This sponsored post is brought to you by Hipmunk, written by me.
In between breaks at the university, I often took the train up to Santa Barbara for the weekend. Cliff lined beaches, a busy main center, and the laid-back vibe was perfect for getting away from the stress of LA city life. Dubbed the American Riviera, Santa Barbara region has a wide variety of cultural sights like the Santa Barbara Mission, museums, and offers adventure activities like surfing, hiking, and whale watching as well. Here are five boutique hotels you’ll want to check out when visiting Santa Barbara.
Image by Micah Weber via Trover.
San Ysidro Ranch
Make no mistake, just because Santa Barbara is known for its beaches doesn’t mean you have to spend all of your time seaside. San Ysidro Ranch is a luxury resort located in the foothills of lush Montecito, Southern California’s wine country. Ranked #1 Hotel in America by Forbes, you’re guaranteed to have a relaxing time here. The hotel offers private cottages with fireplaces, king sized beds, modern TVs, antique furniture and patios. Don’t miss being pampered at the hotel’s onsite spa and swimming in the outdoor pool.
The Canary Santa Barbara
The Canary, a Kimpton Hotel, boasts Spanish colonial style architecture and décor that’s in line with the rest of the town’s charm. Located just a few steps away from Santa Barbara’s main road, State Street, this hotel is walking distance from the beach, restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. For sun worshippers, this boutique hotel also hosts the only rooftop pool in Santa Barbara with food and drink service.
The Spanish Garden Inn
Visitors rave about the level of customer service at the Spanish Garden Inn, a small luxury hotel in the historic Presidio District just a few blocks away from State Street. Rooms are modern, tastefully decorated with Spanish-inspired furnishings, and come with complimentary breakfast. If you can, request the Barcelona Suite, the best room in the hotel. The hotel also offers a bike service, perfect for cruising the nearby beaches, trailheads, and shops.
Harbor View Inn
Love oceanic views? Look no further than the Harbor View Inn, living up to its name, this boutique hotel is right at Santa Barbara’s waterfront. This boutique hotel is perfect for travelers of all needs, providing a range of room options all equipped with a private patio, plush robes, flat screen TV, and more. For foodies, the inn offers room service, a pool bar, a coffee shop, and onsite restaurant famous for its vanilla dipped brioche French toast.
Image by Chris Moyer via Trover.
Santa Barbara House by the Hyatt
Away from the noise of Downtown Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara House is newly renovated and offers a local experience with all of the typical hotel perks. Rooms include WiFi, parking, access to the pool, fire pits, and fitness center (off-site, a short walk away), a safe, a fridge, and modern brand new furniture. This spot is a great base for all of Santa Barbara’s main activities like visiting the Mission, the zoo, Stearns Wharf, and the downtown area.