Will be in Santa Barbara for a few days before going to Pasadena for BCS game..
Trying to choose comfortable, nice, somewhat upscale, convenient hotel. Think I prefer to be near the ocean. The Four Seasons is out for this trip. For now my 2 choices seem to be Fess Parkers or Harbor View Inn. Thoughts or other suggestions? We will have a car.
Always appreciate the help at the "forum."

Hi nanoo!

Between your two choices, I'd choose Fess Parkers. I have stayed at Fess's just one quite recently and never at Harbor View Inn but I have toured their rooms and seen the property.
In fact, if you click on my name, I think I mentioned the building name and room I stayed in, which liked very much.

I have stayed away from the Harbor View Inn because its in a noisy location and the rooms that have a balcony are right over a super busy street... cant imagine it would be relaxing to hear all of that noise!

I loved staying at Fess's because the view was wonderful, could hear the surf and walk to the pier but it wasnt right on that corner with all of the hustle and bustle.

Happy to answer specific questions...

ooops... just realized that my more detailed info is on trip advisor. Anyway, the Eucalyptus Building room 428.. was nice.

This place isn't super luxury... and in no way compares to the Four Seasons but of the beach hotels I think its a very safe bet.

Santa Barbara hotel prices are high in general and I think that some people are dismayed by the prices. You really have to search for what you want. They are doing a lot of construction at Fess Parkers right now so make sure you are not towards the back of the property.

If you were going to stay "in town" and wanted to be closer to the theatre, museum and State Steet Shops I would sugggest the Inn of the Spanish Garden.

omg..thank you for your help. I am a bit confused..seems like more choices, but as I review...Inn of the Spanish Garden only has one night avaiable during my time frame..but certainly open to your suggestions.or will call FP to confirm that I will not be near construction..Santa Barbara is as far "north" as I would like to travel, but certainly open to other suggestions..SB just seems to have more to see/do than perhaps Ventura..and not really enough time to do much of the wine country

Will you have a full day in SB? If so, you will have time for wine tasting. if you dont have time to go to a bunch of different wineries, you can drive north a bit to Los Olivos. There are many tasting rooms there and you can sample from quite a few wineries within a few blocks of each other!

will be there one evening, and another full day.would love to do a day of wine tasting..suggestions?

Love the Inn of the Spanish Garden.
Only has one day available?
Did you try direct?
Fess Parker had some good deals on Expedia.
There is a new Hampton Inn and suites at the edge of Goleta/SB and its new and good beds and flat screen tv for around $149 with free breakfast.
We like San Ysidro Ranch but is pricey like the Biltmore.
There was a great deal a couple of weeks ago at Bacara resort on expedia for $249 a night.
Try the Canary Hotel in the town of SB..great location like the Inn.
Have fun!

For being close to the water, Fess Parker can't be beat. As to wine tasting, drive north on 101 to just past Bulleton and take Foxen Canyon Road and you will pass a number of excellent tasting spots...Fess Parker, Foxen, Riverbench and Rancho Sisquoc. Then you can go back to Los Olivos and check out one of the multi-winery tasting rooms.

The Hampton Inn is not in a nice area. It is outside of Santa Barbara in Goleta. While nice, I would be disappointed. Most hotels on Cabrillo BlVD in Santa Barbara would be fine. The Canary is near the mall downtown and is nice but not on the water. Great restaurants up and down State Street and off State.

having family in Montecito, I go up to SB quite a bit and the Hampton Inn in Goleta is fine..Hampton is new and takes about 10 minutes to State street..
Problem with SB and the surrounding areas is the $$ amount for a decent hotel.
Harbor View Inn is ok but most things at the marina/beach are kind of sketch for the price..plus, there are a lot of cars and noise.
Upscale and oceanfront is at least $500+ for a standard room.
Santa Barbara is a very expensive town.
I am a fan of the Chase for their calamari picatta, Renauds for the French pastries and of course, Super Rica Cocina for dive Mex which was one of Julia Childs favorite.
Love Plow and Angel at the SY Ranch for drinks and app's.
Cold Springs Tavern is another thing of beauty.

Will you be there for 3 nights?
Four Seasons does a third night free and if you book through a preferred travel agent you get a possible upgrade, breakfast daily and one lunch included.
It works out to be very reasonable.
Just something to consider..