Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide

Santa Barbara

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair

Popular places to visit

Arlington Theater

Arlington Theater

Enjoy a show at Arlington Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its lively festivals.

Arlington Theater
Paseo Nuevo Mall

Paseo Nuevo Mall

You can enjoy retail therapy at Paseo Nuevo Mall during your stay in Santa Barbara. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Paseo Nuevo Mall

Granada Theatre

Enjoy a performance at Granada Theatre, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Granada Theatre

Lobero Theater

Enjoy a performance at Lobero Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's waterfront or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Lobero Theater

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

You can study the exhibits at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

La Arcada

You can enjoy retail therapy at La Arcada during your trip to Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

La Arcada

Things to do

Santa Barbara: Trolley Tour

Santa Barbara: Trolley Tour

฿1,146
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara: Trolley Tour
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map

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

฿1,146
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map
Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

฿819
per adult
Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy
Helicopter Beach Tour

Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour

฿2,260
per adult
Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour
Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop

Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop

฿1,900
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop
Santa Barbara: eBike rental full day

Santa Barbara: eBike rental full day

฿2,293
per adult
Santa Barbara: eBike rental full day
See all activities in Santa Barbara

Top hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara

3 out of 5
533 State St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is ฿8,359 per night from 8 Sept to 9 Sept
฿8,359
฿9,624 total
8 Sept - 9 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"Beautifully renovated in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Easy walk to the beach, in the middle of all the downtown shopping and dining. Room was spacious. Very pet friendly. Staff were all helpful and friendly. Easy in and out valet service."

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Hotel Santa Barbara
The Upham Hotel

The Upham Hotel

4 out of 5
1404 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is ฿6,543 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿6,543
฿7,459 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Beautiful hotel
"This is a beautiful hotel in a perfect location, which easy access to restaurants and shops on State Street. Loved the unique room configurations and how well kept the historic hotel was. Would come back."

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

The Upham Hotel
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 ฿8,294 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿8,294
฿9,472 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (368 reviews)
"Be wary, some rooms have very small or no windows"

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

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

Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

4 out of 5
31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿11,003 per night from 14 Aug to 15 Aug
฿11,003
฿13,983 total
14 Aug - 15 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, rooms were always clean. Property was very clean and restaurant was very good, right in the middle of everything from shopping to the beach."

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG
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 ฿8,281 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿8,281
฿9,456 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"The only problem I found with my room was the bathroom mirror was dirty. Everything else was very clean."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Haley Hotel

Haley Hotel

3.5 out of 5
26 E Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is ฿6,459 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
฿6,459
฿7,687 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free bicycles on-site and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (539 reviews)
"The pictures on the website did not do this place justice. They have turned this into an oasis, lots of relaxing spaces and fire pits for at night. I always saw staff cleaning up around and maintaining the landscaping. It is a very convenient location. The staff was very knowledgeable on places to ..."

Reviewed on 8 Aug 2025

Haley Hotel
See all 1,514 properties in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara featuring a coastal town

Downtown Santa Barbara

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Santa Barbara County Courthouse might round out your trip.

Downtown Santa Barbara
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Laguna

Laguna might not have many top sights, but Santa Barbara Historical Museum and Santa Barbara County Courthouse are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Laguna
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Lower State

5/5(2 area reviews)

While visiting Lower State, you might make a stop by sights like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Reagan Ranch Center.

Lower State
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Upper East

5/5(4 area reviews)

While visiting Upper East, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.

Upper East
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The Funk Zone

5/5(6 area reviews)

Travellers come to The Funk Zone for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Santa Barbara Art Foundry while you're in town.

The Funk Zone
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East Beach

4.5/5(18 area reviews)

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

East Beach

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide