The Eagle Inn

This bed-and-breakfast gives travelers a chance to experience relaxed, California-style living in a lovely Spanish Colonial home. Towering palm trees, flowering plants, and beautiful landscaping set the scene for entering the stately, whitewashed Inn, which sits on a street with mountain vistas in the distance. The architectural style is represented inside, with terra-cotta floors, arched entryways, and rustic wood ceiling beams. There's a small lobby that isn't designed to be a central gathering spot, but dark leather chairs in front of a decorative fireplace are an inviting place to plop down. Like the residential community that surrounds it, the Inn is quiet and offers secluded nooks outside that are surrounded by tall, manicured shrubs. The intimate atmosphere doesn't compromise the privacy of guests, who tend to be mostly couples, plus some families and friends traveling in groups. 

The Eagle Inn is situated in a peaceful residential neighborhood, only two blocks from West Beach in the heart of affluent Santa Barbara. There are a few convenience stores and restaurants within walking distance, but there are many more options in the area at the front of the harbor, which is a little more than a 10-minute walk. The Inn is also close to Pershing Park, which has a tennis center, and is about three minutes on foot. There's also Santa Barbara Athletic club, about an 11-minute walk from the Inn. 

• Three-minute walk to Ambassador Park
• Three-minute walk to Santa Barbara Harbor and West Beach
• 13-minute walk to restaurants and shops at Stearns Wharf
• 15-minute walk to Ledbetter Beach and Park
• Four-minute drive to Santa Barbara Amtrak Station
• Seven-minute drive to the Santa Barbara Zoo
• Eight-minute drive to Downtown Santa Barbara/State Street
• 10-minute drive to Santa Barbara Museum of Art
• 11-minute drive to Santa Barbara County Courthouse
• 12-minute drive to Old Mission Santa Barbara
• 15-minute drive to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

The bright and airy guest rooms at The Eagle Inn are cozied-up with rustic details. Soft earth tones are a backdrop for weightier elements, like wrought-iron headboards, leather-tufted armchairs with gold grommets, and knotted-wood doors. All units have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, Keurig coffeemakers with free coffee pods, microwaves, mini-fridges, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have tan tiling with decorative borders, pedestal sinks, and vintage-inspired fixtures. Some have roomy walk-in showers, and others have shower/tub combos. Larger rooms and the Inn's eight free-standing casitas add private balconies or patios, and gas fireplaces. Some feature two-person en-suite whirlpool tubs. Standard rooms are a little on the small side, but they aren't cramped, and all rooms we saw were exceptionally clean and quiet. 

The amenities at this Inn are somewhat limited, although they're in line with what you’d typically find at a bed-and- breakfast in a small city. A free hot breakfast spread includes fresh fruit and daily specials, such as huevos rancheros and Mexican casserole. The meal is served in a sunny room, with outdoor seating on a small balcony. Free coffee and iced tea are available all day, and freshly baked cookies are on offer every afternoon. 

The hotel has a fleet of loaner bicycles that guests are welcome to use, and Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free as well, although some guests have said that the lot fills quickly. There's also a lobby computer workstation with free printing.  There's no on-site gym, but for guests who need a good workout, day passes to the nearby Santa Barbara Athletic Club are available for a modest fee. Among the club’s numerous amenities is an outdoor pool, and there's an assortment of group exercise classes.