Welcome To The Inn on Summer Hill & Spa

Upon arriving at the Inn on Summer Hill, a Santa Barbara bed and breakfast,
you'll immediately recognize the "attention to detail" as its defining feature.
The stunning Craftsman-style architecture creates the feel of home
for guests traveling from all over. In addition, every room has ocean views.

A friendly, gracious staff member will escort you to your room and acquaint you with the many amenities you will enjoy during your stay. Breakfast is available in the fireside dining room or on your patio or balcony. Afternoon hors d'oeuvres with wine, coffee, tea and cheese await you at three o'clock each day. You can end the day with complimentary dessert before you retire to your fireside room. Don't forget to relax a while in the cozy outdoor spa before you settle in for the night.

Summer Hill Spa

In the peace and quiet of our spa, relax with a soothing fountain, fireplace and soft music. Our spa redefines Southern California living, in the spirit of health & wellness along with complete relaxation. It is our mission to provide an experience of renewal and enrichment.

Make your stay at the Inn at Summerhill extra relaxing by including the treatment of your choice. Please request your spa treatment when making your reservation. Visit the Specials Page to see our Spa Menu.
 

We are here to accommodate you. Our concierge staff will assist you with information on things to do, see and experience. We will make arrangements for you with one of our top massage therapists upon request and you can have them perform your treatment in the privacy of your room. We will be expanding our massage menu in the very near future. We can make recommendations and reservations for dinner as you desire. Santa Barbara and Montecito have a large variety of delicious restaurants.

Our Santa Barabara inn is proud of its awards from several agencies, and is proud to be in the distinctive company of the top inns of the nation. Inn on Summer Hill has received the coveted AAA Four Diamond award every year since our opening in 1989.

Inn Awards & Publications

American Automobile Association - Four Diamond Award
Country Inns Magazine - Top Twelve Inns of America
American Bed & Breakfast Assoc. - Top Twelve Inns of America
Innovations, Inc. - Top Ten Inns in America
American Bed & Breakfast Association
Antelope Valley News
Architectural Lighting
The Bride
Country Inns Magazine
Designers West
Dining & Doing
Elegant Small Hotels
Gold Coast Travel Finder
Hospitality DesignHost Mart - AAA
"Hotels of America" Tokyo TV-Featured segment
Los Angeles Times
"Marie Claire Maison" French
Magazine on "Life Style"
Restaurant & Hotel Design-USA
Restaurant & Hotel Design - International
Romantic Homes
Santa Barbara News Press
The Romance of Country Inns
Travel & Leisure - American Express Publication
"Victoria" Magazine
WestWays - AAA National publication
 

Summerland - home to the Inn on Summer Hill - is a small, charming beach town. At the turn of the century it was referred to as "spooksville." The town was founded in 1889 by Henry L. Williams. His historic home, built in 1884, is now known as the "Big Yellow House." A few lucky settlers, upon digging for water, hit oil resulting in a full-scale oil boom.

The atmosphere today in Summerland is cozy with a laid-back community atmosphere. In the last several decades, this town of 2500 residents has gone through a revolution. In the 1960's and '70's the town was a blend of surfers, hippies, bikers, artists and the working class. However, in the mid '80's the town evolved into an upscale enclave where many artists, designers, architects, doctors and surfers blended with those appreciating the "Riviera" life style.

Today's visitors include Hollywood celebrities, Presidents and Santa Barbara "locals." Summerland has become a favorite destination, with the perfect summer beach-side atmosphere year round. The delightful park on the bluff above the Pacific Ocean leads to the pristine beaches of Summerland. The village has many beach-side cafes, coffee houses, clothing and furniture boutiques, wine tasting boutiques and spas. In addition it has one of only four, Four Diamond Inns or Hotels in Santa Barbara, awarded by AAA. Summerland is adjacent to Carpinteria, and just south of Montecito and Santa Barbara.

