Southern California

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara

Whether you're on a California Road Trip or a different adventure, you're going to need a place to rest your head. With so many options to choose from, we've curated the best hotels in the Santa Barbara area.

Locals' Guide to Santa Barbara's Best Luxury Hotels

Check out our picks for the absolute best luxury hotels.

A scenic outdoor pool area is surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees. Blue umbrellas line the poolside, providing shade for the lounge chairs. Nearby buildings blend into the natural landscape, and rolling hills are visible in the background under a clear sky—an ideal spot if you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara.

El Encanto Belmond

A modern, brightly lit cafe interior with a black-and-white striped theme features yellow chairs around tables under large arched windows. A striped column and patterned floor tiles enhance the decor, while plants and chic furniture complete the stylish ambiance—perfect for those seeking where to stay Santa Barbara vibes.

Hotel Californian

A beachfront patio, ideal for those wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara, features white railings and columns overlooking a serene blue ocean. The wooden deck is furnished with gray cushioned chairs, sofas, a coffee table with a book, and a dining table with chairs. A clear sky reveals a small stretch of beach.

Rosewood Miramar Beach

A charming, single-story white cottage with a slanted roof, surrounded by lush, vibrant gardens. A winding stone pathway leads to the front door. Tall trees frame the scene, and the sky is bathed in the warm glow of sunset—truly an enchanting choice if you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara.

San Ysidro Ranch

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Waterfront Hotels in Santa Barbara

Whether you’re planning a family reunion, milestone birthday, bachelorette party or work off-site, here’s your perfect getaway.

A coastal scene featuring a sandy beach and calm blue ocean water. In the background, there are multiple white buildings with red-tile roofs, surrounded by tall palm trees. Mountains are visible in the distance under a clear blue sky—a perfect glimpse if you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara.

Harbor View Inn

Aerial view of a beachside hotel with a circular driveway. The Hilton, your answer to where to stay in Santa Barbara, features Spanish-style architecture with red-tiled roofs. Palm trees are scattered around the property, and the ocean with several boats is visible in the background.

Hilton Santa Barbara

A white, two-story building named Costa with a green awning over the entrance is shown. It has an outdoor staircase leading to the entrance. The surrounding area features palm trees, a grassy lawn, and a walkway, with the ocean visible in the background at dusk—a perfect spot if you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara.

Mar Monte Hotel

A spacious hotel room with a large double bed, two blue armchairs, a dark wooden desk with a lamp, and a flat-screen TV. If you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara, this room features a sliding glass door leading to a balcony with patio furniture and views of the marina with boats and greenery.

West Beach Inn

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Where to Stay for a Group Getaway in Santa Barbara

Whether you’re planning a family reunion, milestone birthday, bachelorette party or work off-site, here’s your perfect getaway.

Luxurious hotel room with a furnished bed, a wooden desk, and a lamp. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a balcony with wicker chairs and a table, offering a view of palm trees and the ocean in the distance. If you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara, this is it. Natural light fills the room.

Santa Barbara Inn

A Mediterranean-style building, perfect for those wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara, boasts a central water fountain sculpture surrounded by lush palm trees and greenery. The structure features warm, earth-toned stucco walls, curved staircases with ornate railings, terracotta roof tiles, and glowing exterior lights at dusk.

Inn by the Harbor

A sunny rooftop patio with a scenic ocean view is the perfect spot to discover where to stay in Santa Barbara. The seating area includes striped cushions on woven brown chairs and a sofa, with a glass coffee table displaying a bottle of wine in a cooler, two glasses, and a plate of desserts. Palm trees and vibrant flowers enhance the scene.

Hotel Milo

A picturesque hotel entrance with a three-story white facade adorned with railings and lights. The building features an archway over the driveway with the sign "Montecito Inn," one of the best options for where to stay in Santa Barbara. A car is parked underneath, and a bar area is visible to the left.

Montecito Inn

A luxurious, Mediterranean-style villa surrounded by lush greenery and tall palm trees, perfect for those seeking where to stay Santa Barbara. The cream-colored building features terracotta roof tiles, arched doorways and windows, and an elegant balcony. A row of bicycles is lined up outside, providing a serene outdoor ambiance.

Brisa Del Mar Inn

A cozy outdoor seating area features a U-shaped arrangement of cushioned benches adorned with patterned and striped pillows. At the center is a fire pit. In the background, a white stucco building with a wooden door and an iron railing stands, surrounded by greenery, perfect inspiration for where to stay in Santa Barbara.

Casa Del Mar Inn

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The Best Romantic Hotels in Santa Barbara

The right person by your side is all you really need to experience romance.

A cozy bedroom with a patterned upholstered headboard and white bedding. Beside the bed are two side tables with lamps. The room includes a white couch, a small round table, a grey armchair with yellow accent pillows, and a round mirror on the wall—a perfect retreat if you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara.

Harbor House Inn

A cozy outdoor terrace featuring a stylish fireplace with a clock tower atop, surrounded by seating with wicker chairs and cushions. A pergola with climbing plants provides shade, and mountains are visible in the background. The setting is serene and inviting—truly an idyllic spot if you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara.

Kimpton Canary Hotel

A bathroom features pink walls, a large mirror with round lights, and dual sinks with a green curtain below. A shower with a glass door and two white robes are visible in the background. To the right, there is a white bathtub with floral wallpaper on one side—perfect for where to stay in Santa Barbara.

Palihouse Santa Barbara

A cozy garden bedroom with wooden walls and French doors opening to a brick patio. There is a wooden table and chairs on the patio under lush, green trees and vines, leading into a warmly lit room with a bed adorned with golden yellow accents—an ideal spot for those seeking where to stay in Santa Barbara.

Simpson House Inn

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Local-Vetted Affordable Hotels in Santa Barbara

These hotels may not offer the absolute cheapest rates, but they provide excellent bang for your buck.

A modern hotel room, ideal for those wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara, boasts two neatly made beds with white linens and pillows. Between the beds, a nightstand holds a lamp and telephone. The wall behind features a vibrant mural of silhouetted palm trees against a turquoise background.

Aviana Inn

A charming two-story building with a stone and wood facade, adorned with green climbing vines and plants, is an ideal spot if you're wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara. The building features large windows and a portico covering the driveway. The sky is painted with hues of pink and blue, indicating either sunrise or sunset.

Best Western Plus

A bright and colorful hotel room, perfect for those considering where to stay in Santa Barbara, features two double beds adorned with white linens, vibrant pink pillows, and runners. A nightstand with a phone and lamp sits in between, while a space-themed mural with planets decorates the wall. A large window graces one side.

Riviera Beach House

A cozy hotel room, perfect for those wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara, features a neatly made bed with white linens and several pillows, a nightstand with a lamp and phone, and a blue armchair next to a small white side table. The room has a rustic wood accent wall and a patterned grey carpet.

Beachside Inn

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Did we miss your favorite hotel?
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