Santa Barbara is a picturesque beach town on the central coast of California, with the Santa Ynez Mountains creating a dramatic backdrop on one side and the sparkling pacific ocean on the other.
Downtown Santa Barbara offers upscale boutiques and restaurants on State Street, and has kept true to its Spanish colonial heritage with mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs.
Santa Barbara has a cute pier and harbor, and excellent surfing, diving, hiking and wine tasting, and it is also only a short drive up the coast from Los Angeles, making it the perfect destination for your next California getaway!
Santa Barbara and the nearby beach towns of Montecito and Summerland offer an array of wonderful rental options.
Adding to our AirBnB directory, here are the 15 best AirBnBs in Santa Barbara!
- Best for a Bachelorette Party: 1920’s Mediterranean Estate
- Best for Families: Strand Hus Ocean Front Home
- Best for Couples: Coastal View Guest House
- Most Unique: Rustic Hiking Cabin
- Best Location: Home In The Heart Of SB
The Best AirBnBs for Bachelorette Parties and Large Groups
Modern Ocean View Home + Pool
This home offers a bright, open floor plan with big kitchen, ocean views, and indoor/outdoor living that is great for family or entertaining!
It is also in a great location on the Santa Barbara Mesa close to the beach and shops there.
There are 3 bedrooms in main house, and the pool cabin sleeps 2 people and this house is very private.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy a Sonos sound system, a fully-equipped kitchen, a fire pit, a heated pool, and a hot tub.
- Location: Mesa
- Sleeps: 8 guests
- Size: 4 bedrooms / 4 beds / 3 baths
- Price: Starting at $600 per night
Featured Guest Review: “Cannot say enough good things about this rental. Photos do not do it justice. ” – Amy
Montecito Beach Estate
This estate is one of the few luxury vacation homes in Santa Barbara County that has oceanfront access and can accommodate large groups or events.
Boasting 4,077 square feet of upscale living space on nearly two acres, this oceanfront estate is comprised of a five bedroom, well appointed house and separate 1 bedroom casita.
Highlights include a pool, chef’s kitchen, dual master suites, and direct beach access.
- Location: Montecito
- Sleeps: 14 guests
- Size: 6 bedrooms / 7 beds / 5 baths
- Price: Check Latest Prices
Featured Guest Review: “This was the perfect spot for our retreat. Plenty of private and group spaces.” – Bob
1920’s Mediterranean Estate
Character abounds in renowned winemaker Bryan Babcock & his wife Lisa’s enchanting 1920s Mediterranean home.
Perfectly situated for exploring, this private, lushly landscaped Montecito estate is just three minutes to the beach and close to nearby wine country.
House guests even receive complimentary tasting & discounts on Babcock wines.
This is the perfect AirBnB to rent for your family or group getaway to Santa Barbara!
- Location: Montecito
- Sleeps: 11 guests
- Size: 5 bedrooms / 6 beds / 5 baths
- Price: Check Latest Prices
Featured Guest Review: “I would stay here over and over again. Beautiful property, lovely location, great hosts!” – Larissa
La Maison
Welcome to La Maison, one of the most sought out rentals in Santa Barbara!
This newly renovated Victorian vacation home is walking distance to all the best things downtown SB has to offer!
Take a short stroll to iconic Sterns Wharf, sunbathe on West Beach, surf at nearby Leadbetter Beach, dine on fresh local food, visit the Urban Wine Trail, and indulge in boutique shopping on State Street.
This home is sunny, bright, big, and cheerful, with 3 generously sized bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms making it perfect for your next group or family getaway.
- Location: Downtown
- Sleeps: 12 guests
- Size: 3 bedrooms / 6 beds / 2 baths
- Price: Check Latest Prices
Featured Guest Review: “The house is amazing. Everything is beautiful and well thought out.” -Claire
Summerland Sea View Home
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara, this Summerland Sea View Home is perfect for families or groups looking to get away from it all.
This AirBnB is near many beaches, including Summerland Beach which is just blocks away and there are great dinning options in Summerland including: Summerland Winery, The Nugget, Tinker’s, and Summerland Beach Cafe.
Property highlights include beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, a large open concept layout, spa/hot tub, a gourmet kitchen, a lower level family suite with a kitchenette, and balconies with sweeping ocean views!
