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.

Top 10 Waterfront Hotels of 2026

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

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Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

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

1. Marina Beach Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Lori

includes taxes & fees

10 Nov - 11 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.

2. Santa Barbara Inn

East Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

melanie

includes taxes & fees

2 Nov - 3 Nov

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

3. Harbor House Inn

West Beach, 1.2 km from Waterfront

James

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

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

4. Riviera Beach House

The Funk Zone, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Trent

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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

5. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Lower State, 1.4 km from Waterfront

includes taxes & fees

29 Oct - 30 Oct

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

6. The Franciscan Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Bob

includes taxes & fees

10 Nov - 11 Nov

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

7. Hotel Santa Barbara

Lower State, 1.5 km from Waterfront

Karri

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

Two Adirondack chairs facing a small table on a balcony with a view of the ocean and palm trees.

8. Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

East Beach, 1 km from Waterfront

Tammy

includes taxes & fees

2 Nov - 3 Nov

A covered outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, overlooking a runway and palm trees.

9. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

East Beach, 0.5 km from Waterfront

John

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a large island with bar stools, a stainless steel range hood, and a built-in oven.

10. Pacific Crest Hotel Santa Barbara

East Beach, 1 km from Waterfront

Reiko

includes taxes & fees

20 Oct - 21 Oct

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

11. Beachside Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

ARKIMBERLEY

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

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

12. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Anthony

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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

13. Casa De La Vina, a ZenStay Hotel

1.6 km from Waterfront

Jhoana

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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

14. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Nick

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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

15. Haley Hotel

Lower State, 1.2 km from Waterfront

Rodney J

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

A courtyard with a curved seating area, a fire pit, and a bicycle.

16. Casa Del Mar Inn

West Beach, 1.2 km from Waterfront

Tzu-ying

includes taxes & fees

2 Nov - 3 Nov

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

17. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Amanda

includes taxes & fees

10 Nov - 11 Nov

A patio with striped sofas and a table, overlooking a beach with palm trees and flowers.

18. The Milo

West Beach, 1.1 km from Waterfront

Susan

includes taxes & fees

11 Nov - 12 Nov

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

19. Harbor View Inn

West Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Jodi

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

A building with a tiled entrance, a sign reading "LA ROSA," and a garden with various plants and a palm tree.

20. Villa Rosa Inn

West Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Elizabeth

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

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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

FOUND Hotels, Santa Barbara, Series by Marriott

10/10 Excellent

"Parking is a lil tight but other than that the scenery is beautiful. I love the fire pit and the breakfast wasnt too shabby. I would definitely stay there again."

Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

10/10 Excellent

"Stayed here for my birthday with my hubby. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The location was great not too far from the beach. The staff was very nice and friendly. The room was nice. The stars of the show were the bed and the shower. The bed was so comfortable that I couldn’t even get out of it the next day. I literally had to call to the front desk and pay for extra time because it was so comfortable. The shower oh my gosh! The water pressure was so amazing. I don’t know what was in his water, but it felt like moisturizer was coming directly from the spout. We got out of the shower, and our skin was so soft and nourished. I would absolutely stay here again."

Hotels in Waterfront

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Star rating

Guest rating

Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

1. Marina Beach Hotel

2. Santa Barbara Inn

3. Harbor House Inn

4. Riviera Beach House

5. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

6. The Franciscan Hotel

7. Hotel Santa Barbara

8. Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

9. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

10. Pacific Crest Hotel Santa Barbara

11. Beachside Inn

12. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

13. Casa De La Vina, a ZenStay Hotel

14. La Playa Inn

15. Haley Hotel

16. Casa Del Mar Inn

17. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

18. The Milo

19. Harbor View Inn

20. Villa Rosa Inn

Where to stay in Waterfront

Santa Barbara Beach

Montecito

Downtown Santa Barbara

West Beach

East Beach

Top Waterfront Hotel Reviews

FOUND Hotels, Santa Barbara, Series by Marriott

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