25 Best Hotels in Santa Barbara | U.S. News Travel

2024Best Hotels in Santa Barbara, CA

  • Hotels ranked on industry awards, guest reviews and hotel class ratings

    How We Rank Hotels
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  • Photo tours of select hotels by local expert 

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51 hotels
51 hotels
Price per night

$25

$500+

Hotel Class
+ 3 more
Amenities
+ 8 more
Distance from city center

0 mi

5+ mi

Neighborhoods
  • San Ysidro Ranch

    Montecito, CA
    4.9 miles to city center
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    • Fitness Center

    • Free Parking

    • Pets Allowed

  • Rosewood Miramar Beach

    Montecito, CA
    4.3 miles to city center
    $75 Nightly Resort Fee
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    $75 Nightly Resort Fee
    • Fitness Center

    • Pets Allowed

    • Pools

  • El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1.1 miles to city center
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    • Fitness Center

    • Pets Allowed

    • Pools

  • Hotel Californian

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1.1 miles to city center
    $42 Nightly Resort Fee
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    $42 Nightly Resort Fee
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

    Goleta, CA
    12.2 miles to city center
    $55 Nightly Resort Fee
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    $55 Nightly Resort Fee
    • Business Center

    • Fitness Center

    • Pets Allowed

  • See all photos

    Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA
    3.6 miles to city center
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    • Business Center

    • Fitness Center

    • Pets Allowed

  • See all photos

    Santa Barbara Inn

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1.9 miles to city center
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1.6 miles to city center
    $30 Nightly Resort Fee
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    $30 Nightly Resort Fee
    • Business Center

    • Fitness Center

    • Pets Allowed

  • See all photos

    Palihouse Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA
    0.4 miles to city center
    $35 Nightly Resort Fee
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    $35 Nightly Resort Fee
    • Free Parking

    • Pets Allowed

    • Pools

  • See all photos

    Kimpton Canary Hotel

    Santa Barbara, CA
    0.2 miles to city center
    $35 Nightly Resort Fee
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    $35 Nightly Resort Fee
    • Business Center

    • Pets Allowed

    • Pools

  • See all photos

    The Upham Hotel

    Santa Barbara, CA
    0.3 miles to city center
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Montecito Inn

    Santa Barbara, CA
    3.7 miles to city center
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Harbor View Inn

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1.1 miles to city center
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    • Fitness Center

    • Pools

    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Mar Monte Hotel - Unbound Collection by Hyatt

    Santa Barbara, CA
    2 miles to city center
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    The Leta Santa Barbara Goleta, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

    Goleta, CA
    6.8 miles to city center
    $25 Nightly Resort Fee
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    $25 Nightly Resort Fee
    • Business Center

    • Fitness Center

    • Free Parking

  • See all photos

    Simpson House Inn

    Santa Barbara, CA
    0.4 miles to city center
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    5.0-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Pacifica Suites

    Santa Barbara, CA
    6.4 miles to city center
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    4.0-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    The Wayfarer

    Santa Barbara, CA
    0.9 miles to city center
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Hotel Milo Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1.1 miles to city center
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Best Western Plus Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1 mile to city center
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Riviera Beach House

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1 mile to city center
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Lemon Tree Inn

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1.6 miles to city center
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    3.5-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1 mile to city center
    3.0-star Hotel Class
    3.0-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

    Santa Barbara, CA
    1.2 miles to city center
    3.0-star Hotel Class
    3.0-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

  • See all photos

    Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn

    Santa Barbara, CA
    2.8 miles to city center
    3.0-star Hotel Class
    3.0-star Hotel Class
    • Free Wi-Fi

Travel Guide

Santa Barbara

In the early 20th century when Flying "A" Studios opened its doors, Santa Barbara was slated to become the epicenter of America's movie-making industry. But the movie stars moved south to Los Angeles, and today's Santa Barbarans wouldn't want it any other way. On the "American Riviera," Santa Barbara aspires for a casual, yet fashionable elegance. Just take a look at the well-dressed pedestrians on State Street to comprehend the city's understated indulgence. Oenophiles will particularly appreciate Santa Barbara's proximity to the Santa Ynez Valley, which is speckled with vineyards. Explore the local wine scene with one of Santa Barbara's best wine tours.

In the early 20th century when Flying "A" Studios opened its doors, Santa Barbara was slated to become the epicenter of America's movie-making industry. But the movie stars moved south to Los Angeles, and today's Santa Barbarans wouldn't want it any other way. On the "American Riviera," Santa Barbara aspires for a casual, yet fashionable elegance. Just take a look at the well-dressed pedestrians on State Street to comprehend the city's understated indulgence. Oenophiles will particularly appreciate Santa Barbara's proximity to the Santa Ynez Valley, which is speckled with vineyards. Explore the local wine scene with one of Santa Barbara's best wine tours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Barbara Hotels

What is the best area to stay in Santa Barbara?

The most popular place to stay in Santa Barbara is West Beach, thanks to its myriad of shops, restaurants, tourist attractions and top-notch hotels, including Harbor View Inn and Hotel Milo Santa Barbara. But if you’re looking to stay somewhere less touristy, East Beach provides a more relaxed atmosphere and has equally impressive hotels, such as the Santa Barbara Inn and the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

What are the best downtown hotels in Santa Barbara?

Downtown hotels that score the highest in our Best Hotels in Santa Barbara typically boast luxurious amenities and excellent customer service. The top hotels include:

See more top Santa Barbara hotel options.

What are the best Santa Barbara hotels on the beach?

How much are hotels in Santa Barbara?

Hotels in Santa Barbara accommodate various ranges. More affordable stays include the Lemon Tree Inn, which offers standard guest rooms starting at just more than $100 per night. In comparison, upscale properties, like El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel and Hotel Californian, run well over $500 nightly. There are also plenty of in-between options, such as The Upham Hotel, Mar Monte Hotel and Hotel Milo Santa Barbara.

What are the most historic Santa Barbara hotels?

Some of the most historic hotels in Santa Barbara include the Montecito Inn (built by Charlie Chaplin and a group of investors in 1928), San Ysidro Ranch (where John and Jackie Kennedy had their honeymoon), the Upham Hotel (Southern California’s oldest, continuously operating hotel, which was opened in 1871) and the Simpson House Inn (a renovated Victorian estate that was built in 1874).

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