Accommodations
Some of the world’s most exclusive hotels can be found bookending downtown Santa Barbara businesses. Beanie Babies toys mogul Ty Warner, named on the Forbes 400 Richest Americans list, refurbished the world-renowned San Ysidro Ranch and the Five-Diamond Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, both located in Montecito. Santa Barbara also has a myriad of very affordable accommodations—everything from cozy inns and historic hotels to family-friendly waterfront lodgings.
Staying at an intimate bed-and-breakfast gives you a great opportunity to experience Santa Barbara’s rich history and character. The area’s first official bed-and-breakfast, the Old Yacht Club Inn, opened in 1980. A number of regional inns have since joined the ranks. Most are beautifully restored, turn-of-the-20th-century Victorian or California Craftsman homes filled with antiques and memorabilia.
Overview
Bear in mind that you can score discounts on even the priciest accommodations during the off-season (generally November through March, although many hotels consider the Christmas holidays peak season) and there are often “Third Night Free” and other promotions. It’s always best to check the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau website (www.santabarbaraca.com) for special deals.
A 12 percent occupancy tax is added to all hotel room rates in the greater Santa Barbara area, so figure the extra into your total cost. Some hotels and bed-and-breakfasts have a 2-night minimum on weekends—especially during the high season (summer). Most hotels and motels listed here offer discounts (AAA, corporate, AARP, etc.), cable television with at least one premium channel (HBO, Showtime, etc.), and free wireless Internet service. They all accept major credit cards, but only a few accept pets. We’ve noted the pet-friendly spots.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 931 E. Cabrillo Blvd.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 18 Bath St.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 109 Bath St.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 28 W. Cabrillo Blvd.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 1111 Cabrillo Blvd.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 433 W. Montecito St.
8. Lavender Inn by the Sea
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (805) 963-4317, (800) 649-2669
Address: 206 Castillo St.
Description: Lavender Inn by the Sea is directly across the street from the Brisas Del Mar, Inn at the Beach. The inn’s 23 guest rooms feature pillow-top beds, down duvets, lavender-scented bath amenities, and a welcoming bottle of champagne. If the beach wasn’t so alluring and only 2 blocks away, you might never leave your room. Continental breakfast, afternoon wine and cheese, and evening milk accompanied by freshly baked cookies are all served in the sunroom. Have some questions about Santa Barbara? Just ask the lobby receptionist, who is a veritable warehouse of knowledge.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 306 W. Cabrillo Blvd.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 3850 State St.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 31 W. Carrillo St.
12. Days Inn & Suites
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (805) 966-0807, (800) 669-8979
Address: 1601 State St.
Description: Family-owned and operated, the former El Prado Inn is not one of those splashy Santa Barbara accommodations, but rather a cozy little motor inn on busy State Street offering personalized service. The lobby is homey and welcoming to new arrivals. Guests can enjoy the daily paper while sipping a cup of tea or coffee in the lobby. The inn has spacious rooms with queen- or king-size beds and suites with refrigerators, microwaves, sitting areas, and patios. Free continental breakfast is provided, and meeting space is available. Amenities include a heated pool and patio and complimentary wireless Internet; a coin-operated laundry and a market are right across the street, and you can walk to many of the area’s restaurants and attractions in just minutes.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 17 W. Haley St.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 533 State St.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 915 Garden St.