Compare and book 3 Star hotels in Santa Barbara, California

Tucked between the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the palm-lined beach city of Santa Barbara is often called the American Riviera. With a distinctly Mediterranean appeal, a temperate year-round climate and stacks of Spanish colonial architecture, it's the perfect Californian destination for a week or even two.

Three-Star Hotels in Santa Barbara

Use Expedia to search through the variety of three-star places to stay in Santa Barbara, from beachside inns, hacienda-style B&Bs and mid-range hotels with views of the ocean. There are several three-star hotels just moments from the beach and Stearns Wharf, as well as in the area surrounding State Street, the city's main drag.

Hotels near Santa Barbara’s Beaches

Book a room in a three-star hotel near the southern end of downtown and you'll be a short hop from both East and West Beaches. East Beach is a 1.6-mile stretch with picnic areas, volleyball courts and children's playgrounds, while the smaller West Beach is sandwiched between Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Harbor.

Stearns Wharf is the city's historic wooden pier. It's lined with upmarket seafood restaurants, quirky gift shops and lively waterfront bars, and is easily reached from downtown, East and West Beach. A 15-minute stroll east is Santa Barbara Zoo, one of the best small zoos in the country. Time it right and you can hand-feed the Masai giraffes or meet the Humboldt penguins.

Santa Barbara's Bars and Restaurants

Famous for its healthy SoCal cuisine and Mexican favourites, Santa Barbara dining out is a real pleasure. Eat freshly caught fish and chips on Stearns Wharf, or try one of the many modern Californian restaurants which line State Street.

After dark, Santa Barbara lights up when dozens of lively pubs, wine bars and cocktail lounges draw the beach crowds to State Street. Thursday night is college night, when Santa Barbara's student population heads downtown to take advantage of all the drink deals.

From modest roadside inns to casual beachfront hotels, wherever you choose to stay, use Expedia to find a three-star hotel in Santa Barbara.