Hotels Santa Barbara CA

Whale Watching in Santa Barbara California


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Hotels Santa Barbara CA can be very expensive. But affordable hotel rooms do exist. Use this easy guide to find the best hotel deals in town.

Hotels can be found in 3 main areas of Santa Barbara CA:

No matter where you stay in the city, you are only a few minutes away from the nearest beach, museum or attraction.

As you might expect, the most expensive hotels are along the Santa Barbara waterfront. The most affordable hotels Santa Barbara CA are at the north end of town, along Upper State Street.

A common complaint from travelers staying at various hotels Santa Barbara CA is that there is no air conditioning. This isn’t so unusual along the California coast. Many homes, including mine, do not have air conditioning. The weather is mild enough that an open window is all you need.

Santa Barbara Beach Hotels

Everyone staying near the ocean in Santa Barbara County should expect to hear trains passing through the night. There’s no escaping it. Train tracks run the entire length of the coastline in this part of California.

Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

The Santa Barbara beach stretches for two miles between the Santa Barbara Harbor and the East Beach volleyball courts. I’ve separated the waterfront hotels Santa Barbara CA into three groups:

Oceanfront Hotels Santa Barbara CA are all those right across the street from the Santa Barbara beach. Cabrillo Boulevard is a busy street, so rooms with an ocean view may be noisy. Also, the fog horn sounds throughout the night, which disturbs some travelers.

West Beach Hotels Santa Barbara CA are those clustered between Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. These hotels Santa Barbara CA are nearest to downtown State Street and “Tourist Central.” There’s lots of activity here. Wineries, bars & nightclubs are all within walking distance, so this area can be “Party Central.”

East Beach Hotels Santa Barbara CA are removed from the hustle & bustle; about a 30-minute walk from State Street. It’s more peaceful at this end of the beach. Some of the room rates near East Beach are more affordable than those across from West Beach, too.

Within each section, I’ve listed hotels Santa Barbara CA from best to worst, summarizing many travelers’ reviews from all over the internet.

Oceanfront Hotels

ALL of these hotels Santa Barbara CA have a GREAT location. These are arranged in order of best to worst. If you want a hotel room as close as possible to the ocean, here are your choices:

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Harbor View Inn

Harbor View Inn   – ★★★★ – 28 W. Cabrillo Blvd. This is my Top Pick for oceanfront hotels Santa Barbara CA. Travelers give high marks to this hotel. Clean & comfortable with fitness room & spa. This hotel really is a step above some of the older oceanfront hotels Santa Barbara CA. Expensive. Reviews. Book your room at Harbor View Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - West Beach Inn

West Beach Inn – ★★★ – At West Cabrillo Blvd. & Bath Street. Many visitors are repeat customers. Free wifi, free parking, a good continental breakfast and complimentary wine & cheese each afternoon. This is a great value. Reviews. Book your room at West Beach Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort

Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort    – ★★★ – 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Older rooms are large, shabby & smell musty. A 20-minute walk to State Street & Stearns Wharf. Pet friendly.  Additional fees for parking & in-room wifi. Overpriced average rooms. Reviews. Book your room at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Santa Barbara Inn

Santa Barbara Inn – ★★★ – 901 E. Cabrillo Blvd @ S. Milpas Street. This motel was built in 1959, so it’s a bit dated & some rooms smell musty. Total renovation scheduled for Fall 2011. Many repeat visitors. Continental breakfast buffet. A 30-minute walk to State Street. Valet parking only. Considered a good value. Reviews. Book your room at Santa Barbara Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Hotel Oceana

Hotel Oceana  – ★★★ –  This is a classic Spanish-style Santa Barbara hotel right on the ocean. It’s an older motel which some say is  overpriced. Though, many travelers stay here year after year. Next to historic Ambassador Park. Close to Stearns Wharf and State Street. Reviews. Book your room at Hotel Oceana.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Hyatt Santa Barbara

Hyatt Santa Barbara – ★★★ – 1111 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Historic hotel built in 1931; formerly Hotel Mar Monte. Hyatt acquired this property in July 2011, and is in the process of remodeling. Mixed reviews. Remodeled rooms are amazing, original rooms disappoint. Ask for a renovated room for familiar Hyatt quality. Reviews. Book your room at Hyatt Santa Barbara.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Best Western Beachside

