Harbor View Inn

Santa Barbara, California

Star rating

North Wing City View King
North Wing City View 2 Double
Resort/City View Room
Resort/City View Room
North Wing City View King
North Wing City View 2 Double
Resort/City View Room
Resort/City View Room

The hotel

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.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (973)
  • Very good (580)
  • Average (146)
  • Poor (62)
  • Terrible (75)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Nice hotel in a great spot!

Aug 13, 2025 EuroTravellerHols Dublin, 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… Read more
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. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Trip spoilt by rip off parking fees and a hotel with no services

Jul 31, 2025 Fedupwithbf

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… Read more
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. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Lovely hotel in a great location but do be careful about what room you book.

Jul 28, 2025 Jon S

Rated this a four BUT it could have been a 1 - I’ll explain. The hotel has four “wings”, which implies they are on the same block but they aren’t. The South and East wings are the main hotel site, and the west wing is just across the river and linked by a private walkway. However, the newer North wing is a full city block away and you can’t… Read more
Rated this a four BUT it could have been a 1 - I’ll explain. The hotel has four “wings”, which implies they are on the same block but they aren’t. The South and East wings are the main hotel site, and the west wing is just across the river and linked by a private walkway. However, the newer North wing is a full city block away and you can’t reach the hotel reception or pools without crossing the road and walking around the block. We had booked a “City View” room on a third party hotel booking site that made no mention of the hotel’s unusual layout or what wing we’d booked, and at check-in we were told we were in the North wing. As we have teenage daughters who wanted to use the pool we requested a change to one of the other blocks, and to be fair they did accommodate that request (but didn’t / couldn’t for a couple checking in at the same time as us who were pretty unhappy). I’d really urge bookers to check which wing they will be in as it could have quite a big impact on your stay. One other thing to note - the hotel has no catering, not even breakfast, so if I’d been travelling for work I’d have been a bit annoyed at having to go out for every meal. In summary, the good things about the hotel are: terrific location; very stylish, spacious rooms; nice pool; and free self-parking. Downsides are: unless you are careful you could be in the North wing, quite some way from the amenities; no onsite catering. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Stylish, GREAT Location, Excellent Customer service

Jul 27, 2025 minimiche1 Phoenix, Arizona

We stayed here for my son's graduation from UCSB in June. I had actually wanted to stay closer to the university, but everything was booked. So I tried downtown SB. I am SOOOOO happy we stayed here instead! This hotel is on Cabrillo so it is CLOSE to everything for food and fun. Our room was in the North building which is new/renovated (to my… Read more
We stayed here for my son's graduation from UCSB in June. I had actually wanted to stay closer to the university, but everything was booked. So I tried downtown SB. I am SOOOOO happy we stayed here instead! This hotel is on Cabrillo so it is CLOSE to everything for food and fun. Our room was in the North building which is new/renovated (to my knowledge the South & West wing also fully renovated and same decor). The interior design of the room was lovely, classic. It was spacious and so well done! Even though we were on Mason & State Street, it was still pretty quiet, perfect location. We could exit our building and be on State street near some of the best dining and shopping in downtown Santa Barbara... the pier etc. All a few minutes walk! The staff was fantastic. SO kind, so helpful. They were very attentive to anything we needed during our stay. I would like to note that Cameron, Aaron, Marcos, Marisa & Barbara made our stay the best it could be. Thanks to each of you for your thoughtful attention to our reservation, questions or assistance we needed during our stay. I highly recommend this hotel for lovely rooms, attentive staff & great location. Will be telling all the friends. Thanks again. M Watson Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating the jewel of santa barbra

Jul 13, 2025 wael370 Marbella, Spain

it the greatest stay … rooms are spacious, immaculate clean, just renovated… car parking conveniently under the building easy to access… location is prime, cafes, restaurants, and bikes rental shops are all walking distance… most definitely coming back for next summer vacation… thank you Harbor view inn , you made us happy