Known for its gorgeous beaches and Spanish colonial homes, Santa Barbara is a popular coastal city in central California, about an hour north of Los Angeles. Nicknamed The American Riviera due to its warm Mediterranean climate, Santa Ynez Mountains view, and Pacific Ocean beaches.
The city stays warm all year long, so you can enjoy outdoor activities whenever you want to. That makes it a popular tourist town, especially in the winter. You will want to remember to pack your sunglasses and sunscreen, too, because Santa Barbara enjoys over 300 sunny days per year! Your fur baby will love it here as well, considering there are so many dog-friendly parks and beaches to explore and enjoy.
Here, you will find hundreds of resorts, motels, hotels, and inns just waiting for you and your fur baby. Whether you are looking for a room with a view, an indoor pool, a family hotel, a personal jacuzzi or hot tub, a place on the beach, or a hotel that accepts large dogs, we have our favorite 15 here listed by its best feature.
Motel 6 Carpinteria, CA – Santa Barbara – South
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/motel-6-carpinteria.en-gb.html
5550 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013
Best for: Overall (Most affordable)
This motel has everything you need and then some! The rooms are under $100, they do not charge a pet fee, your pooch can be any size or breed, and it is right on the beach! Just off Interstate 101 in Southern Carpinteria, Motel 6 is perfect for anyone looking for a basic room with a flat-screen TV with cable, fridge, microwave, comfy bed, free Wi-Fi, and a private renovated bathroom with all new features. And kids stay free, too!
You can take your pooch down to Carpinteria State Beach easily on foot. There is no need to drive when you are that close to the ocean. Or, let your cuddle buddy relax in the room while you enjoy a swim in the outdoor swimming pool. It is large and clean, has a shallow end for kids, and there are plenty of tables and chairs. You will find it in the middle of the courtyard, and it is even lit up at night.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: None.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Blue Sands Inn, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/blue-sands-inn.en-us.html
421 South Milpas Street, East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Best for: Big dogs
Just a block from Santa Barbara Beach next to Cabrillo Park, Blue Sands Inn is a luxurious hotel with no restrictions on dog size or breed, and the fee is only $25 per night. So, it does not matter if you have a 150-pound Mastiff or a 4-pound Yorkie, if they fit through the door, they are welcome at this hotel. Right there by the hotel, you can enjoy a delicious wood-fired pizza or pasta at Convivo Restaurant or take a walk to one of the other nearby eateries.
Choose from several designs, from a 200-square-foot single King Room with the basics to a Deluxe King Room with 250 square feet, an ocean view, a kitchen, and a fireplace. The heated pool is stunning and has plenty of loungers and tables with umbrellas and chairs. But you cannot forget about your pooch. Right next door at Cabrillo Ball Park, you can take him on a walking path with 13 outdoor fitness stations. Just keep him on a leash and bring plenty of doggie bags.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $25 per dog per night.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/pacifica-suites.en-us.html
5490 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Best for: Private
A few minutes to the northwest in Goleta, The Steward offers stellar views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and surrounding wineries. Also known as Pacifica Suites, The Steward is within five miles of three museums, the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, and Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park. Hidden in a grove of lush trees, your private hideaway is peaceful and posh, with a sparkling pool, hot tub, and garden. You do not have to worry about the neighbors here with such a vast forest surrounding the place.
All suites are pet-friendly so you can choose from any of the sophisticated styles. They all have one bedroom with either two queens or one king, a pool view or a garden view, and awesome amenities like two 55-inch TVs, a Fellow Kettle, custom artwork, and a living room with a sofa bed. They also offer unique experiences like appetizers in the garden, a quaint forest trail with quirky things like a historic piano, a door to nowhere, and a daybed swing.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $150 per pet per stay.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Extended Stay America Suites – Santa Barbara – Calle Real
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hotel-calle-real-santa-barbara.html
4870 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Best for: Extended stay
Santa Barbara has so much to offer everyone, you may want to stay forever. If you plan to stay longer than a couple of weeks, consider staying at Extended Stay America Suites in Calle Real Santa Barbara. It is right in the middle of all the best attractions whether you are an outdoorsy person, just want to shop and eat, or if you want to learn the history of the area. The Painted Cave State Historic Park is just to the north, Goleta Beach Park is to the south, and you can find shops, restaurants, and museums all around you.
