I hadn’t been to Santa Barbara in years and back in the day (my tech era that is), I used to occasionally stay with a friend who lived in the suburbs and later Montecito. He’s now in Santa Ynez Valley so we opted to put our feet up for a couple nights on State Street, which as locals know, is in the heart of downtown.
When we arrived, State Street was bustling with dimly lit cafes and restaurants. After we took care of the car, we walked around the block to the main entrance where the lobby greets you. When we entered the lobby after check-in, we were met by friendly staff behind the counter and individually wrapped sugar cookies that needed a home and so we gave them one. Off to the side was a water machine, and a side table with coffee and tea options.
Above and below: amenities in the rooms
Before we move onto the rooms, let’s give you a little history about this epic hotel which has been around since 1876 when the city was still a sleepy pueblo. The original hotel was destroyed during the 1925 earthquake, at that time called The Santa Barbara. It was then rebuilt and took on The Barbara Hotel as its name, which is said to have drawn many Hollywood actors at the time. It closed after WWII but rose from the ashes so to speak in the 1970’s under new ownership. They renovated the ancient hotel in the 1990’s and then under new owners once again, it was revamped in 2021.
The rooms themselves have a retro flare with modern touches. We were in a double queen and due to the weather and our fatigue from far too many activities before we arrived, we ended up watching a movie on our first night. Luckily, we were able to access our own subscriptions from Amazon Prime and Netflix using a Bluetooth interface.
A King Room at the Hotel Santa Barbara. Credit: Hotel Santa Barbara.
Two Queens. Credit: Hotel Santa Barbara.
Above and below credit: Hotel Santa Barbara.
For those who like to work out while they’re on the road, they also have a gym on the premises.
Credit: Hotel Santa Barbara
Below is a shot coming down the stairs and the view just on the horizon through the windows.
Location, Location, Location
One of the best things about Hotel Santa Barbara is its central vicinity to nightlife. Remember, Santa Barbara is a college town, so some of that nightlife might not appeal to you depending on your age; however, within a short walk, you’ll find inexpensive casual restaurants or if you go just a little further, you’ll find yourself in an area called Funk Town. This trendy neighborhood has tons of delicious and fun eateries, cafes and wine tasting rooms. With over 450 restaurants in Santa Barbara to choose from, you’ll easily find something to your liking.
We loved the Funk Town hood since it included a variety of options from walk-up ordering to five-star dining. Our recommendation is to head to The Lark if you end up here. The Lark is named for the overnight Pullman train from the Southern Pacific Railroad that apparently serviced the city of Santa Barbara from 1910 to 1968. The oldest neighborhood in the city is known as the Presidio, not to be confused with the infamous Presidio in San Francisco. Here, you’ll find the city’s Spanish roots. Our recommendation here is La Paloma Café, where you’ll step back in time. Uptown is where the locals hang their hats and Via Maestra 42 is a great option for authentic Italian food in this neighborhood.
My friend John took me to the Waterfront for one of his favorite lunch spots: Brophy Bros, an iconic spot for homemade clam chowder and plenty of daily catch fish options. They also have great salads as well as wine by the glass. Rather than clamor for a spot at the bar, we’d recommend sitting outside along the edge where you’ll get great views of the harbor.
Another great option is heading to the upscale Montecito, a mere 10 or 15 minute drive. Not only is there great shopping (jewelry, clothing, gifts), but there’s a Johnny Was store on the main drag, my sister’s favorite.
We dined at a wonderful Italian spot on our final evening called Ca Dario Montecito. The service was amazing as was the homemade pasta and their wine selection. Although we ate inside because it was a little chilly that night, I’d recommend sitting outside if the weather is warmer as the ambiance is ever so charming.
Above and below, dining at the Ca Dario
Another great pick just up the road is another Italian restaurant called Tre Lune. A little pricier, but the atmosphere is quaint and charming, making it a great option if you’re celebrating a special occasion. Seafood lovers will want to head to Clark’s Oyster Bar, which also has a great wine menu.
Be sure to get to one of the local beaches for a walk regardless of the season. The beauty of the surrounding area makes for great drives as well, with the picturesque mountain ranges being the main prize.
DETAILS:
Hotel Santa Barbara
533 State Street
Santa Barbara CA 93101
805.957.9300
For more information on Hotel Santa Barbara, visit their website.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
