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 Lobero Theater and Arlington Theater while you're in the neighbourhood.

What's a favourite place to stay in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara?

Based on our traveller data, Hotel Santa Barbara is one of the top choices for your stay in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara. This hotel is a short 13-minute walk from Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and it offers a 24-hour fitness centre and free WiFi. Other good options for your stay in the neighbourhood include The Upham Hotel and Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG .

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 Lobero Theater, Arlington 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.

Top 10 Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Hotels of 2026

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

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

Tomorrow

This weekend

Next weekend

Our top choices for Historic Downtown Santa Barbara hotels

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

1. Hotel Santa Barbara

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Marilyn

includes taxes & fees

9 Sept - 10 Sept

An outdoor patio with wooden tables and benches, surrounded by lush tropical plants.

2. Haley Hotel

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Diana

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

A bright kitchen with large windows, wicker furniture, and a wooden countertop.

3. The Upham Hotel

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

JONATHAN CHARLES

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

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

4. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Shari

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

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

5. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Cayley

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A rooftop terrace with outdoor seating, umbrellas, and a pool.

6. Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Paul

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

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

7. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 1.3 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Julia

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

A living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a view through a glass door to the outdoors.

8. Casa Riviera

Laguna, 0.6 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Monica

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A hotel room with two beds, a glass table, and a framed picture on the wall.

9. Casa Jardin

Laguna, 0.6 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Yessica

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A modern living room with a white desk, a computer, a sofa, and a fireplace.

10. Hideaway Santa Barbara, A Kirkwood Collection Property

Santa Barbara Beach, 1.2 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Elliott

includes taxes & fees

13 Sept - 14 Sept

A traditional building with a white facade, arched windows, and a balcony with a railing.

11. Casa De La Vina

0.7 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Jane Hodges

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

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

12. Marina Beach Hotel

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Amy

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

A modern living room with two grey sofas, a small woven stool, and a large wall clock.

13. Beachside Inn

West Beach, 1.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Liam

includes taxes & fees

2 Sept - 3 Sept

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

14. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 1.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Richard

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A two-story building with a balcony, palm trees, and a sign that reads "Castillo Inn."

15. Castillo Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 1.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Abraham

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

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

16. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Greer

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

An outdoor patio area with stone flooring, wooden chairs, and tables. There are palm trees and a decorative stone wall with a statue.

17. The Franciscan Hotel

West Beach, 1.4 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Naomi

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

A building entrance with a tiled floor, an arched doorway, and large potted plants.

18. Casa Iglesia

Oak Park, 1.5 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Rich

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

A modern kitchen with a central island, bar stools, and a large window.

19. Casa Castillo

0.6 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

David

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

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

20. Riviera Beach House

The Funk Zone, 1.2 km from Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

wendy

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Hotel Santa Barbara	4.0 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,483 reviews	View
The Upham Hotel	4.0 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,009 reviews	View
Haley Hotel	3.5 star property	8.8 Excellent 688 reviews	View
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG	4.0 star property	8.8 Excellent 1,002 reviews	View
Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton	4.0 star property	8.6 Excellent 1,002 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.

See properties

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.

See properties

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 Lobero Theater or Arlington Theater might round out your trip.

See properties