What is Waterfront like?

Travellers to the Waterfront neighbourhood in Santa Barbara will be sure to enjoy their stay. Make sure that you visit West Beach and East Beach as part of your Waterfront travel plans.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Waterfront, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before your check-in date. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, it may still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to view top deals in Waterfront.

What is there to do around this Santa Barbara neighbourhood?

West Beach, East Beach and Leadbetter Beach are great spots if you want to spend some time by the water during your stay in Waterfront. You could also plan a visit to Santa Barbara Harbor or Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center while you're in the neighbourhood. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Art Foundry are just a few of the places to visit in and around Waterfront. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Reagan Ranch Center are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Santa Barbara.

The Best Hotels in Waterfront, Santa Barbara - 2026 Updated Prices

A river with rocks, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

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Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

A covered outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, overlooking a runway and palm trees.

1. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

East Beach, 0.5 km from Waterfront

McKenna

฿10,074 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Sept - 22 Sept

A marina with boats docked, palm trees, and a building labeled "Sea Landing."

2. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Richard

฿7,843 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

Two Adirondack chairs facing a small table on a balcony with a view of the ocean and palm trees.

3. Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

East Beach, 1 km from Waterfront

David S

฿5,383 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A sunlit balcony with a curved sofa, a small round table, and a potted plant. The balcony features arched windows with a view of palm trees and the sea.

4. Santa Barbara Inn

East Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Oscar

฿14,101 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A multi-story hotel with a sign reading "LA PLAYA INN Santa Barbara, California".

5. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Greer

฿9,218 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

A hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a desk, and a nightstand.

6. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Julia

฿5,964 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

A resort with a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, a beach view, and a well-maintained lawn.

7. Harbor View Inn

West Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Gabriel

฿10,695 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Oct - 6 Oct

A modern living room with two grey sofas, a small woven stool, and a large wall clock.

8. Beachside Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Rosslyn

฿5,921 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

A large, two-story building with a tiled roof, surrounded by palm trees and a well-maintained garden.

9. Inn By The Harbor

West Beach, 1.6 km from Waterfront

Amanda

฿8,547 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

A hotel entrance with a large glass ceiling, multiple chandeliers, and palm trees.

10. Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

East Beach, 1.1 km from Waterfront

Adolfo

฿11,801 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A reception area with a counter, potted plants, a coffee station, and a view through large glass doors.

11. The Inn at East Beach

East Beach, 1.1 km from Waterfront

Shubh

฿5,214 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Oct - 2 Oct

A sunny outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, surrounded by lush tropical plants and flowers.

12. Marina Beach Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Amy

฿8,064 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Oct - 6 Oct

A spacious interior with high ceilings, wooden beams, and a central column.

13. Hotel Santa Barbara

Lower State, 1.5 km from Waterfront

Mark

฿8,697 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Sept - 10 Sept

An outdoor patio with tables and chairs, palm trees, and a view of buildings in the background.

14. Hotel Californian

The Funk Zone, 0.8 km from Waterfront

Tricia

฿23,682 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A multi-story building with a curved entrance, palm trees, and a staircase leading to the entrance.

15. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 1.5 km from Waterfront

Liad

฿9,357 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Sept - 29 Sept

A white building with a sign reading "Mason Beach Inn" and a balcony with a railing.

16. Mason Beach Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Rachita

฿8,345 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a large island with bar stools, a stainless steel range hood, and a built-in oven.

17. Pacific Crest Hotel Santa Barbara

East Beach, 1 km from Waterfront

Reiko

฿5,413 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Oct - 6 Oct

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, and a view of the outdoors.

18. Riviera Beach House

The Funk Zone, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Karilyn

฿6,804 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Oct - 7 Oct

A bright kitchen with a large island, white cabinetry, and a view through glass doors to an outdoor patio.

19. Lavender Inn by the Sea

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Charinda

฿8,332 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Sept - 29 Sept

An outdoor patio area with stone flooring, wooden chairs, and tables. There are palm trees and a decorative stone wall with a statue.

20. The Franciscan Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Naomi

฿5,811 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

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Where to stay in Waterfront

Find the best Waterfront 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 West Beach.

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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.

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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 Presidio Santa Barbara or Arlington Theater might round out your trip.

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A marina with multiple boats docked, calm water, and a clear sky.

West Beach

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

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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.

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Top Waterfront Hotel Reviews

Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara

10/10 Excellent

"The breakfast was excellent and the staff kept things running smoothly."

The Milo

8/10 Good

"Overall, we enjoyed our stay. We stayed in newly remodeled room 2215, which was clean, comfortable, and well maintained. The complimentary bikes were a very nice touch, and we also appreciated the hot chocolate, s’mores, and convenient selection of wine, champagne, and cold drinks available on-site. The pools and hot tubs were clean and well maintained. The staff was friendly, and the valet attendants were respectful, hardworking, and attentive. However, there is a serious safety issue that needs immediate attention. An air-conditioning unit approximately two rooms down from ours was leaking water across the walkway. Because the water blended into the painted floor, it was extremely difficult to see and made the surface dangerously slippery. I slipped at least five times and fell once, although I was able to catch myself. I also witnessed two other guests nearly fall. Had I been older, intoxicated, or not in good physical condition, I could have been seriously injured. This presents a significant liability and should be repaired immediately. The valet also misplaced our Tesla key card. We were told it would be replaced, and our contact information was taken, but we checked out Monday and, as of Saturday, no one has contacted us. I hope the hotel follows through promptly. The coffee service could also use an upgrade. The current selection and presentation do not match the quality, style, or price point of the property. We paid approximately $700 per night, including ta"

Search Hotels in Waterfront, Santa Barbara

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Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

1. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

2. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

3. Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

4. Santa Barbara Inn

5. La Playa Inn

6. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

7. Harbor View Inn

8. Beachside Inn

9. Inn By The Harbor

10. Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

11. The Inn at East Beach

12. Marina Beach Hotel

13. Hotel Santa Barbara

14. Hotel Californian

15. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

16. Mason Beach Inn

17. Pacific Crest Hotel Santa Barbara

18. Riviera Beach House

19. Lavender Inn by the Sea

20. The Franciscan Hotel

Where to stay in Waterfront

Santa Barbara Beach

Montecito

Downtown Santa Barbara

West Beach

East Beach

Top Waterfront Hotel Reviews

Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara

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