Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide
Santa Barbara
Visit Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
Popular places to visit
Paseo Nuevo Mall
You can enjoy retail therapy at Paseo Nuevo Mall during your stay in Santa Barbara. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Arlington Theater
Enjoy a show at Arlington Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its lively festivals.
Lobero Theater
Enjoy a performance at Lobero Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
You can study the exhibits at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Granada Theatre
Enjoy a performance at Granada Theatre, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
El Capitan Lake
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at El Capitan Lake during your travels in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Things to do
Santa Barbara: Beach and Coastline Helicopter Tour
Santa Barbara Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour
Santa Barbara: Full-Day 7-Speed Bike Rental with Area Map
Santa Barbara: City Highlights Bike Tour
Top hotels in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
Hotel Santa Barbara
Beautiful property, newly renovated, nice features and amenities. Very clean. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara making walking or biking easy to most attractions. Valet parking and free bikes available. Because of it’s central location, it was very noisy on weekends with ...
Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026
The Upham Hotel
It was a very cute place and the staff was amazing. I will book here again.
Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels
Hotel side of things was all pretty good. I saw some other rooms that housekeeping was in and some of these rooms a scary small. I'm glad I opted for a more expensive room so we had the extra room space. The view was great, room styling and decor was awesome. Location is about the best for the area ...
Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG
The room was nice and clean. They need soft close toilets … makes for a lot of loud bangs when your used to the others. If you book through Expedia you don’t get IHG points evidently. Something you should be more upfront about or negotiate the points into your deal with them.
Reviewed on 28 Jan 2026
Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Great location!
Reviewed on 30 Jan 2026
Haley Hotel
Excellent location. Cute, clean, and remodeled rooms.
Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
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.
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.
Laguna
Laguna might not have many top sights, but Presidio Santa Barbara and Lobero Theater are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
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.
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.
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.
