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Cozy, Romantic Retreat in the Heart of Santa Barbara near the Historical Mission

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A secluded sanctuary, private garden.
A tall hedge encloses the property, enter through the wooden gate.
Dine al fresco.
Lay out in the sun, completely private.
The lanterns are charged by the sun and lights up at night.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Dryer

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Cozy, Romantic Retreat in the Heart of Santa Barbara near the Historical Mission

This beautiful Craftsman cottage duplex ( downstairs) in the prestigious Upper East/ Lower Riviera, is enclosed by a tall hedge. You enter through a wooden gate into a lush, private garden with splashing fountain, fruit trees and rose garden. There is a large gas barbeque, and outside dining for four.

The inside has been renovated with an open floorplan. There is an 'art deco' bathroom, a large closet and a kitchen with a wonderful view of the garden.

Relax in this serene, romantic get away, a short walk from the historical Mission with it's breathtaking Rose garden. Explore the Koi pond and gazebo in Alice Keck Park on your way to State Street with the spectacular restaurants and exclusive shops. Enjoy the fantastic beaches, a multitude of hiking trails and taste some of the best wines in the world.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 979842
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Santa Barbara

Lower Riviera, a neighbourhood in Santa Barbara, is home to this holiday home. Santa Barbara Bowl and El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. Santa Barbara Zoo and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum are also worth visiting. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails.
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Map
Santa Barbara, CA

What's nearby

  • Mission Santa Barbara - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Santa Barbara Bowl - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Arlington Theater - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Paseo Nuevo Mall - 5 min drive - 1.9 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 12 min drive
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪CAJÉ - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Secret Bao - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Shang Hai - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Saint Remy - ‬16 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Cozy, Romantic Retreat in the Heart of Santa Barbara near the Historical Mission pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Cozy, Romantic Retreat in the Heart of Santa Barbara near the Historical Mission?

As of 12 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cozy, Romantic Retreat in the Heart of Santa Barbara near the Historical Mission on 13 May 2026 start from AU$1,821, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Cozy, Romantic Retreat in the Heart of Santa Barbara near the Historical Mission?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cozy, Romantic Retreat in the Heart of Santa Barbara near the Historical Mission?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cozy, Romantic Retreat in the Heart of Santa Barbara near the Historical Mission located?

Located in Lower Riviera, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Alice Keck Memorial Garden, Santa Barbara Bowl and Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Santa Barbara Conference & Visitor's Bureau & Film Commission and Alameda Park are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 18 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Archival

10/10 Excellent

Donna B.

The residence was lovely. No complaints at all.

Everything was great. We did need a flashlight at night as the light on the key was not very strong. Other than that everything was perfect. We will stay again.
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Apr 2020
Thank you so much for taking the time to write the review! I'll make sure to put a couple of small, but bright, flashlights in the tool drawer. I'm always happy to add whatever is needed to make it more comfortable. Thanks again, and Happy New Year! Lena
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our stay in the Lower Riveira

Wonderful stay in a very cute apartment. We stayed with Lena for a month as we moved to Santa Barbara from Australia for work. All the travel disruption from coronavirus meant we had to change a few things around for our arrival - but Lena was more than helpful. She was super flexible with our changing conditions on the ground and very understanding. She made sure that there were some essentials in the flat on arrival and it was all very tidy and clean. We stayed in touch regularly throughout the stay and she always ensured that we had everything we needed. The garden was also a real blessing for our little boy who essentially learnt to walk there. Beautiful area too - 20-25 mins walk from downtown. Could not recommend more highly.
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2020
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Clare K.

Great place for a quiet stay

The apartment is very well appointed, with a comfortable bed and en-suite bathroom in the bedroom that is divided from the living area with folding doors. The garden is a delight, and even in December it was a lovely place to take my morning coffee. Having a washer/dryer was a great amenity for those who stay longer. The area is one of my favorite in Santa Barbara. Lena is a lovely hostess, both unobtrusive and helpful.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Joy F.

Lena's vacation home

Our stay at Lena's vacation home was absolutely wonderful. We loved the unit and all of the amenities that where available to us. The unit was extremely clean with a great layout. Lena is a wonderful host and was very helpful with letting us know some of the sites to visit in the area. The home was very private which was what we were looking for and close to State Street so we could just shop, visit the harbor or just people watch. We will definatelty come back for another visit!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kelly O.

Sweet Retreat

My husband, toddler, and I had a wonderful stay. We wanted a place we could call home away from home to rest. We wanted something more than a stale hotel stay. We found it! The adorable private yard welcomed us each morning. The home is cute with some very nice features and it has everything you need and more. We made breakfast every morning, enjoyed the local sites each day, and snuck away back to our little sanctuary in the hills each night. The owner, Lena, was very welcoming, helpful and very quick with communication and lots of tips. We had zero complaints and I don't think we will go back to hotels again if all trips can be like this. When I realized I forgot to sign the guest book I was sad because we do plan on a return trip and it would be nice to see our names in there from this time. Our stay was 4 nights. We found the home safe for our toddler. It was very easy to travel anywhere we needed to go. We recommend a stay. ☺ When can I go back?!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wanda K.

