Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If possible stay right on the main road fronting the beach. It's basicly the reason for going to SB in the first place plus it's walkable to Sterns Wharf and the main shopping/dining street which is called State St. My last two visits were to the Hyatt and also Fess Parker Hotel's. Both nice properties.

local pp here. if all you do is stay on cabrillo blvd/state st you are seeing a fraction of the town and not even its highlights. that being said the fess parker is fine place to lay your head at night. the wharf is a tourist trap - go to the harbor instead, dine at brophy’s, walk the length of the breakwater. if you’re there on a breezy regatta evening, even better...quintessential!

The whole idea is to be able to walk along the beach especially in the morning like most people do. Of course SB has more to offer. Why would anyone go to SB and not wish to stay on Cabrillo?

I have stayed in vacation homes and hotels - as long as there is a heated pool, I am happy

Anonymous wrote:Take it up a notch and try the Bacara

local pp here. bacara is nice no doubt, but isolated and far from anything. we go for drinks sometimes or to the beach, but would not recommend for someone wanting to fully experience santa barbara.

Take it up a notch and try the Bacara

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Santa Ynez PP, it's so beautiful there! Do you have any hotel recommendation for Santa Ynez wine region? I don't believe they have any big name hotels there so it's hard to figure out which ones are nice.

the alisal guest ranch! especially if you are outdoorsy. another unique option would be cottages at mattei’s in los olivos. the landsby is a posh scandinavian inn in solvang. have heard good things about ballard inn, but bever been myself. on the low end, glamping at flying flags in buellton. you didn’t ask but best vineyards imo are foley and lafond, great pinots and chardonnays.

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Thank you PP - I have saved this info for our next trip up! (I am in Orange County)

Anonymous wrote:Santa Ynez PP, it's so beautiful there! Do you have any hotel recommendation for Santa Ynez wine region? I don't believe they have any big name hotels there so it's hard to figure out which ones are nice.

the alisal guest ranch! especially if you are outdoorsy. another unique option would be cottages at mattei’s in los olivos. the landsby is a posh scandinavian inn in solvang. have heard good things about ballard inn, but bever been myself. on the low end, glamping at flying flags in buellton. you didn’t ask but best vineyards imo are foley and lafond, great pinots and chardonnays.

Santa Ynez PP, it's so beautiful there! Do you have any hotel recommendation for Santa Ynez wine region? I don't believe they have any big name hotels there so it's hard to figure out which ones are nice.

Anonymous wrote:If possible stay right on the main road fronting the beach. It's basicly the reason for going to SB in the first place plus it's walkable to Sterns Wharf and the main shopping/dining street which is called State St. My last two visits were to the Hyatt and also Fess Parker Hotel's. Both nice properties.

local pp here. if all you do is stay on cabrillo blvd/state st you are seeing a fraction of the town and not even its highlights. that being said the fess parker is fine place to lay your head at night. the wharf is a tourist trap - go to the harbor instead, dine at brophy’s, walk the length of the breakwater. if you’re there on a breezy regatta evening, even better...quintessential!

If possible stay right on the main road fronting the beach. It's basicly the reason for going to SB in the first place plus it's walkable to Sterns Wharf and the main shopping/dining street which is called State St. My last two visits were to the Hyatt and also Fess Parker Hotel's. Both nice properties.

wow, so many santa barbarians on dcum. me too. (live in santa ynez now.) what do you all do? op, all depends on your budget and requirements. i would have to agree about montecito, it’s still in a bad state. unfortunately beaches are still affected too with all the mud and debris being dumped. the new-ish el encanto is swanky and relaxing, great views from the riviera, not walkable though. lower state/funk zone is hopping and i noticed some nice new hotels (inns?) there. i love living in the more rural wine country and playing tourist in santa barbara once a week.

Another Santa barbarian here--are you looking for a hotel, or air bnb?

OP, I'm from Santa Barbara. I'd avoid Montecito right now due to the mudslides.

The Kimpton downtown is nice and dog friendly.

We stayed at the La Quinta on State street and it was a great central location.

Favorite area and hotel?

Montecito looks nice, would renting a place there be feasible?

Or is it better in downtown SB? How about the beach?

We are going for a week this summer and plan to explore SB and the area around it.

Appreciate all your suggestions!