9 gorgeous Airbnbs in Santa Barbara, California

Last updated on April 29, 2026

Looking for somewhere to stay in Santa Barbara? Here’s our round-up of the best Airbnb’s in California’s iconic coastal paradise. From glamorous abodes to boho dwellings, these Santa Barbara Airbnb’s demonstrate the diversity of the city, which attracts everyone from celebrities to surfers to hippies.

Stay downtown to be within walking distance of all the major sights, or perhaps head to the charming beach town of Montecito or the hills of Mission Canyon. We’ve included options for all tastes and budgets.

And don’t miss our Handpicked City Guide for all the best things to do in Santa Barbara and our California road trip guide.

The Best of Airbnb Santa Barbara

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Beachy Blue Hideaway

Summerland is one of the most popular places to stay on a visit to Santa Barbara. It has all you could wish for from a classic California beach town, complete with cosy cafes, inviting restaurants, a wine-tasting bar and a gorgeous beach, just a 10-minute walk away from the house.

The bright home is decorated with flashes of blue against a white background and wooden floors, creating a classic beachy vibe. You can sit back and enjoy the ocean view from the lounge or step out onto the deck for a BBQ and to catch some rays.

At night, sit back and enjoy some Santa Barbara wine around your own private fire pit. Do note that the house is on a main road and not directly on the beach. 

What the guests say: “Charming coastal cottage with great attention to detail. This cottage was a lucky find for our family of five, while we had a sports tournament 1.5 miles down the road. Lots of great details from beach chairs, beach towels, an umbrella to beautiful bed linens and a fun patio and fire pit out back. There was thoughtful beach-themed artwork throughout, and the furniture and rugs were updated and fresh.

“We enjoyed amazing sunsets from the front porch and had a great place to relax after a long day on the playing fields. One room has 2 full sized beds, and we added a twin air mattress on the floor so that all 3 leggy teenagers could spread out a bit more, and that worked well. It is also nice being able to do some laundry and cook some meals while away from home.

“It was noted in other reviews, so we were prepared, but the street runs parallel to Hwy 101 and the noise is constant. Summerland has a quaint little downtown, and it is a great starting spot for exploring the greater Santa Barbara area.”

The Paragon

The Paragon is a mid-century modern architect-designed masterpiece with epic views across the mountains and surrounding valley. Glass walls and a magical back patio with fire pit make the most of the stunning location, and I think it’s easily one of Santa Barbara’s most special vacation rentals. It’s just 10 minutes from downtown.

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Airstream on organic ranch

This one’s outside of Santa Barbara (a 25-minute drive from the centre or 13 minutes to Summerland) but worth it if you’re looking for a stay in an iconic airstream. It’s also close to Ojai, a bohemian town filled with galleries and new age shops. The 33-foot Airstream is stylishly decorated with tan leather and wooden floors against the classic metallic walls.

It’s fully equipped with a full kitchen and space for dining both inside and out. Plus to top it all off, it’s situated in a small avocado orchard on a 5-acre working farm – can you get more Californian than that?!

What the guests say: “We thoroughly recommend Delia’s Airstreamer. True to the listing, this is a charming location and a great place to stay while exploring the Santa Barbara area. Our stay was very comfortable with helpful additional amenities (e.g. washing machine) and surprising spacious. It is also private, bar the welcomed visit from two very friendly dogs.

“Our highlight was spending serene evenings by the outdoor fire with a glass of wine. The hosts were helpful and attentive, but not intrusive. We would recommend having a car to truly experience this AirBnB as it is somewhat off the beaten track. Thank you to Delia for a wonderful trip.”

Casa Sonrisa Cielo Suite

Stay in this private room within a family home for a taste of Santa Barbara life. Casa Sonrisa – the house of smiles – promises to welcome you with open arms and wide sweeping views of the islands, ocean, harbour and coastline.

There are three rooms available, including the master suite (Cielo) with a king-size bed, a second master (Eden) with a queen bed and fold-out couch; and a smaller room (Cozy) with a queen-size bed. Both Cielo and Eden have large private baths and double shower heads. All have access to the living room, family room, dining, kitchen and large outdoor living space. Breakfast supplies are provided.

The home is in a quiet residential area just a 15-minute walk from the beach. The family have dogs and a cat.

