Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair

Popular places to visit

Arlington Theater

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.

Arlington Theater
Paseo Nuevo Mall

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.

Paseo Nuevo Mall

Granada Theatre

Enjoy a performance at Granada Theatre, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Granada Theatre

Lobero Theater

Enjoy a performance at Lobero Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's waterfront or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Lobero Theater

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

You can study the exhibits at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

La Arcada

You can enjoy retail therapy at La Arcada during your trip to Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

La Arcada

Activities

Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

AU$38
per adult
Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy
Horseback Riding and Wine Tasting Tour

Horseback Riding and Wine Tasting Tour

AU$781
per adult
Horseback Riding and Wine Tasting Tour
Taco Tour Santa Barbara

The Original TACO TOUR Santa Barbara

AU$228
per adult
The Original TACO TOUR Santa Barbara
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

AU$198
per adult
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle
Salem Puzzling Adventure

Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure

AU$54
per traveller
Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure
Happy Hour History

Santa Barbara Downtown Cocktails and History Walking Tour

AU$138
per adult
Santa Barbara Downtown Cocktails and History Walking Tour
See all activities in Santa Barbara

Our pick of the best Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Hotel Deals

Hotel Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara

3 out of 5
533 State St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is AU$405 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
AU$405
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
Nice hotel, great location
"Nice stay, great location. Rooms are a bit small but recently renovated, clean, and comfortable. Staff was professional and friendly. When we first got there we had them bring our luggage up (which we usually do not do) and after waiting an hour had to go back and ask where it was. It quickly arrived ..."

Reviewed on 21 Aug. 2025

Hotel Santa Barbara
The Upham Hotel

The Upham Hotel

4 out of 5
1404 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is AU$310 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
AU$310
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"I really liked the quaint environment of the Upham Hotel and how convenient it was to get to surrounding shops and restaurants by foot. The service was great with daily room cleanings and perks such as a “happy hour” which made our time there more enjoyable. The grounds are immaculately kept and ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug. 2025

The Upham Hotel
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

3.5 out of 5
524 State St, Santa Barbara, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$500 per night from 14 Sept to 15 Sept
AU$500
14 Sept - 15 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (369 reviews)
"Be wary, some rooms have very small or no windows"

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

4 out of 5
31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is AU$681 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
AU$681
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 18 Aug. 2025

Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG
Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

4 out of 5
17 W Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is AU$401 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$401
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Amazing Staff and Great Hotel
"Our stay at Hotel Virginia was so lovely simply because of the amazing staff they have. I wish I got everyones names to thank them during this review because that is how great they all were. The valet attendants were so kind and always willing to help and always had a smile on their face! The front ..."

Reviewed on 14 Aug. 2025

Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Haley Hotel

Haley Hotel

3.5 out of 5
26 E Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is AU$356 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
AU$356
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, free bicycles on site, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (542 reviews)
"Awesome place to stay!!"

Reviewed on 13 Aug. 2025

Haley Hotel
See all 1,521 properties in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara showing a coastal town

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 Santa Barbara County Courthouse might round out your trip.

Downtown Santa Barbara
Default Image

Laguna

Laguna might not have many top sights, but Santa Barbara Historical Museum and Santa Barbara County Courthouse are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Laguna
Default Image

Lower State

While visiting Lower State, you might make a stop by sights like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Reagan Ranch Center.

Lower State
Default Image

Upper East

While visiting Upper East, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.

Upper East
Default Image

The Funk Zone

5/5(2 area reviews)

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.

The Funk Zone
Default Image

East Beach

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

East Beach is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like East Beach and Santa Barbara Zoo.

East Beach

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: