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 (971)
  • Very good (578)
  • Average (146)
  • Poor (62)
  • Terrible (74)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Outstanding location with great service and location!

Jun 23, 2025 Sunshine66659899143 El Dorado Hills, California

We really enjoyed our stay at Harborview Inn. The staff was amazing they were very helpful and knowledgeable of the area. Aaron and Barbara at the front desk were most helpful. We will definitely plan another vacation and stay at the Harbor View Inn again. Thank you so much.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Outstanding Location

Jun 19, 2025 Christie V Long Beach, California

It's an Outstanding location, beautiful and easy walk to restaurants and the piers. The staff is helpful & friendly and the rooms are spaciuos and clean.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fantastic Room, Location & STAFF!!

Jun 15, 2025 katieaI688RA

We booked this room for our 5 year wedding anniversary and it also coincided with UCSB graduation. We booked a city/resort view room and we were thrilled. We are from Napa Valley and travel all over the world to high end hotels typically. The room was fantastic. Updated and tastefully done, view was great for a city/resort view room, location was… Read more
We booked this room for our 5 year wedding anniversary and it also coincided with UCSB graduation. We booked a city/resort view room and we were thrilled. We are from Napa Valley and travel all over the world to high end hotels typically. The room was fantastic. Updated and tastefully done, view was great for a city/resort view room, location was spectacular and the staff…AMAZING! Jason, who I believe is the front desk manager, is nothing short of spectacular. He is kind, funny, charismatic and everyone we have met at the hotel has made us feel welcome. When we checked in, Jason was being BERATED by an unhappy New Yorker who had just flown in. Nothing he or the staff did to make things better for her were enough. My husband and I watched her go after the staff for at least 10 minutes and he was calm, cool, and collected. Honestly, that’s why I am writing the review. This is one of the better hotels in the area and the location can’t be beat. The staff clearly care about their guests and if you’re nice to them, they will be nice to you and go out of their way to make your stay wonderful. They are working hard, and the entire front staff handled our check-in, this woman who was the nastiest I’ve seen (and believe me, I’ve seen a lot), as well at the check-in of other guests, flawlessly. We will be back without hesitation because of the staff, the clean room, and the fantastic location. If you’re hesitant to book, don’t be. Book this hotel, take in the beautiful surroundings, and treat the staff as you would want to be treated and you’ll have an absolutely incredible time. 💕 Plus, if I am being absolutely honest, the hotel room we stayed at is nicer than one we recently stayed at in The Ritz Carlton. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Very clean hotel with a great staff.

Jun 9, 2025 InfrontOfYou Cedar City, Utah

Pros: Great location at the beginning of State Street and Stearns Wharf. Our room was very quiet, clean and comfortable. We stayed there 10 days. Our room was on the top (3rd) floor of the South tower. It seemed roomier than others due to its higher ceilings. The housekeepping staff could not have done a better job keepping our room clean and made… Read more
Pros: Great location at the beginning of State Street and Stearns Wharf. Our room was very quiet, clean and comfortable. We stayed there 10 days. Our room was on the top (3rd) floor of the South tower. It seemed roomier than others due to its higher ceilings. The housekeepping staff could not have done a better job keepping our room clean and made up. We were able to take advantage of their limited covered paking facilities that kept our car out of the weather during our stay. Our balcony - with a table and chairs - faced the south looking over part of the Mission River and its walkway. Large shower with plenty of wash clothes and towels. Good cable tv with program guide. The friendly, informative, front desk and bell staff added to the enjoyment of our stay. Cons (We were informed about these ahead of time while making our reservation): Parking fee was $32 per day. No breakfast available at the hotel, but one restaurant is next door and many others are within walking distance. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Can't wait to return

May 31, 2025 Bigpenny34 calif

Just returned from 3 nights in Santa Barbara and we specifically chose the Harbor View Inn because of the reviews and the location. The staff are all very attentive and helpful and they make sure you are greeted every time you leave and return. There isn't a restaurant onsite but Jeannines restaurant is next door and the food and service are… Read more
Just returned from 3 nights in Santa Barbara and we specifically chose the Harbor View Inn because of the reviews and the location. The staff are all very attentive and helpful and they make sure you are greeted every time you leave and return. There isn't a restaurant onsite but Jeannines restaurant is next door and the food and service are excellent. Breakfast and Lunch only. We booked an Ocean View King Suite and we enjoyed our stay. The room was clean and very spacious. Double sink and large deep tub. The shower is in a separate little room along with the toilet. The shower is pretty small and a plus-size person may find it a bit confining. The toilet is lower than normal and those with weak quadriceps will have a tough time getting up. However, both issues were not a problem for us. The large balcony looks out to the ocean and Sterns Wharf. Cabrillo street is right in front of the hotel and it can get a bit noisy which could make using the balcony unsettling for those who relish the quiet. Early mornings are the best balcony times - quiet and cool. The rooms are pretty well insulated and although there is street noise, it was tolerable for us inside the room. We won't hesitate choosing the Harbor View Inn again for our next trip to Santa Barbara Read less