The Best Hotels Closest to Santa Barbara Zoo in Santa Barbara for 2026

A giraffe with a patterned coat and a brown mane, set against a backdrop of lush greenery and a clear blue sky.

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Our top choices for Santa Barbara Zoo hotels

A modern bedroom with a bed, a desk, and a TV mounted on the wall.

A green double door with a keypad lock and a small window.

A modern kitchen with dark cabinets, a white countertop, and a microwave. There is a wooden shelf above the counter holding cups and a framed picture.

A modern living room with a grey sofa, a small round table, and a wooden cabinet.

1. Casa Jardin, a ZenStay Hotel

Laguna, 3.2 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Maria

￥16,269

￥30,256 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A sunny outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, surrounded by lush tropical plants and flowers.

A hotel with a patio area, outdoor seating, and a well-maintained garden with flowers and palm trees.

An aerial view of a swimming pool surrounded by white umbrellas and lounge chairs, with palm trees and a tiled deck.

A marina with numerous boats docked, calm water, and clear skies.

2. Marina Beach Hotel

West Beach, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Lori

￥23,769

￥27,097 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 28 - Oct 29

A traditional building with a white facade, arched windows, and a balcony with a railing.

A modern hotel bathroom with a large mirror, vanity, and a vase of flowers.

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a central island with stools, a grey sofa, and a painting of a wave on the wall.

A modern entrance with a glass door, a potted plant, and a number '8' on the wall.

3. Casa De La Vina, a ZenStay Hotel

3.1 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Jhoana

￥22,467

￥37,322 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a view through a glass door to the outdoors.

A star-shaped hanging light fixture in a white-walled room with an arched ceiling.

A spacious living area with a modern staircase, a dining table, and a sofa.

A modern bedroom with a large window, a bedside table, a chair, and a built-in kitchen area.

4. Casa Riviera, a ZenStay Hotel

Laguna, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Matthew

￥27,767

￥43,399 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 17 - Nov 18

A coastal house with a red roof, surrounded by palm trees and a mountain backdrop.

A coastal road with palm trees, a beach, and a parking lot with vehicles.

A bathroom with white tiled walls, a showerhead, and a shelf with toiletries.

A hotel room with a bed, two armchairs, a small round table, a lamp, and a view of the outdoors through large windows.

5. Harbor House Inn

West Beach, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

James

￥25,639

￥29,228 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A multi-story hotel with a sign reading "LA PLAYA INN Santa Barbara, California".

A hotel corridor with a view of mountains, a palm tree, and a lantern-lit staircase.

A dining room with a fireplace, a chandelier, and a kitchen area with cabinets and a microwave.

A wooden cabinet with a mirror, a trash bin, and a potted plant in a hallway with patterned flooring and a door in the background.

6. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 3 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Nick

￥31,309

￥35,692 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 4 - Nov 5

A beige sofa with multiple cushions, a white vase with greenery, and a window with blinds.

A hallway leading to a dining area with a wooden floor, white walls, and a black railing.

A staircase leading to a living area with a sofa and a coffee table.

A modern living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a patterned rug.

7. Casa Yano by The Beach

West Beach, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Jacob

￥35,443

￥56,667 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 18 - Nov 19

An outdoor patio area with stone flooring, wooden chairs, and tables. There are palm trees and a decorative stone wall with a statue.

An aerial view of a rectangular swimming pool surrounded by white lounge chairs and umbrellas, with palm trees and a tiled roof in the background.

A hotel reception area with a granite reception desk, black leather chairs, a large flat-screen TV, and a potted orchid.

A spacious living area with a high ceiling, a sofa, a coffee table, and a dining table with chairs. There is a kitchen in the background with white cabinets and a television mounted on the wall.

8. The Franciscan Hotel

West Beach, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Bob

￥21,724

￥24,765 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 21 - Oct 22

A bedroom with a bed, bedside lamps, a mirror, and a window with curtains.

A covered outdoor seating area with wicker furniture, potted plants, and a small pool.

A cozy living room with a bar area, comfortable seating, and a large window with plants.

A hallway with a checkered curtain, a framed artwork, a bench, a potted plant, and a wooden cabinet with handles.

9. Palihouse Santa Barbara

3.1 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Maria

￥63,404

￥72,404 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

A marina with boats docked, palm trees, and a building labeled "Sea Landing."

A breakfast bar with various food items, beverages, and a coffee machine.

A hot tub area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, a pool, and palm trees in the background.

A reception desk with a wooden wall and a sign that reads "West Beach Inn".

10. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Amanda

￥30,854

￥35,174 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 18 - Nov 19

A modern building with a courtyard, outdoor seating, and a fire feature.

11. Beach House Inn

West Beach, 3.1 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Taylor

￥33,072

￥37,703 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 2 - Nov 3

A multi-story building with a curved entrance, palm trees, and a staircase leading to the entrance.

An outdoor patio with tables and chairs, a covered walkway, and a view of the street.

A swimming pool with a tiled border, a potted plant, and a staircase with colorful tiles.

