3 of the Best Places to Stay in Santa Barbara | Travel + Leisure

Travel may be changing but that does not mean you need to forego adventure forever. I'm Stacey Leska for Travel & Leisure here to show you the destinations that are eagerly awaiting your return. We're here in Santa Barbara to show you all the places that you can still stay and play so you can have a happy and healthy vacation well spent. Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera and for good reason. The coastal California town is stylish, chic, and absolutely oozing with charm. The first step in planning an idyllic getaway there is to pick the perfect place to stay and that search begins at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Come check out the property that sits on 78 pristine acres of land right on the Pacific Ocean. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is truly a place where everyone can come and find tranquility. The property comes with two stunning beaches, three separate infinity edge pools, and its own 42,000 square foot spa. It's a destination that blends Mediterranean style with Santa Barbara's classic laid-back charms all into one perfect surfside retreat. But if you're not into the ocean that's okay because you can sit by its pool, you can grab a cabana, or even dine in one of its restaurants like Angel Home which has a 12,000 bottle wine cellar. Of course we can't forget to show you the rooms. The hotel has a number of options to choose from but if you can go for an ocean view room or suite to get in on that Santa Barbara good life. This property sits on 70 acres along the coastline so it's wide open. You step outside and you're surrounded by gardens. You hear the ocean. You're able to walk down to the beach and there is no better place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. This is where you have to start your day. When you're in town there's one coffee shop you have to visit and that's Dune Coffee Roasters. The Santa Barbara based company is a great place to stop for a cup of coffee, a snack, and even a souvenir to go. Ready to visit another hotel? Let's see what's happening in the middle of town at the Hotel Californian. The Hotel Californian opened its doors in 2017 bringing a new kind of luxury with it. Come inside the hotel that acts as the front door to Santa Barbara's funk zone. Sophisticated, classic, and totally refined are all the right ways to describe the Hotel Californian. The 121 room hotel is a favorite destination for international visitors, A-listers coming from Hollywood, and travel lovers alike. The gorgeous space designed by Martin Lawrence Ballard is bright, airy, and everything you're looking for in a quick escape. Each of the hotel's luxurious guest rooms provides a unique experience for visitors. Like the lobby, the rooms also blend classic Spanish revival with Moroccan influences, giving off just the right touch of glamour. The Hotel Californian comes with its own rooftop pool with expansive Pacific and mountain views on either side. It's ultra cool and ultra chic and a great place for a quick dip. If you're looking for some tasty takeout, come over to Patina, a pizza place that can rival any New York slice. I said it, it can rival any New York slice. I'm gonna go get a couple so we can take it to the beach. We're focused on Neapolitan style pizza made 100% sourdough. We don't use any commercial yeast in any of our bread or pizza dough. Pepperoni pizza is classic. It's definitely our number one most ordered item. You know, I think sometimes you gauge a place by its most simple items, so even just getting a margarita and taking that to go to see the quality of the ingredients I think is really nice for people. Before you book, there's one more place you need to see to make your well-spent accommodation decision. San Ysidro Ranch is an oasis for everyone who walks onto its 500 acre property. With its sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands beyond, it's a place where everyone can find a little piece of vacation bliss. It's no wonder this place has been named Travel & Leisure's World's Best Awards year after year. Entering the ranch is like walking into a fairy tale book, where every corner is touched by magic. And like the Ritz, the San Ysidro Ranch is located just minutes from town but feels an entire world away. The hotel is ideal for families or couples thanks to its 41 intimate cottages all surrounded by lush plant life. And inside you'll find lots of cozy furniture to make you feel right at home. And who knows, you might even get lucky and snag the same cottage that President Kennedy and Jackie Onassis used on their honeymoon. The hotel isn't just a ranch in name. Originally part of a land grant, the ranch was given to the Franciscan friars in the late 1700s as their very own sanctuary. Now the hotel still sits surrounded by 400 year old olive trees, fields of flowers, and even a chef's garden to help feed the guests. Want to explore a bit more off property? Let's head into town to visit a Santa Barbara favorite, Lucky's Steakhouse. Ask anybody that's ever been to Santa Barbara before where you should go and I promise you they'll tell you to go to Lucky's and it's easy to see why. Not only do they have the best steaks in town but they also have stuff for vegetarians and pescatarians alike so everyone will be happy and it's time to dig in. The menu at Lucky's is a foodie delight offering decadent treats to diners like 28 ounce porterhouse steaks and ahi tuna fresh from the ocean. And it's all thanks to chef Leonard Schwartz. Lucky's is an institution we've been here 20 years. It's the quintessential American steakhouse. It's elegant but it's comfortable so you can come in your shorts, you can come with a jacket on. Everybody's welcome and we make people feel at home. I'm from LA which is intense. This is totally chill and that's what I love about it and that's why people come here. But hang on the day isn't done yet. There's only one way to end a day of exploring in Santa Barbara and that's by coming down to State Street to stop at McConnell's for a scoop. I recommend the coconut almond crunch but really anything will do. We don't really need to explain more about what makes Santa Barbara such a great travel destination because its hotels, dining options, and coffee shops all speak for themselves. But this was just the taste so come for yourself, explore Santa Barbara, and have a day well spent.