Santa Barbara, CA Vacation Rentals: house rentals & more

Discover a selection of 1,000 vacation rentals in Santa Barbara, CA that are perfect for your trip. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or even pets, Vrbo vacation homes have the best amenities for hanging out with the people that matter most, including swimming pools and private pools. Prices start at $169 per night, and houses and cottages are popular options for a stay in Santa Barbara. Either way, you'll find a rental for everyone's needs.

DynamicDestinationRefinements

AsyncDestinationUrgency

Find the best place to stay — Santa Barbara

Search 877 vacation rentals

Stayed May 2021

Comfortable spot in a great location

This place has everything you need for a short family trip. Everything is walking distance, we did not drive at all the whole stay. We have a 13 and 9 year old who were a little skeptical until we opened the door. The place is very modern and has a c...

Stayed May 2021

Great Host / Great Place / Great Location!

Bunny was awesome, she made sure that we had everything that we needed. The cottage was fantastic...Spotless, Spacious, Great location...walking distance to the harbor and piers with great seafood. 3 minute car ride to the happening State Street ...

Stayed May 2021

Dream Rental!

We had a truly exceptional time in this home. The house was sparkling clean at check in, and had everything we needed to enjoy our stay. The location is fantastic, a short walk to the beach or Shoreline Park, and a quick easy drive to everything else...

Stayed May 2021

Fabulous Santa Barbara Stay!

This gorgeous apartment was incredibly located and had plenty of space and amenities for our long weekend! Only a five to ten minute walk to the Funk Zone, State Street and the beach. The property manager PJ was highly communicative and helpful. Woul...

Stayed May 2021

Amazing Cottage a block from East Beach

I want to thank the owners of this amazing cottage near East Beach in Santa Barbara. The interiors are so thoughtfully done, down to the placement of art, amount of towels, beach gear, kitchen supplies for cooking/eating, and even a coffee grinder (w...

Stayed May 2021

Quaint shared home bungalow

Enjoy funk zone in this bungalow, no need for central ac when you're this cool. Salt is extra but keep your your windows open and enjoy the scenery of beautiful Santa Barbara. These walls were thin and this is a shared home w no central ac . Aestheti...

Stayed May 2021

Fantastic location

My husband, sister and brother-in-law all thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Beach Cottage. The location cannot be beat for ease of access to the beach and a nice market within a block walk. The host David is attentive and communicative. This is a sm...

Stayed May 2021

Perfect

My husband and I had a fantastic stay in Santa Barbara ! The penthouse condo was lovely , clean , comfy bed , great outdoor patios ! The building is beautiful and tranquil , with fountains and flowers , peaceful and quiet . Walk to beach , walk to...

AsyncDestinationInfographic

AsyncExploreBookEnjoy

Destination guide

Beachside fun at Santa Barbara vacation home rentals

Mornings in the American Riviera are for sunbathing or surfing in the sandy beaches, afternoons are for kicking back with a glass (or five) of bubbly, and nights are for enjoying some jazz at the historic Lobero Theatre—established in 1873, it's California's oldest theater. Santa Barbara vacation rentals are a great base for getting to know this SoCal sweetheart. There's much to ground to cover, from the specialty boutiques of historic State Street to the street art and converted warehouses of hip Funk Zone, so slap on the suntan and let's get this holiday started.

Things to do

Sightseeing near Santa Barbara vacation rentals

If you have kids in tow, the interactive art, science, and technology exhibits at Moxi Museum will keep tantrums at bay, and the rooftop glass ceiling makes for a unique Instagram-worthy family shoe-fie. Mission Santa Barbara, nicknamed the Queen of the Missions, holds court on a hill just north of the downtown area. There are historic gardens, a museum, a cemetery, and a 19th-century stone church with a twin-bell tower. You don't have to wander far from your Santa Barbara vacation rental to sample this wine country's best, as there are dozens of tasting rooms in town.

Activities

Activities near Santa Barbara vacation homes

No matter what kind of seaside shenanigans you're seeking, there's a Santa Barbara beach that's sure to hit the spot. Family-friendly East Beach has a ton of beach volleyball courts, while Leadbetter Beach is best for surfing and stand-up paddle-boarding. At the latter, head up to Shoreline Park for great views over the surf scene and of The Channel Islands. Stay until dusk for the gorgeous sunset views at Butterfly Beach, or take your pupper to flat Arroyo Burro Beach, also called Hendry's Beach, for a sandy game of fetch.

