Mason Beach Inn is a compact, well-located inn in the West Beach neighborhood, and it is one of the best mid-range options for travelers who want to walk to the harbor and the sand. It is a three-class property with two Mediterranean-style buildings over two floors, around a garden courtyard. West Beach and Santa Barbara Harbor are each about a two-minute walk away, Leadbetter Beach is about ten minutes on foot and Stearns Wharf about twelve. The rooms include suites that sleep four with a king bed and sofa bed, king rooms, two-queen rooms and an accessible king room, and they offer air conditioning, blackout drapes, premium bedding, free Wi-Fi, a laptop workspace, a coffee and tea maker, a minibar, bathrobes and a flat-screen TV. There is an outdoor heated pool, open from 9 am to 10 pm, a lobby coffee bar with complimentary welcome beverages and beach cruiser bike rentals. The position is the selling point, and the amenities cover the essentials for a comfortable beach stay.
The setting is the draw. The inn sits close to the harbor and the beaches, with Santa Barbara City College a three-minute walk, the train station about ten minutes on foot and the airport about twelve minutes by car. That means you can arrive by rail, walk to the hotel and spend a long weekend without hiring a car, using bikes and your feet to reach the wharf, the Funk Zone and the harbor restaurants. The area has a relaxed, residential beach feel rather than a tourist strip.
The practical details
Check-in starts at 4 pm with a minimum age of 21, and check-out is at 11 am. Parking is on site for a fee, and one reviewer noted that spaces are tight, so plan accordingly with a larger vehicle. Pets are not allowed, except service animals.
Breakfast arrangements are described inconsistently, with some sources mentioning a continental breakfast and some guests reporting that cookies, fruit and coffee are provided instead, so confirm what is included before you book. Occasional guest comments mention Wi-Fi and air-conditioning noise, so ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper.
Who it suits
Couples, friends and small families who want a walkable beach location at a sensible level, with enough amenities for a comfortable stay. It is a great choice for a first visit to Santa Barbara without a car, and for a repeat visit when you want to be near the harbor. If you want a spa, a full restaurant or a resort feel, look at the Santa Barbara Inn or a Montecito property instead. For a tidy, well-placed and good-value stay near the water, Mason Beach Inn is hard to fault.
Why stay here
- ✓Two minutes to West Beach and the harbor
- ✓Heated outdoor pool
- ✓Garden courtyard
- ✓Lobby coffee bar and welcome drinks
- ✓Beach cruiser bike rentals
- ✓Suites that sleep four
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Accessible king room
Good questions
How far is the inn from the beach?+
West Beach and Santa Barbara Harbor are each about a two-minute walk. Stearns Wharf is about twelve minutes on foot.
Is there a pool?+
Yes, an outdoor heated pool open from 9 am to 10 pm.
Is breakfast included?+
Descriptions vary, with some mentioning a continental breakfast and some guests reporting cookies, fruit and coffee instead. Confirm before you book.
