Twenty miles north of Santa Barbara, situated on 300 acres of canyon wilderness, El Capitan Canyon offers a camping, or "glamping," experience with enough modern conveniences to satisfy travelers who would rather just semi-rough it. Guests stay in cabins, tents, or yurts; only cabins have en-suite bathrooms. All accommodations have electricity and wooden floors. El Capitan Canyon provides the fun and adventure of camping but with many of the comforts of a hotel.
Twenty miles north of Santa Barbara, situated on 300 acres of canyon wilderness, El Capitan Canyon offers a camping, or "glamping," experience with enough modern conveniences to satisfy travelers who would rather just semi-rough it. Guests stay in cabins, tents, or yurts; only cabins have en-suite bathrooms. All accommodations have electricity and wooden floors. El Capitan Canyon provides the fun and adventure of camping but with many of the comforts of a hotel.
The Agave Inn is small roadside motel that's had a hip makeover, which turned its basic rooms into fun crash pads with iPod docks, Mexican blankets, and Lucite chairs. Wi-Fi and a simple grab-and-go continental breakfast are free, but there is nowhere to sit and eat, nor are there any other facilities to speak of. Direct outdoor room entry from the parking lot makes the noise on busy State Street somewhat of an issue. Leisure travelers on a budget might also consider the Sandpiper Lodge down the street, which lacks the personality here, but has a small outdoor pool.
The Agave Inn is small roadside motel that's had a hip makeover, which turned its basic rooms into fun crash pads with iPod docks, Mexican blankets, and Lucite chairs. Wi-Fi and a simple grab-and-go continental breakfast are free, but there is nowhere to sit and eat, nor are there any other facilities to speak of. Direct outdoor room entry from the parking lot makes the noise on busy State Street somewhat of an issue. Leisure travelers on a budget might also consider the Sandpiper Lodge down the street, which lacks the personality here, but has a small outdoor pool.
This mid-range, 70-room hotel is reminiscent of another era. The exterior is a true example of 1960s architecture and design, but the interiors, having undergone a complete renovation in 2014, are far from outdated. With its retro vibe and sleek interiors, as well as bright guest rooms with Keurig coffeemakers, La Quinta Inn & Suites Santa Barbara outdoes most chain hotels in the area. It’s a favorite for couples and families because of the charm and amenities like free daily breakfast, an outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi. The downside to this hotel is the two-and-a-half-mile distance from the beach, although bars, restaurants, and shops are close on nearby State Street. For a quicker commute to the beach, the Best Western Beachside Inn is a typical chain hotel alternative and Brisas Del Mar, Inn at the Beach is another alternative that is a romantic Mediterranean-style villa; both are competitively priced with La Quinta.
This mid-range, 70-room hotel is reminiscent of another era. The exterior is a true example of 1960s architecture and design, but the interiors, having undergone a complete renovation in 2014, are far from outdated. With its retro vibe and sleek interiors, as well as bright guest rooms with Keurig coffeemakers, La Quinta Inn & Suites Santa Barbara outdoes most chain hotels in the area. It’s a favorite for couples and families because of the charm and amenities like free daily breakfast, an outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi. The downside to this hotel is the two-and-a-half-mile distance from the beach, although bars, restaurants, and shops are close on nearby State Street. For a quicker commute to the beach, the Best Western Beachside Inn is a typical chain hotel alternative and Brisas Del Mar, Inn at the Beach is another alternative that is a romantic Mediterranean-style villa; both are competitively priced with La Quinta.
The three-pearl Villa Rosa Inn is a two-minute walk from East Beach in Santa Barbara. The 18 rooms are housed in a historical Spanish Colonial building, and are spacious and comfortable with a homey (but dated) decor, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. All units lack air-conditioning, coffeemakers, and minibars, though some have kitchenettes or balconies. The on-site amenities include a lovely outdoor pool, hot tub, free breakfast, and free wine hour. Though the offerings are well-rounded for an inn, there’s not quite enough to satisfy the required resort fee. Travelers might want to consider The Eagle Inn, where elegant rooms have air-conditioning, microwaves, and mini-fridges -- and no resort fee is required.
