Hotel at a Glance: Inn at East Beach

You can walk to the beach from this 1950s-inspired inn—it’s just a block from the shore. When you’re not out combing the beaches, unwind amid mountain views on the inn’s sun-kissed pool deck or rent a bike to explore the sights in downtown Santa Barbara.

• Where you’ll stay: Stylish superior rooms blend contemporary and 1950s decor; they all feature flat-screen TVs and free WiFi.
• Meet Frank: The hotel’s gregarious general manager, Frank Santana, and his wife Linda have a passion for customer service. Be sure to tap into their knowledge of things to see and do in Santa Barbara.
• Rise and shine: The inn serves a free continental breakfast each morning. Refresh with a complimentary cup of tea throughout the day.
• Recent award: 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Santa Barbara, California: Charming Beachfront Town Nicknamed “The American Riviera”

The sprawling 400-mile stretch of California coastline between San Francisco and Los Angeles is freckled with scenic, laid-back beach towns. Yet Santa Barbara stands out among the pack, thanks to its prime location: it’s sandwiched between Pacific beaches to the west and the Santa Ynez Mountains to the east. With a population of 90,000, it’s urban, but not overly so—the charming downtown corridor along State Street is a steady parade of mom-and-pop shops, cafes, bars, art galleries, and movie theaters.

A subtle Mediterranean influence graces most buildings: think red-tile roofs, stucco facades, and Moorish-style arches. The climate is breezy and warm year-round, providing an environment for lush tropical foliage to thrive; it’s easy to see why the city bills itself as “The American Riviera.”

To see where it all started, head to the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786 by a Franciscan friar. Docents offer guided tours of the mission, which houses an art gallery, Native American artifacts, and period furniture. Around the corner, Mission Canyon is a popular trailhead for several hikes in the front range of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Try the 3.5-mile round-trip trek to Inspiration Point for scenic views of the Santa Barbara coastline and the Channel Islands off the coast.

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