Waterfront Travel Guide
Santa Barbara
Popular places to visit
Santa Barbara Harbor
Explore the waterfront in Santa Barbara with a trip to Santa Barbara Harbor. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Leadbetter Beach
If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Leadbetter Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Santa Barbara. While you're in the area, stroll along the marina.
East Beach
Why not spend a lazy afternoon at East Beach during your trip to Santa Barbara? Stroll along the beautiful beaches or seek out the cycling trails.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Why not meet the animals who call Santa Barbara Zoo home during your holiday in Santa Barbara? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Santa Barbara County Courthouse is just one of the places to see in Santa Barbara, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander around the area's picturesque gardens or experience its lively festivals.
Butterfly Beach
Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Butterfly Beach during your travels in Santa Barbara? Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.
Top hotels in Waterfront
Hotel Santa Barbara
All good. Wish the common areas were a bit more up leveled (they are very sparse, carpet is poor). In the room, the bathroom slider door lends itself to being a petri-dish based on having hands all over the door to make it open/close.
Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025
Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn
Vlean
Reviewed on 12 Dec 2025
Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara
Loved the fresh baked cookies at check-in! And the Koi were huge.
Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025
Hyatt Place Santa Barbara
Clean rooms, good breakfast, centralized location
Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025
Sandpiper Lodge
The room was very nice and clean. Staff was personable and the breakfast for a continental one was great.
Reviewed on 10 Dec 2025
El Encanto Santa Barbara
Impeccable everything, incredible staff and service throughout our stay. They were lovely to our toddler son, we loved every bit of our experience and are already planning our return.
Reviewed on 14 Dec 2025
Other neighbourhoods around Waterfront
Santa Barbara Beach
Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Stearns Wharf and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.
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.
The Funk Zone
Travellers come to The Funk Zone for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Santa Barbara Art Foundry while you're in town.
Lower State
While visiting Lower State, you might make a stop by sights like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Paseo Nuevo Mall.
Eastside
While Eastside isn't home to many top sights, Santa Barbara Zoo and East Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.
West Beach
If you're spending some time in West Beach, Santa Barbara Harbor and Santa Barbara Carriage Museum are top sights worth seeing.
Waterfront Travel Guide
- Cabrillo Pavillion
- West Beach
- Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
- Santa Barbara Zoo
- University of California
- Butterfly Beach
- Stearns Wharf
- Carpinteria State Beach
- Santa Barbara City College
- Santa Ynez Valley
- Lake Cachuma
- Los Padres National Forest
- El Capitan State Beach
- Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
- Lake Casitas Recreation Area
- Arroyo Burro Beach
