What is Historic Downtown Santa Barbara like?

Travellers love the Historic Downtown Santa Barbara neighbourhood for its beautiful beaches, array of dining options and major shopping area. Are you looking for Historic Downtown Santa Barbara travel tips? Make sure that you visit Arlington Theater and Lobero Theater while you're in the neighbourhood.

How many hotels are there in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara?

Expedia has 25 hotels and other accommodation options in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Santa Barbara area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara, will I receive a refund?

Yes! You'll find that most hotel bookings are refundable provided that you cancel prior to the hotel's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before the scheduled arrival. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you might be able to cancel it and be given a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then use the filter option "fully refundable" to get the top deals on offer in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara.

What is there to do in this Santa Barbara neighbourhood?

Sights like Arlington Theater, Lobero Theater and Santa Barbara Museum of Art can be part of your cultural tour of Historic Downtown Santa Barbara. Paseo Nuevo Mall and De la Guerra Plaza are also a couple of places to visit in the neighbourhood. A few places to visit in the area around Historic Downtown Santa Barbara include Hill-Carrillo Adobe, Susan Quinlan Doll and Teddy Bear Museum and La Arcada. While you're out sightseeing, Casa de la Guerra and Presidio Santa Barbara are a couple of additional sights to visit in Santa Barbara.

The Best Hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara - 2026 Updated Prices

A coastal town with red-tiled roofs, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

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Our top choices for Historic Downtown Santa Barbara hotels

1. The Upham Hotel

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Thomas

5.880.017 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

27 Aug - 28 Aug

2. Hotel Santa Barbara

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Marilyn

7.359.750 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

26 Aug - 27 Aug

Outdoor pool, open 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, pool loungers

3. Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Paul

13.218.040 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Aug - 26 Aug

4. Haley Hotel

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Diana

5.373.389 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Aug - 26 Aug

5. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Shari

8.562.231 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

6. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Cayley

7.312.043 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

7. Lavender Inn by the Sea

West Beach, 1.2 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Suzanne

7.886.272 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

17 Sept - 18 Sept

8. Inn By The Harbor

West Beach, 1.2 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

JILL

7.860.285 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

21 Sept - 22 Sept

Superior Studio, 2 Queen Beds, Balcony (The Grand Studio Double) | Frette Italian sheets, premium bedding, down duvets, pillow-top beds

9. Palihouse Santa Barbara

0.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Mary

12.525.730 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

10. Casa Jardin

Laguna, 0.6 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Yessica

5.906.394 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

21 Sept - 22 Sept

Comfort Apartment, 1 King Bed | Exterior

11. Casa De La Vina

0.7 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Jane Hodges

7.369.151 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sept

Deluxe Room, Multiple Beds (Deluxe Queen Suite) | Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

12. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 1.3 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Julia

5.000.170 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

Superior Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Mountain View | Interior

13. Casa Riviera

Laguna, 0.6 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Monica

6.656.969 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

14. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 1.2 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Liad

7.494.770 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sept

15. Vagabond Inn Santa Barbara - Carpinteria South

17.7 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Heather

2.648.926 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

16. Marina Beach Hotel

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Amy

6.385.848 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

17. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 1.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Joanna

7.413.289 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Aug - 26 Aug

18. Cliff House Inn On The Ocean

25.1 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

David

5.669.929 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

27 Aug - 28 Aug

19. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Greer

6.809.686 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

20. Harbor House Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Katrin

5.796.655 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

26 Aug - 27 Aug

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Property	Property class	Guest rating
The Upham Hotel	4.0 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,043 reviews	View
Haley Hotel	3.5 star property	8.8 Excellent 686 reviews	View
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG	4.0 star property	8.8 Excellent 1,004 reviews	View
Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton	4.0 star property	8.6 Excellent 1,001 reviews	View
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels	3.5 star property	8.4 Very good 484 reviews	View

Where to stay in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Find the best Historic Downtown Santa Barbara 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 MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.

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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 Arlington Theater or Lobero 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 East Beach and Santa Barbara Zoo.

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Top Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Hotel Reviews

Inn By The Harbor

8/10 Good

"Great location, close to major points of interest. Staff are friendly. Hotel room is clean and comfortable. We enjoyed it."

Hotel Santa Barbara

10/10 Excellent

"We booked this room 20 minutes before we arrived and what an AMAZING stay we had for such a last minute booking. Another local hotel had mistakenly canceled our reservation and we were in something of a bind as our friends were staying at this other hotel. We needed something local and this was a block away. The staff was so friendly! Our room was clean and beautiful (the color drenching was an excellent touch). Our bed was so comfortable. And the location was just perfect. Our friends were jealous and wish they had also booked here, the original hotel (the same price point) was not nearly as nice. We can’t wait to return. Highly recommend!"

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

10/10 Excellent

"Super cool room. Has everything you need, but definitely on the smaller side. Great if you’re spending most of the time exploring the area, and if you just want a cool spot to lay your head. Coffee shop was great, and the bar is also very aesthetic. Right in the middle of the attention/nightlife, makes it easy to stumble home. I’d come back for sure. Mainly a spot for you and your significant other."

Search Hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara

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Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Star rating

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Our top choices for Historic Downtown Santa Barbara hotels

1. The Upham Hotel

2. Hotel Santa Barbara

3. Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

4. Haley Hotel

5. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

6. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

7. Lavender Inn by the Sea

8. Inn By The Harbor

9. Palihouse Santa Barbara

10. Casa Jardin

11. Casa De La Vina

12. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

13. Casa Riviera

14. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

15. Vagabond Inn Santa Barbara - Carpinteria South

16. Marina Beach Hotel

17. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

18. Cliff House Inn On The Ocean

19. La Playa Inn

20. Harbor House Inn

Compare popular hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Where to stay in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Beach

Montecito

Downtown Santa Barbara

West Beach

East Beach

Top Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Hotel Reviews

Inn By The Harbor

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