Top 10 Waterfront Hotels of 2026

A river with rocks, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

Tomorrow

This weekend

Next weekend

Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

A resort with a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, a beach view, and a well-maintained lawn.

1. Harbor View Inn

West Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Mario

RM1,327 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A spacious interior with high ceilings, wooden beams, and a central column.

2. Hotel Santa Barbara

Lower State, 1.5 km from Waterfront

Morgan

RM1,151 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A sunlit balcony with a curved sofa, a small round table, and a potted plant. The balcony features arched windows with a view of palm trees and the sea.

3. Santa Barbara Inn

East Beach, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Moses

RM1,349 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Oct - 31 Oct

A marina with boats docked, palm trees, and a building labeled "Sea Landing."

4. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Amanda

RM907 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Nov - 19 Nov

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

5. Hotel Californian

The Funk Zone, 0.8 km from Waterfront

Karen

RM2,375 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Nov - 4 Nov

A courtyard with outdoor seating, a fountain, and white buildings with arches.

6. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Lower State, 1.4 km from Waterfront

John

RM991 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

A multi-story hotel with a sign reading "LA PLAYA INN Santa Barbara, California".

7. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Nick

RM923 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A modern kitchen with a large island, stainless steel appliances, and wooden cabinetry.

8. Moxy Santa Barbara

The Funk Zone, 1 km from Waterfront

Hongtao

RM1,146 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

9. The Eagle Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Brian

RM1,025 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

A hotel room with two beds, a nightstand, a lamp, and a view of the marina through a glass door.

10. Beachside Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Jose

RM726 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

A covered outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, overlooking a runway and palm trees.

11. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

East Beach, 0.5 km from Waterfront

CARLOS

RM1,254 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

A white building with a sign reading "Mason Beach Inn" and a balcony with a railing.

12. Mason Beach Inn

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Sandy Lyne

RM1,112 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, and a view of the outdoors.

13. Riviera Beach House

The Funk Zone, 0.9 km from Waterfront

Trent

RM784 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Nov - 20 Nov

A sunny outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, surrounded by lush tropical plants and flowers.

14. Marina Beach Hotel

West Beach, 1.3 km from Waterfront

Lori

RM698 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a central island, and large windows.

15. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Lower State, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Emeterio

RM1,171 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Nov - 18 Nov

A multi-story building with a curved entrance, palm trees, and a staircase leading to the entrance.

16. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 1.5 km from Waterfront

David

RM1,063 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

A patio with striped sofas and a table, overlooking a beach with palm trees and flowers.

17. The Milo

West Beach, 1.1 km from Waterfront

Katherine

RM1,111 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

A hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a desk, and a nightstand.

18. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Anne

RM699 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Oct - 29 Oct

An outdoor patio with wooden tables and benches, surrounded by lush tropical plants.

19. Haley Hotel

Lower State, 1.2 km from Waterfront

Rodney J

RM790 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Nov - 17 Nov

A bright kitchen with a large island, white cabinetry, and a view through glass doors to an outdoor patio.

20. Lavender Inn by the Sea

West Beach, 1.4 km from Waterfront

Brandon

RM866 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Waterfront

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Marina Beach Hotel	3.0 star property	9.8 Exceptional 1,201 reviews	View
Santa Barbara Inn	4.0 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,003 reviews	View
Harbor House Inn	3.0 star property	9.8 Exceptional 1,003 reviews	View
The Eagle Inn	3.0 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,001 reviews	View
Beachside Inn	3.0 star property	9.0 Wonderful 1,313 reviews	View

Where to stay in Waterfront

Find the best Waterfront areas for the activities you enjoy most.

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

Santa Barbara Beach

Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Stearns Wharf and West Beach.

See properties

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

Montecito

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Montecito. A stop by Miramar Beach or Butterfly Beach might round out your trip.

See properties

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

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 Presidio Santa Barbara might round out your trip.

See properties

A beach with a pier extending into the water, mountains in the background, and several flags on the pier.

West Beach

If you're spending some time in West Beach, Santa Barbara Harbor and West Beach are top sights worth seeing.

See properties

A beach with palm trees, a pier, and the ocean at sunset.

East Beach

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

See properties

Top Waterfront Hotel Reviews

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

10/10 Excellent

"Clean rooms, great location!"

Hotel Santa Barbara

8/10 Good

"We loved the location being on State Street and the historical significance of the hotel as well. The room was beautiful and very well designed / decorated. The bathroom could have had more hooks for towels. Also, the room was missing a dresser or an area to put your clothes in. It seemed kind of odd that there really was not a place to put your clothes. There really wasn't a great area to relax at the hotel (like an outside patio (on the roof?)). I realize that you are limited with space but a relaxing lounge would be nice besides the table area. There was a pumped in scent in the facility (spray?). It was very strong. Complimentary coffee would have been nice as well. Overall, we loved the hotel and were happy with our room. The outside noise one night was wild but I guess we should expect in the city. Thank you for a nice stay."

Frequently asked questions

What is Waterfront like?

Travellers to the Waterfront neighbourhood in Santa Barbara will be sure to enjoy their stay. Make sure that you visit West Beach and East Beach as part of your Waterfront travel plans.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Waterfront, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before your check-in date. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, it may still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to view top deals in Waterfront.

What is there to do around this Santa Barbara neighbourhood?

West Beach, East Beach and Leadbetter Beach are great spots if you want to spend some time by the water during your stay in Waterfront. You could also plan a visit to Santa Barbara Harbor or Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center while you're in the neighbourhood. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Art Foundry are just a few of the places to visit in and around Waterfront. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Reagan Ranch Center are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Santa Barbara.

Hotels in Waterfront, Santa Barbara

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Property class

Guest rating

Our top choices for Waterfront hotels

1. Harbor View Inn

2. Hotel Santa Barbara

3. Santa Barbara Inn

4. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

5. Hotel Californian

6. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

7. La Playa Inn

8. Moxy Santa Barbara

9. The Eagle Inn

10. Beachside Inn

11. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

12. Mason Beach Inn

13. Riviera Beach House

14. Marina Beach Hotel

15. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

16. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

17. The Milo

18. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

19. Haley Hotel

20. Lavender Inn by the Sea

Compare popular hotels in Waterfront

Where to stay in Waterfront

Santa Barbara Beach

Montecito

Downtown Santa Barbara

West Beach

East Beach

Top Waterfront Hotel Reviews

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

Frequently asked questions

Explore a world of travel with Expedia