Snuggled between the exotic shores of the Pacific Ocean and the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara characterizes the relaxed California lifestyle. Referred to as the ‘American Riviera’, the city’s warm Mediterranean-like climate has a calming effect. Numerous treasured landmarks will excite travel enthusiasts like you. The impressive range of activities possible here has made Santa Barbara a highly preferred summer destination. Equally impressive is the fascinating range of stay options. You can choose from beachfront resorts to downtown accommodations or boutique hotels. These amazing Santa Barbara options are not only luxurious but are budget-friendly and ensure your safety too. So, if you are searching for the right kind of holiday accommodation, then read ahead to know more about where to stay in Santa Barbara, California.
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 08, 2024.
Hotels
1. Spanish Garden Inn (from USD 559)
Escape to this intimate getaway known as the Spanish Garden Inn and enjoy personalized service and luxury just the way it is meant to be. Located in the heart of downtown, it is one of the jewels among the Santa Barbara luxury hotels. Surrounded by lush gardens, the property’s wide-ranging amenities include marvelous rooms with a private balcony or a garden patio, a heated outdoor pool, a fitness center, Wi-Fi, a wine bar, and a lot more. The peaceful environment and the extremely attentive staff make everything comfortable for you. Among the several points of attractions, the Santa Barbara Golf Club is a few minutes drive from here, the Santa Barbara Winery is 1.2 km (0.7 miles) from here and the closest airport is the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport located 17.7 km (11 miles) away.
Spanish Garden Inn
Address: 915 Garden Street
2.85 km (1.8 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
2. The Eagle Inn (from USD 415)
Reasonable pricing with free parking, complimentary breakfast, and afternoon snacks.
Spacious rooms, comfortable beds, fireplace, coffee/tea station, afternoon baked goodies, and availability of bikes.
Centrally located near the seafront, downtown, and within walking distance of attractions, restaurants, and the beach.
Delicious cooked-to-order breakfast with a variety of options, served in a beautiful outdoor setting, and complimentary tea/coffee available 24/7.
The Eagle Inn is a part of Santa Barbara’s famed West Beach neighborhood and is very popular as a boutique bed and breakfast hotel. Be it the bridal suite or the executive or family rooms, every room has been decorated uniquely to offer utmost comfort and luxury. A few rooms have big whirlpool tubs, balconies apt for romantic evening and fireplaces which add to the comfort. The hospitality is overwhelming, and you can enjoy facilities like Wi-Fi, a wellness center, entertainment services, etc. Located just far enough from the stressful traffic, the property is at a walkable distance to the harbor, beach and State Street.
The Eagle Inn
Address: 232 Natoma Avenue
2.73 km (1.7 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
3. Belmond El Encanto (from USD 1065)
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.
Relish sweeping views of the Pacific and breathe in the fresh ocean air from this very glamorous and well-appointed boutique hotel, nestled in the Santa Barbara hills. The place is efficiently managed by a team of very welcoming staff, who will happily offer you the best services. Every room has king-sized beds, garden seating, and other feature; while the suites have added luxuries such as inviting patios and appealing open-hearth fireplaces. The hues and textures of the West Coast surely enhance its beauty. Further, the on-site bar and restaurant have an irresistible range of cuisines available. Besides these amenities, there is a spa and wellness center, an outdoor pool, Wi-Fi and there are shuttle services to take you to the nearby attractions.
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
Address: 800 Alvarado Place
3.99 km (2.5 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
4. Castillo Inn at the Beach (from USD 220)
Castillo Inn at the Beach is a picturesque mission-style building with very thoughtfully decorated rooms featuring antique wood furnishings, Italian flooring, Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, and other amenities. The upgraded rooms consist of balconies and patios. You also get access to a health club along with a pool nearby at discounted prices. By staying here, you are close to many points of attractions such as Les Merchands, Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, which are hardly a kilometer away. The nearest airport is the Santa Barbara Airport, 13.5 km (8.38 miles) away and the beach is a short stroll from here. The staff is very helpful and can help you with sightseeing suggestions.
Castillo Inn at the Beach
Address: 22 Castillo St.
