Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Downtown Santa Barbara
Popular places to visit
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
See the best views of Santa Barbara and enjoy a stunning variety of architectural styles at the city’s historic courthouse.
Arlington Theater
Enjoy a show at Arlington Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its lively festivals.
Paseo Nuevo Mall
You can enjoy retail therapy at Paseo Nuevo Mall during your stay in Santa Barbara. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Presidio Santa Barbara
You can study the exhibits at Presidio Santa Barbara, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's seaside or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.
Lobero Theater
Enjoy a performance at Lobero Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.
Granada Theatre
Enjoy a performance at Granada Theatre, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Activities
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map
Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board Rental
Santa Barbara: Chocolate Bar and Art Box Making Workshop
Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Barbara Hotel Deals
Hotel Santa Barbara
Great place to stay and will definitely stay again next time. Updates to rooms/hotel are excellent. Easy to get around downtown from hotel.
Reviewed on 8 Jan 2026
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels
Very clean, comfortable room. Cozy, quiet. And coffee in the morning was delicious.
Reviewed on 26 Dec 2025
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG
Everything was A+. Will stay here again, we loved it!
Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026
Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
It was just right. The staff was friendly. The location was perfect for State St walking, shopping, dining but it was also quiet (not close enough to noisy nightlife to cause lost sleep). I saw a few reviews mention the rooms were small and while they weren't built for say, four to hang out, we 3 ...
Reviewed on 30 Dec 2025
Haley Hotel
The room was but small.
Reviewed on 31 Dec 2025
Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn
Excellent service pet friendly the room is very clean and comfortable
Reviewed on 3 Jan 2026
Check Downtown Santa Barbara hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Barbara
Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Historic Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Granada Theatre might round out your trip.
Laguna
Laguna might not have many top sights, but Presidio Santa Barbara and Lobero Theater are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Lower State
While visiting Lower State, you might make a stop by sights like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Moreton Bay Fig Tree.
The Funk Zone
Travellers come to The Funk Zone for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Santa Barbara Art Foundry while you're in town.
West Beach
If you're spending some time in West Beach, Santa Barbara Harbor and Santa Barbara Carriage Museum are top sights worth seeing.
Upper East
While visiting Upper East, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.