Directions from Highway 101 North:
Take EXIT 90 toward SUMMERLAND
At the end of the ramp turn right toward the mountains
Drive approximately 30feet to the next stop sign and turn left
The Inn is approximately three quarters of a mile down the road on the right
You will see an archway over our lower level parking entrance

Directions from Highway 101 South:
Take EXIT 91 toward SUMMERLAND
At the end of the ramp turn left toward the mountains
Drive underneath the 101 to the first stop sign and turn right
The Inn is approximately three quarters of a mile down the road on the left
You will see an archway over our lower level parking entrance

An intriguing blend of beach culture, seaside atmosphere, Spanish architecture, small-town charm, and engaging activities, the Santa Barbara area offers so much to do, see, savor and experience. Click on one of the pictures below for more information on things to do, recommended restaurants, or annual festivals and events.

Active Pursuits

The Santa Barbara area offers endless outdoor fun for those who like to go, go, go. For thrill seekers, the Santa Barbara Adventure Company is the place to start. This adventure outfitter offers tours and gear for nearly every active pursuit, including surfing, kiteboarding, scuba diving, rock climbing, hang-gliding, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Antique Shops

Some of the finest antique shops in the area are steps away in Summerland. Visit the Summerland Antique Collective, Lifestyle Antiques and Europa Fine Arts & Antiques.

Beaches

Santa Barbara area beaches face southwest and are notorious for their endless sunshine and powder soft sand. Explore the dunes, play sand volleyball, fly a kite, or go tidepooling, swimming, hiking or fishing. Check out this great beach comparison chart.

Biking

Wheel Fun Rentals in Santa Barbara offers bicycles and multi-person bike carts. Vespas and electric carts also available. Best of all, there are three convenient locations. Call 805-966-2282 or check out their website.

Botanical Gardens

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden features exquisite native plants and flowers over beautifully designed landscapes. The gardens are dedicated to research, education and the conservation of native California plants. The gardens offers guided tours and have a fantastic retail nursery and gift shop.

Historic Santa Barbara Courthouse

Comprised of four buildings for a total of 150,000 square feet, the striking Santa Barbara Courthouse was built in 1926 and has been thrilling visitors with its powerful presence ever since. Still a working courthouse, the majestic building is the home of local government and a place of civic pride and celebration. Docents lead free daily tours, which start at 2 pm in the stunning mural room.

Museums

From the Hans Christian Anderson Museum in Solvang to the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, to the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, this area offers countless cultural destinations. Santa Barbara alone features the Carriage and Western Art Museum, a history museum, a maritime museum, an art museum, and a museum of natural history!

Santa Barbara Mission Park

Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786 and still a practicing Catholic Church. It was the tenth California mission founded by the Spanish Franciscans. Its extensive water works, built by Indian labor, are preserved in the park. The larger reservoir, built in 1806, is used today as part of the city’s water system.

Santa Ynez Wineries

Featured in the movies Sideways, the Santa Barbara wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley has come into its own. With world-class wines, uncrowded tasting rooms, and sophistication without pretension, this spectacularly beautiful wine valley is a great way to spend the afternoon. Read more on the Santa Ynez Winery Association website.

Shopping in Santa Barbara

Cobblestone walkways, red-tile roofs, flowing fountains and an abundance of flora and fauna overwhelm the downtown landscape, making shopping in Santa Barbara a pleasure. Santa Barbara offers an incredible selection of national and international retailers, one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries, trendy hot spots and outlets.

Solvang

Surrounded by rolling hills and country roads, Solvang is a quaint Danish village featuring cobblestone courtyards, windmills, brick sidewalks, and thatched rooftops. Enjoy strolling among more than 350 charming shops, bakeries, coffee shops and restaurants.

Stearns Wharf

Savor the sensory experiences of California's oldest working wharf. Enjoy tasty snacks and souvenir shopping among the wharf's many merchants. Board a boat for a whale tour (see below), or simply take in the panoramic views of the Santa Barbara coastline and hillsides.

Whale Watching Cruises

Spy a gentle giant on a whale watching tour. The waters off Santa Barbara are a seasonal home to more than 30 different species of whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions. The summer season offers a great opportunity to view blue or humpback whales as they feed off our coastline. Winter and spring bring migrating California gray whales as they head north to Alaska through the local waters. Condor Cruises is one of the largest tour providers. Captain Don's offers unique pirate-themed tours.