Search Hotels by Independent in Santa Barbara from £111

Thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year, a temperate Mediterranean climate and beautiful terracotta-roofed Spanish architecture, the chic palm-lined city of Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera.

There is a number of independent hotels in and around Santa Barbara, from low-key hotels and quirky B&Bs in hacienda-style villas, to upmarket ranches, inns in Victorian mansions and chic boutique hotels overlooking the beach.

Stay in an Independent Hotel in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara's independent hotels offer a whole host of amenities and services, from indoor or outdoor pools, lavish restaurants and bars, to free bike hire and 24-hour room service. Book a room in an independent guesthouse, hotel or inn in Santa Barbara and you could also enjoy complimentary full breakfast, wine and cheese socials and WiFi.

Stay near Santa Barbara's Main Attractions

Book a room in an independent hotel off State Street downtown and you'll be a 15-minute walk from the iconic Mission Santa Barbara, a charming pink-and-white church built by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s.

Or wander next door and see the Californian native wildlife exhibits in the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, before heading south to Anacapa Street and climbing the 85-foot tower in the Spanish Colonial-style Santa Barbara County Courthouse for the best views of the city.

Santa Barbara's Wine Country

Explore Santa Barbara County further by booking an independent hotel or inn in the Santa Ynez Valley, a 30-mile drive northwest of downtown or a short ride on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. Made up of five small towns, it's called Santa Barbara Wine Country thanks to the many vineyards and wineries you’ll see when you visit.

Santa Barbara After Dark

Home to five colleges and universities, Santa Barbara has a large student population, and with it a vibrant bar scene, mostly set around State Street. For a different type of night, head south to the Funk Zone, a vibrant arts community crammed with cool pop-up bars, stylish diners and independent wine-tasting rooms.

Wherever you choose to stay in Santa Barbara, use Expedia to find the best deals on independent hotels for your next Californian trip.