Where to Stay in Santa Barbara

Our Favorite Hotels in Santa Barbara

Inexpensive: Classe Stay
• 4-Cape Rey” resort
is near Legoland • 3-Star: A small coastal hotel
• Beach: Ritz-Carlton • Harbor View
•

•

• Five-star: Belmond El Encanto
• For families: Hotel in downtown San Diego near Gaslamp Quarter.
a large body of water with a lighthouse

Best Areas to Stay in Santa Barbara

Nestled along a lengthy stretch of accessible coastline, Santa Barbara provides everything one could hope for from a California beach getaway. Situated around one hundred miles north of Los Angeles, this is where Southern California comes to an end and Central California begins. Santa Barbara is best known for its broad, sandy beaches, high-end luxury lodging, and status as a famous destination for celebrities. Deemed “The American Riviera” due to the resemblances to Mediterranean seaside towns, it`s a haven for boating, wine, luxury travel, art, and beach activities. What gives this beach town its unique character is that it is also a mountain town. The Santa Ynez Mountains offer exquisite hiking trails and a dramatic background to the city. Founded by the Spanish in 1782 this history can be observed at the 18th-century Old Mission Santa Barbara (the only California mission with twin bell towers) and in the distinctive downtown historic Spanish architecture. After a devastating earthquake in 1925, most of Downtown was reconstructed in the lavish “Santa Barbara Style,” a blend of Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Mission Revival.

Santa Barbara averages over 283 days of sunshine annually and provides an excellent vacation destination any time of year. The best times to visit Santa Barbara are from March through May or from September through November. Temperatures remain fairly moderate year-round, hovering in the 60s and 70s on Fahrenheit scale, but traveling in early spring or fall ensures you won’t be contending with large crowds and hotel rates will be less expensive. Generally, it’s wise to dress in layers when visiting Santa Barbara. Mornings and evenings can become somewhat chilly, especially if there is fog, but if the sun peeks out during the afternoon, you’ll feel quite comfortable in shorts or summer clothes. Santa Barbara is both an upscale beach town and a college town, providing many hotel options within this sprawling coastal city. However, lodging selections are also somewhat pricey on the whole, even motels and budget hotels can easily cost over $200 per night.

The most well-liked spot to stay in Santa Barbara is the neighborhood of West Beach, with its many ocean view dining establishments, shops, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and the Museum of Natural History Sea Center. West Beach additionally offers a beautiful expansive stretch of beach with a great bicycle and walking path.

West Beach and East Beach are separated by the historic Stearns Wharf. East Beach tends to be more relaxed and attracts fewer tourists than West Beach. You will find a lovely beach there with over a dozen volleyball courts as well as picnic tables. A few sizeable resorts in the East Beach area specifically cater to families, and there are also a handful of budget-friendly hotel options.

Just inland sandwiched between East and West Beach, you’ll come across the 10-block area between State Street, Garden Street, Montecito Street, and Cabrillo Boulevard known as the Funk Zone. Previously, this industrial area had been taken over by artists who transformed the abandoned warehouses into studios, restaurants, bars and breweries. The Funk Zone is also home to the city’s urban wine trail. Best known for eating and nightlife, there are not many places to lodge here, but it is simple to access from the rest of the city

Travel farther north on State Street past Highway 101 to discover the Haley Corridor, a small but busy micro-neighborhood located in Downtown overflowing with wineries, breweries, casual eateries, and trendy bars. The neighborhood includes Haley Street from State Street to Milpas Street and spills out a block or two on either side of Haley. Going slightly farther north leads you to the heart of Downtown, packed with museums, upscale boutiques, and a wide variety of restaurants. You’ll find the famous Santa Barbara Public Market here as well the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (with a large collection of Monet paintings), and the Santa Barbara Courthouse where you can climb the clock tower for a spectacular panoramic view of the city. This charming section of town offers some of the most affordable rates on lodging since it’s not directly on the beach.

The seaside town of Montecito is synonymous with opulence and glamour. This is where many celebrities own homes and it represents the ultimate in luxury in Santa Barbara. This stylish enclave is located approximately 5 miles from Downtown. Hotels are expensive, lavish, and exclusive here. Montecito is also a great place to lodge for outdoor activities with numerous trails, parks, and gardens.

Not far away is the neighboring town of Goleta, situated approximately nine miles west yet still within Santa Barbara County. Goleta is home to the University of California at Santa Barbara and offers a more community feel. This presents a suitable budget-friendly beach getaway alternative farther from the heart of Santa Barbara.