A dining area with a wooden table, chairs, and a bench. There are two doors leading to a balcony, and a chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

12. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 3.1 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Jesus

￥34,136

￥38,981 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

Two Adirondack chairs facing a small table on a balcony with a view of the ocean and palm trees.

A reception area with a wooden reception desk, two surfboards, a 'Welcome' sign, and an orange sofa.

A beach view with palm trees and a clear sky.

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and palm trees.

13. Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

East Beach, 0.6 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Kellie

￥18,836

￥21,508 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A spacious interior with high ceilings, wooden beams, and a central column.

A spacious dining area with a central island, round tables, and comfortable seating.

A bar area with a high ceiling and skylight, wooden flooring, and a bar counter with stools.

A modern bedroom with a large bed, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a view of the outdoors.

14. Hotel Santa Barbara

Lower State, 3 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Morgan

￥38,296

￥44,531 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A white building with a sign reading "Mason Beach Inn" and a balcony with a railing.

A living room with a large window, a sofa, a coffee table, and a patterned armchair.

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and a building with arches and palm trees.

A hotel lobby with a reception desk, a framed quote on the wall, and a large potted plant.

15. Mason Beach Inn

West Beach, 3 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Rachita

￥36,949

￥43,145 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A two-story building with a balcony, palm trees, and a sign that reads "Castillo Inn."

A building with a sign reading "Castillo Inn at the Beach" indicating a hotel.

A hotel reception desk with a computer monitor, a newspaper, and a sign stating "NO PETS - NO CHECKS - NO LATE CHECK-OUTS".

A living room with a TV, a painting, and a red chair with a patterned pillow.

16. Castillo Inn at the Beach

West Beach, 3 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Wesley

￥26,705

￥30,496 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A bright kitchen with a large island, white cabinetry, and a view through glass doors to an outdoor patio.

A spacious living area with a fireplace, white cabinetry, wicker furniture, and a large window.

A table with a pitcher of dark liquid, a clear pitcher, and glasses, along with small bowls of pretzels and nuts.

A beachside path with bicycles, palm trees, and a clear sky.

17. Lavender Inn by the Sea

West Beach, 3.1 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Brandon

￥33,062

￥37,755 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 3 - Nov 4

A hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a desk, and a nightstand.

A lobby with a wooden floor, two patterned armchairs, a small table, and a wall with three framed pictures.

A modern kitchen with a central island, wooden flooring, and a dining area with orange chairs and a table.

A building entrance with a set of stairs leading up to a door marked with the number 128.

18. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 3 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Anne

￥19,898

￥23,907 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

A room with two leather chairs, a small table with a vase of flowers, and a view of a balcony with a table and chairs.

A beach with clear blue water, a sandy shore, and a backdrop of buildings and trees.

A living room with a fireplace, a sofa, a coffee table, and a patterned rug.

19. The Eagle Inn

West Beach, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Brian

￥34,872

￥39,754 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A resort with a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, a beach view, and a well-maintained lawn.

A seaside patio with wicker chairs, a view of the marina, and palm trees.

A waterfront hotel with a reflective pool, a pedestrian bridge, and a view of mountains in the background.

A bridge leading to a row of white buildings with balconies, a palm tree, and a brick pathway.

20. Harbor View Inn

West Beach, 2.5 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Mario

￥45,175

￥51,500 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 21 - Oct 22

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Compare popular hotels close to Santa Barbara Zoo

Property	Star rating	Guest rating
Casa Jardin, a ZenStay Hotel	9.8 Exceptional 318 reviews	View
Marina Beach Hotel	9.8 Exceptional 1,198 reviews	View
Casa De La Vina, a ZenStay Hotel	9.8 Exceptional 226 reviews	View
Casa Riviera, a ZenStay Hotel	9.8 Exceptional 343 reviews	View
Harbor House Inn	9.8 Exceptional 1,000 reviews	View

Top Santa Barbara Zoo Hotel Reviews

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

10/10 Excellent

"Super clean, excellent location a short block from the beach, great rate and enjoyed the new renovations! Easy check in process with warm customer service. Will definitely recommend to people visiting the area again."

Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

8/10 Good

"Hotel was updated and modern with new HVAC units that were very quiet. Excellent location close to the beach. Breakfast featured waffles and assorted specialty coffees, but the only protein was yogurts. Would have appreciated towel bars especially for the hand towels."

Hotel Santa Barbara

10/10 Excellent

"Hotel was awesome, but the noise from the street made it hard to sleep"

Pacific Crest Hotel Santa Barbara

10/10 Excellent

"This is a very charming hotel. The decor surpassed my expectations and the staff is so welcoming, kind and helpful. Breakfast was the cherry on the top. We didn't use the pool bit it looked super clean as was the rest of the installation. Everything was spotless, from the linens to the bathroom and everything in the room. Kudos to the manager for keeping this place like a castle. Definitely will go back to this hotel next time we visit Santa Barbara. Oh! And the beach is a block away. Just perfect!!!"

The Milo

10/10 Excellent

"Everything was great !"

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

10/10 Excellent

"Stay here every year as treat. Its is always a great experience"

Charming 229-sq-ft studio near Stearns Wharf & 1 block to famed East Beach

10/10 Excellent

"It was perfect for me. A couple could stay too. I spent most of my time out and about, but there is a TV and a grill."

