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.

Waterfront Hotels: 2026 Top 10 Waterfront Hotels with Limited-Time Deals @Expedia

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

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Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

An outdoor patio with tables and chairs, palm trees, and a view of buildings in the background.

1. Hotel Californian

The Funk Zone, 0.8 km from Waterfront

Karen

HK$5,035 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Nov - 1 Dec

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

Veronica

HK$2,325 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Nov - 30 Nov

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

3. Harbor View Inn

West Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Mario

HK$2,549 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

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

4. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Lower State, 1.4 km from Waterfront

John

HK$1,903 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

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

5. Hotel Santa Barbara

Lower State, 1.5 km from Waterfront

Morgan

HK$2,763 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.

6. Santa Barbara Inn

East Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Anzhela

HK$2,679 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Nov - 30 Nov

A marina with boats docked, palm trees, and a building labeled "Sea Landing."

7. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Amanda

HK$1,817 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Nov - 18 Nov

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

8. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Lower State, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Emeterio

HK$2,088 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Dec - 2 Dec

A modern kitchen with a large island, stainless steel appliances, and wooden cabinetry.

9. Moxy Santa Barbara

The Funk Zone, 1 km from Waterfront

Hongtao

HK$1,972 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Nov - 30 Nov

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

10. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Nick

HK$1,635 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Nov - 30 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

HK$1,900 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Dec - 2 Dec

A sunny outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, surrounded by lush tropical plants and flowers.

12. Marina Beach Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Ingrid

HK$1,500 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

13. The Eagle Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Elizabeth

HK$2,030 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

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

14. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 1.5 km from Waterfront

David

HK$2,190 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

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

15. Riviera Beach House

The Funk Zone, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Trent

HK$1,505 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Nov - 30 Nov

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

16. Beachside Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Jose

HK$1,290 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

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

17. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Anne

HK$1,260 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

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

18. Mason Beach Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Sandy Lyne

HK$1,750 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Dec - 2 Dec

A coastal house with a red roof, surrounded by palm trees and a mountain backdrop.

19. Harbor House Inn

West Beach, 1.2 km from Waterfront

James

HK$1,425 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

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

20. Lavender Inn by the Sea

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Brandon

HK$1,395 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

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
Harbor House Inn	3.0 star property	9.8 Exceptional 1,002 reviews	View
Santa Barbara Inn	4.0 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,002 reviews	View
La Playa Inn	2.5 star property	9.6 Exceptional 1,002 reviews	View
The Franciscan Hotel	2.5 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,327 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

Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara

10/10 Excellent

"We loved that we had 2 rooms and 2 balconies! We will definitely be back when we visit Santa Barbara"

Hyatt Place Santa Barbara

10/10 Excellent

"This was my 2nd stay here and I just love the layout of the rooms and the configuration of the property. The pool isn’t really a pool but more like a large jacuzzi but it’s perfect for us. And I like the outdoor fire pit area. The best part was the breakfast buffet with so many options. This will always be my first choice when staying in Santa Barbara"

Rosewood Miramar Beach

10/10 Excellent

"We had one problem with the house car, but the front desk manager immediately picked up on it and took care of it, as well as writing me an extended email apologizing and stating what they will do better in the future. Frankly, taking ownership of even a small issue rates 5 stars on its own … so unusual these days."

Waterfront hotels in Santa Barbara

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Property class

Guest rating

Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

1. Hotel Californian

2. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

3. Harbor View Inn

4. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

5. Hotel Santa Barbara

6. Santa Barbara Inn

7. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

8. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

9. Moxy Santa Barbara

10. La Playa Inn

11. The Milo

12. Marina Beach Hotel

13. The Eagle Inn

14. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

15. Riviera Beach House

16. Beachside Inn

17. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

18. Mason Beach Inn

19. Harbor House Inn

20. Lavender Inn by the Sea

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

Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara

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