Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide

Santa Barbara

A historic building with arched windows and a bell tower, surrounded by palm trees and greenery.
A white building with a clock tower, surrounded by palm trees and a well-maintained lawn.
A historic building with a clock tower, surrounded by palm trees and a well-maintained lawn.
A coastal town with a prominent white building with a red roof, palm trees, and mountains in the background.
A coastal cityscape with a prominent white building with red-tiled roofs, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.

Stay near popular Downtown Santa Barbara attractions

A historic building with a clock tower, arched windows, and a central archway.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

9.2/10 (1,499 reviews)
See the best views of Santa Barbara and enjoy a stunning variety of architectural styles at the city’s historic courthouse.
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Things to do

Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

฿1,160
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map
Helicopter Beach Tour

Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour

฿2,283
per adult
Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara

฿1,258
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

฿1,224
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara Trolley Tour
Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

฿509
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental
Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor

Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)

฿1,952
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)
See all activities in Santa Barbara

Top hotels in Downtown Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara

4 out of 5
533 State St Santa Barbara CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿9,828 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿9,828
฿11,428 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Hotel Santa Barbara
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

4 out of 5
31 W Carrillo St Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿13,357 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
฿13,357
฿16,922 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Extremely disappointed with our stay, especially considering the price and the level of service we expected. We did not feel the experience came anywhere close to justifying the cost. From the beginning, the staff was generally unhelpful and did not provide the level of attentiveness or hospitality ..."

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2026

Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

3.5 out of 5
524 State St Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿8,897 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
฿8,897
฿10,160 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very good! (477 reviews)
"The property was super modern — sadly the AC was not working properly so I got offer some discount. It works because I only stay for a day but my friends had two nights of that. Not fun in the summer. But we spent most of our day out, and used bicycle from the hotel which was fun. Location is excellent. ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2026

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels
Haley Hotel

Haley Hotel

3.5 out of 5
26 E Haley St Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿5,677 per night from 8 Sept to 9 Sept
฿5,677
฿6,802 total
8 Sept - 9 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free bicycles on-site and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
Haley Hotel
Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

4 out of 5
17 W Haley St Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿8,784 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿8,784
฿10,030 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Rooms are very small , also there is alot of noise from cross street bar till midnight ."

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2026

Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Vagabond Inn Santa Barbara - Carpinteria South

Vagabond Inn Santa Barbara - Carpinteria South

2 out of 5
5550 Carpinteria Ave Carpinteria CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,797 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿2,797
฿3,353 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Carpinteria. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8/10 Very good! (1,548 reviews)
"The room was very clean I had an enjoyable stay there and overall was satisfied with everything thank you"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2026

Vagabond Inn Santa Barbara - Carpinteria South
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Where to stay in Downtown Santa Barbara

Find the best Downtown Santa Barbara areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A coastal town with a pier extending into the ocean, a beach, and a mix of residential and commercial buildings.

Santa Barbara Beach

Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Stearns Wharf and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.

A coastal beach with palm trees, a sandy shore, and a clear blue sky.

Montecito

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Montecito. A stop by Miramar Beach or Butterfly Beach might round out your trip.

A marina with multiple boats docked, calm water, and a clear sky.
Photo by Adam Hoggatt
Open Photo by Adam Hoggatt

West Beach

If you're spending some time in West Beach, Santa Barbara Harbor and West Beach are top sights worth seeing.

A beach with palm trees, a pier, and the ocean at sunset.

East Beach

East Beach is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like East Beach and Santa Barbara Zoo.

A large tree with dense foliage in a park.

Lower State

While visiting Lower State, you might make a stop by sights like Reagan Ranch Center and Moreton Bay Fig Tree.

Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide