Marina Beach Hotel

Lined along Bath Street two blocks from Santa Barbara's West Beach, Marina Beach Hotel keeps its three-story layout low enough that the Santa Ynez Mountains stay visible from the sun deck. Beach chairs and umbrellas are provided for guests making the short walk to the sand.

The outdoor pool and hot tub occupy a landscaped courtyard with an outdoor fireplace — useful on the cool Central Coast evenings even in summer. Rooms include a refrigerator, microwave, and tea maker; breakfast-to-go containers let guests skip the sit-down routine on early departure days.

Bicycle rental at the property puts Stearns Wharf and the Funk Zone wine tasting rooms within a ten-minute ride. Parking is on-site, rare for this stretch of the Santa Barbara waterfront.