Best Western Beachside Inn – ★★ – At the corner of West Cabrillo Boulevard & Castillo Street near the Santa Barbara Harbor. This is a busy, noisy intersection. This hotel is very basic  and is one of the least expensive on Cabrillo Boulevard. Some reviewers would not stay here again. Reviews. Book your room at Best Western Beachside Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Villa Rosa Inn

Villa Rosa Inn  – ★★ – 15 Chapala Street @ W. Cabrillo Blvd. This inn has charming curb appeal. It’s one of the older hotels Santa Barbara CA that needs renovation and better maintenance. Some felt the rooms were dirty, smelly and overpriced. Others loved this place. It’s worth a try as a last resort. Reviews. Book your room at Villa Rosa Inn, if you dare.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Ala Mar Motel

Ala Mar Motel – ★ – @ West Cabrillo Blvd. & Chapala Street. Travelers find this motel disappointing and overpriced. The only good thing about this hotel is its location on the beach. It is a shabby, dirty place. Read the customer reviews. There are many better rooms for your money. Stay away.

Santa Barbara Resorts On The Beach

There are two secluded oceanfront resorts near Santa Barbara CA. They are:

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Four Seasons Biltmore

The Four Seasons Biltmore   – ★★★★★ – is one of the nicest resorts in Santa Barbara County. It’s located in Montecito, CA just a few miles southeast of the Santa Barbara waterfront. Reviews. Book your room at the Four Seasons Biltmore.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Bacara Resort & Spa

Bacara Resort & Spa – ★★★★ – is 12 miles northwest on the coast in Goleta, CA. This is a wonderful place to get away from it all. Pamper yourself at the spa and fitness center. Read traveler reviews of Bacara Resort & Spa and check room rates and availability to plan your stay.

Southern California Beach Rentals

For groups of 5 or more, Santa Barbara vacation rentals make sense. Just look at this amazing oceanfront vacation rental:

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Miramar Beach Cottage

This adorable beach cottage sits on a legendary beach in exclusive Montecito, CA. It sleeps 7 and is right on the sand. Read reviews, check availablity and reserve this Miramar beach cottage for your next Santa Barbara beach vacation.

West Beach Hotels

West Beach Hotels Santa Barbara CA are very conveniently located to Santa Barbara Harbor, Stearns Wharf, State Street shopping & restaurants and Funk Zone Wineries. It’s so easy to lose yourself for a weekend getaway here.

These hotels Santa Barbara CA are sorted from best to worst value, based upon travelers’ reviews.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Orchid Inn

The Orchid Inn – ★★★ – 420 West Montecito Street. This is my Top Pick for West Beach hotels Santa Barbara CA. The main house was built in 1904. Rooms were renovated in 2010. Full hot breakfast cooked to order plus afternoon wine & cheese served daily. Highly recommended by all recent visitors. Reviews. Book your room at The Orchid Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Harbor House Inn

Harbor House Inn – ★★★ – 104 Bath Street. This is a single story motel, not a bed and breakfast inn. Most recent visitors love this place and give it high marks. This looks like a very good hotel in Santa Barbara CA. Reviews. Book your room at Harbor House Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Harbor View Inn

Harbor View Inn– ★★★★ – 28 W. Cabrillo. This Oceanfront Hotel is one of the newer waterfront hotels Santa Barbara CA. Some feel it’s overpriced. Others think it’s fantastic! This is my Top Pick for waterfront hotels Santa Barbara CA. Reviews. Book your room at Harbor View Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Lavender Inn By The Sea

Lavender Inn By the Sea  – ★★★ – 206 Castillo Street. Most travelers give thumbs up to this great little hotel. Amenities include a pool & fitness room, continental breakfast, wine & cheese and milk & cookies each day. Some rooms are noisy. A superb value! Reviews. Book your room at Lavender Inn by the Sea.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - West Beach Inn

West Beach Inn – ★★★ – This Oceanfront Hotel is conveniently located at the corner of West Cabrillo Blvd. & Bath Street. This hotel is a great value & a favorite of many Santa Barbara visitors. Reviews. Book your room at West Beach Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Eagle Inn

