If you are looking for a hotel near the beach in Santa Barbara, most people will recommend the Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort. It's a beautiful property. If you are feeling like spending a little more, there's the Four Seasons The Biltmore down the road in Montecito. Other properties include the Hotel Mar Monte (near Doubletree) and Bacara resort up in Goleta on Sandpiper golf course.

As for the busyness of the itinerary, it all sounds doable. Some days look busier than others, but if you don't dilly daddle on some of the visits, it looks doable, and more importantly, fun!