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Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse

Apartment near Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara

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Photo gallery for Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse

An open balcony with wooden flooring and chairs, overlooking a cityscape at dusk with mountains in the background.
A house with a balcony, a wooden fence, and a sign indicating an EV charger with 40A.
A cozy loft-style room with a dining area, a kitchen with a sink, and a view through a large window.
A cozy loft-style room with a wooden floor, a dining area with a table and chairs, and a large sliding glass door leading to a balcony.
A sidewalk with a mural of a woman with pink hair and polka dots, a street lamp, and a person walking in the distance.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire apartment

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 465 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Santa Barbara, CA
  • Place, Moreton Bay Fig Tree
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Barbara Harbor
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Stearns Wharf
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Airport, Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪16 min drive‬

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About the area

Santa Barbara

Lower State stay.Within a 10-minute walk of this Lower State apartment, you'll find Antioch University and Reagan Ranch Center. Moreton Bay Fig Tree and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation are also within half a mile (1 km).
View more Apartments in Santa BarbaraOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Moreton Bay Fig Tree - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Santa Barbara Harbor - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Stearns Wharf - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 18 min walk - 1.6 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 7 min walk
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dune Coffee Roasters - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Institution Ale Company - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Shaker Mill - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪EOS Lounge - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Santa Barbara Craft Ramen - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse

Summary:
Luxury digs in the heart of fun with romantic private deck with outdoor fireplace, Rivera views, steps to beach, Funk Zone and restaurants. Artist-designed, boho chic one bedroom apartment with sofa bed in living room, sleeps 4 (2 in bedroom queen bed and 2 in living room double sofa bed), a well stocked kitchen, High Speed WiFi, 2 TVs, one bathroom, washer, dryer, desk/dining table, AC, Heater and on-site parking for one car. The space covers 700 square feet (65 square meters). Perfect for one or two couples who want a kitchen, living, dining and amenities.

The Space:
Papa Dux is the second floor apartment in The Dux, a three apartment hotel on the urban wine trail. Enjoy mountain and riviera views from this lovely apartment located on the urban wine trail. Experience enveloping luxury in this designer apartment in a classic craftsman house one block from the center of town and five walking blocks to the beach. Shopping, music, dance and excellent restaurants are just steps away.

French doors open to a large private deck with views of the mountains, Riviera and city. The deck is equipped with an outdoor fireplace and BBQ. A 'loft' style great room with cathedral ceiling includes a well equipped kitchen, dining and living areas with TV and High Speed WiFi. A comfortable bedroom with TV is in the rear of the apartment for total privacy. A perfect romantic getaway.

The house is on landscaped property with fruit trees, flowers fountains and off street parking. Pick fresh fruit (oranges, plums and pineapple kiwi in season) and ride the free bicycles for a relaxing stay in the heart of Santa Barbara.

This is one of three apartments in an old home so please understand that this is not a good choice for loud late night partying. Check out the other two apartments: Baby Dux (studio apartment) and Papa Dux (one bedroom).

Coronavirus alert: Be assured that our staff are fully isolated and we are going to great lengths to sterilize all bedding and all surfaces between reservations. Safe travels, stay well!

Guest Access:
Digital keypad access.
Free on-site parking.
Your apartment and balcony are entirely private to you.
Other gardens and pathways around the house are shared.

The Neighborhood:
On the urban wine trail; in the entertainment district, 4 blocks up from the wharf and beach, one block from State Street, the beautiful main artery of Santa Barbara lined with restaurants, museums, shopping and entertainment. The leafy streets of Lower State are lined with trendy eateries serving New American, Mexican, and pan-Asian fare, plus craft breweries and winery tasting rooms. National fashion chains cluster in the courtyards of the Paseo Nuevo shopping center, and buskers play amid stalls selling organic produce and flowers at the weekly Santa Barbara Farmers Market. The kid-friendly MOXI museum has interactive science exhibits.

Getting Around:
Super easy. Wonderfully situated for car-free vacationing. Free bicycles. The town's main street is a block away with free tram service.

Other Things to Note:
This is one of three apartments in an old home so please understand that this is not a good choice for loud late night partying.
Check out the other two apartments: Baby Dux (studio apartment) and Papa Dux (one bedroom).

