Best Santa Barbara Hotels on the Beach In 2023

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Address: Channel Dr Santa Barbara CA

The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is a fantastic historic luxury Santa Barbara hotel on the beach for families and couples who are searching for numerous amenities onsite. Located in the Montecito area just south of Santa Barbara, the Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara is situated on 22-acres of lush landscape that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is within 20-minutes to many attractions such as the Santa Barbara Zoo. The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara was constructed in the 1920s with a superb Spanish Colonial two floor architectural style which contains 207 rooms and suites that are furnished with an elegant Spanish decor. There are four styles of guest rooms that range in size from 350 to 650 which include open floorplans with a choice of bedding, oversized living areas, some have fireplaces and there are private balconies/terraces with various views from the resort garden to mountains to the Pacific Ocean. There are numerous one-bedroom suites that are sized between 550 to 1,400 square feet with separate living rooms and sofa sleeper, multiple bathrooms, fireplaces, free admission to the beach club and private balconies/terraces with views of the gardens, pool and ocean. Secluded bungalows range from a room at 450 square feet to the Ty Warner bungalow suite at 2,000 square feet. Other one-bedroom bungalow suites are roughly 900 square feet. Bungalows offer separate living rooms, private patios with garden views and some offer multiple bathrooms. The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara has a perfect place on Butterfly Beach where you will find plenty of room to lounge at the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club and you can arrange for favorite watersport activity with the concierges. The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is conveniently located within a short drive to Lotusland, Stearns Wharf and Casa del Herrero. Children will be pleased with the kid’s club which offers organized activities throughout the day. The hotel boasts superb amenities from an Olympic sized freshwater swimming pool with cabanas, tennis courts, a fitness center and a full service spa. Dining onsite includes all three meals at Bella Vista Restaurant and lunch is served at Tydes as well as the Coral Café and Bar. Offsite dining choices within walking distance includes TRE Lune, Lucky’s and Cave Restaurant. Nightlife includes a drink at Ty Lounge or you can walk to the Honor Bar.

Bacara Resort and Spa

Address: Hollister Ave Goleta CA

If you are interested in a luxury resort style Santa Barbara hotel on the beach that is family-friendly with numerous resort style amenities then the Bacara Resort and Spa is a perfect selection. Located in Goleta just 20-minutes north of downtown Santa Barbara, the Bacara Resort and Spa is situated on 78-acres of manicured grounds along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean and the Naples State Marine Conservation Area. The Bacara Resort and Spa has a gorgeous Spanish Mediterranean four story architectural design with 358 rooms and suites which feature an elegant contemporary interior. All rooms and suites boast a private balcony/patio with views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, resort grounds or the Pacific Ocean. Rooms are sized at 450 square feet with a choice of bedding and some are furnished with fireplaces. Junior suites have 586 square feet with an open floorplan which includes two queen sized beds and a sleeper sofa. The one and two-bedroom Executive, Terrace as well as Signature suites are large between 820 to 925 square feet with an extra living/dining area, multiple bathrooms and some offer fireplaces. Two-bedroom Penthouse and Residence suites range in size from 2,000 to 3,700 square feet with 2-bathrooms, full kitchens, fireplaces and multiple balconies. The Bacara Resort and Spa does have a private beach area although the space is somewhat rocky and there is more sand available during low tide. You can arrange for watersport equipment rentals as well as watersport adventures onsite through the concierge. The Bacara Resort and Spa is adjacent to two 18-hole golf courses where you have access to preferred tee times. The hotel offers a children’s club with organized activities as well as fitness classes for adults throughout the day and there are a variety of nature walks within the property. The Bacara Resort and Spa has three freshwater swimming pools that include one adults-only and there are cabanas with poolside service. The hotel has a fitness center, tennis courts, 1,000-acre ranch and full service spa onsite. Dining onsite includes the Bistro for all three meals, the Baca Bar for small plates and Angel Oak prepares dinner. Offsite dining choices will require a short drive to places like the Cajun Kitchen, Los Agaves Restaurant and Itsuki. Nightlife includes the Foley Tasting Room and you are a short drive away from Cold Spring Tavern as well as the Hollister Brewing Company.