What the guests say: “ This house fits our needs perfectly. It offered the comforts of being able to have a spacious kitchen, outdoor space to relax, private (huge) bedroom and bathroom with an amazing view, and lots of toys and kid-friendly activities for our two-year old.

The location was great too. Tracy was not around when we were there, which was unfortunate since I heard great things about her, but she made sure that we were comfortable and was very responsive to all of our needs and questions.”

La Petite Maison Blanche

I’m not sure you can find somewhere cuter to stay than this picturesque cottage in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Owned by an avid traveller, the cottage is decorated with artefacts from around the world and touches of African décor.

The rooms are small but well-appointed and the location couldn’t be better – just two blocks from State Street, one block from the Saturday Farmers’ Market, a short stroll to the Funk Zone and in walking distance of pretty much everything.

Bikes, a BBQ, game table and portable music system are available for guests to enjoy.

What the guests say: “Amazing cottage! Location is perfect. Dawn has thought of everything for her guests! From comfy beds, every kitchen gadget you may need, to the welcome guide with suggestions for everything (restaurants, hiking, running, how to work everything in the house and more!). Highly recommend!”

Patio garden suite in Goleta

This sweet little garden suite is a peaceful place to stay in the Goleta district of Santa Barbara. The bedroom has large French doors, opening out onto a charming tropical patio, complete with a private six-person jacuzzi tub.

The suite itself is decorated with quintessential Santa Barbara style including local artwork and bright, bohemian touches. A microwave, fridge and coffee pot are provided for making simple meals and there’s a good selection of local restaurants to choose from.

The home is in an attractive local neighbourhood, filled with purple jacaranda trees and a friendly vibe.

What the guests say: “Catherine’s place is a perfect little oasis to escape to outside of Santa Barbara. The space looks exactly as it does online and is so comfortable and beautiful. We loved having the jacuzzi to relax in after lots of walking. A very special place. Next time we will take advantage of the bikes for hire as there is a brilliant cycle track.”

Ocean View Tiny House

What’s a list of the best Airbnbs without a tiny house option? This one is near the beach town of Carpinteria and hippy Ojai and has gorgeous views across the avocado orchard out to the ocean. Sleeping four guests the house is compact yet still spacious with high ceilings and large cantina windows and patio doors that allow in plenty of natural light. A highlight is the 400 sq-ft deck where you can sit back and enjoy the views. There are full size cooking and washing appliances as well as beach toys provided.

What the guests say: “The tiny house was amazing – we had such a wonderful week’s stay in the Carpinteria hills. The property was fantastic, and the outdoor seating area was so tranquil and beautiful that we cancelled our dinner reservations and stayed in every night. We were initially concerned, as others may be, by the lack of AC. However, don’t let this deter you. The temperature inside throughout the day and night was completely fine. Couldn’t have imagined a better setting for a relaxing 5 days break in beautiful California!”

Petite Retreat

This little artist studio in Montecito is perhaps the most characterful on the list. Just a 5-minute walk to all the best Montecito restaurants, the studio is ideally located for exploring this upscale and charming Santa Barbara neighbourhood. The outdoor terrace is particularly inviting. Note that the hot, outdoor shower is the only shower in the property, so you need to be happy to wash al fresco (in my mind, this is a bonus).

What the guests say: “ It’s exactly like you see in the pictures, actually better. The location is perfect as it is in a quiet road but minutes away from where everything is! Plenty of restaurants, bars and beautiful shops and boutiques. And the beach is also within walking distance.”

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Lux Spanish Charm

A few blocks from the Wharf, State Street and Funk Zone, this luxury pad in a Spanish Style home has been thoughtfully planned by the owner who wanted to create a rental that she would be happy to stay in – think Biltmore meets the Kimpton. Touches such as luxurious bedding, tons of natural light, tiled steps and a high-end kitchen mean all your needs are met. And there are beach chairs, towels, toys and flip flops provided for your beach days. 

What the guests say: ” We couldn’t recommend this place more! A beautiful home, stylish and so thoughtfully kitted out, very comfortable, a real home away from home. The location is very central with a number of excellent bars and restaurants close by as well as the beach. Kathy was an excellent host – super communicative and with wonderful recommendations.”

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All photos courtesy of Airbnb.