Vacation packages
Stays
Cars
Flights
Support
AARP Member Savings
My Trips
AARP.org
Join
Renew

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

3.5 star property
Hotel with a bar, near Santa Barbara Harbor

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
View from room
Coffee shop
1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
Located in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara, Drift is a convenient base for exploration. Start your day at the on-site cafe, unwind with drinks at the bar, or rent bikes to explore Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Harbor. Helpful staff and express check-in ensure a hassle-free stay.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Bar
  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 8 of 8 rooms

View all photos for Room, City View (Cozy)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, City View (Cozy)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Premium Tree House (State Street View)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Tree House (State Street View)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room (Cozy)

City view

Room (Cozy)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Premium Room, Mountain View

Mountain view

Premium Room, Mountain View

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Premium Penthouse (Drift)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Penthouse (Drift)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Premium bedding
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds

View all photos for Penthouse (Drift)

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Penthouse (Drift)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Premium bedding
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room (Bunk Room)

Property amenity

Room (Bunk Room)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Premium Room, Balcony, City View

1 bedroom, premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Room, Balcony, City View

Highlights

Balcony
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Heating
Smart TV
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

You may also like

Ad
Exterior

Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

Santa Barbara Beach
  • Pool
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, 1,150 reviews
Motel 6 Santa Barbara, CA - Beach

About the neighborhood

Downtown Santa Barbara, a neighborhood in Santa Barbara with great shopping, is home to Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels. Santa Barbara Bowl and El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Santa Barbara Zoo and Santa Barbara Channel. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Earl Warren Showgrounds or UC SB Events Center.
Visit our Santa Barbara travel guideOpens in a new window
Map
524 State St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101

What's nearby

  • West Beach - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Santa Barbara Harbor - 15 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Stearns Wharf - 16 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Santa Barbara Bowl - 4 min drive - 1.4 miles

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 8 min walk
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Santa Barbara Craft Ramen - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Dune Coffee Roasters - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Joe's Cafe - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Cruisery - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Hotel near Santa Barbara Harbor
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels provides amenities like a coffee shop/cafe and a bar. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
You'll also find perks like:
  • Breakfast (surcharge), bike rentals, and self parking (surcharge)
  • Express check-out, express check-in, and an elevator
  • Luggage storage, concierge services, and smoke-free premises
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff and proximity to shopping
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and offer comforts such as premium bedding and air conditioning, in addition to perks like free WiFi and safes. Guest reviews speak positively of the clean rooms at the property.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Showers, free toiletries, and hair dryers
  • 43-inch Smart TVs with Netflix, Hulu, and streaming services
  • Digital channels, heating, and housekeeping

Similar properties

Reception

Hotel Santa Barbara

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, 1,027 reviews
Hotel Santa Barbara

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Uncovered self parking on site (USD 25 per day)

Food and drink

  • Daily on-the-go breakfast available 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a fee: USD 5 to 15 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals

Conveniences

  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 43-inch smart TV with digital channels
  • Hulu
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
There is no front desk at this property
Guests will receive an email within 48 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and an access code; your host will greet you
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link

Access methods

Access code, host will greet you

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for to-go breakfast: approximately USD 5 to 15 per person
  • Uncovered self parking fee: USD 25 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

Property is also known as

Drift Santa Barbara
Drift Santa Barbara a Member of Design Hotels
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels Hotel
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels Santa Barbara

Frequently asked questions

Is Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

Self parking is available for USD 25 per day.

What time is check-in at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels located?

Located in Downtown Santa Barbara, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Antioch University and Santa Barbara Harbor. Paseo Nuevo Mall and El Capitan Lake are also within 5 minutes. Santa Barbara Station is 8 minutes by foot.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 227 out of 383 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 57 out of 383 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 45 out of 383 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 30 out of 383 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 383 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ahmed

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice and clean hotel, excellent staff they go for and beyond helping you in addressing any question or concerns, very thoughtful and considerate. I like to mention Joe, who she addressed every request that I had. Amazing location, plenty of dining options couple of blocks from the beach. I’m glad that I chose this hotel, a different recommended difference and Family
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Youjin

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Drift Hotel was so amazing! It was the perfect location to walk around State St, and explore around Santa Barbara
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia

Mom and Daughter getaway

Great location to restaurants and the beach.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Whit

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic location. No car needed!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall great experience, great location and the hospitality was amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Jacky

Liked: Cleanliness
Quirky hotel with digital check in with reception desk on the street & use PIN code instead of a key to get in room. Made the most of a small room by including a fridge & glass surround shower in middle of room, however the bed only had one way of getting in & out so not easy for couples who may have to climb over their sleeping partner. Lighting very bad for doing makeup as me & my two friends found out who were in other rooms. Friendly staff and ideal location for walking to the beach, going out for dinner and shopping.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mytsou

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Geneviève

Liked: Cleanliness
Super friendly, easy check in and out and beautiful deco
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Great place and location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eleanor

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room felt European in size
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautifully designed and located in a fun area.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
perfect spot to stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

hazel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What is so special about the Drift are the people. Everyone from folks at the coffee shop, check in team, to the GM Jacqueline are so lovely and provide excellent customer service! So completely above and beyond to make my stay wonderful! I love the streamline design of the rooms, the yoga mat in every room, and the coffee every morning at Dawn! There are bikes and surf boards to borrow and enjoy in SB. Make sure you check out the yoga studio too! Also, the location is perfect for exploring, especially all of the vintage shops and The Funk Zone! I highly recommend staying at The Drift, and hope to check out their other properties.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Trasalia

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Very loud sexual noises every night, rooms were smaller than it appeared online.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claudia E

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location and great environment. Totally recommended!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Flavia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
WE LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR STAY
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

TIMOTHY

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jose

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Randy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very cool hotel right on State St. great location and ambience.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ciara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel, great service!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alejandro

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Would stay here again
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location and very clean
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love our stay! Fun, hip, clean, & the location was amazing!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Trendy hotel located right in the middle of downtown Santa Barbara.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

john

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was very aesthetic and clean. Will definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

  • † More information about the $50 gift card with flight package benefit may be found at: https://www.expedia-aarp.com/lp/b/vacationpackages50prepaid

  • English Copyright 1995 – 2025. All rights reserved. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Expedia User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Expedia pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP’s intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purpose of AARP. All goods or services and discounts offered via the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia ®, are provided by third-party suppliers. AARP and its affiliates do not endorse and are not responsible for the goods or services and discounts made available on this site. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia® directly for full details. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.