The three-pearl Villa Rosa Inn is a two-minute walk from East Beach in Santa Barbara. The 18 rooms are housed in a historical Spanish Colonial building, and are spacious and comfortable with a homey (but dated) decor, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. All units lack air-conditioning, coffeemakers, and minibars, though some have kitchenettes or balconies. The on-site amenities include a lovely outdoor pool, hot tub, free breakfast, and free wine hour. Though the offerings are well-rounded for an inn, there’s not quite enough to satisfy the required resort fee. Travelers might want to consider The Eagle Inn, where elegant rooms have air-conditioning, microwaves, and mini-fridges -- and no resort fee is required.
The 97-room Canary, a Kimpton Hotel is an upscale boutique property occupying a central Santa Barbara location off of State Street. Mediterranean style mixes with a cool California aesthetic in these stylish interiors, and rooms have four-poster beds, bathrooms with beautiful Spanish tile, and Wi-Fi (though it’s free only for Kimpton Karma members). The hotel's plentiful features include meeting rooms, a restaurant serving locally sourced fare, a small rooftop pool with gorgeous views, and freebies including a nightly wine hour. The hotel does not have a spa or fitness center, however, but in-room spa treatments and free access to the gym next door help compensate. Though it’s a short walk from several attractions, Stearns Wharf and the beach are a bit of a trek; most guests will opt to drive or take the trolley. Travelers seeking something closer to the beach might want to consider the Harbor View Inn, which also has a spa.
The 97-room Canary, a Kimpton Hotel is an upscale boutique property occupying a central Santa Barbara location off of State Street. Mediterranean style mixes with a cool California aesthetic in these stylish interiors, and rooms have four-poster beds, bathrooms with beautiful Spanish tile, and Wi-Fi (though it’s free only for Kimpton Karma members). The hotel's plentiful features include meeting rooms, a restaurant serving locally sourced fare, a small rooftop pool with gorgeous views, and freebies including a nightly wine hour. The hotel does not have a spa or fitness center, however, but in-room spa treatments and free access to the gym next door help compensate. Though it’s a short walk from several attractions, Stearns Wharf and the beach are a bit of a trek; most guests will opt to drive or take the trolley. Travelers seeking something closer to the beach might want to consider the Harbor View Inn, which also has a spa.
The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is a 207-room, five-star luxury property that lives up to the Four Seasons brand expectations in terms of location, amenities, and style. The relaxed elegance of the 1920s-era Spanish Colonial architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds give the resort a timeless feel. Only a few hotels in this region can compare; the San Ysidro Ranch is one, but it lacks the Four Seasons' oceanfront location.
The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara is a 207-room, five-star luxury property that lives up to the Four Seasons brand expectations in terms of location, amenities, and style. The relaxed elegance of the 1920s-era Spanish Colonial architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds give the resort a timeless feel. Only a few hotels in this region can compare; the San Ysidro Ranch is one, but it lacks the Four Seasons' oceanfront location.
The 74-room Sandpiper Lodge is a two-pearl budget motel with reasonable rates for Santa Barbara. There are a variety of room configurations available, including apartments with kitchens. Amenities include a large heated outdoor pool with a hot tub, a small carpeted gym, and a free continental breakfast. This hotel has a bit more personality than the Motel 6 next door, but rooms are somewhat dated, especially the bathrooms. The location is outside of downtown. For travelers looking to be near the beach and closer to downtown, rates are often similar at the Blue Sands Motel, which also has rooms with kitchens.
The 74-room Sandpiper Lodge is a two-pearl budget motel with reasonable rates for Santa Barbara. There are a variety of room configurations available, including apartments with kitchens. Amenities include a large heated outdoor pool with a hot tub, a small carpeted gym, and a free continental breakfast. This hotel has a bit more personality than the Motel 6 next door, but rooms are somewhat dated, especially the bathrooms. The location is outside of downtown. For travelers looking to be near the beach and closer to downtown, rates are often similar at the Blue Sands Motel, which also has rooms with kitchens.
