[2023 PICKS] The Best Boutique Hotels in Santa Barbara, CA

The best boutique hotels in Santa Barbara place you in some of the most idyllic locations in California.

Santa Barbara is a popular travel destination located on the central coast of California. Known for its Mediterranean climate, stunning beaches, and vibrant cultural scene, Santa Barbara is a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. The city boasts a rich history, with Spanish colonial architecture, historic missions, and picturesque streets lined with colorful buildings.

Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and water sports, or take in the local culture at museums, galleries, and performing arts venues. With a wide range of dining options, from seaside seafood restaurants to farm-to-table cuisine, Santa Barbara offers a delicious and diverse culinary experience.

We hand-picked top-rated boutique hotels in Santa Barbara to consider for your next getaway!

The 10 Best Santa Barbara Boutique Hotels

1. Mason Beach Inn

8.2 Average Rating
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Located just a short walk away from the beach, Mason Beach Inn is a Santa Barbara inn with many amenities. All the guestrooms offer free WiFi and are equipped with a 55-inch TV with HBO film channels, a work desk, a Keurig® machine, a hairdryer, and a small refrigerator in select rooms. The boutique hotel is fully air-conditioned and offers an outdoor heated pool and a hot tub.

Guests can also take advantage of the inn’s close proximity to Historic Downtown Santa Barbara, located just 0.5 kilometers away, as well as the Santa Barbara Mission and Botanical Gardens which are only 5 minute’s drive away.

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2. Inn by the Harbor

8.2 Average Rating
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The Inn by the Harbor hotel in Santa Barbara is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from West Beach. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, a daily continental breakfast, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, and cable TV with a DVD player in each guest room. The boutique hotel also has a library of DVDs which guests are welcome to borrow. Free bike rentals are also available for guests to explore the area.

Stearns Wharf is just a 20-minute walk away, and the City College of Santa Barbara is only a 3-minute walk away. This is an ideal spot to stay for those wanting to explore nearby attractions and the city of Santa Barbara.

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3. Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel

8.1 Average Rating
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Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel is a boutique hotel located in Santa Barbara, only 200 meters from East Beach. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a terrace, a concierge service, and free WiFi throughout the property.

The rooms are equipped with a wardrobe, a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries, a flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. Some rooms also have a patio. Bed linen and towels are provided.

Guests can enjoy activities in and around Santa Barbara such as hiking and cycling. Amtrack Station Santa Barbara is 2.2 km away, while Antioch College is 2.8 km away. The nearest airport is Santa Barbara Airport, 18 km from the hotel.

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4. Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach

8.6 Average Rating
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Located in Santa Barbara, California, the Brisas Del Mar Beach Inn is an ideal destination for those looking for a beachside getaway. This Mediterranean-style boutique hotel is within two blocks of the city’s many beaches and yacht harbor. Guests can take advantage of free bike rentals and enjoy the fountain located in the hotel’s courtyard.

The Del Mar Brisas Inn offers an array of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Each guest room comes with cable TV and free WiFi, as well as a DVD player and a selection of complimentary movies. Guests will also find a refrigerator, coffee maker, and bathrobes in each room. A gym and outdoor pool are available on-site, as well as a hot tub. In the morning, guests can enjoy an expanded continental breakfast.

The hotel is conveniently located close to a number of attractions. It is situated next to Santa Barbara City College and Pershing Park. Stearns Wharf and the Sea Center marine Museum are just a kilometer away. With easy access to the city’s many beaches, the Brisas Del Mar Beach Inn is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing holiday.

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5. Harbor House Inn

9.5 Average Rating
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Situated just a block away from West Beach, the Santa Barbara Harbor House Inn offers boutique accommodations with individually decorated rooms and free WiFi. Guests of the inn can take advantage of the complimentary 3-speed bicycles for exploring the area.

The guest rooms include a TV with premium cable film channels and a Netflix account. Air-conditioning and tea and coffee-making facilities are available in all the rooms. Select rooms also have a kitchen.

The boutique hotel is completely non-smoking and provides free parking. Complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, and beach towels are available for the guest’s convenience.

The Santa Barbara Harbor House Inn is located just minutes away from the El Camino Real Route 101. Santa Barbara City College is 1.3 km away and West Beach is 1 block away.

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6. Lavender Inn by the Sea

8.3 Average Rating
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The Lavender Inn by the Sea is located in Santa Barbara, just 2 blocks from the beach and next to Pershing Park. Each room comes with a refrigerator, coffee maker, DVD player, free movie rentals, and a welcome beverage. Guests can also access free Wi-Fi and enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast. The inn offers free bike rentals and is a 20-minute walk from Stearns Wharf, and a 6-minute walk from Santa Barbara City College.

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7. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

8.0 Average Rating
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Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is located 3.2 km away from Old Mission Santa Barbara. It offers a 24-hour reception and a daily hot breakfast. Each air-conditioned guest room provides a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, ironing facilities, and free WiFi. An on-site business center featuring fax and photocopying services is also available. Stearns Wharf is 10 minute walk away and Santa Barbara Airport is 17 km away.

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8. Hotel Californian

8..5 Average Rating
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Hotel Californian is an ideal destination for a beach vacation. Located in Santa Barbara, next to the Funk Zone and only steps from the beach, the boutique hotel features an outdoor pool and several on-site dining options.

Each air-conditioned guest room is equipped with the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, including a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, free toiletries, and a desk. Some rooms also have a balcony.

Guests can choose between two dining options. Goat Tree offers all-day casual dining with fresh local fare including pastries and baked goods, a full breakfast menu, and cold-pressed juices and coffee. Blackbird offers Mediterranean-influenced cuisine with an ocean and Funk Zone backdrop.

The hotel spa, Majorelle, offers a steam room, a salon, and an indoor and outdoor lounge.

Kunin Wines and Santa Barbara Wine Collective are both within walking distance of the hotel. The nearest airport, Santa Barbara Airport, is 14 km away.

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9. Harbor View Inn

8.7 Average Rating
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Harbor View Inn is a boutique hotel located in Santa Barbara, just a 5-minute walk from Stearn’s Wharf. It offers a variety of amenities, including an outdoor pool and hot tub, a full-service spa experience at Spa Beaumontia, and free WiFi in every guest room.

The rooms at Harbor View Inn are modern and comfortable, featuring an HDTV with film channels, a minibar, guest robes, a safety deposit box, and a work desk.

Additional amenities include a fitness center with elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and a 24-hour business center. There is also a concierge service, a gift shop, and a variety of other services to ensure maximum convenience and comfort.

Harbor View Inn is located close to a variety of attractions, such as East Beach, Santa Barbara Mission, and Arroyo Burro Beach County Park, all of which are within a 10-minute drive.

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10. La Playa Inn Santa Barbara

9.1 Average Rating
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This property in Santa Barbara is located only 5 minute walk away from the Pacific Ocean. It offers free WiFi and a continental breakfast. Each room is air-conditioned and comes with a refrigerator, cable TV with movie channels, a coffee maker, and free toiletries. Santa Barbara Airport is 16.1 km away and Santa Barbara Winery is 2 minute drive from the property. The University of California – Santa Barbara is 17.7 km away.

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