Santa Barbara Municipal Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels
Airport area and Goleta
Airport area · About 10 minutes by car or taxi from the terminal, along Highway 101.
Best for: Travelers with a very early morning flight or a tight connection who don't want to drive all the way downtown.
- Free parking, convenient for those arriving by car
- Direct access to the 101 towards downtown
- No hotel right on the airport perimeter
- Commercial area, not suited to those who want the beach
Recommended hotels in this area
- Hyatt Place Santa Barbara: The closest branded hotel to the airport, on State Street about 10 minutes from the terminal.
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Downtown and State Street
City centre · About 15-20 minutes by car or taxi from the terminal.
Best for: Travelers who want to walk among shops, restaurants and the Funk Zone without needing a car.
- Walking distance to State Street, restaurants and the Funk Zone
- Less than a mile from the beach and Stearns Wharf
- Street noise in lower-floor rooms
- Paid garage parking almost everywhere
Recommended hotels in this area
- Hotel Santa Barbara: On the corner of State Street, less than a mile from the beach and Stearns Wharf.
- Canary Hotel, a Kimpton Hotel: Rooftop pool with a view, right in the most central stretch of State Street.
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Waterfront and West Beach
Neighbourhood · About 15-20 minutes by car or taxi from the terminal, the same distance as downtown.
Best for: Travelers who want the sea right outside the window and a view of Stearns Wharf.
- Right on the beach and facing Stearns Wharf
- Walking distance to downtown and the train station
- Higher rates during the summer high season
- Paid on-site parking
Recommended hotels in this area
- Harbor View Inn: Mediterranean-style hotel right across from Stearns Wharf, a short walk from downtown and the train station.
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Montecito
Nearby town · About 20-25 minutes by car or taxi from the terminal.
Best for: Travelers seeking a secluded, upscale stay away from downtown.
- Residential villas and gardens, little passing tourist traffic
- Away from downtown traffic and crowds
- A car is needed to get anywhere
- Few restaurants compared to downtown Santa Barbara
Recommended hotels in this area
- El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel: Bungalows among gardens in the hills of Montecito, with views over the Santa Barbara bay.
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