Beautiful, quiet, great location

This is such a lovely, private and quiet cottage, I would recommend it to anyone. Lena is a lovely and responsive host as well. This is the second time I have stayed here, and it is my favorite in Santa Barbara.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

suzanne

Very comfortable and tastfully decorated

A very nice place to stay. A bit of a walk to downtown State Street, but we walked several times. Property was beautiful and we enjoyed our stay. Lena is very nice and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2015
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Patrick M.

Excellent stay!

This was a beautiful property -- even better in person than advertised. We truly enjoyed our stay, the professionalism of Lena, and the wonderful amenities. There is an abundance of privacy, and the unit is well appointed. I was surprised how well equipped the kitchen is -- 2 mini fridges (one with a freezer), a microwave, toaster oven, juicer, coffee maker, blender, and every possible tool/utensil you would need. Lena even stocked us with half/half, wine, fruit, and chips! About a 10 minute walk to the Mission, 20 minute walk to down town, and 25 minute walk to Trader Joes. The neighborhood is peaceful and beautiful, and we had parking right in front. We are definitely hoping to return soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2015
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Nick L.

Excellent Stay in Santa Barbara

We booked a last minute trip to Santa Barbara and had an excellent stay at Lena's property. She was incredibly accommodating, even purchasing an air conditioning unit for the property because we travelled with our five month old baby. The unit is centrally located, with easy access to the freeway to get to wine country and a short drive (longer walk) to State Street and all that downtown Santa Barbara has to offer. Lena was a gracious host, answering any questions we had about restaurants, beaches, running trails and wineries. Small touches, like stocking the rental with coffee, a welcome bottle of local wine and snacks made us feel at home. It's an excellent alternative to staying at a hotel and we would return again, the next time we come to Santa Barbara.
Archival

6/10 Okay

Gail M.

East coast couple

Property is very cute and host is delightful...well-equipped and close to everything...the apt opens up to a charming garden, but the lack of privacy was a problem for us as sliding glass doors open directly into living space..furniture placement is also a little awkward for relaxing and watching tv...no airconditioning so a ceiling fan would be helpful..it was a little warm and sticky while we were there..overall pleasant..best for 1 or 2 people at most
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Apr 2020
Thank you so much for bringing these issues to my attention, I take these matters very seriously. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay overall, found the property “cute”, the garden “charming” and me “delightful.” Thank you for letting me know. I go out of my way to make my guests comfortable, which is why I wish you would have let me know about any problems during your stay. I would have been happy to correct whatever issues you had. If you would have told me that you had a problem with the humidity, I would have plugged in the dehumidifier for you, it takes out the humidity very efficiently. You may not remember, but I showed you my “property binder”, which has all the information about appliances etc. The information about the dehumidifier as well as the powerful turbo fan, which are both in the closet, can be found in that binder. I really like your thoughts on having a ceiling fan. I will definitely check into getting one for the bedroom since I’m always looking for ways to improve the property. Thank you for the great idea! You mention lack of privacy because of the glass doors leading into the living area, but since the garden is secluded and surrounded by a tall hedge which offers complete privacy, I’m not sure I understand the issue. I would have loved to discuss it with you if I’d been given the opportunity. Thank you again for the comments and I hope you had a wonderful visit with your daughter.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Daniela O.

Perfect place to stay!

This was the perfect location to stay in Santa Barbara! It's just a short drive to the beach, hiking trails, mountain area, and just a short walk to the mission. The layout of the guesthouse is great, the garden is just gorgeous to wake up to, and you have all of the amenities needed. We enjoyed a lot of good food from all of the great local restaurants! Plus we had the choice to cook up some food with a fully stocked kitchen. I would highly recommend staying here! We received wonderful customers service, there's everything you need to make your stay comfortable, and you're close to everything.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Margaret C.

We could not have asked for more

We loved the property. It was a bit hard to find because it is behind a very large hedge which meant a lot of privacy in a very nice yard with a fountain and table and chairs. A great way to be outside and relax. The unit was laid out nicely with a living room, kitchen with a bar and seating and a well appointed kitchen. The bathroom was generous with a shower that was also a sauna. The bed was quite comfortable. Most places we have stayed the pots and pans and knifes have been the lowest quality. Not this place. We had all clad pans and sharp knives. We were welcomed by our lovely hostess, Lena, who had chips, fresh fruit, half and half and a lovely bottle of wine for us. And, the property is close to everything Santa Barbara (I even walked to the Mission). Although the upper part of the street has little or no street parking, we easily found parking at this address. We will come back.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Rosie A.

