What is Waterfront like?

Travellers to the Waterfront neighbourhood in Santa Barbara will be sure to enjoy their stay. Make sure that you visit West Beach and East Beach as part of your Waterfront travel plans.

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

Yes! The majority of hotel reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before your check-in date. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, it may still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to view top deals in Waterfront.

What is there to do around this Santa Barbara neighbourhood?

West Beach, East Beach and Leadbetter Beach are great spots if you want to spend some time by the water during your stay in Waterfront. You could also plan a visit to Santa Barbara Harbor or Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center while you're in the neighbourhood. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Art Foundry are just a few of the places to visit in and around Waterfront. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Reagan Ranch Center are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Santa Barbara.

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

A river with rocks, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

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Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

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

1. Harbor View Inn

West Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Mario

₹30,847 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A covered outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, overlooking a runway and palm trees.

2. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

East Beach, 0.5 km from Waterfront

CARLOS

₹29,142 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

A lobby with a central seating area, a patterned floor, and a decorative ceiling.

3. Hotel Californian

The Funk Zone, 0.8 km from Waterfront

Karen

₹55,186 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

A sunlit balcony with a curved sofa, a small round table, and a potted plant. The balcony features arched windows with a view of palm trees and the sea.

4. Santa Barbara Inn

East Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Moses

₹29,225 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Nov - 3 Nov

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

5. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Amanda

₹21,123 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Nov - 19 Nov

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

6. Hotel Santa Barbara

Lower State, 1.5 km from Waterfront

Morgan

₹26,755 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

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

7. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 1.5 km from Waterfront

David

₹26,271 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

A hotel room with two beds, a nightstand, a lamp, and a view of the marina through a glass door.

8. Beachside Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Jose

₹15,521 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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

9. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Nick

₹21,445 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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

10. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Anne

₹14,714 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A patio with striped sofas and a table, overlooking a beach with palm trees and flowers.

11. The Milo

West Beach, 1.1 km from Waterfront

Katherine

₹25,872 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

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

12. Mason Beach Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Sandy Lyne

₹25,841 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

13. The Eagle Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Brian

₹23,812 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

A hotel with a patio area, outdoor seating, and a well-maintained garden with flowers and palm trees.

14. Marina Beach Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Lori

₹16,852 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

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

15. The Franciscan Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Bob

₹15,645 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Oct - 30 Oct

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

16. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Lower State, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Emeterio

₹27,296 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Nov - 18 Nov

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

17. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Lower State, 1.4 km from Waterfront

John

₹23,020 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, and a view of the outdoors.

18. Riviera Beach House

The Funk Zone, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Trent

₹18,258 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Nov - 20 Nov

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

19. Lavender Inn by the Sea

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Brandon

₹20,111 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

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

20. Inn By The Harbor

West Beach, 1.6 km from Waterfront

Tricia

₹21,987 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Waterfront

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Marina Beach Hotel	3.0 star property	9.8 Exceptional 1,201 reviews	View
Santa Barbara Inn	4.0 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,003 reviews	View
Harbor House Inn	3.0 star property	9.8 Exceptional 1,003 reviews	View
The Eagle Inn	3.0 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,001 reviews	View
Beachside Inn	3.0 star property	9.0 Wonderful 1,313 reviews	View

Where to stay in Waterfront

Find the best Waterfront 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 beach with a pier, buildings, and mountains in the background.

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 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

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 East Beach and Santa Barbara Zoo.

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Top Waterfront Hotel Reviews

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

10/10 Excellent

"Clean rooms, great location!"

Hotel Santa Barbara

8/10 Good

"We loved the location being on State Street and the historical significance of the hotel as well. The room was beautiful and very well designed / decorated. The bathroom could have had more hooks for towels. Also, the room was missing a dresser or an area to put your clothes in. It seemed kind of odd that there really was not a place to put your clothes. There really wasn't a great area to relax at the hotel (like an outside patio (on the roof?)). I realize that you are limited with space but a relaxing lounge would be nice besides the table area. There was a pumped in scent in the facility (spray?). It was very strong. Complimentary coffee would have been nice as well. Overall, we loved the hotel and were happy with our room. The outside noise one night was wild but I guess we should expect in the city. Thank you for a nice stay."

Search Hotels in Waterfront, Santa Barbara

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Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

1. Harbor View Inn

2. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

3. Hotel Californian

4. Santa Barbara Inn

5. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

6. Hotel Santa Barbara

7. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

8. Beachside Inn

9. La Playa Inn

10. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

11. The Milo

12. Mason Beach Inn

13. The Eagle Inn

14. Marina Beach Hotel

15. The Franciscan Hotel

16. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

17. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

18. Riviera Beach House

19. Lavender Inn by the Sea

20. Inn By The Harbor

Compare popular hotels in Waterfront

Where to stay in Waterfront

Santa Barbara Beach

Montecito

Downtown Santa Barbara

West Beach

East Beach

Top Waterfront Hotel Reviews

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

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