Best Places to Stay in Santa Barbara

a house that has a lot of trees around it

Best Areas in Santa Barbara for…

a beach filled with lots of beach chairs and umbrellas

  • Best Neighborhood in Santa Barbara for First Timers to Stay: East Beach or West Beach

    • East Beach offers convenient access to the beach, Santa Barbara Zoo, and Downtown. Although it’s somewhat removed from the heart of the city, you’re never more than 10 minutes from any spot in Santa Barbara. This section of beach provides a quieter, calmer option and is perfect for an introductory visit. West Beach provides a balanced experience between proximity to the beach and the Funk Zone, and a brief walk or ride from sights in Downtown (the Downtown Shuttle runs along State Street from Stearns Wharf). Staying at West Beach means simple access to restaurants on Stearns Wharf and to the harbor, where the fish market and seafood places like Brophy Bros can be found. Also located here is the Los Baños Del Mar Pool (open to the general public), and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

  • Best District in Santa Barbara for Sightseeing: West Beach or Downtown
    When it comes to seeing attractions, there are two primary focuses of interest, the dock and the Spanish architecture. If being near the coastline and wharf region is preferable, then West Beach is the best selection. Here you`ll discover Stearns Wharf, a deep harbor pier and California’s oldest functioning wharf (constructed in 1872), filled with shops, eateries, and the Museum of Natural History Sea Center. Most of the city’s historic sites are in Downtown. The old Spanish Presidio structures are maintained as a state park here as well as the grandiose Santa Barbara Courthouse, with its clock tower open to visitors. Downtown hotels are also closest to the major attractions at the northern end of the city: the 1786 Old Mission Santa Barbara, known as “the Queen of the Missions,” Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
  • Best Neighborhoods in Santa Barbara for Nightlife: Downtown, West Beach, or Funk Zone

    • Nightlife options are available Downtown, in West Beach, and in the Funk Zone of Santa Barbara. However, Santa Barbara does not have extensive nightlife opportunities like large cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. State Street, the main road through town, extends from West Beach, through the Funk Zone, and into the heart of downtown. Bars and restaurants line the whole way. Known for its repurposed warehouses and graffiti art, the Funk Zone houses some of Santa Barbara`s best bars and happy hours in addition to excellent wine tasting venues. The Funk Zone represents the premier location to spend evenings in Santa Barbara, with 16 tasting rooms, top-ranked restaurants and various bars (including craft breweries), all easily accessible on foot. establishments such as Test Pilot, offering novel cocktails, Area 5.1 Winery for wine, and Topa Topa for craft beers are much enjoyed. Lodging options in the area are limited, but many hotels in West Beach fall within strolling distance of attractions, and other areas are readily reachable by taxi. Downtown itself contains additional popular nightlife spots along lower State Street, such as Institution Ale Co and Night Lizard.Institution Ale Co and Good Lion further along State Street offer ideal settings for cocktails, and surrounding nightclubs are also present.

  • Prime neighborhoods in Santa Barbara for cuisine and eateries: Funk Zone, downtown, and Haley corridor
    There are more than 450 restaurants in Santa Barbara to choose from that are scattered throughout the city and its outskirts. You’ll find great beachside dining at restaurants such as Convivo (East Beach), the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company (Stearns Wharf), and Brophy Bros. (West Beach), famous for its oysters and incredible views. Santa Barbara has four restaurants included in the latest Michelin guidebook spread throughout town: The Lark in the Funk Zone, Barbareño and Belmond El Encanto in Downtown, and La Super-Rica Taqueria in Haley Corridor/Milpas, once Julia Child’s favorite spot for tacos – her review of this restaurant brought the California taco its notoriety and fame. Restaurants are amazing throughout Santa Barbara, but three neighborhoods stand out. The Funk Zone contains some of the most fashionable places to eat: Loquita for Spanish food and Mony’s Mexican Food. Downtown Santa Barbara boasts some old-time classics, like Andersen’s Danish Restaurant & Bakery and Joe’s Café. But there are plenty of newer flavors, such as the Indian dishes at Bibi Ji, the sandwiches at Three Pickles, hip Opal, and Indonesian-inspired Sama Sama Kitchen. The Santa Barbara Public Market has an excellent food court. For a more cutting-edge scene, head to the Haley Corridor, where there’s Buena Onda Empanadas,Cajé coffee roasters, and excellent Mexican food at spots such as Los Tarascos and Lito’s.
  • The most family-oriented neighborhoods in Santa Barbara are East Beach and West Beach where residents can find parks, beaches, and community activities.

    • Motel One Glasgow – Brunswick Merchant City Hotel – ibis budget Glasgow – Premier Inn Glasgow City Centre

a beach with palm trees and palm trees

  • Two of the most romantic neighborhoods in Santa Barbara are Montecito and Downtown, known for their scenic beauty and charm well suited for couples.

