Apartment

Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB!

Photo gallery for Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB!

A Santa Barbara landmark!
Gated entrance leads to front door
All in the details
Plenty of living space to lounge in and enjoy!
Crisp, contemporary main bedroom

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 493.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
Santa Barbara, CA
  • Place, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Presidio Santa Barbara
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Barbara County Courthouse
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Airport, Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Master bedroom- comfortable queen!

1 Queen Bed

Queen bed w/ twin bunks!

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

1 bathroom

Spacious bathroom!

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchenette
Dining area

About this property

Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB!

El Jardin Pequeno

Enter the wild and wacky world of Jeff Shelton!

Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara is proud to manage a home built by this world-renowned, Santa Barbara local architect, with a one-of-a-kind way of looking at the world. His ingenious fusion of whimsical artistry and vibrant function culminate in some of the most well-recognized buildings and happy homes in downtown Santa Barbara.

El Jardin Pequeno is the two bedroom one bathroom home located on the second level of a 4-story building known as “El Jardin,” in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. From street level, ascend the colorful steps that lead to a memorable retreat with plenty of personality. Morrocan tile, bright use of hand tooled glass, and custom wrought iron in varying shapes, are just the beginning of the signature style that makes staying at a Shelton-designed home a lively and fun experience for each and every guest.

Cozy up on the blue velvet couch for movie night in front of a large flat screen tv. Whip up a yummy meal in the super-efficient KITCHENETTE with dual burner induction cooktop, microwave, and raised bar, please note there is no oven. One of the most stunning features is the unique suspended dining table with a smooth piano finish, and an irregular whimsical shape that makes game night or mealtime amusing. Hidden away is a full-capacity front-loading washer and dryer, perfect for extended stays or to keep towels ready for the next oceanfront outing.

A sunny bedroom with a queen-size bed has the added sleeping convenience of a twin bunk bed to sleep four guests comfortably. In a second bedroom, enjoy a restful night's sleep, or a well-deserved breakfast in bed, in the comfortable queen-size bed. From either room, enjoy mountain views over Santa Barbara's red tile roofs, or awake to sunrise casting a warm glow over the city. A shared hall bathroom completes the offerings of this cool city apartment-style retreat. As is typical with many Santa Barbara homes, this property does not have AC. Open windows and the use of fans allow ocean breezes in to keep the house cool during hot summer months.

Head out the front door to explore all that Santa Barbara has to offer. Take a self-guided tour of the other Shelton-designed homes, gather organic ingredients for dinner at the local Farmer's Market, sip tasty wines in the Funk Zone, or simply stroll over to nearby State Street, alive with energy and world-class shopping, eateries, galleries, theater and more.

Treat yourself to a memorable stay at El Jardin Pequeno, for the fun of it!

Additionally available upon special request is a third bedroom suite at ground level that can accommodate two more guests. A king-size bed, television, bathroom with walk-in shower, and ample size closet appoint this private suite nicely. [Additional rates may apply]

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 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
Guests are required to submit their signed contract and initial payment to Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara no later than 24 hours after booking.
Reserving guests will be required to complete a secure ID verification during the booking process. Failure to do so will result in void reservation.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Santa Barbara

Located in Santa Barbara, this apartment is in the city centre. El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park and Presidio Santa Barbara are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Paseo Nuevo Mall and La Arcada. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Santa Barbara Bowl or Earl Warren Showgrounds. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking nearby.
Map
Santa Barbara, CA

What's nearby

  • El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Santa Barbara Historical Museum - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Presidio Santa Barbara - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Lobero Theater - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 8 min walk - 0.7 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 19 min walk
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cajé - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪The Press Room - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Blenders in the Grass - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Handlebar Coffee - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Mother Dough Bagels - ‬7 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB!?

As of 3 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB! on 15 May 2026 start from NZ$702, 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.

How much is parking at Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Iconic, Unique Home in the Heart of Downtown SB! located?