Spacious 5-bedroom Beach Home w/ Spa, Sauna+ Game Room ~ Walk to the beach!

10/10 Excellent

"Great stay! I didn’t realize it was two condos combined so it made it nice for everyone to have their own space. Great hosts!"

Coastal retreat with patio, sun deck, & kitchenette - 2-minute walk to beach

8/10 Good

"Great location, great responsiveness from host. Very comfortable bed and excellent shower. Lots of towels and beach towels, clothes steamer, nice toiletries. Parking can be a challenge if all the other units are full—we had to park well down the street a few times, including for checking in, which was frustrating. But most of the time parking worked out. If you have a lot of luggage it will be a tight squeeze—there is no place to put suitcases or personal belongings (a few hangers are provided.) Overall a good value for the area and a pleasant place to stay."

Other attractions near Santa Barbara Zoo

A beach with a large cruise ship in the distance, palm trees, and mountains in the background.

East Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at East Beach during your trip to Santa Barbara? Stroll along the waterfront or seek out the biking trails.

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A pier extending into calm waters, palm trees, and a mountainous backdrop.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

9.6/10 (8 reviews)

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center during your travels in Santa Barbara. Discover the top-notch restaurants in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

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Municipal Tennis Center

Catch an event at Municipal Tennis Center during your trip to Santa Barbara. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

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Cabrillo Bike Path

9.6/10 (11 reviews)

You can take time to visit Cabrillo Bike Path during your travels to Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

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Andree Clark Bird Refuge

10.0/10 (1 review)

You can take time to visit Andree Clark Bird Refuge during your travels to Santa Barbara. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

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Cabrillo Pavillion

10.0/10 (1 review)

Cabrillo Pavillion is just one of the places to see in Santa Barbara, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the waterfront or seek out the biking trails.

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Chase Palm Park

9.6/10 (5 reviews)

Chase Palm Park is just one of the places to see in Santa Barbara, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the top-notch restaurants in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

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Santa Barbara Channel

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Santa Barbara Channel during your travels in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's waterfront, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Santa Barbara Zoo?

Santa Barbara Zoo is located in a walkable area of Santa Barbara known for its beautiful beaches and popular zoo. If you're looking for a convenient place to stay, check out the 85 hotels and other accommodations you'll find within a mile.

What's the best place to stay near Santa Barbara Zoo?

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveler data, and this resort offers a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. It's located just a short 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from Santa Barbara Zoo. Other good choices within a short distance include Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach and Santa Barbara Inn.

How many hotels are there close to Santa Barbara Zoo?

Expedia has 85 hotels and other accommodations within a mile from Santa Barbara Zoo.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Santa Barbara Zoo, will I receive a refund?

Yes, most hotel room reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of check in. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it may still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Plug in your dates, click on "Search", then you can use the "fully refundable" filter to review the best deals near Santa Barbara Zoo.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip in the area near Santa Barbara Zoo?

To find more details about changing or cancelling your stay near Santa Barbara Zoo, head over to our customer service page.

What can I see and do near Santa Barbara Zoo?

You'll want to browse the collections at Presidio Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. Explore notable local landmarks like Mission Santa Barbara, Casa Del Herrero, and El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. You can catch a show at Santa Barbara Bowl, Lobero Theater, and Arlington Theater.

How can I get to Santa Barbara Zoo?

With so many transportation options, exploring the area around Santa Barbara Zoo is easy. To venture out into the surrounding area, hop on a train at Santa Barbara Station. You can explore water travel options at the local port.

Find hotels near Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara from ￥21,508

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

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Property class

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Our top choices for Santa Barbara Zoo hotels

1. Casa Jardin, a ZenStay Hotel

2. Marina Beach Hotel

3. Casa De La Vina, a ZenStay Hotel

4. Casa Riviera, a ZenStay Hotel

5. Harbor House Inn

6. La Playa Inn

7. Casa Yano by The Beach

8. The Franciscan Hotel

9. Palihouse Santa Barbara

10. West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

11. Beach House Inn

12. Brisas del Mar, Inn at the Beach

13. Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

14. Hotel Santa Barbara

15. Mason Beach Inn

16. Castillo Inn at the Beach

17. Lavender Inn by the Sea

18. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

19. The Eagle Inn

20. Harbor View Inn

Compare popular hotels close to Santa Barbara Zoo

Top Santa Barbara Zoo Hotel Reviews

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara

Pacific Crest Hotel Santa Barbara

The Milo

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Charming 229-sq-ft studio near Stearns Wharf & 1 block to famed East Beach

Spacious 5-bedroom Beach Home w/ Spa, Sauna+ Game Room ~ Walk to the beach!

Coastal retreat with patio, sun deck, & kitchenette - 2-minute walk to beach

Other attractions near Santa Barbara Zoo

East Beach

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

Municipal Tennis Center

Cabrillo Bike Path

Andree Clark Bird Refuge

Cabrillo Pavillion

Chase Palm Park

Santa Barbara Channel

Frequently asked questions