
Reviews ( 274 )
This is a quaint place that feels like a hidden little oasis in Santa Barbara. It is charming, peaceful, and beautifully maintained, with lovely gardens that make you feel a world away from the busy streets nearby. Our stay was a truly positive experience from start to finish. The cottages were cozy and comfortable, and the overall atmosphere was relaxing and special. And the breakfast? It was to die for—fresh, homemade, and absolutely delicious. Easily one of the best breakfasts we’ve had while traveling. We would happily return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quiet, charming stay in Santa Barbara.
I've stayed at the Secret Garden many times throughout the years and have been very happy with my stay. Dominic who is the proprietor of Secret Garden makes a wonderful breakfast.
Great gem walking distance to downtown Santa Barbara! The hosts were lovely, breakfast was delicious (and served to your room!), and the hot tub was fun to have.
Wonderful stay, delicious breakfast, reasonable prices, warm and sincere attention to details. I highly recommend to other travelers, I would absolutely stay again.
Absolutely beautiful 😻 even though our stay was short she made us feel special and comfortable. She went the extra distance by leaving breakfast sandwiches at our door the night before because we had to leave early the next morning. Thank you for sharing your beautiful escape❤️
LOVE the Secret Gardens!
The Secret Garden Inn and Cottages is one of my favorite places to stay anywhere, not just in Santa Barbara. The garden, which is the center of the property and provides opportunity for outdoor dining, is lush, diverse, and secluded (as the name suggests). The breakfasts are divine - authentically French croissants and quiche along with fresh fruit and fresh-squeezed orange juice, The cottages are loaded with character - antique furnishings and homey decor. And the location, close to downtown Santa Barbara, in walking distance to local eateries, but also in a quite residential neighborhood, is ideal.
It is true what they say about the breakfast that Dominique prepares for you. It is very delicious. She also went out of her way to provide us with important information regarding the city of SB. I would highly recommend staying there.
6-4-2026 We stayed in Mockingbird. Wonderful place. Quiet and pretty convenient to most of Santa Barbara.
Beautiful stay
If you're thinking about it, just do it. Its peaceful and beautiful. Just went there for a weekend with my girlfriend. Will definitely go back to the secret garden when im in Santa Barbara
We have stayed at the Secret Garden Inn & Cottages several times over the last 25+ years. Consistently, it has provided us with a relaxing and wonderful stay. Plus, Dominique is an excellent cook! The quiche & croissants are delicious. We will return again when time permits.
We spent three nights at this lovely property and truly enjoyed the hospitality. The breakfasts were a highlight—delicious and unique each morning. The innkeeper was exceptionally friendly, providing a warm welcome and a helpful tour of our room upon arrival. While the property has 'solid bones' and a beautiful atmosphere, it would benefit from some maintenance attention. We noticed a few small issues, such as toppled pots and broken lights in the garden, and a noisy hot tub that required unplugging. In our room, loose faucets and missing electrical faceplates were minor distractions. With just a bit of upkeep, this wonderful inn could easily reach the next level.
The Secret Garden is a wonderful hidden retreat in the heart of Santa Barbara. It has a "French Country" feel with small pocket gardens filled with colorful flowers and fruit tree and bistro tables. The rustic cottages are quaint and charming; the private hot tubs are a treat. Dominique provides delicious homemade breakfasts of quiche, fresh fruit, croissants and jams. McConnell's Ice Cream is a half block walk away and well worth the visit. We have enjoyed our stays at the Secret Garden very much and always look forward to coming back.
So whimsical and cute. Feels like staying at your old grandma‘s cottage. I would recommend this over staying at a regular hotel! Peanut is the second cutest kitty in the world and will greet you when you check in.
This place is very cute and just a little funky - a little slice of charming hospitality. The breakfast is hearty and delicious, delivered right to your room. The hot tub was great, a the room was quiet during our stay. We enjoyed a walk to the downtown farmers market on Saturday morning.
Mrs Pops
Scott F
Missy
M MM
We loved our stay at the Secret Garden B&B. They accommodated our food allergies and the place was clean. It was close to upper state street so we walked downtown but you can also take an uber if you don’t want to walk. Also, they have private parking which was great because the streets are packed. Lastly, we were able to bring our Lenu (dog) as they welcome pets.