Located in Laguna, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park and Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Rafael Gonzalez House and Santa Barbara Historical Museum are just steps away. Santa Barbara Station is 19 minutes by foot.

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. 32 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 36 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were not able to stay at our VRBO upon arrival due to an occurrence that was out of everyone’s control. Erik, the owner, took care of my two adult sons and I. He put us in a wonderful hotel. We do look forward to staying in the property in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 January 2026
Hi Sarah, Thank you so much for your kind and understanding review. While we were truly disappointed that unforeseen circumstances prevented your stay at El Jardín Pequeño, we’re so glad Erik was able to make sure you and your sons were well taken care of. We deeply appreciate your patience and grace, and we very much look forward to welcoming you to the property in the future for the stay you truly deserve. Warmest regards, The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan K.

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

Great stay near downtown SB

My family and I enjoyed our stay at the apartment. The building architecture was interesting and the location was great. The apartment itself was spacious and a comfortable layout for my family. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 12 July 2025
Jonathan, thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed your stay at El Jardín Pequeño and appreciated both the unique architecture of the building and the convenient location. We’re especially glad the apartment layout provided the space and comfort you needed. We would be thrilled to welcome you back for another stay in the future! -Lydia & the VROSB Team
Verified

8/10 Good

Sarah H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and well done interiors! Due to the unique building any windows and doors left open can be accessed by anyone from the street or in upper units.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kyle K.

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

Great location, beautiful property

Loved everything about our stay. They place was clean, comfortable and the location was perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2023
Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We are so pleased to hear you found the home to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Caroline G.

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

Beautiful property!

Great property and fabulous location.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2023
Caroline, thank you for taking a moment to share your experience at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We are so pleased to hear you found the home to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jereb C.

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

Great location

Loved this place! Walking distance to state st and all the food!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 September 2023
Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We are so pleased to hear you found the home and location to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

8/10 Good

J M.

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

Great location and unique property

We liked the location and unique look of the property. Would stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 26 March 2024
JM thank you for taking a moment to share your experience at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We are so pleased to hear you found the home and location to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tessa H.

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

Great location, fabulous house.

Wonderful time on this beautiful home.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 11 February 2024
Tessa, thank you for taking a moment to share your experience at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We are so pleased to hear you found the home and location to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachelle M.

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

Easy Breezy stay in SB

Besides the amazing architecture of the building this spot's location and easy functionality made our quick holiday trip a breeze.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 July 2023
Rachelle, thank you so much for your review. We are delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with us at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We hope you’ll visit us again soon. -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara M.

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

Perfect getaway

This was a wondeful property for a quick family getaway. Beautiful architecture, very clean, responsive property manager, walking distance to restaurants and beach. Will stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 September 2023
Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We are so pleased to hear you found the home and location to your liking. We are also happy to hear that our team was responsive and left a good impression on you. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Only complaint was that the lower bunk mattress was very soft. Switched it with the upper bunk mattress.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sadick

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

Great location

We had a blast in this cool pad in the heart of downtown S.B.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 November 2022
Hi Sadick, we are so thrilled you enjoyed your stay in this very unique home. We hope you will be back soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Accurate description on VRBO. Great location for walking to downtown. Comfortable beds and great towels. Kitchen is small but well stocked.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 November 2024
Hi Pam, thank you so much for the review! - VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annemiek S.

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

Wonderful stay

Our stay was wonderful. The architecture, the space, the location, we were surprised! Santa Barbara is a great place to be and with this appartment, it makes it complete. Highly recommended!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 26 November 2024
Annemiek, thank you so much for your glowing review! We’re thrilled to hear that your stay was wonderful and that you enjoyed the architecture, space, and location of the property. It’s always a delight to know that our guests have a memorable experience, and we’re so glad the apartment added to your enjoyment of beautiful Santa Barbara. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we’d love to welcome you back for another fantastic stay in the future! Warm regards, Lydia & the VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brooke B.

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

Great property!