- Location: Summerland
- Sleeps: 8 guests
- Size: 4 bedrooms / 7 beds / 3 baths
- Price: Starting at $716 per night
Featured Guest Review: “Easily one of our favorite Airbnbs that we’ve stayed in and we’ve all had our fair share all around the world!” -Tina
The Best AirBnBs for Small Groups and Families
Summerland Ocean View Home
With magnificent ocean views from every room, this Summerland rental is the perfect beachside escape!
Soak in the hot tub, relax on the wraparound patio, or enjoy the beach which just a few blocks away.
The great room is flooded with natural light, and the large balcony is a great spot for outdoor dining, relaxing and entertaining.
There is also hot tub, a fire put and a fun surfboard outdoor shower!
- Location: Summerland
- Sleeps: 8 guests
- Size: 3 bedrooms / 8 beds / 3.5 baths
- Price: Starting at $227 per night
Featured Guest Review: “This is one of the best houses you can stay in. It was perfect in every way and we loved every second we spent there.” – Prisha
Strand Hus Ocean Front Home
This modern two level beach home is one of the few AirBnB vacation homes in Santa Barbara county that sits on the beach.
This Summerland Beach home offers privacy and unobstructed sweeping ocean views.
From this vacation home you can walk to the restaurants and shops in downtown Summerland, or in less than a five minutes drive up the coast you can be in downtown Montecito or downtown Santa Barbara.
- Location: Summerland
- Sleeps: 4 guests
- Size: 2 bedrooms / 2 beds / 2.5 baths
- Price: Check Latest Prices
Featured Guest Review: “Never. Wanted. To. Leave. Secluded. Relaxing. Beautiful. I stayed four nights and wish it were a month.” – Rhonda
Riviera Home With City & Ocean Views
This cozy two bedroom house, situated on the lower Santa Barbara Riviera, offers sparkling ocean and city views while also being very private.
You’ll enjoy the view and sunsets from the deck while relaxing in the hot tub.
The interior is warm and inviting with wood floors, comfortable furnishings, a fireplace and cozy beds.
This rental has a functional and well stocked kitchen that is perfect for cooking and entertaining, and the outdoor grill and deck furniture are great for outdoor dining, making this the perfect Santa Barbara getaway destination!
- Location: Riviera
- Sleeps: 4 guests
- Size: 2 bedrooms / 2 beds / 1 bath
- Price: Starting at $371 per night
Featured Guest Review: “What a gem! Gorgeous deck, great location and comfortable lodging.” -Cassie
Home In The Heart Of SB
This AirBnB is in a an excellent location in downtown Santa Barbara with State Street and the beach only a few blocks away!
This home has been completely renovated and furnished with brand new furniture.
It has a nice open layout, comfortable beds and all the amenities you will need to make your stay in Santa Barbara memorable.
- Location: Downtown
- Sleeps: 7 guests
- Size: 3 bedrooms / 5 beds / 2 baths
- Price: Starting at $406 per night
Featured Guest Review: “Communication was seamless, flexible check-in, very clean apartment. Great stay!” – Michael
La Petite Maison Blanche
Built in 1915, this is a quintessential Santa Barbara cottage in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.
The rooms are small but well-appointed and the spacious backyard is perfect for sharing stories, relaxing and unwinding around the fire pit and cozy sofas.
The location of this rental is perfect for walking or biking everywhere!
When you stay here you’ll be one block from the Saturday Farmer’s Market, two blocks east of State Street and Joe’s Cafe (highly recommended), French Press Coffee, theaters, shopping, and the beach.
- Location: Downtown
- Sleeps: 6 guests
- Size: 2 bedrooms / 3 beds / 1.5 baths
- Price: Starting at $300 per night
Featured Guest Review: “This is the best location, so central to everything, the cutest and most creative space. It’s a very small and cozy place, it was perfect for a girls weekend.” -Melissa
Best AirBnBs For Solo Travelers and Couples
Rustic Hiking Cabin
This studio is the perfect Santa Barbara AirBnB for anyone looking to disconnect for a few days and reconnect with nature all around them.
Enjoy views of the ocean, islands and mountains as well as a lovely garden while being close to all the best hiking trails Santa Barbara has to offer.
People love this cabin because it is like a camping experience in nature.