2.84 km (1.8 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
5. Hideaway Santa Barbara (from USD 375)
Explore the tranquil ambiance and exceptional service of this gorgeous boutique hotel. Airy, immaculately clean, spacious, sophisticated – Hideaway Santa Barbara has it all. The rooms have a stunning décor and some even offer breathtaking mountain views. Enjoy the delicious breakfast that is complimentary and other delectable preparations from the on-site kitchen and there are other pampering facilities too. Among the nearest tourist attractions - Santa Barbara Winery, Les Merchands, and Santa Barbara Museum of Art are located hardly a kilometer away.
Hideaway Santa Barbara, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel
Address: 420 W Montecito St
3.07 km (2.0 mi) from Santa Barbara Zoo
Vacation rentals
6. Rustic studio with a covered patio (from USD 67)
How about staying in a small rustic studio in a peaceful setting? As tempting it sounds, this is a very charming property with wonderful features. Although you might find the studio small, there is a large window from where you can see a beautiful and covered patio. The outdoor shower is a very interesting feature of this rental. Other than this, the place features a comfortable bed for a good night’s sleep, a fridge, a microwave, parking, Wi-Fi and a few other necessities.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
great wifi and amenities like the fridge etcwe loved the outside shower we had everything we needed except the coffee makercannabis was allowed on the patio which made us feel more comfortable in our environmentthe room itself was small and quaint but perfect for a quick tripthe bathroom is outside the room although it’s a bit small but it’s very comfortable to useCleanliness:
very clean and well maintainedvery clean and wellstockedtidy clean and safevery clean highly recommend itthe place was very clean and had everything we neededHost:
friendly and helpful hostshe was so friendly and very accommodatingthank you julia for being a great hosti absolutely loved julias home and her kind and warm welcomegreat atmosphere stylish interior and very nice hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
great location not far from downtownwe loved the location of her studiogreat value and locationcute little place in sbgreat location; minutes from museums botanical garden restaurants and shopping plazas
7. Bright and airy guesthouse (from USD 149)
Freshly decked and sparkling clean, this is a gorgeous one-bedroom beach house located in a serene residential neighborhood of Santa Barbara. The kitchen is apt for basic cooking and has all the essential supplies and appliances. Relax at the patio or you can explore the backyard garden, which has all kinds of fruit trees. Apart from this, there is Wi-Fi, parking and the vacation home is very close to Douglas Family Nature Reserve, Mesa Steps Beach, Hendry’s Beach, grocery shops, restaurants, and many other stunning tourist attractions. Overall, the house will give you all the privacy, space and comfort you require for an easy-going holiday.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
in particular the mattress was incredibly comfortablehuge comfortable bed excellent amenities and a lovely garden to wonder throughbedroom was very comfortable & it was great to have coffee and umbrella suppliedthe bed was extremely comfortable and we appreciated the underfloor heating on the chilly night we stayedthe bathroom is so beautifully decorated lovely double sinks and gorgeous color schemeCleanliness:
very clean and spaciousvery clean and comfortableclean and quite place to staythis place was clean quiet and very comfortablecommunication was excellent the space was clean more than adequate and welcomingHost:
the hosts were lovely and made us feel very welcomemarie is an outstanding hosthosts were very welcoming and responsivemarie was a fabulous host taking great care of usmarie had plenty of recommendations for food and activities and was a friendly and welcoming hostRead more reviewsLocation:
good location and just a short drive to downtownthe location is great near the seasuch a cute space and so close to downtownthe place is in a perfect location with multiple beaches within walking distanceperfect location the beach is within walking distance (down the mesa steps) and is positively stunning
8. Private suite with separate entrance
Simple, stylish and located in quiet surroundings, this is a cozy one-bedroom suite with everything to make your stay most contented. The bedroom is large and appropriately decorated with lots of closet space. Although attached to the main property, the house has a separate entrance and comes with parking as well. You can relax on the deck while soaking up the morning sun. Very well maintained, the home is walking distance to the ocean, downtown Santa Barbara, and lots of cafes.
