A coastal town with a beach, houses, and mountains in the background.

5 Star Hotels in Santa Barbara

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5 Star Hotels in Santa Barbara

Properties are selected based on real traveler reviews and popularity among guests who’ve booked a night in Santa Barbara on Hotels.com. These Santa Barbara 5 Star Hotels consistently deliver on quality, location and traveler experience. Last updated on October 17, 2026.

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

A spacious lobby with a patterned floor, a large chandelier, and a chess table.

A pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, a clear view of the ocean, and palm trees.

A restaurant interior with hexagonal patterned flooring, wooden tables and chairs, a bar area with a counter, and a menu board on the wall.

1. Hotel Californian

Santa Barbara Beach

A small building with a tiled roof surrounded by lush greenery and flowering plants.

A living room with a fireplace, a sofa, a chair, a table with books and a vase of flowers, and a window with curtains.

A dining table set for two with a view of the ocean and hills.

A pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, overlooking a scenic view.

2. El Encanto Santa Barbara

Upper Riviera

CNY4,180

CNY5,261 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A wooden porch with steps leading to a door marked 'Tack Room,' a bench, and potted plants.

A room with a sloped ceiling, a bed with a white bedspread, a leather sofa, a wooden table, and a lamp.

A bedroom with a bed, a dining table with chairs, a chandelier, and a view through a door.

A dining area with a table, chairs, a chandelier, a window with shutters, and a decorative wheel.

3. Simpson House Inn

Upper East

CNY2,399

CNY3,189 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A spacious living room with a large, round, tufted sofa, two armchairs, a television, and a balcony with a view of the sea.

A room with a view through a glass door, featuring a round table with a bowl of fruit, two chairs, and a view of a park and distant mountains.

A deck with outdoor seating and umbrellas overlooking a beach.

A large, two-story building with a central entrance, a fountain in the courtyard, and a well-lit facade.

4. Rosewood Miramar Beach

Montecito

CNY8,400

CNY10,344 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A resort with a swimming pool, beach access, and ocean views.

A restaurant with tables set for dining, large windows offering a view of the sea, and wicker hanging lights.

A hotel with a pool, palm trees, and a white facade.

A balcony with a view of the ocean at sunset, featuring a table with a candle, a chair, and a potted plant.

5. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Ellwood

CNY5,279

CNY6,616 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A resort with multiple white buildings, a swimming pool, and a golf course.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a desk, and a bathroom visible through an open door.

A spacious living room with a high ceiling, large windows, and a fireplace.

6. Ojai Valley Inn

Ojai

CNY4,450

CNY5,588 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 19 - Oct 20

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Top neighborhoods in Santa Barbara

A pier extending into calm waters with a cloudy sky above.

A coastal house on stilts with a pier extending into calm waters, surrounded by boats and mountains in the background.

A sunset with palm trees silhouetted against a colorful sky.

A wine glass with 'Creana' branding on a wooden table.

The Funk Zone

Santa Barbara's Funk Zone has traded its industrial past for artistic cool, with colorful murals splashed across converted warehouses. You can watch glassblowers craft masterpieces in working studios, hop between wine tasting rooms, or explore interactive exhibits at MOXI museum. The neighborhood sits just three blocks from East Beach, making it easy to combine creative inspiration with ocean relaxation. Getting around this compact six-block area is a breeze on foot, with everything from craft breweries to art galleries within walking distance. Most venues open around 11am, with tasting rooms pouring until 8-9pm. While accommodations are limited within the Zone itself, boutique hotels with industrial-chic vibes can be found nearby.

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A person walking on a beach with footprints, a sunset, and a mountain in the background.

A sandy beach with large rocks in the foreground and a cliff with trees in the background.

A beach with a rainbow, cliffs, and the ocean.

A beach with calm waves, a clear sky, and a rocky cliff.

A beach with waves, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

The Mesa

The Mesa serves up California coastal living with a laid-back, residential vibe. Shoreline Park crowns the neighborhood with sweeping Pacific views and palm-lined paths perfect for sunset strolls. Beach lovers can brave the Mesa Lane Steps down steep cliffs to secluded sands, while nature enthusiasts explore eucalyptus-scented trails through the Douglas Family Preserve's coastal scrubland. This quiet hillside area has minimal dining options, so most visitors drive downtown for restaurants. With primarily vacation rentals and private homes available, The Mesa offers an authentic Santa Barbara experience away from tourist crowds. A car is essential for exploring this Mediterranean-style neighborhood where ocean breezes and birdsong replace city noise.

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A beach with a pier, buildings, and mountains in the background.

A coastal beach with palm trees, a sandy shore, and a clear blue sky.

A sunset over a beach with waves and a distant shoreline.