Eagle Inn – ★★★ – 232 Natoma Avenue. Visitors say this is a “Great choice when visiting Santa Barbara.” It’s a HIDDEN GEM. Some traveler complaints: noisy, no elevator, no pool. Continental breakfast only. Parking can be a problem. Avoid first-floor rooms. Reviews. Book your room at Eagle Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Inn by the Harbor

Inn by the Harbor -★★★ – 433 West Montecito Street. Above average motel and a great value! Located on a noisy, busy intersection next to a convenience store, liquor store, and gas station. Average continental breakfast. Ask for a second-floor room for more privacy. Reviews. Book your room at Inn by the Harbor.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Hotel Oceana

Hotel Oceana   – ★★★ –    is an Oceanfront Hotel. It’s next to Ambassador Park, which marks the former entrance to the Potter Hotel. This is an acceptable hotel which some travelers say is overpriced. Reviews. Book your room at Hotel Oceana.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Casa Del Mar Inn

Casa Del Mar Inn – ★★ – 18 Bath Street. Receives mixed reviews. Room quality varies greatly. Ask to see your room before signing the bill. Some travelers are very satisfied, others say this hotel is overpriced. Parking can be a problem. Reviews. Book your room at Casa Del Mar Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Brisas Del Mar

Brisas del Mar Inn at the Beach – ★★ – 223 Castillo Street. This is a converted apartment building; more like a motel than a bed and breakfast inn. Rooms are dated, but comfortable & slightly overpriced. Average continental breakfast. Reviews. Book your room at Brisas del Mar Inn at the Beach.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Avania Inn

Avania Inn – ★★ -128 Castillo Street. Good value. Free wifi, free parking, and a decent breakfast served daily. Clean and comfortable. Reviews. Book your room at Avania Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Best Western Beachside Inn

Best Western Beachside Inn – ★★ – This Oceanfront Hotel is near the Santa Barbara Harbor and West Beach. Very basic lodging. Reviews. Book your room at Best Western Beachside Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Villa Rosa Inn

Villa Rosa Inn – ★★ – 15 Chapala @ W Cabrillo Blvd. This Oceanfront Hotel was designed in 1931. Many of the rooms need renovation. The hotel is old & run down, but charming. Reviews. Book your room at Villa Rosa Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Days Inn

Days Inn Santa Barbara – ★ – 116 Castillo Street. Run down. Dirty. Substandard continental breakfast. One of the cheapest and least popular hotels in Santa Barbara CA. Reviews Book your room at Days Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Ala Mar Motel

Ala Mar Motel  – ★ – @ West Cabrillo Blvd. & Chapala Street. This Oceanfront Hotel is NOT RECOMMENDED based upon most travelers’ reviews. Read them here.

West Beach History

Do you enjoy learning learning about the places you visit? West Beach Santa Barbara has a long and interesting history…

For hundreds of years, the waterfront from Bath Street to Chapala, and back to Montecito Street was a Chumash Village. Owned in the late 1800s by a man named Burton, this 30-acre property became known as Burton’s Mound.

Burton’s Mound became Santa Barbara’s favorite picnic spot and gathering place. In 1903, the mound became the site of the grandest of all hotels Santa Barbara CA, new Hotel Potter.

Potter Hotel - Santa Barbara CA 1903-1921
postcard courtesy of postcardroundup.com

This magnificent hotel was built during the same era as the Del Coronado in San Diego.  The Potter attracted elite and wealthy vacationers from all around the world.

Hotel Potter became The Belvedere, and finally The Ambassador Hotel. It burned to the ground in 1921. Remnants of The Potter’s presence can still be seen if you look…

Burton Circle is in the same place as the original circular drive in the image above.

Ambassador Park, Santa Barbara CA Ambassador Park is the palm-lined park on Cabrillo Boulevard next to
the Hotel Oceana. This park marks
The Ambassador Hotel’s former entrance.

Santa Barbara Train Station, California The flower lined paths leading from the Santa Barbara Train Depot look much the same today as they did to hotel guests arriving via train at the turn of the century.

This neighborhood is a wonderful place to explore. For more information about Hotel Potter and a glimpse into days gone by, you might be interested in this historic journal. Have a look at this gorgeous vintage map of Santa Barbara, circa 1853, too.