Interaction with Guests:
All the privacy you want and all the help you need.
Debbie is the concierge.
Please call with any concerns.
CONCIERGE: Debbie Garven (805) 680-4304

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Massage

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor fireplace
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Bicycles
  • Bulk dispensers for toiletries
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Electric car charging station
  • Local artist showcase
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic soft drink bottles
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Recycling
  • Reusable coffee/tea filters
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Some LED lighting used
  • Unit size: 700 square feet
  • Water dispenser
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

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
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

$1,000 fine if there is detectable tobacco or marijuana odor
Quiet time is from 10 pm to 10 am. Please respect

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
This property accepts cash
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. 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 accepts cash. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property Registration Number 62468

Property is also known as

Awesome Aerie Urban Wine Trail Apartment
Awesome Aerie Apartment
Awesome Aerie Urban Wine Trail
Awesome Aerie
Apartment Awesome Aerie on the Urban Wine Trail Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Awesome Aerie on the Urban Wine Trail Apartment
Apartment Awesome Aerie on the Urban Wine Trail
Awesome Aerie on the Urban Wine Trail Santa Barbara
Papa Dux Romantic Luxury In the Heart of the Fun.....
Awesome Aerie Urban Wine Trail
Awesome Aerie on the Urban Wine Trail
Playful Penthouse ON THE Urban Wine Trail
Papa DUX - Playful Penthouse ON THE Urban Wine Trail Apartment

Frequently asked questions

How close is Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse to the airport?

This apartment is 10.4 mi (13-min drive) away from the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this apartment.

How close is Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse to the beach?

This apartment is a short 9-minute walk from West Beach and 1 mi (2-min drive) from East Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse offer free breakfast?

This apartment does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse?

No, there is no casino at this apartment.

What time is check-in at Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse?

Free parking is not available at this apartment.

Does Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse have a pool?

This apartment does not have a pool.

Does Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse have a spa?

This apartment doesn't have a spa, but it does offer massages.

How close is Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse to downtown Santa Barbara?

This apartment is 0.7 mi away from Santa Barbara.

Papa Dux - A Playful Urban Penthouse Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 121 out of 142 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 142 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 142 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 142 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 142 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Travis B.

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

Wonderful Location

Great stay in Santa Barbara.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay at Papa Dux was fabulous. Loved sitting on the deck enjoying the California sun! We walked to State Street for fun dinners and walks along the store fronts and restaurants etc. enjoyed morning walks to get coffee and to the beach. Papa Dux is a comfortable home away from home.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rita S.

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

Always a restful stay

Stayed here before and came back. Love the location and the terrace. Place is perfect for staying in Santa Barbara. Bikes provided to cruise around town.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Joseph B.

Unique Stay

Craftman house had unusual features, perfect for our family of 3. Easy walk to many restaurants, we had a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

James G.

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

Always great near State

We love this place. Our third stay this year. Close, comfy, and beautifully decorated. We'll be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer R.

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

Great location with all the ammenities

We loved our stay at papa dux. They have done an excellent job with the decor, amenities and charm. You can’t beat the location to downtown, Funk Zone and even the beach is walkable or you can borrow one of the bikes. It was quiet at night too.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Coby K.

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

Unique

It was a perfect location in a beautiful city.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Anne A.

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

Great location!

Papa Dux was clean and more charming than I thought it would be. The location was great for walking downtown and to the beach. Keep in mind, this is a downtown location so expect car/motorcycle noise. Debbie the Concierge was great. We had a wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mary W.

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

What a gem!

This property is in the heart of Santa Barbara with an easy walk to main street, beach, and harbor. It is beautifully appointed and maintained. We loved or time here!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020
Verified review

8/10 Good

Martin P.

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

Cozy Nest

Walk the town from this cozy tree house. Quiet and comfortable. Nice to have a parking space.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Betsey B.

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

Lovely hideaway

The Papa Dux property is a wonderful space to sit above the hustle of the town. The deck provides a view of the mountains and. a lovely fire feature for chilly nights. The apartment is clean and comfortable-even the pull out sofa. Caveat- if you are taller than 5'8", you need to be aware of sloping ceilings.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marris B.

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

Papa Dux

The Dux is has a fun, eclectic vibe. The apartment is very conveniently located..restaurants, bakeries and cafes all within walking distance. Papa Dux has a cozy outdoor space with a fire pit which we made good use of. The kitchen was well equipped and the communication with the property manager was easy.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Dena F.

Wonderful!

My husband and I stayed at Papa Dux for our honeymoon. It could not have been better. The place is super cute just like the photos, and has everything you need. The location is amazing and within walking distance of everything. The hostess even went the extra mile and left us a bottle of champagne in the fridge to celebrate. We enjoyed our stay and plan to return for an anniversary in the future!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

Great Property close to everything!!