- Location: Mission Canyon
- Sleeps: 2 guests
- Size: Studio / 1 bed / 1 bath
- Price: Starting at $129 per night
Featured Guest Review: “This tiny cabin is perfect for a single person or a couple who wants to getaway from the city’s busyness. The location is up on the mission canyon, you get to see a remarkable view of Santa Barbara.” – Dikka
Coastal View Guest House
This cozy studio is in a beautiful, peaceful setting in the Santa Barbara Riviera.
It offers 180 degree views of the sparkling coastline while being only 5 miles from shops, restaurants, beaches and wine tasting in downtown Santa Barbara.
You will feel like you are staying in Tuscany at this private studio boasting Mediterranean style, a private courtyard, BBQ, fire pit and your own private hot tub!
- Location: Riviera
- Sleeps: 2 guests
- Size: 1 bedroom / 1 bed / 1 bath
- Price: Starting at $159 per night
Featured Guest Review: “The place is very clean and cozy. The outdoor fireplace and hot tub are the best. It’s an amazing place to relax.” – Sindu
Montecito Cottage
This cozy little cottage is newly-decorated and surrounded by oak trees, plants, flowers and colorful bougainvillea.
This private studio cottage offers a bathroom (tub shower), kitchen with full stove and refrigerator, a queen-size bed with lots of pillows, a couch, a 42” TV and best of all – a lovely garden patio.
It is just a 10 minute walk to nearby Butterfly Beach and walking distance to all the boutiques and restaurants in downtown Montecito.
- Location: Montecito
- Sleeps: 2 guests
- Size: 1 bedroom / 1 bed / 1 bath
- Price: Starting at $154 per night
Featured Guest Review: “Great private space in an amazing location with very friendly and helpful hosts!” – Adam
Private Garden Cottage
This garden cottage is bright and sunny, offering a comfortable queen bed, fenced-in private patio, mini fridge, microwave, central air and free street parking.
It also has a separate, private entrance and is in a great location – just blocks to restaurants and shopping on State Street and a short walk to the beach.
- Location: Downtown
- Sleeps: 2 guests
- Size: Studio / 1 bed / 1 bath
- Price: Starting at $141 per night
Featured Guest Review: “Great little space for a weekend getaway in Santa Barbara! Clean space, perfect location & easy to access.” – Samantha
Seaside Escape
You can’t beat the location of this townhouse!
Nestled in West Beach, this Airbnb is walking distance to the beach, harbor, pier, wine tasting in the Funk zone, and shopping on State street.
During your stay you can also enjoy the use of free beach cruisers to explore the scenic bike path that runs from West Beach to East Beach!
- Location: West Beach
- Sleeps: 4 guests
- Size: 1 bedroom / 2 beds / 1 bath
- Price: Starting at $196 per night
Featured Guest Review: “The location could not be better – walkable to the beach and the funk zone and still tucked a couple blocks away from the main streets.” – Calli
10 Things To Do In Santa Barbara
I went to college at UC Santa Barbara and I lived in SB (as locals call it) for over ten years. From my experience living in this wonderful beach town I created this Santa Barbara Bucketlist.
Here are 10 things to do during your visit!
- Have lunch on the balcony at Brophy Bros overlooking the harbor.
- Explore Sterns Warf.
- Take your children to the Santa Barbara Sea Center.
- Go shopping on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.
- Walk and wine taste on the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail.
- Experience world class wine tasting in nearby Santa Ynez Valley.
- Hike Inspiration Point.
- Sunbathe on picturesque Butterfly Beach
- Take private surf lessons.
- Go on a sunset sail.
Ready To Book Your Stay?
With beautiful beaches, great hiking, surfing and golfing, excellent wine tasting, restaurants and shopping, Santa Barbara is an ideal destination for your next beach getaway!
If you are planning your own California road trip, make sure to also check out some of the great AirBnB stays in nearby Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice Beach!
If a mountain getaway is more your style, you can drive for a long weekend to nearby Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead and stay in some amazing cabins, or book a unique AirBnB in Joshua Tree!
Do you know of another great AirBnB in Santa Barbara that belongs on our list? Let us know in the comments below!
Ready to visit California? Read on for more inspiration:
- The 10 Best AirBnBs in Venice Beach
- The 9 Best AirBnBs in Santa Monica
- 15 Amazing California Girls Getaways
- The Best Hotels in Santa Barbara For Any Budget
- 10 Essential Stops On A Highway 1 Roadtrip
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