Each room has a full kitchen with a fridge, stove, and microwave, and they serve free breakfast every day as well. Your fur puppy is welcome in any room as well, but he has to be a certain size. Call to check on their individual policy. There is no pool, but you are near the beach, and you can find several great eateries, including In-N-Out Burger, Cody’s Cafe, and Starbucks within walking distance.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $25 per day per pet.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: 36 inches high, 36 inches long.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Rosewood Miramar Beach
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beach-montecito/
1759 S Jameson Ln, Montecito, CA 93108
Best for: Families
Go ahead and bring the kids as well as your furry family members! Just six miles east of downtown Santa Barbara, Rosewood Miramar Beach is perfect for families with children of any age. You can walk to the beach from your suite if you want to enjoy the ocean, but the hotel has so much to offer you may not want to leave. There are two pools. The family-friendly pool has kids’ activities, pool toys, and an ice cream shop.
The hotel has 158 rooms and suites, including a 500-foot room with a garden, a larger oceanfront guestroom with 565 square feet, or one of the 1,350-square-foot luxury suites in the Manor House. There are also several restaurants, three bars, and Miramar picnics. The hotel offers family events like bubble hour, s’mores, and beachside art. Or you can use some of the e-bikes to visit the zoo, Pier Santa Barbara, and Shipwreck Playground. Your pup will also enjoy a trip to the nearby MacKenzie Dog Park.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $150 per pet per stay.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/mar-monte-santa-barbara.en-us.html
1111 East Cabrillo Boulevard, East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Best for: 24-hour Fitness center
Down the street from Blue Sands Inn, the Mar Monte Hotel is just feet from the Santa Barbara Beach and East Beach, as well as the Santa Barbara Zoo and Butterfly Beach. One of the biggest attractions at this hotel is the 24-hour fitness center. It has a nice selection of Peloton bikes, treadmills, and other cardio equipment, as well as free weights and a variety of multi-function exercise machines. And you get a nice view from many of the pieces.
Each room has a 55-inch TV, coffeemaker, robe and slippers, safe, wardrobe, fridge, and Wi-Fi. Your fur puppy gets his own personal dog bed as well as dishes and treats, so he will be happy while you go work up a sweat. After, slip into the pool to cool down and ease those muscles. Then, take your cuddly buddy to Mackenzie Dog Park, where he can run around off the leash with other fur buddies. It is less than five miles up Interstate 101.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $100 per pet per stay.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: 50 pounds each or a combo of 75 pounds for two.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Casa Del Sol
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/casa-del-sol-carpinteria.en-us.html
5585 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013
Best for: Jacuzzi
Right across the street from Motel 6 Carpinteria South, Casa Del Sol is a dog-loving inn with everything, including a spa tub. They even have a studio apartment with a full kitchen that includes a stove, oven, dishes, microwave, and fridge. Some even have fireplaces. So, you can soak in the tub after spending the day playing on the beach with your pup. The huge tub is even big enough for him to join you!
Outside, there is a furnished garden area with a barbecue pit and yard games, as well as an array of colorful flowers. You can walk your pooch anywhere you like, but make sure you bring doggie bags. You will enjoy the stunning waterfalls and a variety of handpicked decorative items, giving the hotel a southwestern look. Put your pup down for a nap and watch a movie with your feet up or take him to one of the local dog-friendly parks.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: None.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Residence Inn by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/residence-inn-by-marriott-santa-barbara-goleta.html
6350 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, Santa Barbara, 93117
Best for: Kitchen
Two miles west of The Steward, The Residence Inn at Goleta, just south of the pup popular Lake Los Carneros Park, has everything you need for your stay, including a full kitchen. You will have a full-sized fridge, oven, stovetop, and microwave, as well as dishes and a dishwasher to clean them. And your pup gets his own bed and bowls, too! Choose from a King Studio with 485 square feet or a Double Queen Studio with 550 square feet.
Outside, you can enjoy a day at the pool and hot tub and then bring your cuddly canine companion down on a leash to have a barbecue on the terrace. Have a seat at the outdoor fireplace to chat with the other guests or play a game of giant chess, which is also a perfect spot for selfies with your pup pal. Make sure you have plenty of doggie bags to pick up what your dog drops too.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $150 per pet per stay
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: 75 pounds.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/fess-parker-s-doubletree-resort-santa-barbara.en-gb.html
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Best for: Luxury
The first thing you and your pup will notice is the awesome view of the Santa Ynez Mountains or Pacific Ocean. If you get the 800-square-foot King Suite, you can see both! You will get either a patio or balcony, a separate bedroom, and a seating area where you can enjoy the huge Smart TV. And your cuddle buddy gets a doggie gift basket, bed, and dishes just for being there! You are also just steps from the beach, so you and Fido can take a dip or walk on the sand whenever you like.
But that is not all! You can be pampered at the spa with features like body wraps, facials, aromatherapy, massages, and hair and nail treatments. They even have a hot tub and jacuzzi. But there is more! They have tennis courts, a palm-tree-lined pool, and on-site wine tastings. Enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants, a drink at the bar, or just order room service after you take your pupster to Chase Palm Park for a walk.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $75 per stay per pet.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: 75 pounds.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
Motel 6-Santa Barbara, CA – Beach
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/motel-6-santa-barbara-beach-1.en-us.html
443 Corona Del Mar, East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Best for: No pet fee
Bringing your fur baby with you wherever you go is just natural to many pet parents. Nobody wants to leave their cuddly canine companion at home without them. Luckily, Motel 6 agrees with this and does not charge any fees for letting your pooch stay with you. And they do not discriminate either, so it does not matter whether you have a huge Hound or a tiny Terrier. Choose from any room, from the single to the deluxe quadruple room. They are all pup popular.
What’s more, you and your little ball of fur are only 450 feet from Santa Barbara Beach, where you can walk on the beach, play in the waves, and dig in the sand. You are also just a few minutes from the Presidio, Sunken Gardens, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. If you would rather do your swimming in a pool, the motel has one ready for you with beach loungers and umbrellas.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: None.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Hotel Milo Santa Barbara
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/oceana-santa-barbara.en-us.html
202 West Cabrillo Boulevard, West Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Best for: On the beach
Speaking of the beach, you cannot get any closer than Hotel Milo! Just about 225 feet from the sand, this fabulous hotel is right on West Beach, where you and your pooch can swim and play as long as he is on a leash. Be sure to grab some free doggie bags from the front desk so you can pick up after your pup, too. They even have free, delicious dog treats for your buddy. Accommodations range from the 200-square-foot single to the 300-square-foot King Room.
The hotel also boasts a spa with a hot tub, gym, and massage services, as well as a heated pool with a pool bar. They even offer childcare services if you need them. You may need that so you can go snorkeling or enjoy happy hour at the bar. They also have bikes you can rent, as well as water activity items like surfboards and canoes. If you forgot something at home, you do not have to worry, the Milo Market probably has it.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $35 per pet per night.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/el-encanto.html
800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Best for: Private yard
In northern Santa Barbara, you and your canine companion can enjoy your own private backyard at El Encanto. You can choose from one of the signature suites like the Wishing Well Suite, which has a private seating area and a wishing well surrounded by a lush garden. Or the Vista Suite with a private garden patio filled with roses. They both have amazing views, marble bathrooms with heated floors, and between 800 and 1,350 square feet of stunning space. Whichever one you choose, you will have plenty of privacy in your backyard area.
The spa, hot tubs, pool, and wellness center are all amazing, with personal service wherever you go. If you can tear yourself away from all that, take your pooch to Orpet Park, right across the street. It has paved walking paths, four acres of rare flora, and picnic tables if you want to have a bite to eat. Speaking of eating, the Dining Room at El Encanto serves excellent steaks, seafood, and other cuisines.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $150 per stay per dog.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: One
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/bacara-resort.html
8301 Holllister Avenue, Goleta, Santa Barbara, 93117
Best for: Resort
With almost 80 acres on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, the Ritz-Carlton Bacara is what you imagine when you think of a resort hotel. It boasts two infinity pools, a spa with 42,000 square feet, and five-star dining at one of the six restaurants, including a poolside bar with snacks. And yes, they also have a wine-tasting room. Speaking of rooms, you will love any of the spacious and lush guest rooms and suites at the Ritz.
The basic King Room has 450 square feet with a fridge, a microwave, and a balcony, as well as a safe, wardrobe, and memory foam bed. The Channel Island Suite has two bedrooms, three bathrooms, three TVs, and a patio with a fireplace in 3,700 square feet of luxurious space. Your fur baby will be spoiled as well with a cozy bed, dishes, and special treats. And the beach. It is private, so you do not have to share it with other tourists!
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $250 per pet per stay.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: 50.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Kimpton Canary Hotel, an IHG Hotel
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/canary-a-kimpton.en-us.html
31 West Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Best for: Rooftop Pool
Right in the middle of downtown Santa Barbara, you cannot get closer to all of the attractions like the El Presidio, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Kids’ World, Alice Keck Memorial Garden, and Alameda Park. But what draws many people to the Kimpton Canary Hotel is the rooftop pool. Maybe because it is one of the only rooftop pools in Santa Barbara! You get stunning views of the ocean, mountains, and vineyards, as well as food and drinks by the outdoor fireplace.
Pets are welcome, and they do not care how many you have or how big they are. They get special plush dog beds, bowls, and a mat, as well as treats. They are even welcome at the nightly wine receptions. Choose from something as simple as a 300-square-foot Essential Room to a glamorous Canary King Suite with 1,265 square feet. Each one has all the amenities you need and then some, including a minibar, TVs, bathrobes, and slippers.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: None.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
Hotel Californian
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/californian.en-us.html
36 State Street, West Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Best for: Spa
Within walking distance of Stears Wharf, West Beach, and MOXI, the Wolf Museum, as well as dozens of fabulous eating establishments, bars, and shops, the Hotel Californian is the perfect spot for anyone who plans to have fun. You can also walk your pooch over to Chase Palm Park to explore the trail, lagoon, fountains, and beach. And this is the only other hotel in the city with a rooftop pool, too! Rooms range from the 350-square-foot Almeria King to the 1,705-square-foot Alcazar Suite.
Besides all that, the spa here offers a variety of treatments including full body massages, couples’ massage, body wraps, hair and nails, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a sauna. Majorelle Spa is built to be a place for tranquility and peace with personalized treatment and relaxing Moroccan accents. You can also enjoy a meal at one of the several eateries or do some tasting at The Society wine tasting room.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $200 per pet per stay.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two
The Final Woof
Did you know that Santa Monica is the number one pet-friendly road trip destination in the US? Besides having some of the most pup popular hotels, it also has a vast array of fun things to do with your cuddly canine companion. First of all, there are a lot of vineyards in the city and many wineries that allow pets, like Jamie Slone and Pali Wine Company. Or take your pup to brunch at Breakwater or dinner at Mesa Verde Restaurant.
If you want an affordable place to stay that does not even charge a pet fee that is right on the beach, check out Motel 6 Carpinteria South. The rooms are under $100, and they do not care how large or small your pupster is. Rooms have all the amenities, including a fridge and microwave. It even has a swimming pool if you are not in the mood for all that sand at the beach.
