Relaxation is a key ingredient of a Santa Barbara getaway, and there’s no better place to unwind than beside the pool with a cool drink in hand. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful sanctuary or an upbeat ambiance, you can find a hotel pool in Santa Barbara to suit your style. From jaw-dropping views to next-level service, these area pools have wow factors that will make your cares drift gently away.
Before visiting, please check with individual properties to confirm offerings in advance.
Tucked into the lush foothills north of the Santa Barbara, the historic El Encanto offers both seclusion and quintessential California luxury. Enjoy private Craftsman-style bungalows, sweeping vistas and seven acres of gardens bursting with begonias, roses and fruit trees. You’ll want to head straight for the resort’s sparkling turquoise infinity pool, where you can take in unrivaled views of the Pacific Ocean from a plush chaise. If you’re inclined to earn your sun-deck siesta with a workout, there’s a state-of-the-art fitness studio located directly beneath the pool.
From the enchanting Spanish-style architecture to the colorful textiles and tilework, the beauty and serenity of the Canary Islands infuse every detail of downtown Santa Barbara’s Kimpton Canary Hotel. This charming boutique hotel is just steps from the restaurants, shopping and galleries of State Street, but the intimate atmosphere makes it feel like a world of its own. Capped with blue sky and encircled by stunning 360-degree views, the rooftop pool dares you to dive right in. After a satisfying soak, settle in beneath a Canary-yellow umbrella for delicious small plates and craft cocktails.
The playful surroundings and laid-back vibe of The Leta Hotel in Goleta brings to mind summer camp for grown-ups. Surrounded by palm trees and soaked in sunshine, the pool is a contemporary oasis made for lounging and cooling off after an energizing day in Santa Barbara. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Keep an eye out as the hotel brings back a full schedule of events, including live music, DJ’s and weekend yoga.
Day passes are available for non-hotel guests. Image via Instagram @rockytop_26.
True to its name, the family-friendly Harbor View Inn is located near the picturesque Santa Barbara Harbor. The inn’s proximity to the water also means its outdoor pool area boasts a spectacular backdrop of the beach, Waterfront and Stearns Wharf. The sundeck’s towering palm trees and vibrant gardens make it an alluring place to spend the day. Kids will have fun splashing in the pool’s wading area, and there’s a Jacuzzi that’s just right for an evening sunset soak. When you’re in need of a snack, full food and beverage are available to be delivered from the pool bar or room service.
Ideally located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, the Hotel Californian blends 1920s elegance with modern style and convenience. While the hotel’s original Spanish Colonial Revival façade has been preserved, the interior features opulent Moorish-inspired décor by contemporary celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. The crowning jewel is the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop pool and terrace, a prime spot to sunbathe, take a refreshing dip, sip a cocktail, or simply gaze out at the panorama of the sea and Santa Ynez mountains.
While the guest rooms at Hotel Milo near West Beach are wonderfully decorated (think casual, seaside sophistication), spacious and fully outfitted with all the necessities, you’ll likely be tempted to spend most of your time outdoors. The beachfront hotel affords you excellent access to Santa Barbara’s surf, sand and sun, and also has two large and inviting swimming pools complete with comfy loungers, umbrellas and private cabanas. After taking a dip, you can hang out on the patio or lovely landscaped courtyard with a bottle of local wine from the market located in the hotel lobby.
Mar Monte Hotel is located directly across from picture-perfect East Beach on Cabrillo Boulevard, and the hotel’s ocean-facing pool offers a front row seat to kick back and admire the sun-drenched scenery. Overlooking the pool is Café Lido, a full-service indoor/outdoor lounge where you can sample a menu of locally sourced, Spanish-inspired cuisine, craft beers and house-made cocktails. As the evening cools down, cozy up near the poolside fire pit with a glass of sangria and watch the sunset.
Day passes are available for non-hotel guests. Image via Instagram by @iamlisey.
Beckoning from beside Goleta’s golden beaches is the The Ritz Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, an expansive Mediterranean-style retreat that encompasses 78 acres of oceanfront property. Spend the day lounging at any of resort’s three beautifully appointed saltwater pools, including an adults-only lap pool on the terrace in front of the spa. For the ultimate in exclusivity, rent one of the lavish poolside cabanas for up to six guests. Upper Level cabanas include added shade, lounge furniture, fresh fruit and water, while the Lower Level cabanas up the ante with even more amenities like a TV, refrigerator and curtains for privacy.
