You’ll feel relaxed as soon as you walk through the door of the Harbor View Inn, Santa Barbara. Once the friendly staff have welcomed you to their Spanish villa-style retreat, it’s time to really chill out. Head to the oceanfront heated pool where you can relax with a cocktail, or the beach is just over the road if you prefer the ocean waves. Speaking of just over the road, Stearns Wharf is there, which is the oldest working wood wharf in California, and it offers restaurants, shops and even a small aquarium!
Amenities
Families
Bar
Fitness Centre/Gym
Hot tub
Restaurant
Room Service
Safety Deposit Box
Swimming Pool
Close to Beach
Where is it
Centrally located across from West Beach and Stearns Wharf, in Santa Barbara. In easy walking distance of local shops and restaurants.
Hotel information
149 rooms and suites on 3 floors in 3 buildings. All with balcony/terrace, air-conditioning, complimentary WiFi, flat-screen TV, Keurig coffee maker, mini-bar*, safe, iron and ironing board, bathrobes and hairdryer.
Resort/City View Rooms are located in the south or west wings, with either 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.
North Wing City Rooms with either 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.
Ocean View Rooms are located in the south or west wings of the hotel, with either 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.
Pool bar (serving drinks and light bites, seasonal hours).
Outdoor oceanfront swimming pol and jacuzzi. Fitness centre.
Complimentary WiFi access. 24-hour reception. Gift shop/convenience store. Self-parking $32 plus tax per night (payable locally, fee subject to change - parking limited to one space per room).
*Denotes local charge.
Based on 1840 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (977)
Very good (580)
Average (146)
Poor (62)
Terrible (75)
Lovely Hotel with Ocean Views and Convenient Location
Sep 1, 2025Monica HHermosa Beach, California
Harbor View Inn is my favorite hotel in Santa Barbara. I have been staying here annually to visit family and relax by the beach. The hotel is conveniently located at the corner of State Street and Cabrillo and many rooms have lovely ocean views. I stayed here during Fiesta and could watch the parade from the balcony of my room in the West Wing…
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Harbor View Inn is my favorite hotel in Santa Barbara. I have been staying here annually to visit family and relax by the beach. The hotel is conveniently located at the corner of State Street and Cabrillo and many rooms have lovely ocean views. I stayed here during Fiesta and could watch the parade from the balcony of my room in the West Wing overlooking Cabrillo and the beach. There is a well maintained jacuzzi and a nice grassy area around the pool. If you want to be closer to shopping on State Street you can request to stay in the lux North and South Wings along State Street. Parking facilities are convenient. There is extremely good value in the room rate for the lovely rooms and amenities. I highly recommend this hotel. Staying here has become an annual tradition and some years I have stayed multiple times.
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Lovely hotel across the road from the beach
Aug 20, 2025Sue AManchester, United Kingdom
Lovely Ocean front hotel across the room from the beach and sea. Pier two minutes away from hotel - has a nice wine tasting place on the pier. There is a safe, air conditioning and iron and iron board to use. Coffee machine to use. Has a lovely pool area with sun beds, as well as pool/beach towels. Parking on site which costs $32 a night.…
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Lovely Ocean front hotel across the room from the beach and sea. Pier two minutes away from hotel - has a nice wine tasting place on the pier. There is a safe, air conditioning and iron and iron board to use. Coffee machine to use. Has a lovely pool area with sun beds, as well as pool/beach towels. Parking on site which costs $32 a night. Reception staff very friendly. 10 mins from the centre. No restaurant, bar or cafe but there’s nice cafe two minutes from the hotel which is nice for food and drinks for breakfast - get there early as gets busy.
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Wonderful stay. Would stay again.
Aug 20, 2025Ashley J
Wonderful time. The place was very clean and the staff were friendly. Pool had a nice privacy wall so even though it was right by the main road along the beach it felt private. We stayed 4 nights and would absolutely stay again.
Nice hotel in a great spot!
Aug 13, 2025EuroTravellerHolsDublin, Ireland
Stayed one night on our PCH trip and Santa Barbara is a beautiful place - well worth the visit. The hotel is spread out and we were in the North Wing, which meant nothing to me at booking but realised it’s a few minutes walk away from the hotel. Like other reviews, there are no food/bar facilities but there are plenty nearby. The room itself in…
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Stayed one night on our PCH trip and Santa Barbara is a beautiful place - well worth the visit. The hotel is spread out and we were in the North Wing, which meant nothing to me at booking but realised it’s a few minutes walk away from the hotel. Like other reviews, there are no food/bar facilities but there are plenty nearby. The room itself in the North Wing was very large and beautifully laid out; great size bathroom. Would return but need to be conscious of where you are staying and the facilities.
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Trip spoilt by rip off parking fees and a hotel with no services
Jul 31, 2025Fedupwithbf
This hotel lives off it's seafront position and that is magnificent.
But it isn't a 4 star hotel in my opinion.
There is no breakfast coffee or a restaurant. You need to walk out of the hotel for that.
There is no bar.
The pool bar was never open despite the sun loungers being all taken on one of the busiest periods in the year.
There was no…
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This hotel lives off it's seafront position and that is magnificent.
But it isn't a 4 star hotel in my opinion.
There is no breakfast coffee or a restaurant. You need to walk out of the hotel for that.
There is no bar.
The pool bar was never open despite the sun loungers being all taken on one of the busiest periods in the year.
There was no bellhop available when we checked in & the directions given to our room ensured we encountered the longest route possible & the most stairs. Not good with 2 bad knees.
The wifi is at best patchy & never worked in our rooom except in or near the bathroom. So no chance to sit on the balcony with a connected device and the view.
I had booked this via a UK travel agent & was aware there could be a valet parking fee. On arrival there was no valet parking option & we self parked.
I was amazed that the hotel actual charges you $32 per day to park your car yourself. So roughly a 10% room surcharge.
To my mind this is a motel with a view & hidden cost of parking. You can easily find online local motels at 1/3rd or half the price with free parking. You just need to decide if you think the view is worth the money.
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Lovely Hotel with Ocean Views and Convenient Location