Weather

Local weather for your stay in Santa Barbara vacation homes

Santa Barbara has a mild climate year-round, with an annual average temperature of 62 degrees. Summer highs reach the mid-70s from July to October, while temps from December to March max out at about 66 degrees. Regardless of your trip dates, bring a sweater for chilly early mornings and late evenings. Santa Barbara vacation rentals are likely to be cheapest in the winter, but be ready for some wet days from December to March. The rest of the year pretty much guarantees abundant sunshine—although summer days also promise massive crowds.

Natural features

Park life in Santa Barbara: Walks and whale-watching

Santa Barbara locals might argue that the best place to commune with nature in Southern California is at the beach, but there are parks and preserves, too, if you want to stay on land. The oceanfront Douglas Family Preserve has scenic walking and hiking trails, as well as lookout points for dolphin- and whale-watching. The family dog can come, too, as there are canine-friendly areas in the preserve. Turtles and koi in the artificial pond at the Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens will delight animal-loving tots, and the block-sized park has winding paths nestled amidst lush greenery.

How to get there

Traveling to and around Santa Barbara

Fly into Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal), the closest airport, located 7.8 mi (12.6 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could also fly into Santa Ynez, CA (SQA), which is 25 mi (40.3 km) away.

If you prefer train travel, the main station is Santa Barbara Station.

Family friendly

Kid-friendly activities near Santa Barbara vacation rentals

Kids will love the range of attractions in Santa Barbara. Vacation homes are available near places like Santa Barbara Zoo, a quaint zoo with hundreds of animals in naturalistic habitats, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, an aquatic exploration center with live shark touch pools, a tidepool tank, and sea specimens. Kids will also enjoy the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, a science museum with natural wonders like dinosaurs and a planetarium.

Good for couples

Romantic retreat near Santa Barbara vacation homes

If you’re looking for a romantic retreat, nothing beats Santa Barbara. Vacation rentals can be found near idyllic locations like Butterfly Beach, a scenic beach with wildflowers that draw beautiful butterflies to the area, and Lotusland, a botanical garden with thousands of rare plants and flowers. You could also visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, an enchanting garden with miles of pathways, an authentic Japanese tea garden, and a redwood grove.

How many vacation rentals are available around Santa Barbara, CA?

Our 2021 property listings offer a large selection of 877 vacation rentals around Santa Barbara. From 588 house rentals to 60 cottage rentals, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends.

What is the best area to stay when traveling to Santa Barbara?

Whether you're traveling with family or friends, here are the areas with the largest selection of vacation rentals for a holiday trip or just for a weekend in Santa Barbara:

West Beach: 110 vacation rentals
The Mesa: 505 vacation rentals
Santa Barbara Beach: 154 vacation rentals
Mission Canyon: 136 vacation rentals
Oak Park: 129 vacation rentals

For other neighborhoods, please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.

What are the popular point of interests near where I can stay when traveling to Santa Barbara?

Vrbo offers a large selection of vacation rentals near lovely places in Santa Barbara. From Vrbo travelers, the top most popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:

Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center: 789 vacation rentals
Earl Warren Showgrounds: 782 vacation rentals
Santa Barbara Station: 788 vacation rentals
Santa Barbara County Courthouse: 782 vacation rentals
Santa Barbara Zoo: 793 vacation rentals

But there are many other points of interest around Santa Barbara listed on Vrbo where you can find your place to stay. Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available near the point of interest of your choice.

Can I rent Houses in Santa Barbara?

Yes, of course. Vrbo has 588 Houses in Santa Barbara. Our other popular types of vacation rentals in Santa Barbara include:

Cottages: 60 rentals available
Villas: 18 rentals available
Bungalows: 60 rentals available

But you can also enjoy a great stay in one of our other vacation rentals including Cabins and more.

Can I find a vacation rental with pool in Santa Barbara?

Yes, you can select your preferred vacation rental with pool among our 208 vacation rentals with pool available in Santa Barbara. Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.