hotel suggestions in LA and Santa Barbara

My DH and I are taking a 4-night RCCL cruise on the Monarch in July. We are flying into LAX on a WED and plan on renting a car and driving up to Santa Barbara to stay for 3 nights (WED - SAT). I was wondering if anyone has some hotel suggestions in the Santa Barbara area.

We then want to drive back to LA and stay in a hotel for 2 nights before our MON cruise. I guess we can keep our car rental until SUN and then take a CAB or hotel shuttle to the pier.

It seems like there are 2 piers that ships go out of in LA.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

There are some very nice bed and breakfast inns in Santa Barbara, but most require a two night weekend stay (Friday and Saturday night). Most won't take reservations for just Friday night, even if you have stayed there a few days already.

The Simpson House is one of the nicest. I also like the Old Yacht Club Inn (which is very close to the beach) or the Casa del Mar Inn.

Another place I like to stay when I go there is The Inn at East Beach.

For a regular hotel, there is the Fess Parker Doubletree (right across from the main beach).

Have you considered taking the train to Santa Barbara instead of driving? If you stay near the beach or State Street you don't really need a car, and parking can be a bear. The train is a nice way to get to Santa Barbara (the freeway can be a major traffic mess), and most hotels or B&Bs will pick you up at the train station.

The Monarch goes out of San Pedro, as do all cruise lines except for Carnival, which goes out of Long Beach.

With the luggage you are taking - the train might be fun but not very practical. Having a car in SoCal is always a good thing. There is great wine touring around Santa Barbara if that interests you. Have a great time - you have a lot of restaurants and shops right in downtown SB.

On your drive up to SB - if you like shopping there is the Premium Outlet Mall in Camarillo. We live in Thousand Oaks - one of the cities off of the 101 freeway. Since we are in driving distance we don't stay in Santa Barbara very often - just drive up for the day or for dinner.

There are many B&Bs in Santa Barbara there are also some spectacular hotels. If your budget is for a Four Seasons type stay then there is the Biltmore, there is also the very romantic (JFK and Jackie honeymooned) at the San Ysindro Inn.

I believe I just answered your other post. You may want to break up the trip by staying 30 miles north of S.B.. The little Danish town of Solvang is up there, as is a casino and lots of wine tasting. There is a Marriott in Buellton (5 miles from Solvang) and there is a new Holiday Inn Express in Solvang (it used to be the Country Inn & Suites). A very good Steak place called "the Hitching Post" is also right there.

Thanks for the info. I think we got it figured out. All of your input has been helpful.