There’s no shortage of elysian Santa Barbara hotels in both the seaside city and its idyllic surrounding areas of Montecito and the Santa Ynez wine country. The central California region, after all, has been a popular getaway since the early 1950s—its abundance of sunshine, Mediterranean climate, and sprawling Pacific Ocean views made it a magnet for well-to-do honeymooners, road-trippers, and celebrities during the booming post-war era. Soon, the area gained the nickname of the “American Riviera” (a nod to the French coastal region idealized by vacationers of every era, everywhere).
70 years later, and the area’s popularity proves perennial: Santa Barbara a must-stop for those cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles weekenders, and, well, anyone who desires to live out a California fantasy. So, for those planning—or just daydreaming—about a trip, here are our favorite Santa Barbara hotels in the city proper and its surrounding areas.
Rosewood Miramar Beach
As the site of Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian’s much-publicized engagement, the Rosewood Miramar is enjoying quite the pop culture moment. Not that it needs it: the property has been a must-stay since its recent opening in 2019, selling out most weekends.
Why? Well, because it’s a leisure-pursuit paradise perched right on the Pacific Ocean: there are two pools, a beach club, a bocce court, a luxurious spa, as well as both a Goop store and The Webster. Plus, with an ice cream shop and multiple bars, you’ll be able to do all of the above with a cone—or glass of rosé—in hand.