Santa Barbara, California, United States
4.99 km (3.1 mi) from Santa Barbara ZooAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfortable apartment with the minimum necessary for the staygreat touches like coffee and bathroom itemsthere’s a great little deck outside with a table and chairs to relax atwe walked to a great breakfast place cajan i thinkthe little room is a perfect size and has lots of spaceCleanliness:
exceptionally clean and well designedvery clean and all you needgreat place-- very clean quiet and comfortablewe loved the clean and adorable placemattress and pillows did not feel or smell very cleanHost:
the host was great very responsive and helpful with questionsshe is very responsive and has great tips and suggestionsthank you erika for hosting usthe host was kind and gave us useful information for our stayhost available to provide useful information both before and during your stayRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location for the pricegood location close to the highwaythe location is perfectvery good location and valuegreat location definitely recommend
9. Spacious downtown Victorian house (from USD 536)
This is a bright and charming Victorian house with three roomy and aptly decked bedrooms with abundant natural light. Along with lofty ceilings, an open floor concept, beautiful architecture, there is every kind of amenity that you are hoping for, including a well-stocked kitchen! Take a stroll in the adorable front yard or you can even spend time at the peaceful and fenced backyard, which features a grill, a hot tub, and an outdoor dining space. The house comes with a deck that is perfect for relaxing and there is parking for about four cars. You have restaurants, cafes, museums, wine tasting rooms, West Beach and Stearn’s Wharf and many popular spots in the vicinity.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
everything is so tastefully decorated with lovely furniture bedding and the kitchen is gorgeousthe amenities of the shower we're great as i forgot to pack any toiletries before the weddingthe home is comfortable tastefully decorated loaded with thoughtful amenities and in a perfect locationour guests were able to easily find plates and utensils from the fully furnished kitchen to have dinnereverything from beds to wall art was impeccable and cleanCleanliness:
extremely clean and organizedit's so clean and stylishthe house was very clean and beautifulit was very clean open and spaciousthe house is exceptionally clean and well equippedHost:
host is super easy to work withthe host was very responsive and we’d definitely recommend this propertyyou can tell that the owner rachael wants her guests to feel comfortable and at homehost left somenice welcoming toucheshost was amazing excellent responses and the place was shining cleanRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is fantasticthe location is amazingliterally walk to everything cute house decorated nicelythe location is excellent walking distance to state streetgreat location walking distance to many restaurants and shops also close to the beach
10. Beautiful remodeled condo
With a perfect location, this is a beautifully remodeled condo with three beds, hardwood floors and is most ideal for a small family. It has a private entrance and there are stairs which lead to a deck. The deck is apt to enjoy your morning tea or a glass of wine in the evening. The kitchen has the necessary appliances and condiments to prepare a wholesome meal. Other than this, you get Wi-Fi, books, and toys for kids, beach essentials, a TV, and a lot more. The place is very close to the beach, State Street, Old Mission Santa Barbara, and many great eateries and attractions.
Santa Barbara, California, United States
4.3 km (2.7 mi) from Santa Barbara ZooSuperhost
Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
no air conditioning but was pretty comfortable withou itwith the oil heater and the ceiling fan the room was kept warmno a/c but the 2 fans kept us comfortable in julyspace heaters provided and definitely did the job of keeping us warmloved the tile in the bathroomCleanliness:
very clean and comfortablethe space was clean and quietsuper clean and spacious for a couplewe really appreciated how clean the place was toothe rooms were very clean and well equippedHost:
naomi and john were fantastic hosts answering to our questions and providing great recommendationsgreat spot and great hostsgreat host great spot 5/5super friendly hosts who provided some great recommendations for things to do and places to eatnaomi was very responsive and provided all the info neededRead more reviewsLocation:
awesome location a short walk from downtown in a quiet neighborhoodsuper cute great location renovated and safeeasy walking distance to so many thingsthe location is excellent and very prettysuper cute / clean / close to everything
A memorable trip to the American Riviera
Designed to exceed your expectations, the above mentioned Santa Barbara accommodation options are full of character and comfort. Blessed with wide-ranging amenities and several tourist spots within walking distance, these vacation rentals are exquisite and complete in every way. So, go ahead and plan your next holiday to this striking destination, without worrying about where to stay.
History
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