Waterfront Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Popular places to visit
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.
Leadbetter Beach
If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Leadbetter Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Santa Barbara. While you're in the area, stroll along the marina.
East Beach
Why not spend a lazy afternoon at East Beach during your trip to Santa Barbara? Stroll along the beautiful beaches or seek out the cycling trails.
Cabrillo Pavillion
Cabrillo Pavillion is just one of the places to see in Santa Barbara, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the seaside or seek out the cycling trails.
Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center
Explore the lovely green spaces of Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center and enjoy the cycling trails in Santa Barbara. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Cabrillo Bike Path
You can take time to visit Cabrillo Bike Path during your travels to 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 Waterfront Hotel Deals
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
Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn
Clean room, great staff service.
Reviewed on 30 Mar 2026
Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara
The fridge was not working...
Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Waterfront
Santa Barbara Beach
Santa Barbara Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Stearns Wharf and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.
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.
The Funk Zone
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.
Lower State
While visiting Lower State, you might make a stop by sights like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Paseo Nuevo Mall.
Eastside
While Eastside isn't home to many top sights, Santa Barbara Zoo and East Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.
West Beach
If you're spending some time in West Beach, Santa Barbara Harbor and Carriage and Western Art Museum are top sights worth seeing.