We had a great stay in Papa Dux, this is a lovely apartment very central to both State Street and the beach. The apartment is very well equipped and very much felt like a home from home rather than a holiday rental. It had nice little extras like bottled water in the fridge for us, a fresh bag of coffee and even detergent for the brilliant washing machine. The off street parking was another great feature and once we parked we didn't need the car again during our stay. We would definitely recommend this property to anybody looking for a great stay in the Santa Barbara area.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Location, location, location

Lovely apartment, better than advertised, great value. One block from State St, shops, restaurants, 4 blocks from ocean made the lack of car a non issue. Laura was close by offering any help but we didn't have any problems at all. Inga's tips & 'how to' notes were valuable. Would highly recommend this property. Thank you !
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia F.

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

Delightful property

From booking to checkout, our experience with Papa Dux was excellent. I was a little concerned that the listing said it has a half-bath and checked before going with the property manager, Laura to confirm there is indeed a nice shower. The house and property are charming and well-maintained, with a pleasing blend of clean and eclectic furnishings. We parked our car on site and walked everywhere. Great location. Looking forward to returning soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Lynn H.

A lovely stay

Papa Dux is a terrific VRBO, 1-bedroom apartment, in a downtown location. Easy walk to State St and the "Funk Zone". The kitchen is a good size, with appropriate utensils for those who want to cook at home. The bed is comfortable, good shower, off-street parking is a plus. There is a nice washer and dryer (full size) for your personal use. There is a long staircase to get up into the apartment, which was fine for us,, but could be an issue for some. Laura, the manager, lives in SB and is very responsive to any questions or issues. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 21 nights in Jan 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Billie K.

Perfect Santa Barbara Get-A-Way

My husband and I frequently visit Santa Barbara for our special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). We've stayed at several different hotels over the years. The Papa Dux apartment will now be our regular place to stay. It was extremely cozy and comfortable. We brought food in for breakfasts and enjoyed lounging on the couch in the morning while drinking our coffee. The location of the apartment couldn't be more perfect. We walked everywhere as State Street was only one block away and the beach/pier was about a 10 minute stroll. Restaurants, shopping, pubs are all within walking distance. The apartment even has a washer and dryer which came in handy. We are all ready planning our next visit and hope we are able to book Papa Dux. Thank you Laura and Inga for maintaining such a lovely, cozy and inviting place for us to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2016
Archival

8/10 Good

Deborah A.

Great Location, nice outside space

We loved Papa Dux. It is the attic space in this cute house. There is an off street parking space included with the apartment. We experienced great communication with the owner and manager. It has a bedroom, bath, full kitchen couch, and giant TV with lots of channels. The best part is the outdoor space, a porch with a couple chairs, grill and a wonderful gas fire pit, nice little view of the mountains. The only problem I would see here, is if you were really tall. The ceilings slope in the shower and kitchen. It was perfect for us as none of us are over 5" 8". There are bikes that you can use, and that was a nice plus. The location is great also, one block from the Main Street in town, State. Also was walking distance to the Funk Zone with lots of great wine tasting and restaurants. There were 3 of us and we needed another bed, that was the most comfortable high blowup bed I have ever slept on. It fit nicely next to the dining table. The apartment was clean and comfy for 3. Wouldn't hesitate to book this place for your Santa Barbara getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2016
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dean P.

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

Great location. Lovely apartment

Really enjoyed this place. It was perfect for three — my sister and her husband in the bedroom and myself in the comfortable sofa bed. Well stocked kitchen and very nice balcony. Would definitely stay again. The location was great. Close to the Funk Zone, State Street, the Presidio area and the beach.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dave H.

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

Wonderful spot in the heart of Santa Barbara!

Wonderful weekend getaway spot in Santa Barbara that my wife and I enjoyed for the weekend! Highly-recommend the area and the Urban Wine Trail! The hosts were terrific and the place was perfect with a fire pit outside for wine and a Mountain View and bikes for enjoying SB! Thank you!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

chuck m.

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

Location is fantastic, best in SB!

We were able to walk to beach for fireworks and State St for food and drink. The bikes were great and we used them several times! AC worked great! We loved the unit and views from the deck were fantastic!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lana U.

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

Perfect location, view, clean

Great location. Walk to coffee shops, restaurants, art museum. Lovely view. Clean. Comfortable. Updated amenities. Easy check in. Responsive, helpful manager.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jeff M.

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

Thank you

Great property, good location. Bikes need some work (seats and locks), but other than that everything was great. Good communication and easy check in.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wendy W.

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

Great

Great
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021