    • It`s difficult to get more local than Camden. The graffiti-adorned, gritty streets still oppose gentrification and, Camden Market and the tour boats along Regent’s Canal aside, this is still a working-class neighborhood. Stop by Black Heart,Underworld, or another neighborhood pub and you may catch the next big thing in alternative rock. In East London`s Brick Lane, it retains a strong immigrant feel, with curry houses, Bangladeshi cafes, and sari shops much like other parts of east London. Although neighboring Shoreditch has been undergoing gentrification for some time now, it remains one of London’s pioneering neighborhoods, with a dynamic nightlife, street food, street art, and few tourists

  • Finest Neighborhood in Santa Barbara for Shopping: Downtown
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    • The roads of Downtown Santa Barbara are densely packed with diverse and unique shops, ranging from vintage stores to present bazaars and art galleries. The 1920s shopping center, La Arcada Plaza, situated just off State Street, is an especially charming place to shop. Paseo Nuevo is a more standard, yet upscale, shopping mall further along State Street. Other notable stores on State Street include Punch Vintage, the Closet Trading Company consignment shop, and the Free People fashion store. There’s also a Marshalls department store, an Apple store (of course), and all the major fashion brands

  • Best Neighborhoods in Santa Barbara for Walking: Montecito, East Beach, and West Beach
    The shoreline is extremely well-liked by visitors for strolling and cycling. Head to the strip where you’ll observe a bike path parallel to the coastline. You can also meander on the pier and explore the many dining establishments and shops and soak in the “vacation environment” of the town. The Montecito area is also home to more rigorous walking and climbing chances. For a strenuous hike with spectacular views of the coastal region, head up Cold Spring Trail. For an easy hike, try Hot Spring Canyon Trailhead.
  • Best Area in Santa Barbara for Local Atmosphere: Haley Corridor
    For a break from the glamor of Downtown and the tourists along the shoreline, roam the Haley Corridor. It’s a fusion of no-frills Mexican taco joints, restaurants, hip coffee artisans, craft beer makers, and indie galleries. Check out The Mill handicraft marketplace and swing by Low Pigeon for coffee, before strolling north to Buena Onda Empanadas or up to La Super-Rica Taqueria. Don’t miss the excellent cuisine and two bocce courts at old-school Arnoldi’s Café.
  • Safest Areas of Santa Barbara
    Generally, Santa Barbara overall is a safe town and the crime rate is below the national average with the wealthiest area, Montecito, being specifically safe. While it is considered very safe, standard precautions apply at night. It’s also worth noting that like most seaside cities, you can find some unique characters out and about, especially near the beach.
  • Unsafe Areas of Santa Barbara
    Santa Barbara is approximately as safe a community as you can get for a California seaside city. In the tourist districts (around State Street and Stearns Wharf) you might see some sporadic panhandling. There is a small region on the East side at the base of the Riviera and another small region on the west side near the base of the Mesa that might be considered less safe. Truthfully, you are quite unlikely to end up in these out-of-the-way residential regions. Similar to elsewhere in the world, don’t put yourself in unsafe situations like walking alone at night and you should be fine.

The 7 Best Neighborhoods in Santa Barbara for Tourists

people on surfboards in the middle of the ocean

1. West Beach

The most frequented area to lodge in Santa Barbara is the West Beach neighborhood, a broad yet brief stretch of sand confined involving Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. considering its numerous ocean view eateries, shops, and the Museum of Natural History Sea Center. The boat-filled harbor highlights Brophy Bros. and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. The upscale Castillo Inn situated here delivers excellent value and is simply half a block off the beach. There are several boat trips and whale-watching excursions that depart out of this segment of the beach. Naturally, West Beach moreover has a lovely expansive stretch of beach alongside a superb bike and walking route. The Los Baños Del Mar Pool is an exceptional (and inexpensive) public swimming pool just by the harbor. There’s additionally MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, Santa Barbara’s latest attraction. Access to West Beach is straightforward thanks to the Downtown Shuttle between Stearns Wharf and Downtown (along State Street), and the Waterfront Shuttle to East Beach and the zoo. West Beach offers a wide range of accommodation, even though this area can moreover be pricey.

2. East Beach

East Beach is a splendid choice for those visiting Santa Barbara for the first time, families, and individuals who prefer tranquility and silence. While it is somewhat more distant from the center of town, you are never more than a brief 5 or 10 minute drive from any location. East Beach lies east of State Street and Stearns Wharf, where the beach itself is narrower yet much longer than West Beach and less crowded. At the far eastern end are the renowned East Beach Volleyball Courts, the lavish Bellosguardo Mansion, and Santa Barbara Zoo. The central part of the beach is dominated by Hilton Beachfront Resort.Wheel Fun Rentals has an outlet here, with rentable Surreys and cruiser bicycles ideal for riding along the boardwalk. Remaining at East Beach can seem somewhat isolated from the rest of the city, though it is quieter, and the Waterfront Shuttle runs from the zoo along Cabrillo Boulevard to Stearns Wharf, West Beach and Santa Barbara Harbor every 30 minutes.

