The Best Hotels in The Mesa, Santa Barbara - 2026 Updated Prices

A beach with the sun low on the horizon, casting a warm glow on the sand and water.

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Where to stay in The Mesa

Find the best The Mesa areas 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 area like Stearns Wharf and West Beach.

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A coastal beach with palm trees, a sandy shore, and a clear blue sky.

Montecito

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Montecito. A stop by Miramar Beach or Butterfly Beach might round out your trip.

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A coastal town with a prominent white building with a red roof, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

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 Presidio Santa Barbara or Arlington Theater might round out your trip.

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A marina with multiple boats docked, calm water, and a clear sky.

West Beach

If you're spending some time in West Beach, Santa Barbara Harbor and West Beach are top sights worth seeing.

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

East Beach

East Beach is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Santa Barbara Zoo and East Beach.

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Top The Mesa Hotel Reviews

Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

10/10 Excellent

"We lived our stay here. Estevan at the front desk was so helpful and nice! The room was charming and it was a short walk to the beach. The breakfast was really nice."

Lemon Tree Inn

10/10 Excellent

"Great place with unique layout for hotel. All room surround the pool and nice garden. Ground level rooms get back entry while upper levels have balconies. Not sure if it was an overbooked night or just some reserved events happening during our stay but parking became an issue at night. Had to circle the lot 3 times for a spot, lucky someone left right in front of our room."

The Franciscan Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"I really enjoyed the breakfast, especially the delicious egg bites. My room was quiet, had everything I needed and was steps from the pool. We thoroughly enjoyed the pool for some down time after touring Santa Barbara and we also enjoyed a morning hot tub. Both the hot tub and pool were clean and fully stocked with towels. The staff was available, friendly and super helpful-yes they loaned us a corkscrew. The location is fabulous, only a short walk to State Street and the Funk Zone and it’s located on a quiet street in a beautiful and mostly residential neighbourhood. I highly recommend."

Hotel Santa Barbara

8/10 Good

"Room was very clean but very dark - not a lot of lighting. AC did not go very high, and the room stayed super humid the whole time. The elevator was very very slow and the door closed on us twice as we waited for people to leave the elevator before we got in. That said, it's a beautiful property; very clean, very well maintained and perfect location. Staff was ok; not super friendly but managed to get me in and out. One older blonde woman behind the reception desk was staring my mother and I down as if she wanted to make sure we were staying there while we waited for the elevator which made us uncomfortable, but we just tried to ignore her."

Vagabond Inn Santa Barbara - Carpinteria North

8/10 Good

"I don’t usually stay at motels, but this ended up being a solid last minute option for one night. The price was reasonable, check-in was quick, and the room was clean when we arrived. The property itself was well maintained and felt taken care of. The bed was a little lumpy, and the pillows weren’t the most comfortable, but it was fine for a short stay. The bathroom had a stand-up shower only, although it was surprisingly spacious. There isn’t an elevator, so if you’re on the second floor you’ll have to carry your luggage, but it wasn’t too much of an inconvenience. One thing to note is they don’t provide toiletries, so be sure to pack your own. Overall, it was a good value for a quick overnight stay, and I’d consider staying here again if I needed an affordable place in the area."

Frequently asked questions

What is The Mesa like?

Travellers to the The Mesa neighbourhood in Santa Barbara will be sure to enjoy their stay. Make sure that you visit Leadbetter Beach and Arroyo Burro Beach as part of your The Mesa travel plans.

How many hotels should I expect to find in the The Mesa area?

If you're searching for places to stay in Santa Barbara, Expedia has something to meet your needs with 164 The Mesa hotels and other accommodation options to choose from.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in The Mesa, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel reservations are fully refundable if you cancel before the hotel's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of the scheduled arrival. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you might be able to still cancel and receive a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then filter by "fully refundable" to get the best deals in The Mesa.

What is there to do in this Santa Barbara neighbourhood?

Enjoy a stroll along the shore at Leadbetter Beach, Arroyo Burro Beach and 1000 Steps Beach while you're in The Mesa. A visit to Mesa Lane Steps Beach is also worth the trip while you're discovering the neighbourhood. A few places to visit in the area around The Mesa include Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Carriage Museum and Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center. When you're sightseeing in Santa Barbara, Carriage and Western Art Museum and Santa Barbara Maritime Museum are also worth a stop.

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Our top choices for The Mesa hotels

1. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

2. Beachside Inn

3. Inn By The Harbor

4. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

5. La Playa Inn

6. Hotel Santa Barbara

7. Hyatt Place Santa Barbara

8. The Upham Hotel

9. Marina Beach Hotel

10. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

11. Best Western Plus Santa Barbara

12. Sandpiper Lodge

13. Mason Beach Inn

14. Lavender Inn by the Sea

15. Castillo Inn at the Beach

16. The Franciscan Hotel

17. Harbor View Inn

18. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

19. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

20. Hideaway Santa Barbara, A Kirkwood Collection Property

Where to stay in The Mesa

Santa Barbara Beach

Montecito

Downtown Santa Barbara

West Beach

East Beach

Top The Mesa Hotel Reviews

Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

Frequently asked questions

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