I will be in Santa Barbara for the first time in late June. I want to use my Chase Sapphire points to book a hotel. After extensive research I was close to settling on the Kimpton Canary Hotel, mainly because it was located near the main street, near a gym I am planning to attend while in town, has a great restaurant and roof top deck, and overall seemed like a good fit. Of course I then procrastinated and now the point value has increased. However, I had some nagging reservation about it, possibly related to the $35/day parking fee!

So today I looked again at other hotels and thought the Fess Parker seemed nice until I read reviews that it is dated. One reviewer recommended staying at the newly renovated Santa Barbara Inn. I like the location, point price is good, and I will have a car so I can drive to the gym (or even just walk). I believe you pay for breakfast but I'll be at the gym so can grab something on my way back to the hotel.

OK I need to proof and finish things before I post. My main question is does anyone have any thoughts about the renovated Santa Barbara Inn and/or do you recommend other hotels? There is also the Brisas which looks nice. Thanks!

We stayed at The Canary, it's amazing!!

We also stayed at the Kempton in Goleta, it's quite a fun spot, way different than Canary. Had a great dinner there, too. If you have a car and don't HAVE to be in SB proper, I also recommend it. The Goodlands.

In general, Kimpton properties are really nice. Join their free membership club, and you'll get a discount and other perks. Ask them if there is street parking available, or a less expensive parking lot/garage.

I did join the membership club and could get 20% off the Canary. The problem is is that 1. I need to pay with Chase points and 2. I waited too long and the less expensive point rooms are seemingly now gone. I really don't want to pay so much more just to stay at the Canary. I will have a car but I didn't want to be driving into SB every day/night, although one afternoon I have to see UCSB and one day I'll want to shop along State Street.

Any thoughts on the Santa Barbara Inn?

Ideas for other fun things to do? I could stay in Goleta....is it really far and could I possibly take Uber if I go out for dinner and want to have a few drinks?
Thanks!

I don't know the Santa Barbara Inn.

Last time we needed an overnight in Santa Barbara, I went the inexpensive route:
Santa Barbara Casillo Inn
http://www.sbcastilloinn.com

This little place is a block or so from the marina, has free parking and a small continental breakfast. It is clean and newly renovated. I can recommend it.

We've stayed at Santa Barbara Inn BEFORE the renovations and it was very pleasant, I've heard that the 18-month long renovation is gorgeous.

Nowadays we usually prefer to stay closer to the Wharf and the trolley that goes up and down State Street. Harbor View Inn, Lavender Inn, Eagle Inn or Brisas del Mar. Santa Barbara Inn is a step up from those in comfort/luxury for sure, but the location is a trade off, you'll be driving and parking everywhere. Late June, hard to say...if it's a weekend you might find the parking downtown quite a hassle. As long as you're okay with that bit of headache....book it. I will certainly be staying there on our next trip and dealing with it.

I haven't stayed at the Santa Barbara Inn so I can't comment about that. The Canary is in a better location if you plan to park and walk around the downtown. You could also check out the Inn of the Spanish Garden, which is on Garden Street and the Upham, which is on DeLaVina. Those three hotels are in the " main downtown area." Of the three, the Canary is in the most central downtown area.

What else are you doing while you're here? UCSB is for sure a drive but if you stay at any of these hotels, you'll be right in downtown.

I'll be in Sb on Wednesday if you'd like me to drive by the Santa Barbara Inn and gauge how far it is to walk to the trolley that goes downtown and to any decent restaurants. Let me know!

Debbie,
You have the best screen name I've ever seen! Thanks to everyone for the input. I didn't know there was a trolley-can you catch this from certain hotels? But not from the Santa Barbara Inn? I'll be there from a Sunday to mid-day Wednesday. Thanks!

Lynni, I did not see your post!! Thanks for the suggestions and sure, if it's not too inconvenient to check out the hotel that would be great but I can also call now that I know about the trolley. I won't be there till mid-to-late afternoon in a Sunday and only have Monday and Tuesday as full days in SB. If parking is a hassle I can take the trolley or just Uber to town and will drive to SB. I want to check out Goleta and Solvang. So much to do, so little time!

The trolley (25c last time we were there)...runs up and down State Street, so you basically have easy access to everything downtown including the top-of-the-courthouse for photo ops, restaurants, shops, easy shared-Uber to the Mission etc.
It starts at the Wharf, across from the Harbor View Inn, which is a good mile or maybe a bit more from the Santa Barbara Inn. Now it's a pleasant walk if you'd prefer lots of walking to going to the gym....you can use the sidewalk on the hotel side or the boardwalk on the beach side...but it's a mile, with a couple of crosswalks to wait for, etc. Not so fun after dinner & drinks ....but with Uber that's never a problem I guess.
Oh and no, you don't pay for breakfast at SBI, it's included. Parking is $19 valet but we've parked right behind the hotel on the street before (check the signs for no-parking days etc). They have a fitness center too and wifi is included. (At Canary it's part of a $15 "resort fee" so you're paying $50 for parking & wifi.)

Hi Skiergirl,

I drove by the Santa Barbara Inn for you today because I just couldn't remember it's exact location, The SBI is the hotel next to Fess Parkers going away from State Street.

DebbieDoesDulles is correct in that its about a mile from the pier and State Street and is at least another mile to the harbor. The restaurants for the beach area are near the harbor and the pier or up State Street so those are long walks and not on "city streets." Honestly its not a great walking area for grabbing a coffee or popping in and out of shops.

The Canary is such a pleasant property, right in the middle of things and has the lovely jackaranda trees in bloom, which are one of my favorite things about Santa Barbara! I think the best way to say it is that if you stay at the Santa Barbara Inn you probably wont get much of the " look or feel" of Santa Barbara. However, you are really close to a great little grocery store! Its like a farmers market with a roof over it!

If you don't mind driving or ubering everywhere... go for it! Parking in Santa Barbara isn't the easiest because there isn't a lot of street parking, mainly public lots and there are lots of one way streets... it can be frustrating for our visitors.

The trolley picks up at different stops and it looked to me today like it does stop across the street from the SBI but I'm not sure if it stops directly at the hotel, so make sure you ask.

Good luck! I"m happy to answer specific questions if you have them.

Thank you so much! I booked the SBI the other day because I had to stop torturing myself and just make a decision! I'm fine with not being right on the main strip of town. I will have a car and can easily Uber when I go to dinner. I never see the beach, so being near it was my final deciding factor. Thanks again for your help!

Have fun in lovely Santa Barbara!