A beach at sunset with a person standing on the sand.

A hilly landscape with a fenced path, a person walking, and a distant view of a body of water and hills.

Montecito

Celebrity-favored Montecito offers backcountry hiking trails and attractions like Lotusland and El Fureidis. Easily accessible via State Route 192 and the U.S. 101 Freeway, it's well-connected to Santa Barbara County.

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A coastal town with a pier extending into the ocean, a beach, and a mix of residential and commercial buildings.

A pier with lights reflecting on the water, a flag, and buildings in the background.

A coastal promenade with palm trees, a dolphin sculpture, and a car on the road.

A row of palm trees silhouetted against a sunset sky.

A marina with numerous boats docked, a pier extending into the water, and a backdrop of mountains and a sunset sky.

Santa Barbara Beach

Santa Barbara Beach captivates with pristine sandy shorelines and ocean vistas framed by the Santa Ynez Mountains. Stearns Wharf extends into the Pacific, offering seafood dining and the Sea Center for curious explorers. The palm-lined Cabrillo Boulevard buzzes with cyclists and joggers while East Beach draws volleyball enthusiasts and sun-seekers. Upscale oceanfront restaurants serve fresh seafood alongside casual beachside cafés with perfect sunset views. Luxury resorts and boutique hotels dominate the accommodation scene with spa services and prime beach access. Getting around is breezy with rental bikes, a coastal path, and easy walking access to most waterfront attractions.

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A white colonial building with a bell tower, surrounded by palm trees and a clear blue sky.

A historic building with a clock tower, arched windows, and a central archway.

A historic building with arched windows and a bell tower, surrounded by palm trees and greenery.

A white building with a clock tower, surrounded by palm trees and a well-maintained lawn.

A historic building with a clock tower, surrounded by palm trees and a well-maintained lawn.

Downtown Santa Barbara

Downtown Santa Barbara pairs historic Spanish charm with beachside bliss just blocks from the Pacific. Red-tiled roofs and palm-lined streets create a picture-perfect backdrop as you explore the iconic County Courthouse and El Presidio. State Street buzzes with boutiques, restaurants, and theaters where you can shop, dine, or catch a show. From casual tacos to upscale seafood, the food scene satisfies every craving. Most attractions sit within easy walking distance, though public buses run regularly along main routes. Boutique hotels and historic inns offer stylish stays that capture Santa Barbara's relaxed coastal elegance.

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Top landmarks in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Harbor

9.2/10 (2,746 reviews)

You can stroll along Santa Barbara Harbor for relaxing water views when you're in Santa Barbara Beach. If you carry on walking you'll get to West Beach, Stearns Wharf, and Leadbetter Beach for some more water views.

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An elephant in a zoo enclosure with a rocky background and mountains in the distance.

Santa Barbara Zoo

9.0/10 (1,101 reviews)

It's feeding time at the zoo! If you want to be reminded of some of the great animals our world is home to, you might want to pay a trip to Santa Barbara Zoo, located 2.2 mi (3.6 km) from central Santa Barbara. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches. If you have fun at Santa Barbara Zoo, you'll love Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, both located nearby.

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Santa Barbara County Courthouse

9.2/10 (1,499 reviews)

Santa Barbara County Courthouse is worth a pic or two when discovering Downtown Santa Barbara. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches.

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Santa Barbara Bowl

9.0/10 (551 reviews)

If you want to see a show while you're in town, try and grab some tickets at Santa Barbara Bowl in Lower Riviera. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches. If you enjoy the show and want to see another, Lobero Theater, Arlington Theater, and Granada Theatre are not far.

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Stearns Wharf

9.0/10 (4,143 reviews)

You can stroll along Stearns Wharf for relaxing water views when you're in Santa Barbara Beach. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches. If you carry on walking you'll get to West Beach, Santa Barbara Harbor, and Santa Barbara Channel for some more water views.

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A historic church with a bell tower and a fountain in the foreground.

Mission Santa Barbara

9.2/10 (1,948 reviews)

If you're planning a bit of sightseeing head to Mission Santa Barbara— just one of the monuments in Upper East. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches.

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Butterfly Beach

9.2/10 (486 reviews)

If you can't wait to get to the beach, you might enjoy a trip to Butterfly Beach located 3.4 mi (5.6 km) from central Santa Barbara. Catch the sunset by the shore at Hammond's Beach, just a short walk away.

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A residential area with houses, palm trees, and a road.

Upper State Street

9.0/10 (3,969 reviews)

If you want to give your credit card some exercise, head out to Upper State Street in North State. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches. It's also full of great shops and restaurants, so you can spend the afternoon having a wander. Splash some more cash at La Cumbre Plaza.

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