The Franciscan Inn
Santa Barbara, California

The historic Franciscan Inn in Santa Barbara, California, near the Pacific Coast Highway, is in a quiet location near the beach ideal for those driving PCH.

Franciscan Inn, Santa Barbara

All Photos (c) Donna Dailey

Of all the places we've stayed along the Pacific Coast Highway, the Franciscan Inn in Santa Barbara was one of our favorites.

And it's hard to say exactly why. It wasn't the most luxurious, although it's certainly very comfortable. It doesn't have a fancy restaurant – in fact it doesn't have any kind of restaurant.

Its breakfasts are fabulous, though, brought in by the lovely Carol, an outside caterer who sets up shop in the guest lounge and serves incredibly light croissants, bread from local bakeries, and some of the best muffins we've ever tasted: cinnamon with maple syrup frosting, the morning we were there.

Some of the other guests were obviously regulars, asking Carol how she was doing and telling us (it's a friendly place) that they always stayed here when they came to Santa Barbara.

Our Pick of the Central Coast Guides

Perhaps it was just the look of the place, as we felt good about it before we'd even checked in. It's a lovely 1920s Spanish-style building, typical of Santa Barbara, that used to be a ranch but has been stylishly and sympathetically converted into a motel-style Inn. The owners have kept the history and atmosphere, but made the Inn an unpretentious and welcoming home from home.

Our room at the Franciscan Inn

Our Room at the Franciscan Inn

There were several different people manned the check-in desk during our stay, and we peppered them with questions about Santa Barbara. We have to say that every single one of them was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the town. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and their good humor helped to make for a very friendly visit.

We were in room 174 (above), on the upper floor of the motel-style Inn. It was light and bright, with two huge beds, acres of space, and no noise at all from either neighbors or the street. The Inn is in a quiet residential neighborhood, but only one block from the beach and a few blocks from Stearns Wharf and the main State Street.

Amenities at the Franciscan Inn

As well as the complimentary parking, the Inn offers free wireless internet to guests, free local phone calls, cable TV with HBO, complimentary breakfast, and has a free movie library if you just want to stay in and relax in your room – or keep the kids entertained. There's also a small spa and a year-round heated outdoor pool.

Location and Parking

The Franciscan Inn is easy to find if you're driving the Pacific Coast Highway, in either direction. Basically you just head for the ocean and one block back from the seafront along Bath you find the Inn. There's plenty of free parking. And if you're taking the train it's walking distance from the Santa Barbara Amtrak station.

Contact Details

Franciscan Inn
109 Bath Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Tel: (805) 963-8845

Other Santa Barbara pages

Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Pacific Coast Highway Travel tells the story of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, its history, the courthouse today, & the Michael Jackson trial held there.
Santa Barbara Whale Watching
Santa Barbara whale watching cruises in southern California can be booked through Condor Express, with whale watching trips leaving from the harbor.
Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara
Pacific Coast Highway Travel visits the best restaurants in Santa Barbara and recommends where to eat for the finest food and top local wines.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is one of the best things to do in Santa Barbara, California, on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Best Time to Visit Santa Barbara
PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Santa Barbara, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Pacific Coast Highway Travel visits the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and describes some of the highlights of its collection as well as giving contact details.
MOXI Santa Barbara
Pacific Coast Highway Travel describes MOXI in Santa Barbara, also known as the The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, including its main exhibits.
Best Museums in Santa Barbara
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the best museums in Santa Barbara, which include art, history, natural history, and science museums.
Santa Barbara Guidebook
The Santa Barbara Guidebook from Moon Handbooks also covers California’s Central Coast with Ventura, San Luis Obispo, wine country, and Hearst Castle.
Santa Barbara Mission
Pacific Coast Highway brings you all you need to know about the Santa Barbara Mission including its history, location, what to see and full contact details.
Ten Best Things to Do in Santa Barbara
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the ten best things to do in Santa Barbara, including shopping, outdoor activities, and food and wine experiences.
Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotel
The Oceana Santa Barbara beachfront hotel has a perfect seafront location, close to Stearns Wharf and State Street, and whale watching cruises.
Santa Barbara Wine Country
Santa Barbara Wine Country is one of the top wine destinations says Wine Enthusiast, alongside Napa Valley, rating California vineyards alongside Champagne.
Santa Barbara Italian Restaurant
The Santa Barbara Italian restaurant Olio e Limone serves some of the best Sicilian-Italian food in California, and is well-located downtown.
Santa Barbara
Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.