Skip to Content

Santa Barbara Inn: an Affordable Beachfront Hotel in Santa Barbara

Share with a friend

Waves crashing on the beach. The gentle ocean breeze blowing through your balcony door. All this and more await when you stay at the Santa Barbara Inn.

The Santa Barbara Inn is steps away from one of the most popular beaches in Santa Barbara. California’s warm golden sun caressing you each day.

Disclosure: My stay was provided courtesy of Expedia. All opinions are 100% mine.

Santa Barbara Inn

The Santa Barbara Inn is a boutique hotel with 70 rooms including suites. Every room offers a view of the ocean, Channel Islands, Stearns Wharf, or Santa Ynez Mountains. With a California Mission, Spanish Mediterranean architecture style, the hotel only looks expensive. | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

The Santa Barbara Inn is a boutique hotel with 70 rooms including suites. Every room offers a view of the ocean, Channel Islands, Stearns Wharf, or Santa Ynez Mountains.

With a California Mission, Spanish Mediterranean architecture style, the hotel only looks expensive.

The best part…the price tag. Rooms at the Santa Barbara Inn are affordable and include free daily continental breakfast.

Location

Oceanfront in Santa Barbara is affordable when you stay at the Santa Barbara Inn. Located on the corner of S Milpas Street and E Cabrillo Blvd, the Pacific Ocean is steps away. | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Wake up to this every morning when you stay at the Santa Barbara Inn

Oceanfront in Santa Barbara is affordable when you stay at the Santa Barbara Inn. Located on the corner of S Milpas Street and E Cabrillo Blvd, the Pacific Ocean is steps away.

Families can let their little ones run around at nearby Cabrillo Ball Park. Couples can enjoy a picnic on the grass while watching the sunset over the ocean.

The Santa Barbara Inn is fourteen minutes from the Santa Barbara airport. You can rent a car, Uber to the hotel, or take the bus.

Pro-tip: Get a $25 credit when you sign-up for Uber.

You can take the #11 bus from the airport to downtown Santa Barbara (55 minutes, $1.75 one-way). Then take the Waterfront Shuttle bus to the Santa Barbara Inn (18 minutes, $0.50 one-way). The shuttle stops in front of the lobby door.

You can take the #11 bus from the airport to downtown Santa Barbara (55 minutes, $1.75 one-way). Then take the Waterfront Shuttle bus to the Santa Barbara Inn (18 minutes, $0.50 one-way). The shuttle stops in front of the lobby door.| Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

If you arrive into Santa Barbara via Amtrak, the Santa Barbara Inn is six minutes from the station. It’s a 1 1/2 to 2-hour drive from Los Angeles Airport.

Lobby

Lobby of the Santa Barbara Inn. The Santa Barbara Inn is steps away from one of the most popular beaches in Santa Barbara. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Picture a living room in someone’s house and you’ll have an accurate image of the lobby of the Santa Barbara Inn.

Cozy with overstuffed sofas and chairs and fireplace for chilly mornings and evenings.

No lines at the reception desk. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

No lines at the reception desk

King Bedroom Mountain View

The furnishings are a mix of old world tropical plantation. Big bold dressers with a beach vibe and granite tops. Bamboo or cane wicker chairs and tables with glass tops. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

The furnishings are a mix of old world tropical plantation. Big bold dressers with a beach vibe and granite tops. Bamboo or cane wicker chairs and tables with glass tops.

It’s like they couldn’t decide on a theme so threw some stuff together. A weird cohesive harmony. The furniture doesn’t encourage lingering in the room. But who wants to stay in your room when there’s so much to do in Santa Barbara?

The bed with its thick comforter and crisp sheets coaxes you. Drawing you into its embrace, encouraging you to sleep in and waste away your vacation days.

The bed with its thick comforter and crisp sheets coaxes you. Drawing you into its embrace, encouraging you to sleep in and waste away your vacation days. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

If you decide to putter around in your room, comfortable robes and slippers await in the closet. A laptop sized safe stores your electronics and other valuable items.

If you decide to putter around in your room, comfortable robes and slippers await in the closet. A laptop sized safe stores your electronics and other valuable items. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

You’ll find a small fridge in the dresser under the TV. There’s enough room to store drinks, snacks, and/or leftovers.

You'll find a small fridge in the dresser under the TV. There's room to store drinks, snacks, and/or leftovers. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

A small table with two chairs on the Spanish tiled balcony make for an al fresco breakfast, lunch, or snack.

A small table with two chairs on the Spanish tiled balcony make for an al fresco breakfast, lunch, or snack. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

The dual sink Corian countertop in the bathroom lets two people get ready at the same time. There’s just enough room to the sides of the sink for your toiletries.