This elegant inn is named for the owner’s home county in England and is lightly themed around the Cheshire Cat from Lewis Carroll’s "Alice in Wonderland." It has 18 charming rooms, suites, and cottages in a group of mostly historic buildings lining a quiet street off Santa Barbara’s main strip, within walking distance of several restaurants. Guests are served a full breakfast each morning and wine and hors d'oeuvres in the evening. The inn is not right near the beach and some rooms are on the small side, but it offers both a romantic and family-friendly escape for travelers who are comfortable with the intimate atmosphere. Those who prefer beach proximity and a pool could consider the Mason Beach Inn, but it's not as quaint.
This elegant inn is named for the owner’s home county in England and is lightly themed around the Cheshire Cat from Lewis Carroll’s "Alice in Wonderland." It has 18 charming rooms, suites, and cottages in a group of mostly historic buildings lining a quiet street off Santa Barbara’s main strip, within walking distance of several restaurants. Guests are served a full breakfast each morning and wine and hors d'oeuvres in the evening. The inn is not right near the beach and some rooms are on the small side, but it offers both a romantic and family-friendly escape for travelers who are comfortable with the intimate atmosphere. Those who prefer beach proximity and a pool could consider the Mason Beach Inn, but it's not as quaint.
Located directly across the street from the ocean, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara is a cute beachside property ideally located minutes from downtown. The Spanish-style exterior is right at home among the area's palm trees and beach, while the rooms are more simple and modern (though some are extremely tiny or a bit dingy). Each guest room features wood flooring and bright white walls with green-paisley and pink-stripe accents. With iPod docks and LCD flat-screen TVs, the rooms are up-to-date, though the basic bathrooms lack personality. The hotel has two mid-sized pools with private cabanas, but they tend to take on a lot of shade throughout the day. Ultimately, with a great locale near the beach, wharf, pier, and downtown Santa Barbara, Hotel Milo is a nice choice for tourists and families wanting a quiet place close to the city's action.
Located directly across the street from the ocean, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara is a cute beachside property ideally located minutes from downtown. The Spanish-style exterior is right at home among the area's palm trees and beach, while the rooms are more simple and modern (though some are extremely tiny or a bit dingy). Each guest room features wood flooring and bright white walls with green-paisley and pink-stripe accents. With iPod docks and LCD flat-screen TVs, the rooms are up-to-date, though the basic bathrooms lack personality. The hotel has two mid-sized pools with private cabanas, but they tend to take on a lot of shade throughout the day. Ultimately, with a great locale near the beach, wharf, pier, and downtown Santa Barbara, Hotel Milo is a nice choice for tourists and families wanting a quiet place close to the city's action.
The quaint and upscale Simpson House Inn resides in a quiet residential area in an old Victorian home, originally built in 1872. This lovely bed and breakfast features two wrap-around porches on two levels, with wicker chairs overlooking the expansive lush property. The grounds are well maintained with flowering hydrangeas and lime trees. Some outdoor benches are worn and weathered, but it adds to the old-fashioned charm of the inn. Guests have the option of choosing from standard rooms, suites or cottages, which all feature a little patio or balcony, as well as a fireplace. The decor is consistent with the late 1800s, with lovely antiques and brass bathroom fixtures, though at times the floral carpeting or bedding may feel a bit dowdy. The free breakfast (enjoyed in the dining room or from the privacy of guest rooms), evening wine tastings and hors d'oeuvres, and the in-room spa treatments are nice perks.
The quaint and upscale Simpson House Inn resides in a quiet residential area in an old Victorian home, originally built in 1872. This lovely bed and breakfast features two wrap-around porches on two levels, with wicker chairs overlooking the expansive lush property. The grounds are well maintained with flowering hydrangeas and lime trees. Some outdoor benches are worn and weathered, but it adds to the old-fashioned charm of the inn. Guests have the option of choosing from standard rooms, suites or cottages, which all feature a little patio or balcony, as well as a fireplace. The decor is consistent with the late 1800s, with lovely antiques and brass bathroom fixtures, though at times the floral carpeting or bedding may feel a bit dowdy. The free breakfast (enjoyed in the dining room or from the privacy of guest rooms), evening wine tastings and hors d'oeuvres, and the in-room spa treatments are nice perks.