Cheap Hotels in Santa Barbara

While some might think of Santa Barbara as just another suburb-like city of the sprawling Los Angeles, it could not be more different from that giant Southern California city. It is a pretty and laid back coastal town with nice beaches and great shops and restaurants, so it is easy to see why it is so popular with people who get fed up with LA’s smog and crowds. But even if it is popular as a weekend getaway among LA’s rich and famous, it is not all about the upper crust – there are cheap hotels in Santa Barbara, too.

Now, the kinds of cheap hotels in Santa Barbara that you will find are things like Motel 6 properties, some other budget chains, and smaller family-run hotels. You will not, however, find the super cheap kinds of “dives” you sometimes find in other cities. This is good because you do not have to worry that the cheap hotel you just booked will turn out to be awful – but it also means that even these cheap hotels may not be as cheap as some of the hotels in other places.

Even though Santa Barbara is small enough to navigate most of the attractions on foot, you may want to hop on the bus or even rent a bicycle for part of your trip. The bus system is great here, and the temperate climate makes biking really pleasant. In addition to the fantastic beaches, be sure to check out the city’s impressive collection of museums and galleries, including a museum holding an original stone copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Some of the cheap hotels in Santa Barbara that you should look at before your trip are Motel 6 Santa Barbara Beach (1 block from the beach, WiFi access available, outdoor pool, free morning coffee, kids stay free, pets allowed), Ramada Santa Barbara (right off Hwy 101, near Goleta & the airport, 126 rooms, free airport shuttle, all rooms feature either private balcony or patio, free WiFi & internet access, kids under 17 stay free, free deluxe continental breakfast, free parking, free access to nearby athletic club), Brisas Del Mar Inn at the Beach (2 blocks from the beach, 31 rooms, swimming pool, fitness center, deluxe continental breakfast, afternoon wine & cheese reception, evening milk & cookies, free WiFi access), Days Inn Santa Barbara (right off Hwy 101, 10 miles from airport, free parking, free breakfast), and Hotel Santa Barbara (in downtown Santa Barbara, walking distance from beaches, free continental breakfast, free WiFi access, on-site Starbucks).