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.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

Tomorrow

Next weekend

In two weeks

Our top choices for Santa Barbara Zoo hotels

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

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

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

A white building with a red-tiled roof, a covered entrance, and a garden with various plants.

1. Casa De La Vina

3.1 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Jane Hodges

￥28,845

￥44,745 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

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 hallway leading to a living area with a sofa, a small table, and a view of greenery outside.

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

2. Casa Riviera

Laguna, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Monica

￥25,390

￥40,807 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 31 - Sep 1

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

A corridor with a central staircase, outdoor seating, and lanterns.

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.

3. La Playa Inn

West Beach, 3 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Greer

￥39,146

￥44,626 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 30 - Aug 31

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

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

A dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a vase with flowers, and a view of the outdoors through the windows.

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

4. Casa Yano by The Beach

West Beach, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Brynn

￥43,288

￥65,774 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 29 - Sep 30

A hotel room with two beds, a glass table, and a framed picture on the wall.

A compact kitchen with a microwave, coffee maker, and a sink.

5. Casa Jardin

Laguna, 3.2 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Yessica

￥24,537

￥39,834 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 31 - Sep 1

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

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

A room with a wooden floor, two brown armchairs, a round table with a book and a plant, a framed painting on the wall, and a wooden door with intricate carvings.

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

6. Hotel Santa Barbara

Lower State, 3 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Marilyn

￥38,129

￥44,336 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 31 - Sep 1

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

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.

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

7. Palihouse Santa Barbara

3.1 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

sonia

￥56,032

￥63,986 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 31 - Sep 1

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

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.

A dining area with a wooden table, grey chairs, a black floor lamp, and a cityscape painting on the wall.

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

8. The Franciscan Hotel

West Beach, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Naomi

￥29,492

￥33,621 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 31 - Sep 1

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

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and palm trees.

A motel sign with a large number '6' and the word 'Motel' on a wooden board.

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

9. Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

East Beach, 0.6 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

David S

￥22,925

￥26,179 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

An outdoor patio with tables and chairs, palm trees, and a view of buildings in the background.

A lobby with a central seating area, a patterned floor, and a decorative ceiling.

A coastal hotel with a courtyard, palm trees, and a view of the beach and ocean.

A pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, a clear view of the ocean, and palm trees.

10. Hotel Californian

The Funk Zone, 2.4 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

denette

￥83,087

￥106,764 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

A coastal road leading to a pier with a view of the ocean and beach.

A modern kitchen with a wooden countertop, a blue chair, and a television mounted on the wall.

A spacious indoor area with large windows, wooden benches, a sofa, and a coffee table.

A building with a central courtyard, surrounded by palm trees and a clear blue sky.

11. ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel

Lower State, 2.6 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Prahlad

￥16,752

￥19,097 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 31 - Sep 1

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

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, and a chair. There is a large window with a view of palm trees and a balcony.

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

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

12. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

West Beach, 3 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Julia

￥21,330

￥25,552 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 30 - Aug 31

An outdoor patio with wooden tables and benches, surrounded by lush tropical plants.

A cozy living room with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and large windows.

A building with a sign reading "26 EAST HAY".

A beach with a calm sea, a crescent moon, and palm trees in the distance.

13. Haley Hotel

Lower State, 2.7 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Diana

￥27,215

￥32,624 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 30 - Aug 31

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a large island with bar stools, a stainless steel range hood, and a built-in oven.

A spacious bedroom with a large bed, a desk, and a television. There is a balcony with curtains and a view of buildings.

A bedroom with a large bed, a fireplace, and a view of the outdoors.

A modern living room with a grey sofa, a grey armchair, and a wooden floor.

14. Pacific Crest Hotel Santa Barbara

East Beach, 0.7 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Edie

￥25,774

￥29,433 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

A courtyard with outdoor seating, a fountain, and white buildings with arches.

A coastal walkway with a wooden deck, palm trees, and a clear sky.

A modern living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a bar area in the background.

A modern bar area with a high bar counter, multiple stools, and a large wine rack.

15. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Lower State, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Cayley

￥41,220

￥47,072 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 8 - Sep 9

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, and a view of the outdoors.

A white building with blue awnings and a number '121' sign.

A sunlit patio with a wooden table, seating, and a potted plant.

A modern living room with a white brick wall, a sofa set, a coffee table, wicker chairs, and artwork.

16. Riviera Beach House

The Funk Zone, 2.5 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

wendy

￥33,729

￥38,517 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 1 - Sep 2

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a central island, and large windows.

A bedroom with a large window, a bed with white linens, a hanging lamp, and a view of the outdoors.

A modern bar area with a wooden table and chairs, shelves with bottles and glasses, and a large window overlooking the street.

A bedroom with a large bed, a bench, and a view of the city through large windows.

17. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Lower State, 2.9 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Shari

￥44,521

￥50,840 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 13 - Sep 14

A hotel entrance with a large glass ceiling, multiple chandeliers, and palm trees.