Lovely Place and Garden

The one bedroom was perfect for a 10 day stay. My daughter had 2 graduation ceremonies 1 week apart so I had a great excuse to stay in Santa Barbara. I liked especially the location up the hill. So I walked into town every day (slow walking plus greeting friendly cats in the neighborhood, 30 minutes) The owner Lena was so nice and accommodating, she had no problems me giving an after graduation reception here. The garden was lovely for this. My family and friends totally enjoyed this location. I want to come back.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wanda K.

Wonderful Spot

My husband and I had to make an emergency trip to Santa Barbara as our daughter is a student at UCSB and was very shaken by the events in Isla Vista. Lena was incredibly accommodating to us in every way. Also, her suite is beautiful, comfortable and quiet. I know many people think they need to find a place on the beach. But I highly recommend this peaceful spot with a beautiful garden and fountain and a gracious host.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Thorsten Q.

Amazing apartment in beautiful Santa Barbara

I was staying in this wonderful apartment for about six weeks, and I had an excellent time in Santa Barbara. The apartment is located in the upscale Riviera area of Santa Barbara, about half way up the hill. The neighborhood is quiet, and there are some beautiful villas located here. You also get some amazing views of the ocean when walking through this neighborhood (which is highly recommended!). The city centre can be reached by foot, but it's a long walk, so a car is recommended - then it just takes five minutes to all the central locations and the excellent shopping area of SB. The apartment itself is clean and nicely decorated. It includes a fully usable kitchen, a bath room with steam sauna functionality, and you also have a beautiful garden for your personal use (it cannot be viewed from the street, so this is really *your* garden). Lena, the host, is super kind and provides you with many tips on what to do in Santa Barbara. She also responds very quickly if there are questions regarding the apartment. Overall, I enjoyed my stay at this apartment very much - I can absolutely recommend it; it's simply amazing. I also checked other apartments when planning my trip to Santa Barbara, but I was very glad that I chose this one over some other locations close to the city centre (as this neighborhood is probably one of the nicest in the whole city). Thanks again to Lena for letting me rent this little gem - and I will definitely come back!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Shani D.

Wonderful Home Away from Home

We are a family of three from the UK and this was our first visit to Santa Barbara and we could not have chosen a better place to stay! The accommodation itself was perfect: compact, yet with everything you could want and so conveniently located. Lena had made sure that we had everything we would need: a fully equipped kitchen, a wonderful collection of books, loads of magazines and brochures relating to the area, contact numbers for restaurants and taxi companies, washer/dryer and iron and the list goes on. I had a time dragging my husband away from the wonderful massage chair! Lena also included many thoughtful touches like wine and tea/coffee, an excellent assortment of toiletries and so on. We were travelling car-free and we could easily walk from Lena's to all the main attractions we wanted to see including Stearn's Wharf and beaches, downtown and The Mission. Lena was kind and helpful and really went out of her way to make our stay a comfortable and pleasant experience and we consider her a friend. We will be moving to Santa Barbara in the near future and will definitely stay at Lena's while we find our feet there. We can't recommend Lena and her wonderful 'home away from home' enough!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beate E.

A 100% cozy and romantic retreat!

I stayed 3 months at this amazing place. The tranquility, the beautiful garden and all the modern comfort, which this well-maintained property offers, left nothing to be desired. It became a home away from home. The owner provided a hugh variety of tips for restaurants, activities and shoping facilities. I was always welcome to ask for recommendations. The location of the property is close to the main attractions of Santa Barbara. I had a great time in Santa Barbara and lots of wonderful experiences. Thank you so much. I´ll come again.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Marcelo B.

We have found our home away from home

This is great for a couple who is getting away for a few days and wants to be close to State Street. The fridge is a little small, so if you love to cook like we do, you may want to take a small cooler to hold a few additional things. If you arrive late at night, bring a flashlight as it can be pretty dark from the entry gate to the cottage door. Aside from that, everything was perfect. This place is piece of heaven up in the hills of Santa Barbara. Make sure to use the shower sauna the first day, not the last. It was amazing. The kitchen is great and the amenities like the garden were just what you need to disconnect. The fountain and over-sized wind chimes in your private garden help you relax. We often had the door open during the daytime to let the cool breeze come in as it had just rained the night before. Lena, the owner, was very helpful and accommodating and ensures you are enjoying your stay. We visit Santa Barbara a few times a year and my wife and I will certainly be back to rent again from Lena. Thank you, Lena!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Brian M.

Review for two night stay

This place is wonderful. Lena is such a nice person I would gladly come back here in a heart beat. I truly mean that she is a wonderful person. Quiet, cozy, quaint place to stay. Do yourself a favor and rent this place and find out why. Thanks you so much for going beyond expectations. We are so grateful to you. Thanks again. We will be back.

About the host

Hosted by Lena

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Swedish
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