The Fess Parker - A Double Tree by Hilton Resort

Address: E Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara CA

When you are looking for an upper-mid-range Santa Barbara hotel on the beach that is perfect for families who want multiple onsite amenities then the Fess Parker-A Doubletree by Hilton Resort is a superb choice. Located between Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Zoo, the Fess Parker-A Doubletree by Hilton Resort is situated on 24-acres of manicured grounds directly across the street from East Beach and within 0.5-miles of downtown. The Fess Parker-A Doubletree by Hilton Resort has a Mission three floor architectural style with 360 rooms and suites which feature a contemporary decor. Rooms are spacious at 450 square feet with a choice of bedding and a private balcony/patio that boasts views of the mountains, resort or Pacific Ocean. Junior suites feature 650 square feet with an open floorplan that contains a sofa sleeper and private balcony/patio with views of the mountains, resort or Pacific Ocean. One-bedroom suites are 800 square feet with a variety of floorplans that include a separate living room/sofa sleeper, wet bar and private balcony/patio with views of the mountains, resort or ocean. The Fess Parker-A Doubletree by Hilton Resort is a quick 2-minute walk to East Beach where you will find plenty of space to lounge on the sand and a plethora of watersport activities that range from kayaking to surfing to standup paddleboarding. Other attractions within walking distance include the Cabrillo Bike Path, Chase Palm Park, Moreton Bay Fig Tree and Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. The Fess Parker-A Doubletree by Hilton Resort boasts numerous children’s activities throughout the day and there is an updated playground. The hotel has a freshwater swimming pool that overlooks the Pacific Ocean with poolside service, tennis courts, fitness center and there is a full service spa. Dining at the Fess Parker-A Doubletree by Hilton Resort includes breakfast and lunch at the Roundhouse as well as Java del Mar. The Terraza del Mar prepares lunch poolside, the Set serves light fare for lunch as well as dinner and Rodney’s Grill is open for dinner. Offsite dining selections within walking distance includes East Beach Tacos, Convivo Restaurant and Bar for Italian and Moby Dick Restaurant serves seafood. Nightlife includes a short walk to Stearns Wharf, wine tasting in the Funk Zone and you can find craft beer at the Santa Barbara Brewing Company.

Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara

Address: E Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara CA

One of the more family-friendly upper-mid-range resort style Santa Barbara hotels on the beach is the Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara. Located along the Santa Barbara Waterfront, the Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara is a short 5-minute walk to East Beach and is within a 10-minut walk to the Santa Barbara Zoo. The Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara was constructed in the 1930s with a Spanish Colonial two story architectural design that contains 171 rooms and suites which boast a contemporary interior. Standard rooms in the Santa Barbara House are 200 square feet with a choice of bedding and are a short walk to the lobby area. Standard rooms within the hotel range from 200 to 250 square feet with a choice of bedding and Deluxe rooms offer a private balcony that features various views including the Pacific Ocean or surrounding mountains. One-bedroom suites are sized between 568 to 876 square feet with a separate living room and private balcony that sports views of the mountains or ocean. The Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara boasts great access to East Beach where you will find plenty of watersport activities as well as space on the sand to relax or play beach games. The Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara is within 1-mile to several nearby attractions such as the Cabrillo Bike Path, Stearns Wharf and you are 2-miles from the Santa Barbara County Courthouse as well as Lotusland. The Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara has a nice terrace area which includes fire pits and a mini putting green. The property has a superb freshwater swimming pool which offers poolside drink service, a fitness center and spa treatments are available onsite. Dining at the Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara includes Marbella for breakfast as well as dinner and the Mar Vista serves light fare poolside during the day. Offsite dining choices within walking distance includes Los Agaves for Mexican dishes, Stella Mare’s prepares French specialties and East Beach Grill serves American favorites. Nightlife will involve a short drive to the Funk Zone for wine tasting, State Street for live music or you can choose a quiet sunset walk along East Beach.

West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

Address: W Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara CA

The West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel is an excellent option for families and couples looking for a Santa Barbara hotel on the beach. Located steps from West Beach, the West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel is situated within a 5-minute walk to Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Waterfront. The West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel has a Mediterranean three floor architectural design with 46 rooms and suites that are furnished with a modern interior. Garden rooms are 260 square feet with a view of the garden area (no balcony). Premium rooms have 365 square feet with a choice of bedding and a private balcony with views of the city, harbor or waterfront. There are also one to three-bedroom suites available which must be booked directly with the hotel. The West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel is a quick 2-minute walk to West Beach where you will find plenty of space to lounge and numerous watersport activities which includes complimentary use of a standup paddleboard daily. You are within walking distance to several outstanding attractions in the area such as Moreton Bay Fig Tree, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and the MOXI-The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation as well as the Santa Barbara Surfing Museum. You have access to a complimentary bike and the Cabrillo Bike Path is only 7-blocks from the property. The West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel has a freshwater swimming pool with a sundeck but there is not a fitness center. Dining includes a complimentary continental breakfast daily as well as a free wine and cheese tasting in the evening. Offsite dining selections within walking distance are plentiful which include Toma Restaurant and Bar for Italian, Loquita Santa Barbara serves Spanish and the Palace Grill prepares Cajun/Creole specialties. Nightlife includes self-guided wine tastings in the Funk Zone, live music at the Red Piano as well as the SOhO Restaurant and Music Club.