A spacious lobby with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and a large chandelier.

A coastal hotel with a beach view, multiple buildings, and a prominent tower.

An outdoor dining area with tables and chairs, a railing, and a view of the ocean.

18. Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

East Beach, 0.5 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Adolfo

￥40,663

￥52,822 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

A covered outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, overlooking a runway and palm trees.

A coastal hotel with a beach view, palm trees, and mountainous background.

A spacious dining area with high ceilings, large windows, and a view of the ocean.

A spacious lobby with modern seating, a high ceiling, and a large arched window.

19. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

East Beach, 1.2 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

McKenna

￥40,687

￥53,653 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

A white sign with "Palmoro House" written on it, surrounded by a metal fence and greenery.

A sign for "Palmoro House" with a white background and gold lettering, surrounded by greenery and trees.

A hotel room with two beds, each with a headboard, a bedside table with a lamp, and a mirror.

A modern bathroom with a glass shower enclosure, a sink with a mirror above, and a toilet.

20. Palmoro House

East Beach, 0.6 km from Santa Barbara Zoo

Timothy

￥37,280

￥47,303 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 13 - Sep 14

View all properties

Compare popular hotels close to Santa Barbara Zoo

Property	Star rating	Guest rating
Casa De La Vina	9.8 Exceptional 208 reviews	View
Casa Riviera	9.8 Exceptional 296 reviews	View
La Playa Inn	9.6 Exceptional 1,005 reviews	View
Casa Yano by The Beach	9.8 Exceptional 17 reviews	View
Casa Jardin	9.6 Exceptional 300 reviews	View

Top Santa Barbara Zoo Hotel Reviews

Hotel Californian

10/10 Excellent

"Amazing stay! Had a great time, loved the pool and location! Staff was amazing!"

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

8/10 Good

"This is a great place to stay if you're just looking for a bed to sleep in. Small space, with good enough amenities. I'm noticing more and more that microwaves are not part of rooms anymore. Wish they at least could have a usable kitchenette space in the lobby in case folks need to heat up food. Mini fridges are part of the room. We enjoyed the cable tv. I like the dove lotions, shampoos, soaps that they had. A/C was great, pool was small, but honestly what a great view. You can see the ocean. There is a bigger hotel blocking most of the way. There's free parking around the area if you're lucky to find some."

Palmoro House

10/10 Excellent

"Nice sister property! Close to the beach and a great pool and hot tub!"

Steps to the Sand: Enjoy beach views & a private fenced yard. Great for families

10/10 Excellent

"Darling cottage by the beach! Walk or bike to everything! Highly recommend!"

Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

10/10 Excellent

"The Mar Monte Hotel was a lovely place to stay for a girls getaway... it was right across the street from the beach; the restaurants on site were fantastic, we loved the free bikes and beach chairs, and the pool was great. We had a noisy air conditioner the first night and got moved to a new room with a balcony which was lovely. Great stay!"

Mariposa- One Bedroom Flat; sweet getaway by the Beach! newly renovated beauty

8/10 Good

"This is a downstairs apartment that is convenient to the beach, walking, restaurants. Jami (The host) was responsive. There is no air conditioning and there is really only one fan that works well. The bed was comfortable."

Entire guesthouse in Santa Barbara, California

10/10 Excellent

"We had a cozy overnight stay at the Zen Den. Clean, comfortable, and clear communication throughout our stay. Conveniently located as well - would recommend!"

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 seaside or seek out the biking trails.

See properties

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.

See properties

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.

See properties

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.

See properties

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.

See properties

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 seaside or seek out the biking trails.

See properties

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.

See properties

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.

See properties

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 81 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 Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and The Inn at East Beach.

How many hotels are there close to Santa Barbara Zoo?

Expedia has 81 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 MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, and Reagan Ranch Center. Explore notable local landmarks like Mission Santa Barbara, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, and Presidio Santa Barbara. You can catch a show at Santa Barbara Bowl, Arlington Theater, and Lobero 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 ￥19,097

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Property class

Guest rating

Our top choices for Santa Barbara Zoo hotels

1. Casa De La Vina

2. Casa Riviera

3. La Playa Inn

4. Casa Yano by The Beach

5. Casa Jardin

6. Hotel Santa Barbara

7. Palihouse Santa Barbara

8. The Franciscan Hotel

9. Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

10. Hotel Californian

11. ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel

12. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

13. Haley Hotel

14. Pacific Crest Hotel Santa Barbara

15. Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

16. Riviera Beach House

17. Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

18. Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

19. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

20. Palmoro House

Compare popular hotels close to Santa Barbara Zoo

Top Santa Barbara Zoo Hotel Reviews

Hotel Californian

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

Palmoro House

Steps to the Sand: Enjoy beach views & a private fenced yard. Great for families

Mar Monte Hotel, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Mariposa- One Bedroom Flat; sweet getaway by the Beach! newly renovated beauty

Entire guesthouse in Santa Barbara, California

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