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The Santa Barbara Whale House

2.0 star property
Vacation home in Santa Barbara with a sauna and a hot tub

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Exterior
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Dining
Property grounds

Entire home

2 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly

Explore the area

View in a map
Santa Barbara, CA
  • Place, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Mission Santa Barbara
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Place, Upper State Street
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪14 min drive‬

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About the neighborhood

Santa Barbara

Located in Mission Canyon within a 5-minute walk of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, this vacation home is within a mile (2 km) of Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. The vacation home includes a private pool, a kitchen, and a fireplace.
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What's nearby

  • Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Santa Barbara Natural History Museum - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Mission Santa Barbara - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Upper State Street - 3 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • Seven Falls - 3 min drive - 1.0 mile

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 18 min drive
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪IHOP - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Presto Pasta - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Live Oak Cafe - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Santa Barbara Whale House

Come stay at your own personal bathhouse and artist retreat. The Whale House is a psychedelic sculptural home from the 1970s. Inspired by Gaudí, its flowing curves contain a 75 foot saltwater pool, ozonated peroxide hot tub in the bedroom, hand-carved sauna, and outdoor shower. The three rooms sleep up 7 people and feature organic EarthFoam mattresses.

A walk away to the Botanic Gardens and a short drive to downtown SB.

As seen on HBO's "Zillow Gone Wild", New York Times, Dwell, and The Los Angeles Times.

Each bedroom has its own bathroom. The 2nd floor bedroom, with the hot tub, is technically a mezannine as it shares some air with the living room below.

The top floor bedroom is completely private.

The 3rd bedroom, across the courtyard, has it's own entrance, parking, bathroom, and kitchenette. It features a king size bed, and a single bed in the lofted space. There is also access to the indoor part of the pool.

The sauna and the hot tub fit 2-4 people snuggly.

The grounds are freshly landscaped with multiple ponds, exotic and native plants, and a staircase lined with passionfruit down to the seasonal creek.

A waiver is required before entering.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 3 bathrooms, and a balcony, and there's space to spread out with 2 bedrooms. Guests can expect to find free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a private pool, a washing machine, and a fireplace.

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Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Hot tub
  • Private pool
  • Sauna

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Water dispenser

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total (up to 20 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Cobblestone flooring in public areas
  • Elevator
  • Gravel flooring in public areas
  • Thin carpet in public areas
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Designated smoking areas

Things to do

  • Heated pool

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Biodegradable coffee stirrers available
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Recycling
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Water dispenser usage encouraged

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:30 PM
Minimum check-in age: 26

Check-out

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

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Dogs only
  • 1 total (20 lbs is the maximum weight per pet)
  • Service animals exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Dogs only. No shedding.

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 13-17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Get in touch if you want more than 10 guests.

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

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
Cashless transactions are available
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 60
Note from host: Get in touch if you want more than 10 guests.
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
  • Check-in: 2:30 PM
  • Check-out: 11:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 26
Property Registration Number 1176

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
  • 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.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 60.
  • Note from host: Get in touch if you want more than 10 guests.
  • Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector.
  • Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Property is also known as

30341

Frequently asked questions

What's there to see close to this vacation home?

This vacation home is situated in Mission Canyon, just steps from Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. You'll also find Santa Barbara Zoo and Santa Barbara Harbor within a short drive.

How much does it cost to stay at The Santa Barbara Whale House?

As of Jan 18, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Santa Barbara Whale House on Jan 28, 2026 start from $722.0, excluding 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.

Is parking available on site at this vacation home?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer parking.

Is this vacation home associated with a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is a hot tub.

Is The Santa Barbara Whale House good for couples?

There are many amenities for couples at this vacation home, including a private pool and a fireplace in each accommodation with some featuring private pools.

Are there hot tubs at The Santa Barbara Whale House?

Yes, this vacation home has a spa tub.

Does this vacation home provide breakfast?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this vacation home allow pets to stay for free?

Although dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.

Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?

No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

How close is the airport from this vacation home?

The closest major airport to this vacation home is Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), which is 10.6 mi away (20 minutes by car). Another top airport is Santa Ynez, CA (SQA), which is located 28.2 mi away (44-minute drive).

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at The Santa Barbara Whale House?

Yes, every accommodation at The Santa Barbara Whale House comes with a balcony.

The Santa Barbara Whale House Reviews