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You are here: Home / Top Destinations: Southern California / Hop a Train for Fun to Hotel Santa Barbara
where to stay in Santa Barbara without a car.
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara, Hotel Santa Barbara offers travelers an historic property steps for dining and museums. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Hop a Train for Fun to Hotel Santa Barbara

September 12, 2017 //  by Catherine Parker//  3 Comments

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Disclosure: All or part of this trip was provided free or at a reduced cost for review purposes, but the opinions are solely that of the writer. A TravelingMom cannot be bought.

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Where to Stay in Santa Barbara without a Car
  • What I loved at Hotel Santa Barbara
  • What I wanted at Hotel Santa Barbara
  • Hotel Santa Barbara
  • My Room at the Hotel Santa Barbara
  • Where to Eat
  • Where to Relax
  • 11 Must Dos in Santa Barbara
  • Where is Hotel Santa Barbara
  • Tips from a TravelingMom:

Constantly annoyed by her one-sided relationship, the National Park TravelingMom escaped to have weekend fling with an old love. As she left her car and her worries behind in LA, she hopped abroad an Amtrak train to rekindle a bit of the excitement and romance that was missing in her relationship with travel. Wandering the streets of Santa Barbara car-free, she savored the slower pace and didn’t miss her car at all. Read on to see how easy it is to break up with your car for a weekend stay in Santa Barbara without a car.

where to stay in Santa Barbara without a car.
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara, Hotel Santa Barbara offers travelers an historic property steps from dining and museums. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

When my train screeched to a stop at Santa Barbara’s 1902 Spanish Mission Revival depot, I hopped off the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Southern California refreshed. Transported from the constant traffic and congestion of LA, I strolled a tree-lined street from the depot to my historic hotel. As I walked, I listened. Santa Barbara hummed to the sounds of the ocean, the ring-ring of bike bells and the music from open-air cafes.

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara without a Car

Since it’s positioned on the main thoroughfare, State Street in the heart of Santa Barbara, Hotel Santa Barbara offers guests a refined property tied to its historic roots. As it’s steps from dining and museums, I walked and savored all the sights and smells of Santa Barbara, America’s Rivera.

Where to stay in Santa Barbara without a car, Hotel Santa Barbara.
A cozy lobby awaits at the Hotel Santa Barbara. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

What I loved at Hotel Santa Barbara

  • The convenient location in the center of Santa Barbara on State Street
  • The Farmers Market right outside the doors
  • The historic feel of the hotel

What I wanted at Hotel Santa Barbara

  • A pool
  • Transportation to the Amtrak Station
With a view, where to stay in Santa Barbara without a car.
Enjoy a view of the Santa Ynez mountains while staying at the Hotel Santa Barbara. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Hotel Santa Barbara

Built after the devastating earthquake, Hotel Santa Barbara opened its doors in 1926. Almost immediately, Hollywood’s stars, like Clark Gable, walked through the lobby doors. To this day Hotel Santa Barbara hosts stars and movie makers as the official hospitality hub for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

After an extensive renovation, Hotel Santa Barbara offers its guests the rich details of a historic property. In addition I found modern conveniences that travelers need. As a train traveler I discovered this is where to stay in Santa Barbara without a car.

My Room at the Hotel Santa Barbara

At the Hotel Santa Barbara, I enjoyed a room overlooking the Santa Ynez Mountains. With a queen-sized upholstered headboard featuring nail head trim, my bed was dressed in white linens. Additionally I found an accent pillow and coverlet in colors of silver and gold.

With a subtle mix of traditional pieces, modern accents and architectural pieces, my room offered a cozy escape. Over the headboard, architectural details nod to the property’s historic past. Yet the Lucite side lamps offer a modern touch.

Where to stay in Santa Barbara without a car, Hotel Santa Barbara.
I enjoyed a room with a queen-sized bed at the Hotel Santa Barbara. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

With areas for working and relaxing, I found a functional work desk with task lighting and a work chair. Next to the mini refrigerator, I found an upholstered chair with a side table. Additionally my room featured a Keurig coffee maker.

In the closet found robes I found an in-room safe. Finally, a dresser offered storage, as well as a television.

Escape the chaos of your life and retreat to Santa Barbara, California, for a getaway. Hop an Amtrak train and arrive a few hours later to explore Santa Barbara via trolley, bike or on foot. Got a list of 11 Must-dos along with a hotel recommendation.

