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There’s no shortage of Elysian Santa Barbara hotels in both the seaside city and its idyllic surrounding areas of Montecito and the Santa Ynez wine country. The central California region, after all, has been a popular getaway since the early 1950s—its abundance of sunshine, Mediterranean climate, and sprawling Pacific Ocean views made it a magnet for well-to-do honeymooners, road-trippers, and celebrities during the booming post-war era. Soon, the area gained the nickname of the “American Riviera” (a nod to the French coastal region idealized by vacationers of every era, everywhere).
70 years later, and the area’s popularity proves perennial: Santa Barbara is a must-stop for those cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles weekenders, and, well, anyone who desires to live out a California fantasy. So, for those planning—or just daydreaming—about a trip, here are our favorite Santa Barbara hotels in the city proper and its surrounding areas.
El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel
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High in the hills of Montecito is the peaceful oasis that is El Encanto, a Belmond hotel with greenery-covered walkways, ivy-adorned trellises, and a calming infinity pool that seemingly stretches into the horizon. Spacious rooms are adorned in a Spanish-colonial-meets-California-cool aesthetic (think terracotta as well as tilework complemented with crisp white accents), and most feature balconies or patios perfect for a morning coffee—although you may want to enjoy that (or an afternoon tea service) on the property’s idyllic terrace with Pacific Ocean views. —Elise Taylor
Amenities: Pool, spa, restaurant, gym, sauna, complimentary bicycle rentals
Address: 800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103
San Ysidro Ranch
San Ysidro Ranch has a glamorous history: founded in 1893, it was the California hotel du jour during the golden age of Hollywood, and it was the setting for the 1953 honeymoon of John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy as well as the wedding of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, to name a few. (More recently, it hosted the nuptials of Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger.) Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, its 500-acre grounds are dotted with olive and orange trees as well as roses and magnolias. Order a bottle of wine—the hotel’s cellar has 12,000 bottles—and enjoy the scenic views of the Pacific. —E.T.
Amenities: Pool, restaurant, wine cellar, salon, spa, complementary dining (excluding alcohol), pet-friendly, free parking
Address: 900 San Ysidro Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
The Ritz Carlton Bacara
Though Santa Barbara and its surrounding town are filled with gorgeous hotel properties, you might be surprised to learn how few are set directly on the beach. If you’re seeking a resort with uninterrupted access to the ocean, look no further than The Ritz Carlton’s gorgeous Bacara hotel—just 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara and on 78 beachside acres. After a scenic drive by the Sandpiper Golf Club, you’ll approach a secluded road that leads to an imposing Mediterranean-style estate. Here, the hacienda charm of the mission town meets the luxuries of a resort (multiple pools, a world-class spa, clay tennis courts, several dining options) and the glories of a Pacific Ocean vista—which can be taken in from your room or the pool terrace which wind together in a network verdant landscaped paths. Lush SoCal vegetation lines a beach cliff path perfect for sunset walks; the spa and fitness center offers a variety of workout classes to its guests; and over six restaurant concepts offer a rich culinary variety—from the upscale Angel Oak steakhouse (where the sea scallops and sweet corn is not be missed) to the food truck parked right on the beach (for a quick lemonade and taco). —Lilah Ramzi
Amenities: Swimming pools, tennis courts, gym, spa, restaurants, terrace
Address: 8301 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, Santa Barbara, 93117
Rosewood Miramar Beach
As the site of Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian’s much-publicized engagement, the Rosewood Miramar is enjoying quite the pop culture moment. Not that it needs it: the property has been a must-stay since its recent opening in 2019, selling out most weekends. Why? Well, because it’s a leisure-pursuit paradise perched right on the Pacific Ocean: there are two pools, a beach club, a bocce court, a luxurious spa, as well as both a Goop store and The Webster. Plus, with an ice cream shop and multiple bars, you’ll be able to do all of the above with a cone—or glass of rosé—in hand. —E.T.
Amenities: Pools, restaurants, bars, spa, boutiques, Cadillac car, bocce courts, fitness studio, beach activities
Address: 1759 South Jameson Lane, Montecito, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108
Palihouse Santa Barbara
Set in the heart of Santa Barbara’s historic Presidio District, Palihouse calls to those searching for a boutique hotel experience. Like all Palisociety hotels (there are now 19), the Santa Barbara outpost delivers in contrasts—it’s easygoing yet elegant, unpretentious but thoroughly designed. 24 rooms are arranged around a courtyard, where happy hour is served with complimentary cocktails each evening. Tasseled parasols and a melange of outdoor upholstery patterns, from chintz to beach stripes, add spirit and liveliness to the relaxing space. Rooms feel individually assembled, like a guest rather than a hotel room, and the staff is on hand to provide you with restaurant recommendations—many of which are a short walk away. If you feel like staying onsite, a heated outdoor pool offers the perfect place to while away an afternoon. —L.R.
Amenities: Pool, garden café, bar, lounge, gym, complimentary bicycle rentals
Address: 915 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
Hotel Californian
Visitors wanting the full Santa Barbara experience right by the famous Pier should consider Hotel Californian. Opened in 2017 in a prime location in the town’s up-and-coming Funk Zone, which is buzzing with culinary and viniculture creativity, the Hotel Californian features a Spanish-style exterior in keeping with the rest of the historic town, but on the inside, acclaimed interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard dreamt up a Moorish design scheme that carried over into the hotel’s spa, which is laid out like a hammam—the steam rooms are small but mighty and not to be missed. The property features 121 rooms with zellige tiles corridors connecting the amenities—a library bar, rooftop pool, and sunbathing deck (with views of the ocean), as well as several restaurants from the upscale Blackbird to the casual all-day café of Goat Tree. A tasting room, The Society, pours blends from the vineyard portfolio of Hotel Californian’s famous wine-loving owner and financier Bill Foley. —L.R.
Amenities: Pool, restaurants, bar, spa, salon, gym, wine tasting room, vineyard tours
Address: 36 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern
The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern is the new kid on the block: the Auberge resort quietly opened this past February. But already, the former 19th-century stagecoach stop is making a name for itself among in-the-know Angelenos thanks to its elevated nouveau-ranch interiors (think leather club chairs, roaring fires, exposed beams, white clapboard walls, and plenty of equestrian-themed accents) and an excellent on-site restaurant serving everything from uni toast to pork belly with clams. Later this summer, a full-service spa with Jenni Kayne’s Oak Essentials line will open, and it’s also a mere minute’s walk into the town of Los Olivos, which is lined with wine-tasting rooms as well as the critically acclaimed Bar Le Cote. Plus, you know you’re in for something special when the front desk offers you an Arnold Palmer (with the optional addition of whiskey) upon arrival. —E.T.
Amenities: Pool, restaurant, bar, spa, gym, complimentary bicycle rentals
