What is Historic Downtown Santa Barbara like?

Travelers love the Historic Downtown Santa Barbara neighborhood for its beautiful beaches, array of dining options, and major shopping area. Are you looking for Historic Downtown Santa Barbara travel tips? Be sure to check out Lobero Theater and Arlington Theater while you're in the neighborhood.

What's the best accommodation in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara?

Based on our traveler data, Hotel Santa Barbara is one of the top choices for your stay in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara. This hotel is a short 13-minute walk from Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and it offers a 24-hour fitness center and free WiFi. Other good options for your stay in the neighborhood include The Upham Hotel and Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG .

How many hotels will I be able to find in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara?

Expedia has 24 hotels and other accommodations in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Santa Barbara area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel room reservations are fully refundable if you cancel before the hotel’s cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, it might still be possible to cancel it and receive a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to view top deals in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip to Historic Downtown Santa Barbara?

For more details about rescheduling or cancelling your trip to Historic Downtown Santa Barbara, head over to our customer service page .

What is there to do in this Santa Barbara neighborhood?

Sights like Lobero Theater, Arlington Theater, and Santa Barbara Museum of Art can be part of your cultural tour of Historic Downtown Santa Barbara. Hill-Carrillo Adobe and Paseo Nuevo Mall are also a couple of places to visit in the neighborhood. A few places to visit in the area around Historic Downtown Santa Barbara include Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum, La Arcada, and Casa de la Guerra. While you're out sightseeing, De la Guerra Plaza and Presidio Santa Barbara are a couple of additional sights to visit in Santa Barbara.

Top Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Hotels

A coastal town with red-tiled roofs, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

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Our top choices for Historic Downtown Santa Barbara hotels

A spacious interior with high ceilings, wooden beams, and a central column.

1. Hotel Santa Barbara

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Morgan

₩373,558 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a central island, and large windows.

2. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Emeterio

₩380,669 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 17 - Nov 18

A rooftop terrace with outdoor seating, umbrellas, and a pool.

3. Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Gavin

₩573,375 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 18 - Nov 19

A courtyard with outdoor seating, a fountain, and white buildings with arches.

4. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

John

₩321,490 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A bright kitchen with large windows, wicker furniture, and a wooden countertop.

5. The Upham Hotel

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Luan

₩406,194 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 18 - Nov 19

An outdoor patio with wooden tables and benches, surrounded by lush tropical plants.

6. Haley Hotel

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Rodney J

₩272,738 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a view through a glass door to the outdoors.

7. Casa Riviera, a ZenStay Hotel

Laguna, 0.6 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Melissa

₩363,435 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 18 - Nov 19

A bedroom with a bed, bedside lamps, a mirror, and a window with curtains.

8. Palihouse Santa Barbara

0.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Maria

₩590,360 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A multi-story building with a curved entrance, palm trees, and a staircase leading to the entrance.

9. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 1.2 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

David

₩359,423 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

An outdoor patio area with stone flooring, wooden chairs, and tables. There are palm trees and a decorative stone wall with a statue.

10. The Franciscan Hotel

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Carlos

₩217,866 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

A bright kitchen with a large island, white cabinetry, and a view through glass doors to an outdoor patio.

11. Lavender Inn by the Sea

West Beach, 1.2 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Brandon

₩262,804 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 4 - Nov 5

A traditional building with a white facade, arched windows, and a balcony with a railing.

12. Casa De La Vina, a ZenStay Hotel

0.7 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Ryan

₩319,717 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 18 - Nov 19

A large, two-story building with a tiled roof, surrounded by palm trees and a well-maintained garden.

13. Inn By The Harbor

West Beach, 1.2 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Tricia

₩306,180 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

A green double door with a keypad lock and a small window.

14. Casa Jardin, a ZenStay Hotel

Laguna, 0.6 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Nicole

₩271,147 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A reception desk with a wooden wall and a sign that reads "West Beach Inn".

15. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 1.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Amanda

₩294,147 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 19 - Nov 20

A multi-story hotel with a sign reading "LA PLAYA INN Santa Barbara, California".

16. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Nick

₩299,414 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a desk, and a nightstand.

17. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 1.3 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Anne

₩226,558 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

A white building with a sign reading "Mason Beach Inn" and a balcony with a railing.

18. Mason Beach Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Sandy Lyne

₩347,703 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

A resort with a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, a beach view, and a well-maintained lawn.

19. Harbor View Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Mario

₩430,681 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

A two-story building with a balcony, palm trees, and a sign that reads "Castillo Inn."

20. Castillo Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 1.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Wesley

₩210,410 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 10 - Nov 11

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Hotel Santa Barbara	4.0 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,552 reviews	View
The Upham Hotel	4.0 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,016 reviews	View
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG	4.0 star property	8.8 Excellent 1,000 reviews	View
Haley Hotel	3.5 star property	8.8 Excellent 716 reviews	View
Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton	4.0 star property	8.6 Excellent 1,000 reviews	View

Where to stay in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Find the best Historic Downtown Santa Barbara areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most.

A coastal town with a pier extending into the ocean, a beach, and a mix of residential and commercial buildings.

Santa Barbara Beach

Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Stearns Wharf and West Beach.

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A beach with a pier, buildings, and mountains in the background.

Montecito

Celebrity-favored Montecito offers backcountry hiking trails and attractions like Lotusland and El Fureidis. Easily accessible via State Route 192 and the U.S. 101 Freeway, it's well-connected to Santa Barbara County.

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A white colonial building with a bell tower, surrounded by palm trees and a clear blue sky.

Downtown Santa Barbara

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Presidio Santa Barbara might round out your trip.

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A beach with a pier extending into the water, mountains in the background, and several flags on the pier.

West Beach

While visiting West Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Barbara Harbor and West Beach.

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A beach with palm trees, a pier, and the ocean at sunset.

East Beach

East Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like East Beach and Santa Barbara Zoo.

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Top Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Hotel Reviews

Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

8/10 Good

"The staff was very welcoming and helpful, sitting under the pergola for happy hour was lovely, and the location was great - not far from the harbor and beautiful parks along the beach or the downtown sites and restaurants."

Haley Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"This is a very cute boutique hotel in the heart of Santa Barbara. It's clean and decorated in a retro & nautical theme. There were ear plugs on each night stand which gave us pause ... and while it was a little noisy at night, we were able to sleep just fine. Parking is right next door. The attendant told us the fee was $10 ... unless we were staying at the hotel, then it was $15 LOL. Not a big deal and very convenient parking. We walked everywhere we needed to go. There are a few un-housed people in the area which was disturbing, but they didn't bother us when we walked past. Check-in & check-out was easy. We asked for and paid for early check-in, but didn't get it. The hotel refunded us promptly upon check-out. We forgot to mention it, but the water pressure in the shower (room 14) is less than optimal. All things considered, I'd recommend the Haley Hotel and I would stay here again."

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

8/10 Good

"Nice boutique hotel, but pictures were a bit deceiving.I️ didn’t love the peekaboo shower with glass into the bedroom. Also the sink was in the washroom. For the price I️ expected a bit more. I️ will say the location and staff was very responsive. Parking was off-site, affordable and no valet."

Find hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

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Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Property class

Guest rating

Our top choices for Historic Downtown Santa Barbara hotels

1. Hotel Santa Barbara

2. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

3. Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

4. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

5. The Upham Hotel

6. Haley Hotel

7. Casa Riviera, a ZenStay Hotel

8. Palihouse Santa Barbara

9. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

10. The Franciscan Hotel

11. Lavender Inn by the Sea

12. Casa De La Vina, a ZenStay Hotel

13. Inn By The Harbor

14. Casa Jardin, a ZenStay Hotel

15. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

16. La Playa Inn

17. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

18. Mason Beach Inn

19. Harbor View Inn

20. Castillo Inn at the Beach

Compare popular hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Where to stay in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Beach

Montecito

Downtown Santa Barbara

West Beach

East Beach

Top Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Hotel Reviews

Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

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