The Santa Barbara Inn is one of the few hotels where the beach is literally across the street, and it is a strong value for travelers who want a classic seaside stay on the waterfront. Located at 901 East Cabrillo Boulevard, about a two-minute walk from East Beach, it rates as a four-class property and offers around seventy rooms, from standard king and double-queen rooms to ocean-view and partial-ocean-view rooms, studios, suites with balconies and luxury penthouses. Rooms have air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes and refrigerators, and some have private balconies or patios. Convivo Restaurant and Bar serves Italian-inspired dishes with outdoor seating overlooking the ocean, and the property also has a lounge. There is a heated outdoor pool with a whirlpool spa, open year-round, an ocean-view fitness center, a terrace with gas lanterns and a fire pit and a lobby fireplace. For a hotel at this location, the amenities are generous, and the combination of beach access, restaurant and pool makes it very easy to stay put.
The setting is the draw. Chase Palm Park and the Cabrillo Pavilion are a few minutes away on foot, the Santa Barbara Zoo is about eight minutes' walk, and the harbor is a five-minute drive, which makes it a convenient base for families and beach lovers. The waterfront bike path runs right past, so you can rent bikes and ride to Stearns Wharf, the Funk Zone or the zoo without taking a car.
Downtown State Street is further away, so this is a hotel for people who want to spend more time at the beach than in the shops.
The practical details
Valet parking is offered for a nightly fee, with in-and-out privileges, and there is an electric car charging station. Pets are not allowed, except service animals. The property has a 24-hour front desk, concierge services, laundry and dry cleaning, a meeting room and a ballroom and banquet hall, which means it can host weddings and group events as well as leisure stays. Ask for an ocean-view room when you book, as the view is the main upgrade, and check whether the terrace fire pit is operating during your stay.
Who it suits
Families, couples and groups of friends who want a beach-first trip with room to relax, and anyone who values being steps from the sand without paying resort prices. It is an excellent choice for a first visit because it puts you near the zoo, the wharf and the Funk Zone, and for repeat visitors who want an easy, familiar base.
If you want a quiet, secluded retreat, look at Montecito, and if you want a boutique downtown feel, choose a State Street hotel. For a well-located, amenity-rich stay across from East Beach, the Santa Barbara Inn is a smart pick.
Why stay here
- ✓Across from East Beach
- ✓About 70 rooms and suites
- ✓Heated year-round pool and whirlpool
- ✓Convivo restaurant and bar
- ✓Ocean-view fitness center
- ✓Oceanfront terrace with fire pit
- ✓Balcony suites
- ✓Electric car charging
Good questions
How close is the beach?+
The hotel is across the street from East Beach, about a two-minute walk.
Is there a restaurant?+
Yes. Convivo Restaurant and Bar serves Italian-inspired dishes with outdoor seating overlooking the ocean.
Is parking available?+
Valet parking is offered for a nightly fee with in-and-out privileges, and there is an electric car charging station.