The dual sink Corian countertop in the bathroom lets two people get ready at the same time. There's just enough room to the sides of the sink for your toiletries. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Rooms include Eco Essence brand toiletries: Green Tea Shampoo, Essence of Mango Conditioner and Body Wash, and Milk & Honey Lotion. Easily remove beach tar from your feet and shoes with the oil slick beach tar remover towelette.

Rooms include Eco Essence brand toiletries: Green Tea Shampoo, Essence of Mango Conditioner and Body Wash, and Milk & Honey Lotion. Easily remove beach tar from your feet and shoes with the oil slick beach tar remover towelette. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

There’s a tub/shower combination with a non-adjustable shower head. The water pressure was average.

There's a tub/shower combination with a non-adjustable shower head. The water pressure was average. | Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Food

Convivo Restaurant

| Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Photo courtesy: Convivo Restaurant
Enjoy views of the beach from the patio of the Convivo Restaurant

| Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Inside

Rooms include daily continental breakfast in the Convivo restaurant. Breakfast includes oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, granola, bagels, pastries, juices, and coffee.

Rooms include daily continental breakfast in the Convivo restaurant. Breakfast includes oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, granola, bagels, pastries, juices, and coffee.| Santa Barbara | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Pool

 Swim in the heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi while taking in the ocean views. | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Swim in the heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi while taking in the ocean views.

Santa Barbara Inn
901 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
800-231-0431

Check Rates & reviews: Expedia

Conclusion

The Santa Barbara Inn is an affordable beachfront hotel. With free breakfast and only minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, it’s a great spot to spend a few days without busting your budget.

With only 70 rooms, you won’t feel like a number nor have to rush down to the pool at the crack of dawn to save a chair. This cozy hotel offers everything you need without the big price tag.

Onsite parking, Uber, the Downtown and Waterfront Shuttles make the Santa Barbara Inn an easy getaway for families, couples, and solo travelers.

Be sure to read my post on how to visit Santa Barbara on a budget.

Where’s your favorite place to stay in Santa Barbara?

Pin this to your travel, vacation, and California boards:

Beachfront in Santa Barbara on a budget at the Santa Barbara Inn. With a California Mission, Spanish Mediterranean architecture style, the hotel only looks expensive. Rooms are affordable and include daily breakfast. | Where to stay in Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara beachfront hotel | California | American Riveria | http://www.TravelingWellForLess.com

Comment, tweet, or share this post.

Get the best credit card bonuses.

Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube

Got a question? Or want help, suggestions, travel tips, learn how to travel for free, find out about travel deals, and maximize your miles and points? Use the subscription box below to sign-up and get post updates by email.

Traveling Well For Less has partnered with Your Best Credit Cards for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling Well For Less and YBCC may receive a commission from card issuers.


Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to get started in the world of miles and points. It is the first card you should get to start traveling for free because the welcome offer is 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 5X points on travel when booked through the Chase portal (2X if direct purchase), 3X points on dining, $50 yearly credit on hotels booked through the Chase portal, no foreign transaction fees, and transferring points to 13 airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest.
 

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of my favorite cards for earning cash back card and travel rewards. It offers a welcome offer of an additional 1.5% cash back on all your purchases up to $20,000 your first year.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, 3% cash back at drugstores and restaurants (including delivery and takeout), 1.5% cash back on all other purchases and no annual fee. When paired with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card or Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, you can use your points to travel for free.
 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Cat

Tuesday 23rd of January 2018

What a beautiful property! It would be a great place to spend with my husband. I like it doesn't have too many rooms so you get that intimate feel!

Candy

Tuesday 23rd of January 2018

I love accommodations with free breakfast :) I wish I had known about this place when I was in Santa Barbara last year. I ended up at an Airbnb, but this location is way better than where I stayed. The bed looks super comfy and I love that the room had a patio.

Marta Cunha Grilo

Tuesday 23rd of January 2018

I love how the days are changing. Today, a really nice looking hotel doesn't necessary means expensive. Great post about Santa Barbara Inn!

Sally E

Monday 22nd of January 2018

Love how thorough this review is! I've actually only been to Santa Barbara once and found the cost of accommodation to be pretty high, but this is definitely a great value for the location - so charming too!

Lori

Monday 22nd of January 2018

I love this part of California, especially Santa Barbara, but somehow have never managed to stay put long enough to stay overnight there. The Santa Barbara Inn looks so lovely, and the fact it's on the ocean is just icing on the cake. Will definitely check it out next time we're there!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.