Hotel Milo Santa Barbara

Address: W Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara CA

When you want to stay at a mid-range Santa Barbara hotel on the beach that is great for families and is close to many attractions then you should stay at the Hotel Milo Santa Barbara. Located directly across the street from West Beach, the Hotel Milo Santa Barbara is situated on 2.5-acres within Ambassador Park and you are an easy walk to the Funk Zone as well as State Street. The Hotel Milo Santa Barbara has an outstanding Spanish Colonial two story architectural design with 121 rooms that have been recently refurbished with a Mediterranean Colonial interior. Mini and standard rooms range in size from 210 to 250 square feet with a choice of garden, pool or city view (no balconies are available). Deluxe rooms are sized between 350 to 375 square feet with a choice of bedding and views of the garden or ocean (some rooms have a sofa sleeper). The Hotel Milo Santa Barbara is a short 2-minute walk to West Beach where you will find a plethora of watersport activities from surfing to kayaking to boating and there is plenty of space on the sand to relax. The Hotel Milo Santa Barbara is conveniently situated within a 5-minute walk to Stearns Wharf, the Reagan Ranch Center and the Santa Barbara Waterfront as well as the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. The hotel offers complimentary use of beach cruisers which are ideal for a ride on the Cabrillo Bike Path. The property has two freshwater swimming pools within a nice manicured courtyard area and a fitness center. Dining onsite includes a complimentary breakfast daily and there are several dining options offsite within walking distance such as Santa Barbara FisHouse, Brophy Brothers for American dishes as well as the black sheep. Nightlife is steps away with street performers at Stearns Wharf, live entertainment along State Street and you can take a self-guided wine tour in the Funk Zone.

Best Western Beachside Inn

Address: W. Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara CA

If you are searching for a value oriented Santa Barbara hotel on the beach that is family-friendly and steps away from the beach, then the Best Western Beachside Inn is an ideal selection. Located south of downtown Santa Barbara overlooking the Santa Barbara Harbor, the Best Western Beachside Inn is a 2-minute walk to West Beach and a 5-minute walk from Stearns Wharf. The Best Western Beachside Inn has a modern three story architectural design with 60 rooms and suites which are furnished with a contemporary interior. All rooms and suites are equipped with a microwave and refrigerator (small kitchenette) as well as a private balcony that features city, park, pool or harbor views. Rooms are sized at 225 square feet with a choice of bedding and view. Junior suites are ideal for couples with one-bedroom, a separate living room and choice of view. Larger one-bedroom suites feature a separate living with sofa sleeper and a choice of view. The Best Western Beachside Inn is 1-block from West Beach where you will find plenty of watersport activities and space to lounge on the sand. Other attractions within an easy walking distance include the Carriage and Western Art Museum, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum as well as Moreton Bay Fig Tree and Shoreline Park. The Best Western Beachside Inn has a freshwater swimming pool with a sundeck, indoor/outdoor tennis courts but there is not a fitness center onsite. Dining onsite includes a complimentary continental breakfast and there are numerous offsite dining selections within walking distance that include the Lark prepares contemporary cuisine, the Palace Grill for Creole/Cajun as well as the Sandbar Cocina y Tequila serves Mexican dishes. Nightlife includes a short walk to Stearns Wharf, the Funk Zone or you can relax at the Brewhouse.

