Anonymous wrote:PP here; I hit "submit" too fast.

The Biltmore (I think it's the Four Seasons Biltmore now, in Montecito) is so fabulous because it's across the street from the ocean but in a rare part of town that's away from the RR tracks, and done so beautifully. Ok so you'll have to drive a little to the main part of town, but if I had my pick of all the places (including Doubletree where I stayed my wedding night) I would pick the Biltmore. It's just classic Santa Barbara. And no ocean fog in the fall.

I just returned from the Biltmore. It is very close to the railroad tracks, and you can hear the train. We enjoyed it, though. The best parts are the gardens, the ocean view restaurant, and the ocean view swimming pool and jacuzzi across the street. The rooms are nice but nothing spectacular. I only saw the main building, not the cottages.

PP here; I hit "submit" too fast.

The Biltmore (I think it's the Four Seasons Biltmore now, in Montecito) is so fabulous because it's across the street from the ocean but in a rare part of town that's away from the RR tracks, and done so beautifully. Ok so you'll have to drive a little to the main part of town, but if I had my pick of all the places (including Doubletree where I stayed my wedding night) I would pick the Biltmore. It's just classic Santa Barbara. And no ocean fog in the fall.

I'm also from SB and trying to not miss it as I type this (it's tough to grow up there because there's a lot to miss).

No, no no on Bacara just cross it off your list. Way far away from State St., which is the street you sound like you're looking for (where all the action is).

Did anyone mention...San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito? Man is that romantic (not near State St. but wow). JFK and Jackie honeymooned there. Even if you don't stay there, you may want to go to dinner there on the patio.

We stayed at Fess Parker's Doubletree last year. Very nice. Across the street from the beach, but a fairly long walk downtown. We drove to the downtown restaurants. If you were taking the kids, it's close to the zoo, though

My friend in SB was just writing on Facebook how they were dealing with both wildfires and an earthquake yesterday. It seemed like a such a paradise when I was there, but I guess no place is perfect.

OP here, thank you all so much!

This is PP from 22:48. I remembered another hotel-- the Canary in downtown SB. My grandma stayed there recently. Very nice and right in the heart of town.

I am also from SB and miss it terribly. Try the Fess Parker Doubletree or the Biltmore.

I'm from SB. Bacara is very far from downtown (it's really in the suburb of Goleta), and while it is lovely (my husband and I stayed there for a kid-free evening last year when we were visiting my parents), it is remote. The Biltmore (as everyone in town calls the Four Seasons Biltmore) is beautiful and right on the ocean but still a (short) drive to downtown SB. There is also the El Encanto, which will be reopening shortly-- in fact, having just checked the website, I think perhaps it has already reopened after a major renovation-- and it will be exquisite. But it is up on the Riviera and still requires a 10-minute drive down to the commercial area. Another lovely high-end hotel is the San Ysidro Ranch, in Montecito. None of the above are walking distance to downtown.

Or, my sister owns a beautiful VRBO property just a few blocks from the beach and a few blocks from downtown-- http://www.vrbo.com/454896. For complete privacy, a lot more space than a hotel room, and a lot less money spent, I'd probably stay there instead of a high-end hotel!

Have a good time in my favorite place in the world.

Was the train a problem at four seasons?

Four Seasons was amazing.

Four Seasons is beautiful. For a more quaint, historic experience, Montecito Inn is nice and in a cute area, but its hard to beat 4S.

Villa rosa inn

Don't stay at the Bacara - just stayed there. Under construction and bad service (though very nice property). Four Seasons all the way. Bacara is also more remote in location

how much is bacara per night anyways?

My husband and I are planning a getaway to Santa Barbara in the fall. Ideally we'd like to be close to some kind of downtown so we could easily get to restaurants, nightlife, etc. But we also want to stay in a somewhat nicer place because it's the first time we'll be away without our 2 kids. I would love any and all suggestions! Trip Advisor has pointed me to the Four Seasons and the Bacara resort.