3. Funk Zone

Santa Barbara`s Funk Zone is a relatively compact district, a roughly square neighborhood of old warehouses between East and West Beaches, roughly bounded by State Street to the south, Hwy-101 to the west, Garden Street to the north, and the ocean/Cabrillo to the east). Home to the city`s emerging art scene, the Funk Zone is overflowing with artisan shops, art galleries, hip eateries, over 20 wine tasting rooms, and award-winning microbreweries. It has also developed a cutting-edge dining scene, with names such as The Lark and Loquita, along with Lucky Penny for wood-fired pizzas and Mony’s Mexican Food, known for their barbacoa and their chicken burrito. The Urban Wine Trail is also anchored in the Funk Zone, with 16 of its 30 tasting rooms located here. It`s not just wine, though: Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co offers craft beers, while Cutler’s Artisan Spirits distills gin, whisky, and vodka. This 10-block area is a superb option for anyone seeking art, nightlife, and close access to the beach. There are only some places to stay in the Funk Zone itself, but most of the hotels in West Beach are just a short walk away.

4. Downtown

a city street filled with lots of tall buildings

Located around a mile inland from the beach, Downtown Santa Barbara is renowned for its shopping venues, restaurants and uniquely styled “Santa Barbara Style” architecture that blends Spanish Colonial Revival design with other Mediterranean architectural influences. Historic sites crowd Downtown, such as El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park housing El Cuartel, the second oldest building in California built by the Spanish in 1788. Nearby is the Santa Barbara Historical Museum and excellent Santa Barbara Museum Of Art. Also noteworthy is checking out the monumental Spanish Revival Santa Barbara County Courthouse offering spectacular views from its 70-foot clock tower. Just north of Downtown stands the landmark Old Mission Santa Barbara. A highlight of Downtown`s cuisine scene are two restaurants featured in the latest Michelin guide: Barbareño and Belmond El Encanto. Prominently situated in the heart of downtown is the upscale Mexican restaurant and celebrity hotspot El Paseo, known to host parties for figures like Ginger Rogers, Salvador Dali, Quentin Tarantino and Jennifer Lopez. Here you`ll be near the Santa Barbara Public Market, an upscale food hall featuring global cuisine prepared by some of Santa Barbara`s favored chefs. State Street is easily explored on foot or via the electric Downtown Shuttle running its length every 15 minutes – the shuttle also loops through the Funk Zone prior to turning around at Stearns Wharf.

5. Haley Corridor

The Haley Corridor – focused around Haley Street from State Street to Milpas Street, yet spanning some neighboring blocks – is an up-and-coming neighborhood renowned for small-batch breweries and wineries ( Potek among favorites), inventive eateries, Mexican taco joints, coffee shops, and bars. An old feed mill constructed in 1904 at the corner of Laguna and Haley has been renovated into a marketplace accommodating not just Potek Winery, but also Third Window Brewing (craft beers), Catherine Gee Fashion,Cajé Coffee, and various other small enterprises. The Haley Corridor invites exploration on foot, although lodging options are limited there. It’s an easy stroll or taxi ride from Downtown or the beach.

6. Montecito

For those seeking an extravagant stay, Montecito is an excellent choice. Montecito is Santa Barbara’s affluent outer suburb located approximately five miles east of downtown. Numerous celebrities own the expansive mansions lining the palm-dotted roads (Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry and Megan Markle among them). Get a glimpse by touring the Casa del Herrero, an opulent 1925 Spanish Revival mansion, or stroll along the busy Coast Village Road, home to high-end boutiques, bakeries and cafés (the “Upper Village” area lies further inland along East Valley Road). One hotel steeped in Hollywood history is the Spanish-style Montecito Inn built in 1928 by Charlie Chaplin. There is also a botanical garden, Lotusland, and over 15 walking paths into the hills providing spectacular views of the coast. Head to Coast Village Road for a see-and-be-seen experience. The top culinary destinations here are Caruso’s,Honor Bar, and Bettina. The beaches in this area are also beautiful, starting with the sandy Butterfly Beach to the west then traveling east to the renowned surf break at Hammonds Point, the calmer waters of Miramar Beach, and the sands of Fernald’s Point.

7. Goleta

a large body of water with palm trees

Goleta presents a great choice for travelers interested in tranquility, beautiful scenery, and being seaside. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for an authentic experience focused local. Located about 10 miles north of Santa Barbara, Goleta is the home to the University of California at Santa Barbara. Beyond the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, which offers views of coastal bluffs along 2 miles of natural beach as well as 3 zero-edge swimming pools and a full-service spa, hotels tend to be much more reasonably priced than Santa Barbara.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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