Wonderful location, beautiful architecture and furnishings. Efficiency kitchen for the basics with lots of great restaurants to eat at within a couple of blocks!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 October 2021
Thank you so much Brooke, we always love to hear from our guests. So glad you enjoyed this property and its great downtown location. - Meagan + VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen O.

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

Super nice property

The condo was beautiful, clean, and as advertised.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 11 February 2024
Kathleen, thank you for taking a moment to share your experience at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We are so pleased to hear you found the home and location to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gary T.

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

Great location - clean and comfortable

The place was just what we wanted: easy and close by, clean and spacious enough for the three of us. One highlight is the large dining table because we are board gamers and had a great spot to play! The one bathroom (as advertized) was big and easy to share.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 January 2025
Gary, thank you for your wonderful review of El Jardín Pequeño! We’re so glad to hear the space was just what you were looking for—clean, convenient, and spacious enough for your group of three. It’s great to know the large dining table was a highlight for your board game sessions! We love hearing how our guests make the most of the space. And we’re glad the well-sized bathroom worked out perfectly for everyone as well. We’d be thrilled to host you again for more relaxing and fun-filled getaways in the future! -Lydia & the VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James F.

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

Nice stay, easy walking distance

Property was very clean and an quick walk to restaurants and shopping. We rented the third bedroom almost solely for the extra bathroom. Would recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 November 2022
Hi James, we are so happy that you enjoyed your stay. You're absolutely right that the home is in a great location close to and a quick walk to everything. I'm glad you were able to make use of the third bedroom that is available to rent. We hope you will be back soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Johann F.

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

Best Location

We had a great stay at this property. The location was perfect as you could walk eveywhere. 10 mins to State St and 20 mins to the beach. Also a fabulous coffee shop just around the corner. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 15 June 2024
Hi Johann, thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had a great stay at El Jardin Pequeño and enjoyed the convenient location. It's great to know that you found everything within walking distance, from State Street to the beach and the fabulous coffee shop around the corner. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back soon! Best regards, Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Phillip M.

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

Quick toR

Great location. Beautiful building. Super quiet and comfortable
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 4 July 2021
Hi Phillip, So glad you enjoyed your visit. Thank you for the review! Best, Meagan VROSB
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Wonderful downtown apartment.

Fantastic downtown location. We (2 couples) were very comfortable, even though we stayed during an unusual Santa Barbara hear wave. Short walk to every Santa Barbara attraction. Well-appointed apartment with plenty of space. Overall, a great place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 November 2022
We are so happy you enjoyed your stay! The heat wave was definitely not typical for our area. We hope you were able to go to the beach and cool off. We are so happy you had a great time and we hope to host you again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gerald Y.

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

Great flat near state street

Clean unit well designed and neat State street and restaurants, coffee shops, retail. High walking score!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 4 July 2021
Hi Gerald, Thank you for taking the time to leave us this feedback. Greatly appreciated. Best, Meagan VROSB
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

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

SB escape

Roomy, eclectic environment. Loved the design and decor. Great location for restaurants, bars, shopping and the SB Bowl, but in a residential area.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 22 September 2023
Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience at Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara. We are so pleased to hear you found the home and location to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

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

Unique Experience

Such a beautiful building inside and out!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 13 July 2024
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beauty of the building both inside and out. We hope to welcome you back for another wonderful stay soon! -Lydia & The VROSB Team
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul B.

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

Wonderful apartment

Wonderful apartment in an historic and artistic building in Santa Barbara. Very clean and tidy, with nice furnishings. We loved the place, as it was within easy walking distance of downtown, and was very quiet at night. 100% would return!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 28 May 2024
Paul, thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay at El Jardin Pequeno. It's wonderful to know that you appreciated the cleanliness, furnishings, and the unique historic and artistic charm of the building. We're glad the location was convenient for you and that you enjoyed the quiet nights. We look forward to welcoming you back 100% in the future! -Lydia, VROSB

About the host

Hosted by Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara

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