Santa Barbara Beach Travel Guide

Santa Barbara

A coastal town with a pier extending into the ocean, a beach, and a mix of residential and commercial buildings.
A marina with numerous boats docked, a pier extending into the water, and a backdrop of mountains and a sunset sky.
A pier with lights reflecting on the water, a flag, and buildings in the background.
A calm body of water with a pier extending into it, a ship docked at the pier, and mountains in the background.
A sunset over a calm body of water with a distant shoreline and a building on the right.

Stay near popular Santa Barbara Beach attractions

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

Santa Barbara Harbor

9.2/10 (2,746 reviews)
Explore the waterfront in Santa Barbara with a trip to Santa Barbara Harbor. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
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Things to do

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

Santa Barbara Trolley Tour

฿1,224
per adult
90% 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

฿1,160
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
Comedy Drag Show Ticket at Wildcat Lounge in Santa Barbara

Comedy Drag Show Ticket at Wildcat Lounge in Santa Barbara

฿673
per adult
Comedy Drag Show Ticket at Wildcat Lounge in Santa Barbara
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
See all activities in Santa Barbara

Top hotels in Santa Barbara Beach

Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

2.5 out of 5
128 Castillo St Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿5,887 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
฿5,887
฿6,970 total
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,386 reviews)
"Clean place to stay and walking to the beach a plus. Breakfast had alot of beverage choices and the food was limited but enough to get u started for the day."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2026

Avania Inn of Santa Barbara
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

4 out of 5
633 E Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿8,075 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿8,075
฿10,698 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Santa Barbara. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 6 outdoor pickleball courts. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (422 reviews)
"The room needed several maintenance. Food was really bad compared to what they charged. Parking price is insane. Chairs in the room needed cleaning. Not so good, won’t be back here for sure and cannot recommend to someone else. There are better hotels in Santa Barbara."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2026

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
The Franciscan Hotel

The Franciscan Hotel

2.5 out of 5
109 Bath Street Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿6,242 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
฿6,242
฿7,116 total
15 Sept - 16 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and free bicycles on-site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,263 reviews)
"Location great clean great everything was walking distance park car never moved it on my two day stay. Use bikes to travel around down"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2026

The Franciscan Hotel
Hotel Californian

Hotel Californian

5 out of 5
36 State Street Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿17,718 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
฿17,718
฿22,673 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy a full-service spa, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
Hotel Californian
Inn By The Harbor

Inn By The Harbor

3.5 out of 5
433 W Montecito St Santa Barbara CA
The price is ฿9,293 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
฿9,293
฿10,612 total
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,927 reviews)
"The front staff were beyond accommodating and helpful. Best part of the property. Great location and close to train station, beach & State St."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2026

Inn By The Harbor
Beachside Inn

Beachside Inn

3 out of 5
336 W. Cabrillo Blvd Santa Barbara CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿6,923 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿6,923
฿7,905 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,254 reviews)
"Everything was so good, the rooms are big enough to not feel cramped. As far as the bathroom goes, the shower room could use some freshening up on a facilities level but all was kept clean by the staff! Would definitely stay again!"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2026

Beachside Inn
See all 1,528 properties in Santa Barbara Beach
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 Santa Barbara Beach

Find the best Santa Barbara Beach areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Santa Barbara Beach
Learn more about Santa Barbara Beach
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 coastal town with a prominent white building with a red roof, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

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 Arlington Theater or Lobero Theater 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 Santa Barbara Zoo and East Beach.

A large tree with dense foliage in a park.

Lower State

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

Santa Barbara Beach Travel Guide