Stroll through the lush, manicured grounds of Rosewood Miramar Beach, and you’ll find yourself in the midst of an ultra-luxurious beach-side getaway complete with not one, but two pools to bask beside. The Cabana Pool, lined with shaded private lounges, offers a glamorous experience quite unlike anything else in Santa Barbara, and its scalloped zero-edge depths beckon you to jump in. Next door, the Manor Pool is the resort’s family-friendly hot spot, and the playful yellow and white striped valances evoke thoughts reminiscent of summer splashes. The Scoop Shop adds to that nostalgia with its offerings of sizzling burgers and frozen treats. Don’t be surprised if you end up spending all day at either pool with loved ones!
Find a quiet hideaway in Palihouse Santa Barbara, nestled into Santa Barbara’s historic downtown Presidio Neighborhood. Known for its warm, personalized service, thoughtful attention to detail and tranquil ambiance, the Palihouse is an ideal locale for a romantic escape. Rise early for a few rejuvenating morning laps in the heated pool, shaded by verdant trees and tropical flora. Or cozy up on the terrace with a favorite book and beverage for a blissfully easy afternoon. When you’re ready to do some exploring, bustling State Street is just a quick stroll away.
The hip and quirky Moxy Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara’s burgeoning Funk Zone neighborhood blends the affordability and communal feel of a hostel with the amenities and style of a boutique hotel—hence the moniker “poshtel.” Equal parts social scene and relaxation haven, Moxy Santa Barbara’s year-round heated pool is perched above State Street and surrounded by inflatable, cherry-red couches just begging to be Instagrammed.
Located in the American Riviera, El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel is Santa Barbara's ultimate luxury getaway. This iconic early 20th-century property is situated atop a commanding hillside, offering ninety-two quintessential, California-styled bungalows…
Santa Barbara is a place where travel dreams come true and reality exceeds even your highest expectations. Kimpton Canary Hotel provides the quintessential Santa Barbara hotel experience, with luxurious accommodations and a staff focused on…
Take it easy, relax, breathe in the fresh sea breezes and soak up the ambiance of this boutique hotel in Goleta, Santa Barbara's sister city. Here you’ll find an under-the-radar chic boutique unlike any other hotel in Santa Barbara. Wake up…
Welcome to Santa Barbara’s premier beachfront hotel. Our family-friendly 4-Diamond resort provides all of the services you need to experience the best for your Santa Barbara vacation. Whether you are looking for a romantic retreat, a…
Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara's premier urban destination, continues to redefine luxury in the American Riviera. Featuring dazzling spaces from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the 121-room iconoclastic enclave - part history, part…
With magnificent views, traditional Spanish-style architecture, and a beautiful courtyard with outdoor pools and gardens, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara truly reflects Santa Barbara’s rich colonial history and affords guests access to the best of…
Steps from the beach, our hotel is your home away from home, impeccably crafted for the modern traveler. Our devotion to good food, great cocktails and making memories is what makes Mar Monte Hotel special. Fall asleep to the rhythm of the coast…
Palihouse Santa Barbara offers guests an intimate and elegant coastal hideaway in the heart of Santa Barbara’s downtown Historic Presidio Neighborhood. Offering 24 spirited and handsomely appointed guest Rooms and Suites, all situated amongst…
Set against a backdrop of golden beaches and lush mountains, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara embodies the charm, beauty, and energy of the Mediterranean in the heart of Santa Barbara. The iconic Central California resort spans 78 acres…
Rosewood Miramar Beach is a Forbes Five-Star Hotel & Spa set on one of the most beautiful and exclusive coastlines in Southern California, situated less than an hour north of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara’s affluent Montecito…
Moxy Santa Barbara is ideally located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, and just a stone’s throw away from the exceptional beauty of the Old Mission, museums, galleries, and pristine beaches. Their prime location is convenient with easy…
The American Riviera® offers more than a dozen hotels and inns that go above and beyond for travelers with disabilities. Explore this list to find out more.