully equipped kitchen, this property is best suited for families looking for a long staycation. Apart from their restaurant, Live Oak Café, you can also get small snacks on site for your convenience.
The property has a room with accessibility features such as a roll-in shower. Though the outdoor pool is not that large, the place does have a hot tub and exercise facilities to ensure guests have a healthy stay.
Best Western Plus Santa Barbara
Address: 2220 Bath Street
5.08 km (3.2 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
9. Villa Rosa Inn (from USD 198)
Reasonable pricing for an unbeatable location near the beach and downtown.
Quaint and eclectic decor, with a pool, hot tub, and fully appointed kitchen in some rooms.
Excellent proximity to the beach, wharf, and State Street downtown area.
Limited but satisfactory continental breakfast, with some rooms offering kitchenettes for added convenience.
The Villa Rosa Inn in Santa Barbara may have quaint, even plain-looking rooms, but step outside, and you will be wowed by how uniquely decorated this property is. The hotel makes use of lush plants to make you feel like you are living inside one large garden, complete with statues and ornaments. The property even has a hot tub in the private garden courtyard.
As if that’s not enough, the place also offers free continental breakfast and free wine tasting and snacks in the evening. Sip on some wine while being surrounded by nature to make yourself forget your troubles.
Villa Rosa Inn
Address: 15 Chapala Street
2.43 km (1.6 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
10. Hotel Milo (from USD 249)
Get a taste of paradise when you stay in Hotel Milo, a traditional Spanish-inspired hotel that has charming rooms suitable for all kinds of travelers and vacationers.
The beach is just a minute away on foot, but you can also choose to stay in the hotel and soak in one of the outdoor pools instead. Is there a book that you’ve been meaning to read but never seem to find the time to? Take it with you when you lounge in one of the poolside cabanas. You can also take advantage of the hotel’s adorable beach cruiser bikes to visit the Santa Barbara Winery and other places you’ve never had the chance to visit before.
Hotel Milo Santa Barbara
Address: 202 West Cabrillo Boulevard
2.54 km (1.6 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
Unwind in Santa Barbara
Nowadays, we live to work and work to live. But life is meant to be lived and to be experienced. Why not spice things up and forget all your stresses and woes by staying in a great accommodation in Santa Barbara? Good food, excellent services and amenities, and a change of scenery could do wonders for your mental health and fortitude. Book your ideal accommodation from the above list and go for a staycation.
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