My bathroom at the Hotel Santa Barbara featured a standard tub/shower, though a decorative shower curtain offered a designer touch. The vanity had one sink and lots of counter space along with a line of signature toiletries.

With quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., guests get a peaceful sleep.

Where to Eat

Where to stay in Santa Barbara without a car, Hotel Santa Barbara with free breakfast.
Grab breakfast in the lobby before exploring the city. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Along with coffee and tea I found assorted pastries and breakfast breads at the complimentary continental breakfast at the Hotel Santa Barbara. In the afternoon, I found flavored water and tea along with cookies next to the registration desk.

During my trip I wanted to sample some local seafood so I walked to dinner. Since 1977, Enterprise Fish Company has served sustainably-sourced seafood to its guests.

For my visit I started with the lobster bisque. As my server placed a bowl covered in buttery puff pastry infant of me, I felt my mouth start to water. Then I took my soup spoon and pierced the flaky crust as a lobster-infused steam drifted into my nose.

Where to stay in Santa Barbara without a car, close to restaurants.
Enjoy the flavors of Santa Barbara at the Enterprise Fish Company. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

With a combination of heavy cream, butter, lobster and flaky pastry, it offers heaven in a spoon. Since I had walked to the restaurant, the calories didn’t count.

After my soup, I sampled the Blackened Ahi Sashimi Tuna. With a perfect crust from the pan, my tuna was flavorful and tender. Since it’s served with pickled ginger and wasabi, its tart, clean flavors offered a counter-balance to the decedent bisque.

Next I choose the mesquite wood grilled artichoke, another local product. Since it’s served with drawn butter, lemon and a house-made sauce, I found it perfect for sharing.

Next to the train station Enterprise Fish Company is located at 225 State St. Open seven days a week from lunch to dinner.

Where to Relax

As an historic property, the Hotel Santa Barbara doesn’t feature a fitness center, pool or spa. So I walked a few blocks to Float Luxury Spa to recharge.

You can walk to Float Luxury Spa when you stay in Santa Barbara without a car
Head to Float Luxury Spa to relax and recharge in Santa Barbara. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

After checking in, I perused the menu of massages, facials, scrubs and wraps and decided on a Revive Massage. Next the staff at the Float Luxury Spa showed me to the locker room outfitted with a shower and complimentary toiletries.

After changing, I found several areas for lounging before and after services like the outdoor courtyard with a fountain and chaises.  Though just 25-minutes long, my therapist found my tension and melted it away.

Find float Luxury Spa at 18 E. Canon Perdido St.

11 Must Dos in Santa Barbara

  • Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market
  • City Tour with Santa Barbara Trolley Company
  • Stearns Wharf
  • Old Mission Santa Barbara
  • Santa Barbara Zoo
  • Moxi—The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
  • Chase Palm Park Carousel
  • Beach
  • Funk Zone
  • Santa Barbara Museum of Art
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse and Sunken Gardens

Where is Hotel Santa Barbara

After a leisurely train ride from Southern California on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, I arrived at the 1902 Santa Barbara Train Station. As an excellent example of Mission Revival architecture, it underwent a complete restoration in 2000. And it’s listed on the National Historic List of Historic Places.

Since Hotel Santa Barbara is located four blocks from the train station I walked to the hotel. Though not a particularly long walk, it’s a hassle when loaded down with bags. So I recommend a car share to-and-from the Amtrak station.

Located at 533 State Street, Hotel Santa Barbara is three blocks from U.S. 101.

Available on-site valet parking ($15/day) is located behind the hotel. For guests wishing to self-park (also $15/day), the lot is across the street.

Tips from a TravelingMom:

  • For hotel guests with a car, enter from E. Cota St.
  • The first 75-minutes of parking is free across downtown Santa Barbara
  • Grab some cash for the farmer’s market and pick up a snack.

 

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Category: Family Vacations in California, Top Destinations: Southern CaliforniaTag: California, hotels, Los Angeles, outdoors, teens

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3 Comments on “Hop a Train for Fun to Hotel Santa Barbara”

  1. Pingback: 11 Musts for Santa Barbara | Where to go with kids in Santa Barbara | Carful of Kids
  2. Anonymous says:
    October 5, 2017 at 2:25 pm

    5

    Reply
  3. Catherine Parker, National Parks TravelingMom says:
    September 15, 2017 at 11:52 am

    5

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