Romantic Places to Stay in Santa Barbara
Looking to go on a romantic getaway along the beautiful seaside of Santa Barbara? It’s the perfect place to go in Southern California if you love the ocean, wine tasting, and fine dining with ocean-view restaurants. With historic landmarks and beautiful botanical gardens to explore, Santa Barbara is a wonderful budget-friendly option.
So you’re going to Santa Barbara, and you don’t know where to start when it comes to looking for accommodation…
We’ll take care of that for ya! This article is a complete guide to the best places to stay in Santa Barbara based on your and your partner’s budget, preferences, and style. Whether you’re both into the outdoors and nature or if you’re more of an urban couple, we’ve got you covered right here.
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Santa Barbara offers the perfect intimate setting for those looking to get away, relax, and enjoy a romantic trip for the weekend. Here are six of the most romantic places to stay in Santa Barbara!
Simpson House Inn
The Simpson House Inn is a great place for a charming and romantic weekend getaway as it’s adult-only. This boutique hotel is located on an acre of award-winning English gardens and offers a historic charm but modern amenities. If you want to reserve the most romantic room, consider booking The Garden Room Bungalow. However, their other rooms and cottage are also classic and peaceful, with views of their lush gardens all around.
Every reservation includes a gourmet breakfast that can be served in your room and an evening with wine and hors d’oeuvres, and dessert bites. For larger meals, the innkeeper will gladly book reservations for you in the heart of Santa Barbara. Just tell them what kind of food you like, and they will have plenty of suggestions. After a long day of exploring Santa Barabara together, head to the spa and get a massage to relax into the evening with ease!
Hotel Milo
Hotel Milo is one of the best places to stay if you’re seeking a beachfront paradise experience. Reserve one of their serene, idyllic rooms with gorgeous ocean views. They even offer ‘The Perfect Pair’ package, which includes locally produced chocolates and a bottle of wine to get your trip started with decadence and elegance. Be sure to check the hotel calendar if you want to enjoy nights of live music or sunset cruises with the dolphins.
Aside from its stunning rooms with a view, the hotel is also known for its outdoor swimming pool. However, the ocean is mere steps away if you like long walks along the beach or dipping your toes into the water. If you love the water, there are plenty of water-friendly options, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and even sailing nearby. After a long day, you can dine at the grill on the pier just a short walk away, or visit one of the other restaurants of your choice. You won’t be short of fun and romantic dining options and action-packed adventures in Santa Barbara!
Harbor View Inn
Harbor View Inn is, by no great surprise, located along the beautiful Santa Barbara Harbor! This is one of the best hotels because of its great location right along the water and next to Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Pier. For the most romantic reservations, book a suite with a king bed and a separate living room. They offer other cozy rooms and mobility-accessible rooms with ocean or city views, too!
Even though the beautiful beach is within easy walking distance, a great spot to relax is Harbor View Inn’s pool bar and hot tub. What better way to spend your days than to have tons of fun in the sun? Walk to nearby shops and restaurants, or take a short drive to local wineries, gardens, or even the Santa Barbara Zoo! There are also plenty of water-related activities if you like to be out on the water, such as sailing and sunset cruises. Now that’s romantic!
Favorite Places to Eat in Santa Barbara
Casa Del Mar Inn
Casa Del Mar Inn is a beautiful, Spanish-style bed and breakfast-style hotel right along the gorgeous oceanfront of Santa Barbara. Request a room with a fireplace or an ocean view to make your stay even more romantic. However, if you really want to create the perfect mood, reserve side-by-side spa services for both you and your partner to experience together.
Casa Del Mar is within walking distance of many restaurants. Enjoy an evening of fine dining and a glass of wine, and then walk along the water after. It can’t get much more romantic than that. However, if you and your partner are feeling a little more adventurous, you can opt to rent cruisers and ride along the oceanfront path. At the end of the day, enjoy more resting and relaxing in your comfortable rooms—only to do it all over again tomorrow!
Santa Barbara Inn
The Santa Barbara Inn is a gorgeous, Spanish-style hotel with comfortable rooms with elegant decor. They also offer accessibility and ADA rooms for your convenience. One of their proud amenities is their heated outdoor pool on an oceanfront terrace, as well as their classic Italian restaurant, Convivo. There, you can enjoy local and regional wines accompanied by romantic oceanside views.
If you’re looking for daily activities, consider hiking in the Santa Ynez mountains, biking along the beach and through downtown Santa Barbara, or going wine tasting and touring the botanical gardens. At the end of the day, you can watch the sunset on the beach cuddled up next to your special somebody. When looking to plan a romantic getaway in Santa Barbara, you won’t be lacking options for fun and exciting activities around town, whether on land or on the water!
Kimpton Canary Hotel: Luxury Santa Barbara Hotel
The Kimpton Canary Hotel is a luxurious Spanish-style hotel that offers classic yet modern boho chic guest rooms, curated champagne & charcuterie packages, and stunning sunset views from their relaxing rooftop pool. While it’s not directly along the water, it’s a short drive away.
The Kimpton Canary offers complimentary bikes if you love to get out and explore on your own or want to ride down to the Pacific Ocean. If you want to look your best before having a lovely evening out on the town, you can even arrange for a personal in-suite styling session with a private shopping showcase from DIANI Boutique!
Their on-site restaurant, Finch & Fork, prides itself on its world-class raw ingredients and diverse culinary techniques. However, if you’d like to venture out to downtown Santa Barbara, there are plenty of dining options along State Street. Consider dining at Bibi Ji, Jane Restaurant, Loquita Santa Barbara, or Santo Mezcal to experience delicious local offerings. Don’t forget to bring a light sweater because the evening breeze walking in the downtown area might leave you with a slight chill. Or just head back to The Kimpton Canary and warm in your hotel room together!
A must-see hidden gem: The drive up Gibraltar Road towards La Cumbre Peak is a must-see hidden gem for any nature lover or adventure seeker. As you make your way up the winding road, you’ll be greeted with breathtaking vistas of the Santa Ynez Valley and the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, you’ll also pass through Los Padres National Forest, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
FAQ
Well, aside from its perfect weather and stunning coastline, it’s the mountain range that really sets this area apart. The Santa Ynez Mountains run east to west instead of north to south like most mountain ranges in the world. It’s an interesting phenomenon that you may not even notice at first glance – but once you realize it, it’s quite remarkable!
Santa Barbara is known as Celebrity Central, with a number of A-listers making it their home. Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Costner, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Kevin Costner, and Whoopi Goldberg all call this sunny California city their home — and who can blame them? With its beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, Santa Barbara is an ideal spot for any celebrity seeking some peace and quiet.
It’s State Street! This lively 10-block stretch of the city is full of sights and activities to explore, not least of which is shopping. With art galleries, theaters, and attractions like the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, there’s something for everyone. Plus, it all leads right onto picturesque Stearns Wharf!
Pack Your Suitcase….
Now that you’ve learned about some of the most romantic places to stay in Santa Barbara, which are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments below! And if you’re open to venturing further out of Santa Barbara and want to explore more of Southern California in general, check out Romantic and Fun Southern California Date Ideas!
