When it comes to family-friendly fun, Santa Barbara has it all. From beaches with easy going shorebreaks, thrilling hikes, scenic bike paths, on-the-water activities, museums and a plethora of dining options, a vacation to The American Riviera® is certainly something to add to your calendar this year. To top it off, Santa Barbara also boasts many resorts and hotels perfect for family travel, ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious escapes.
Read below for a list of eight top Santa Barbara hotels and resorts for families.
Hotel Milo, nestled in the heart of the Santa Barbara waterfront, offers a delightful retreat where families can revel in a vacation that has just the right adventure-to-relaxation ratio. Kick back in the spacious guest rooms, equipped with king rooms with additional full-size bunk beds, rooms with two double beds and rooms with sofa beds—accommodating families of all sizes. (Complimentary cribs are available for the little ones.) Fuel up for the day next door at one of Santa Barbara’s most iconic breakfast eateries, Chad’s Café. Steps away from the hotel and popular West Beach, enjoy endless seaside adventures, from stand-up paddleboarding with outfitters like Paddle Sports Center to on-the-water fun with Condor Express Whale Watching or Lil’ Toot Water Taxi. Santa Barbara doesn’t fall short when it comes to land adventures, either. Explore the scenic coastal area and beyond with beach cruiser bikes, available for loan right at the hotel.
Make your family’s Santa Barbara adventure extra special with a stay at The Inn at East Beach. Book a junior suite, complete with a full kitchen and dining area, perfect for a cozy night in with takeout pizza from one of our many pizza joints delivered right to your room. The hotel’s proximity to Santa Barbara Zoo and Moxi, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation makes getting there a piece of cake. Start the day with an exhilarating bike ride—the hotel offers on-site bike rentals for ease of exploring the city, or take the whole family on a ride on one of the famous Wheel Fun Rentalssurreys. A stay at The Inn at East Beach is the perfect gateway to extraordinary family moments in Santa Barbara.
Relish in the elegant beauty of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, where a world of natural wonders and relaxing solitude awaits. Adjacent to the pristine Haskell’s Beach, families of all ages can enjoy the sun-kissed shores and splashing waves. Families can also partake in a relaxing pool day at the resort’s main pool, which is separate from the adults-only pool, allowing ample room for the kids to splash and play all day long. Explore what’s known as the Gaviota Coast’s hidden treasures through the resort’s unique Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, catered to adults and children, where you’ll learn about the mesmerizing kelp forest and diverse native bird species, explore the intertidal zone and familiarize yourselves with the storied traditions of the Chumash Indian culture. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara offers unforgettable experiences that connect guests with the essence of what makes this breathtaking coastal destination so distinctive.
Rosewood Miramar Beach, located in picturesque Montecito, beckons families to a world of refined luxury. Discover a host of amenities and activities designed to ensure every family member feels relaxed and entertained. Enjoy the spacious guest rooms, including options with king beds and full-size bunk beds. Kick back for a day at the pool, where you can rent a cabana and watch the kids as they play. With the resort located just steps away from Miramar Beach, sandy shores and calm waters await. Engage in an array of curated family activities including treasure hunts, sandcastle building, kid-friendly movie nights, s’mores-making sessions under the stars and build-your-own ice cream sundae bars. Indulge in delectable dining experiences at any of the on-property restaurants like The Scoop Shop for childhood favorites, or opt for a parent’s night out to Caruso’s.
Discover Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, a beachside paradise that effortlessly provides high-end amenities with an approachable twist. Get comfortable in modern suites, offering a serene retreat for families seeking relaxation. Dive into the refreshing pool oasis, explore a range of exciting outdoor games, capturing the essence of vacation. Take in the vibrant surroundings along the Cabrillo Bike Path with rental bikes directly from the hotel and ignite the family’s competitive spirit at the nearby East Beach volleyball courts. After a game of beach volleyball, relax on the beach with a curated picnic basket featuring a selection of sandwiches, assorted cheeses, salads and desserts made by the chefs at the resort. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort embodies the perfect blend of leisure and adventure, which makes for a well-rounded vacation to Santa Barbara.
Residence Inn by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta offers a home-away-from-home feel and a family-friendly atmosphere in Goleta, located just 20 minutes north of Santa Barbara proper. There, the whole family can try their luck on the putting green, cool off in the pool and engage in epic battles with a giant game of chess, where little ones and adults alike become kings and queens of strategy. The spacious suites are thoughtfully designed for families with amenities like full-sized kitchens, ensuring everyone has just enough comfortable space to relax. When the kiddos are in need of a bite to eat, the hotel offers a hot, complimentary breakfast and the on-property market offers a variety of on-the-go snacks to keep everyone fueled for adventures throughout The American Riviera®—from hiking to kayaking and everything in between. Residence Inn combines playful charm with modern style, making it the perfect destination for family moments to last a lifetime.
Escape to a carefree family getaway at Best Western Plus Santa Barbara, where relaxation and kid-friendly delights await. Book one of the inviting two-bedroom suites or townhouses, thoughtfully designed with home comforts like pack ‘n plays and futon sleeping mats for a restful slumber for all. Dive into the hotel’s heated outdoor swimming pool, or treat yourselves to a parents-only date night, as the hotel provides local babysitting services. Live Oak Café, the on-property restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner for a cozy sit-down experience just steps away from your room, or opt to take your order to-go with easy pickup at “The Perch,” the restaurant’s no-contact pickup window. Nearby dining includes Daily Grind for top-notch breakfast burritos and coffee and Taffy’s Pizza. Best Western Plus Santa Barbara invites you and your loved ones to experience a seamless combination of convenience and family-friendly hospitality.