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!
The Best AirBnBs for Bachelorette Parties and Large Groups
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 vacation rental 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
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
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
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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