Luxury Hotels in Santa Barbara

With sunny days as sweet and lingering as the finishes of the vintages from its many wineries, the southern California city of Santa Barbara rises gently from surfing and sunning beaches of the Pacific Ocean to miles of hiking trails on the sage-covered slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Crowned by the Queen of the Missions and with a Spanish courthouse once called the most beautiful building in America, Santa Barbara is the perfect setting for a luxury hotel getaway.

San Ysidro Ranch

In surroundings fragrant with the scent of eucalyptus and orange blossoms, the recently renovated San Ysidro ranch offers all the seclusion you could want on 500 acres of Santa Barbara foothills. Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh were married behind the gates of this romantic escape.
Each guest room or cottage has its own fireplace and terrace with hot tub, and the property abounds with breathtaking views of Santa Barbara and the Pacific. The hotel staff can arrange hiking outings into the foothills or at Refugio Beach north of the city, or book you a whale-watching trip along the Santa Barbara Channel. The hotel also has a year-around heated pool and fully equipped fitness center.
San Ysidro Ranch
900 San Ysidro Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 565-1700
sanysidroranch.com

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore

The Four Season's classic Spanish Colonial architecture, immaculate sweeping lawns and lush gardens just steps from Santa Barbara's Butterfly Beach epitomize Santa Barbara's gracious lifestyle. Cool off in the jungle pool after a morning on one of the three tennis courts, or head out on a complimentary bicycle to explore downtown Santa Barbara. Some of California's best surfing is about 15 miles south at Rincon State Beach.
Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
1260 Channel Dr.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
(805) 969-2261
fourseasons.com/santabarbara

Bacara Resort & Spa

Nestled on 78 acres of bluff-top overlooking its own two-mile stretch of beach north of Santa Barbara, the Bacara Spa and Resort also includes a thousand-acre citrus ranch in the Santa Ynez foothills.
Guests can choose from a wide slate of outdoor activities, including snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, deep sea fishing and paragliding. Bike rentals and guided bike tours are available, as is hiking on the three ranch trails. The resort's three separate swimming pools and 26 private full-service cabanas are ideal for a day of pampered lounging in the sun.
Bacara Resort & Spa
8301 Hollister Ave.
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
(805) 968-0100
bacararesort.com/

Resources

Santa Barbara Court House

Article Written By Judy Wolfe

Judy Wolfe has owned her own writing business since 2006. She is a professional florist, holds a certificate in advanced floral design and had her Valentine's Day floral design published in "Super Floral Retailing." She spent her college summers tending her family's Santa Barbara avocado orchards. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in literature from California State Polytechnic Univeristy in Pomona.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...