East Beach Hotels

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Cabrillo Pavillion

East Beach hotels Santa Barbara CA are near the Santa Barbara Zoo. It’s about a 30-minute walk to Stearns Wharf and State Street…

…or you could take the 25-cent shuttle that runs to State Street every 30 minutes.

So it’s a little more peaceful at this end of the Santa Barbara beach.

That’s why East Beach is a locals’ favorite beach. The Cabrillo Arts Pavillion provides public bathrooms and a restaurant.

HOT TIP: Don’t miss the East Beach Grill for breakfast.

Here are my recommendations for the best hotels Santa Barbara CA on East Beach. In order from best to worst

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Blue Sands Hotel

Blue Sands Motel  – ★★ – 421 South Milpas Street. This is my Top Pick of all East Beach hotels Santa Barbara CA. A HIDDEN GEM! Pet Friendly. Some kitchenettes. New mattresses. A clean, safe, affordable room near the Santa Barbara beach. Room #5 has an ocean view & a fireplace. Highly RecommendedReviews. Book your room at Blue Sands Motel.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - The Inn at East Beach

The Inn at East Beach   – ★★ -1029 Orilla Del Mar. Ask for a recently renovated room. Recent guests love this local favorite. It’s friendly and affordable. A great continental breakfast is served each morning. And there is free wifi. DO NOT STAY IN ROOM 101 – Bad plumbing! Reviews. Book your room at The Inn at East Beach.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort

Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort – ★★★ – Cabrillo Blvd. This sprawling Oceanfront Hotel is pet friendly. Rooms are just average and overpriced. Additional fees for parking and wifi. Reviews. Book your room at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Santa Barbara Inn

Santa Barbara Inn – ★★★ – 901 E. Cabrillo Blvd @ S. Milpas. This Oceanfront Hotel is slightly dated. Complete renovation scheduled for Fall 2011. Reviews. Book your room at Santa Barbara Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Hyatt Santa Barbara

Hyatt Santa Barbara (formerly Hotel Mar Monte – ★★★ – 1111 E. Cabrillo. This Oceanfront Hotel is undergoing a complete renovation. Be sure to ask for a remodeled room. Original rooms are disappointing. Reviews. Book your room at Hyatt Santa Barbara (formerly Hotel Mar Monte).

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Parkside Inn

Parkside Inn – ★★ – 424 Por La Mar Street. Pet friendly. Perfect for the budget traveler. Do not expect Hyatt quality, even though the Hyatt manages this property. This is no frills lodging. Reviews. Book your room at Parkside Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Old Yacht Club Inn

Old Yacht Club Inn – ★★ – 431 Corona Del Mar. This is a true Bed & Breakfast Inn comprised of two historic homes. The Craftsman bungalow actually served as the Santa Barbara Yacht Club in the 1920s (it was originally on Cabrillo Blvd.). Don’t stay here if you aren’t charmed by antiques. Reviews. Book your room at Old Yacht Club Inn.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Motel 6 Beach

Motel 6 Beach – ★★ – 443 Corona Del Mar. This is the original Motel 6. Good basic value. No frills. Rooms are small. Pet friendly. Ocean view. Reviews. Book your room at Motel 6 Santa Barbara Beach.

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - Pacific Crest Inn

Pacific Crest Inn – ★★ – 433 Corona Del Mar. The rooms are very basic, nothing special. Some suites have ocean views. Kitchenettes are available. Free wifi & covered parking. Inexpensive weekly rates. An older budget hotel. Reviews. Book your room at Pacific Crest Inn.

East Beach Vacation Rentals

For families or groups of 4 or more, consider renting a condo or home. Nothing makes you feel more at home than staying in a California beach vacation rental. Just look at this East Beach vacation rental:

Hotels Santa Barbara CA - East Beach Condo

This East Beach condo sleeps 4. There are two bedrooms & three bathrooms. This ocean view is from the master bedroom balcony. Visitors love staying here. Read reviews, check availability and reserve this East Beach Condo.

Soon, I’ll post my recommendations for other hotels Santa Barbara CA; those near Downtown Santa Barbara and along Upper State Street.

Future articles will recommend the best hotels in Santa Barbara County from Carpinteria to Santa Maria.

Other Great Places to Stay in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Resorts
Santa Barbara Resorts
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Compare Hotel Rates
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