Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [322]
Budget
CAMPING
You won’t find a campground anywhere near downtown, but about 17 miles and 20 miles west of town, respectively, right on the beach off Hwy 101, are El Capitan State Beach and Refugio State Beach (both 805-968-1033, reservations 800-444-7275; www.parks.ca.gov, www.reserveamerica.com; campsites Mar-Nov/Dec-Feb $25/20;). Refugio is a popular surf spot and student hangout, while El Capitan, perched on low bluffs, is more popular with families. Amenities include flush toilets, hot showers, picnic tables and barbecues. There’s also camping in the Los Padres National Forest and at Cachuma LakeClick here. Parking costs $8.
HOSTELS
Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel (Map; 805-963-0154; www.sbhostel.com; 134 Chapala St; dm $29, r $89-95; reception 8:15am-12:30pm & 3:45pm-midnight; wi-fi) Traveling strangers, evening trains and a rowdy brewhouse only steps from your door – it’s either the perfect country song or the Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel, a low-slung bungalow right next to the train station (bring earplugs). This raucous little hostel skews young but with a kitchen, a pool table, lockers, a laundry and a book exchange, the price is right for anyone looking for inclusive lodging and the chance to make new friends. You can rent in-line skates, bikes and boogie boards. You need proof that you’re a traveler to stay here.
MOTELS & HOTELS
For a cheap room on a busy weekend, you may have to drive north on Hwy 101 toward Santa Maria or south to Carpinteria, where you’ll find properly low rates for plain motel rooms.
Hotel State Street (Map; 805-966-6586; 121 State St; r $85-135; wi-fi) This off-beat hotel is the cheapest place in downtown, excluding the hostel. Pros: friendly staff, clean rooms, and the beach is two blocks away. Cons: noise from trains (Amtrak station is next door) and shared bathrooms. If earplugs and walking to the shower are no biggie to you, then you’ll be perfectly fine. Note that bathroom sharing here isn’t college dorm – style; it’s European-style – you have privacy, just shut the door and lock it.
El Prado Inn (Map; 805-966-0807, 800-669-8979; www.elprado.com; 1601 State St; r $100-210; ) Just north of downtown, about a mile from the beach, El Prado has better-than-average, clean motel rooms with attractive furnishings, and landscaping surrounding the large heated pool. Cool oversized aerial photo of Santa Barbara in the lobby. Good value; ask about specials.
The very first Motel 6 to ‘leave the light on for you,’ Motel 6 Santa Barbara (Map; 805-564-1392, 800-466-8356; www.motel6.com; 443 Corona del Mar; s $110-140, d $116-146; ) no longer offers $6 rooms. Considering its proximity to the beach, it remains a bargain. Book as far in advance as possible; it fills up nightly. For better rates and a higher likelihood of availability try Motel 6 Carpinteria North ( 805-684-6921, 800-466-8356; 4200 Via Real; ), 10 miles south just off Interstate 101. Recorded wake-up calls are from the chain’s folksy founder, Tom Burdett.
Midrange
Secret Garden Inn & Cottages (Map; 805-687-2300; www.secretgarden.com; 1908 Bath St; r $135-255; ) Tucked behind a high hedgerow in a residential neighborhood, the Secret Garden Inn has cottage rooms decorated with a down-to-earth mishmash of folksy, country-style furnishings. The cheapest rooms are in the main house; all others have private entrances. Look out for the commemorative Charles-and-Diana tea tin in the dining room. One of a few B&Bs good for kids and dogs. Full breakfast is included. Most rooms have an air-con unit.
Franciscan Inn (Map; 805-963-8845; www.franciscaninn.com; 109 Bath St; r $140-185, with kitchen $185-295; wi-fi) Bees will flee your bonnet as you settle into the relaxing, French-country charms of the Franciscan, a 53-room motel that’s about one block from the beach. Rooms differ in shape and decor