Harbor View Inn

Address:28 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA

The Harbor View Inn is a superb Santa Barbara hotel on the beach for travelers of all types from couples to families who are seeking easy access to the beach and the outstanding attractions of the area. Located directly across from the entrance to Stearns Wharf, the Harbor View Inn is just steps away from West Beach and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. The Harbor View Inn is composed of three Spanish Mediterranean three floor buildings which contain 115 rooms and suites that are furnished an elegant Spanish interior. All rooms and suites contain a private balcony/patio which boasts views of the city, resort or the Santa Barbara Harbor. Rooms range in size from 425 to 500 square feet with a choice of bedding and view. One-bedroom suites are sized between 750 to 1,000 square feet with a separate living room, a wet bar, sunken bath tub and choice of view. The Harbor View Inn is an easy 3-minute walk to West Beach where you will find lots of area to lounge and there are plenty of watersport equipment vendors at Stearns Wharf. The Harbor View Inn has a perfect spot for you to start your adventure which includes easy walking to several major attractions such as the MOX-The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation, the Reagan Ranch Center as well as the Funk Zone and State Street for shopping. The Harbor View Inn has a nice freshwater swimming pool complete with a sundeck and poolside bar, a fitness center as well as a full service spa. Dining options at the hotel include Eladio’s Restaurant and Bar for all three meals, State Street coffee for pastries and the Poolside Bar and Grill serves light fare throughout the day. Dining options offsite are plentiful within walking distance such as Mony’s Mexican Food, the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company and Brophy Brothers prepares American specialties. Nightlife is a short walk to Stearns Wharf for evening street performers or travel a couple blocks to the Funk Zone where you will find the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, Corks n’ Crowns and the Santa Barbara Winery.

Casa Del Mar Inn

Address: Bath Street Santa Barbara CA

When you are looking for a mid-range boutique Santa Barbara hotel on the beach that is perfect for romantic getaways and for families seeking to be close to many attractions then the Casa Del Mar Inn is superb. Located across the street from Stearns Wharf and West Beach, the Casa Del Mar Inn is situated within a 10-minute walk to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. The Casa Del Mar Inn has a splendid Spanish Colonial two floor architectural style with 21 rooms and suites which offer a contemporary decor. Rooms have a variety of floorplans with ample living area, a choice of bedding and some rooms are furnished with a kitchenette as well as a shared balcony. Large studio type units are 260 square feet with an open floorplan that includes an integrated sleeping/living area, kitchenette as well as a fireplace. One-bedroom suites feature an integrated sleeping/living area, separate bedroom, 2-bathrooms, full kitchen and a fireplace. The Casa Del Mar Inn is only a few steps away from West Beach and Ledbetter Beach where you find sufficient sand to relax and plenty of opportunities for watersport adventures from kayaking to standup paddleboarding to sailing. The Casa Del Mar Inn has a great spot for you to begin your explorations of the area with numerous attractions within a 20-minute walking distance that include Shoreline Park, the Santa Barbara Courthouse, the Moreton Bay Fig Tree and Cabrillo Bike Path as well as State Street. The Casa Del Mar Inn has a gorgeous courtyard area for relaxing and a full service spa onsite but there is not a freshwater swimming pool, fitness center or restaurant. Dining begins with a complimentary continental breakfast daily as well as a wine and cheese social in the early evening. Offsite dining options are numerous within walking distance with choices such as Toma Restaurant and Bar for Italian, the Lark prepares American dishes and Loquita Santa Barbara serves Spanish cuisine. Nightlife within an easy walk includes craft beer at Figueroa Mountain Brewery, the Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room and the Kunin Wines Tasting Room will keep you happy.

Santa Barbara Inn

Address: E Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara CA

The Santa Barbara Inn is an ideal upper-mid-range boutique Santa Barbara hotel on the beach for couples and families who ae seeking easy access to the beach and to area attractions. Located southeast of downtown Santa Barbara in the East Beach area, the Santa Barbara Inn is less than a 2-mintue walk to the beach and is within walking distance to the waterfront. The Santa Barbara Inn has a gorgeous Spanish Mediterranean four story architectural design with 70 rooms as well as suites which have been recently renovated and that feature a contemporary interior. Standard and Deluxe rooms are sized at 300 square feet with a choice of bedding and a private balcony which sports views of the Santa Ynez Mountains or the Pacific Ocean. Deluxe and Superior studios have more than 600 square feet of integrated sleeping/living space with a choice of bedding and views of the American Riviera or Pacific Ocean. One-bedroom suites range in size from 600 to 760 square feet with a choice of bedding, separate living room and a private balcony that offers views of the mountains or ocean. The Santa Barbara Inn allows for an easy 3-minute walk to East Beach where you will find plenty of sand to lounge and there are several watersport equipment vendors as well as plenty of boat rentals along the waterfront area. The Santa Barbara Inn is within walking distance to many of the outstanding attractions such as the Santa Barbara Zoo, Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. The hotel has a freshwater swimming pool with a nice deck and a fitness center. The Santa Barbara Inn serves a complimentary breakfast and Convivo Restaurant prepares lunch as well as dinner. Other offsite dining choices within walking distance include East Beach Taco for Mexican, the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company and Cadiz Restaurant and Bar serves Mediterranean cuisine. Nightlife can be found at the Red Piano for live music, Telegraph Brewing Company has craft beers and there a numerous wine tasting rooms for your evening enjoyment.