Upper East Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Popular places to visit
Mission Santa Barbara
Learn about the local history of Santa Barbara when you take a trip to Mission Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Alameda Park
After visiting Alameda Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
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.
Santa Barbara Harbor
Explore the waterfront in Santa Barbara with a trip to Santa Barbara Harbor. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Santa Barbara Bowl
Enjoy a show at Santa Barbara Bowl, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Why not meet the animals who call Santa Barbara Zoo home during your holiday in Santa Barbara? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Activities
Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour
Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map
Our pick of the best Upper East Hotel Deals
Orange Tree Inn
Property was clean but is an older property and the rooms are outdated. No fridge and poor lighting in the room. Looks like they use different bulbs in all their lights but not very bright in the room. Not sure what was going on in the shower with the shower curtain being two long and all the soap ...
Reviewed on 29 Mar 2026
Simpson House Inn
The included breakfast was very good and plenty of food. The afternoon refreshments could have been better. It was the same every day. Lemonade, tea and scones. The grounds are beautiful and the service was excellent. The location is very walkable and there is a beautiful park across the street. ...
Reviewed on 26 Mar 2026
Hotel Santa Barbara
The location is central and great. The exterior is the historic part, which is beautiful, but marketing suggests the lobby/bar is a time capsule, which it is not. The double queen room was a great size. Water pressure in the shower was mid and the sink drained slowly.
Reviewed on 30 Mar 2026
Sandpiper Lodge
AC was powerful
Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026
Hyatt Place Santa Barbara
The location is great. The parking is $10 per day & underground. The breakfast is ok. The staff is nice. However, the showers took 20 minutes to warm up. Also it smelled like sewage when we arrived.
Reviewed on 30 Mar 2026
Avania Inn of Santa Barbara
Several things weren’t up to par considering the ‘glowing’ reviews we read before booking. Firstly, the staff were quite odd and unfriendly. Our bathroom had mould on the ceiling and the cleaners didn’t even fill up our conditioner or body wash so we couldn’t even shower. The walls are paper thin ...
Reviewed on 29 Mar 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Upper East
Oak Park
While Oak Park isn't home to many top sights, Mission Santa Barbara and Arlington Theater are some notable places to visit nearby.
Laguna
Laguna might not have many top sights, but Santa Barbara Bowl and Santa Barbara Museum of Art are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
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 Paseo Nuevo Mall or Santa Barbara Museum of Art might round out your trip.
Westside
While Westside isn't home to many top sights, Arlington Theater and Granada Theatre are some notable places to visit nearby.
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 Paseo Nuevo Mall or Santa Barbara Museum of Art might round out your trip.
Mission Canyon
Mission Canyon is noteworthy for its gardens, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and The Children's Centennial Maze.
