It doesn’t take much to fall in love with blithe Santa Barbara, California, thanks to the ivory sand beaches and idyllic, almost always 68-degree weather—plus the wondrousness of the glacial Pacific Ocean and the backdrop of the pinky Santa Ynez Mountains. Santa Barbara is all about dining al fresco on farmers market fare, wine tasting, heading outdoors, and exploring the irresistible art and culture. Its ever-enduring Spanish Colonial Revival architecture is not to miss; call it a melange of Mexican, Mediterranean, and Andalusian aesthetics that coalesce with materials like stucco and hand-painted tiles. If you’re planning a stay, the town has gorgeous hotels (and vacation rentals) that cater to everyone—from up in the hills to down on the beach to right in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.
It’s a slow-moving beach town just a few hours from Los Angeles, perfect for foodies, families, seekers of romance, pet lovers, and everyone in between. After all, they call this beautiful stretch of Southern California the American Riviera for good reason. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite properties in the area to help you plan your next getaway. Here are some of the best hotels in Santa Barbara.
How we choose the best hotels in Santa Barbara
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
