Santa Barbara Accommodations

Use this search box to quickly find the information you’re looking for.

Santa Barbara accommodations range from the most luxurious resorts to historic bed and breakfast inns, private vacation rentals, dog friendly motels, wine country hotels, and cheap hotels in Santa Barbara. Not to mention camping on the beach.

I frequently hear about great hotel deals and discounts. These offers usually don’t last long, so take advantage of them while you can. Here are today’s best hotel deals:

Quick & Easy Hotel Rate Comparison

If you already know approximately where you want to stay, and have a budget in mind, begin your search for Santa Barbara accommodations by clicking one the following links. (Each link opens in a new window.)

Plan on staying somewhere other than Santa Barbara County? Use this convenient search box to find the best hotel rates anywhere in the world.

Your Best Hotel Rate is Guaranteed!

Immediate results include all the best deals from Priceline.com, Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, and more than 30 other top travel sites.

Easily search by Country, State, City or Hotel Name. Results will open in a new window.

Hotel Chains

Choosing a name-brand hotel takes some of the guesswork out of finding a good place to stay. Name-brand hotels are trusted by many travelers to be a good value. You can count on the rates being fair and your room being clean and comfortable.

Hotel chains that have places to stay in Santa Barbara County include Motel 6, Best Western and Holiday Inn. There are also a few cheap hotel chains in Santa Barbara County.

Favorite Santa Barbara Accommodations

If you have no idea where to begin or have never been to Santa Barbara County before, here are a few local favorite Santa Barbara accommodations to help you decide where to stay:

Bed & Breakfast Retreats

If you love the Bed and Breakfast experience, you owe it to yourself to stay at Simpson House Inn at least once in your life.

Built in 1874, Simpson House Inn is a Landmark Victorian Inn nestled on an acre of English gardens.

This Santa Barbara accommodation is surrounded by a 30′ hedge, providing a sense of privacy and timelessness.

The Inn is within walking distance of historic downtown, just one block from State Street.

This is North America’s only 5-Diamond Bed & Breakfast, according to AAA. With a 90% approval rating from TripAdvisor travelers, you can’t go wrong. Make your online reservations at Simpson House Inn or call toll free 800-676-1280.

Another B&B in Santa Barbara is The Upham Hotel. Step back in time at this secluded retreat just 2-blocks away from State Street.

Built as a boarding house in 1871, The Upham Hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Southern California.

This historic hotel was built before Stearn’s Wharf (1872), and precedes the arrival of mule-powered street cars (1875), and even the railroad (1887).

Surrounded by a one-acre garden, this charming Victorian hotel combines the intimacy of a bed and breakfast with the convenience of a full-service hotel and conference facility.

TripAdvisor Travelers give this hotel an 82% approval rating. And AAA gives it 3 Diamonds. If you’re a AAA member, be sure to ask for your special rate.

The Upham Hotel also operates a charming bed and breakfast right across the street from the hotel. The Upham Hotel’s Country House is part of the Country House Inns, a chain of historic homes in resort areas.

Make your online reservations at The Upham Hotel and Country House, or call toll free: 800-999-5672 or locally: 805-963-2283.

Check TripAdvisor for a number of other Santa Barbara Bed & Breakfast Inns.

top of page

Private Vacation Rentals

Santa Barbara accommodations include many privately owned rooms, condos and houses for vacation rental. If you really want to have that “living in Santa Barbara” experience, I highly recommend you try staying in a California beach vacation rental.

Renting a house for an extended stay can be more economical than staying at a hotel. Especially if you’re traveling in a group of 4 or more. It’s easy to find a private vacation rental with a full kitchen. Plan some meals at home to save money and stretch your vacation budget. See some incredible vacation rentals in Santa Barbara.

Do you own a vacation rental property in Santa Barbara? List your vacation rental on TripAdvisor & reach 25 million+ travelers worldwide. Private vacation rentals offer more than just a place to sleep. Give a visitor the chance to explore a residential neighborhood they’d otherwise miss by staying in a hotel.

For more Santa Barbara vacation property rentals, visit my friends at Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals by Owners. They specialize in connecting property rental owners directly with travelers.

And the next time you’re on the East Coast, Martha’s Vineyard rentals will help you find your perfect vacation rental there.

top of page

Cheap Hotels in Santa Barbara

If you’re willing to stay in a dorm or group setting, you’ll meet young, adventurous international travelers at Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel.

These Santa Barbara accommodations are recommended for younger travelers who are willing to compromise.

This is a hostel, not a hotel. As one guest put it, “Not bad. Not great.”

Breakfast is free. The hostel is right across the tracks from Santa Barbara’s train station, just steps away from the ocean. A few blocks away, there are plenty of Santa Barbara wineries, restaurants and bars to keep you entertained.

Dorm rates are as low as $22 per night. That could mean sleeping 12 to a room. Private room rates range from $65-$109. If you want private quarters, check around first before you make your hostel reservations.

For just a few dollars more per night, you could stay at one of the cheap hotels in Santa Barbara County. But if you’re looking for the cheapest hotel by the beach, Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel has the lowest rates in the county.

top of page

Camping In Santa Barbara County

Beach camping is a one-of-a-kind experience. The sun, sand and sound of the surf are the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable vacation. Camping is also one of the most affordable Santa Barbara accommodations.

There are so many places to camp in Santa Barbara County, it’s impossible to pick the best place. In addition to the State and private beach campgrounds, there are several campgrounds in the Santa Ynez Valley. Two wilderness areas in Los Padres National Park are available for backcountry backpacking.

You can even camp out on the Channel Islands!

Reservations are required to guarantee a campsite in California. There are very few first-come-first-served campsites. And they’re almost always full. So plan your camping trip well in advance. At least 6 months ahead of time.

Today’s Featured Beach Campground

Of all the beach campsites in Santa Barbara County, Refugio State Beach is at the top of my list. It’s 20 miles west of Santa Barbara on Highway 101 at Refugio Road. Click here to download a Refugio campsite map.

Refugio has a good day-use area with parking lot access to the beach. You’ll see many locals here, surfing, scuba-diving and fishing. There’s also a 2.5-mile bike trail along the scenic south-facing bluff. The best oceanfront spots are #34, 35, 36, 60 & 61.

Ocean view from camp site #34

Be aware, this campground is very near train tracks and busy Highway 101. Trains come by all hours of the day and night. Bring earplugs!

For the current status of Refugio State Beach, please call (805) 968-1033. Follow this link to make your Refugio State Beach reservations online.

This website is the easiest way to find and reserve your perfect Santa Barbara accommodations. If you’re interested in finding the newest hotel deals and California Vacation packages, subscribe to our RSS feed.

top of page

Look At All Santa Barbara County Has To Offer:

Santa Barbara Restaurants

Santa Barbara Wine Tasting

Channel Islands National Park

Whale Watching In Santa Barbara

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Use this search box to find it.