The coastal Californian city of Santa Barbara is all about good times, chilled out days and beautiful scenery. Quaint Mediterranean style architecture, chic boutique shops and amazing restaurants are all centred around a stunning beach – and let’s not forget the incredible local wine. There’s more to love about Santa Barbara than you may have realised.
But with so many different things to do in town, from watersports to wine tasting, how can you know where the best place to stay is?
It’s ok, chill out. We’ve got it all in hand with our round-up of the best hostels in Santa Barbara – with a handful of the best budget hotels thrown in too.
So get ready to hit the beach, because we’ve got your accommodation sorted.
Best Hostels in Santa Barbara
The Wayfarer – Overall Best Hostel in Santa Barbara
This place really is the best overall hostel in Snata Barbara, there’s a super nice outdoor pool to hang out in and the rooms are really chic and trendy. You’ll be super stoked that you picked this place: there’s no end of fun activities to do near by and the staff are really helpful. This is one of the coolest hostels in Santa Barbara, it’s literally so nice that it’s almost like a boutique hotel.
The Wayfarer is one of our favourites in Santa Barbara but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
IHSP Santa Barbara – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Santa Barbara
Travelling solo ain’t always easy, it has its ups and down, but stay at this hostel and you are guaranteed to have the best time. A top hostel in Santa Barbara, there’s a fun and friendly atmosphere which is perfect for meeting other travellers. It’s situated so close to the beach that you can hear the sea from your bunk, and in the morning after a good night’s sleep – plus they supply you with all you can eat pancakes. Winner!
IHSP Santa Barbara is one of our favourites in Santa Barbara but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Budget Hotels in Santa Barbara
Sometimes a city doesn’t have a whole load of hostels, but what they do have is a whole host of budget accommodation choices that have a touch of a hostel atmosphere about them. Check out our list of the best budget hotels in Santa Barbara to see if you can find the best place to stay for you.
Orange Tree Inn
The perfect choice for a really cheap place to stay, this is one of the best budget hotels in Santa Barbara. For a reasonable room rate, you get to enjoy big rooms and a chilled outdoor pool area, which is really refreshing in the hot weather.
The location is safe and it’s easy to get to Santa Barbara’s main attractions around from here. If you’re on a road trip, there’s free on-site parking for your car which is really quite handy.
Sunset Motel
This top budget hotel in Santa Barbara is like one of those classic motels you see in the movies ALL the time. Staying here would feel like you’re living out a film in real life, which we think is pretty fun.
The rooms are actually really nice and clean – none of that shabbiness you might expect from a motel. There’s even a free breakfast, which is all about the refillable coffee and piles of American pancakes. Yummmm.
Quality Inn
When you think about budget accommodation, you might not think about it having a swimming pool but this top budget hotel in Santa Barbara has a super nice outdoor pool. So you can spend some time lingering around the pool, or take a stroll to one of the many beaches.
There’s a lot else to do nearby. And with free on-site parking, if you’re travelling by car, it’s simple to get around the city from here. The rooms are quality, as the name would suggest, if a little dated.
Inn at East Beach
You know a hotel has to be amazing if it’s just a TWO-minute walk to the beach. One of the best budget hotels in Santa Barbara, this hotel has a touch of class about it. The hotel itself might be a little old but it has been well maintained and looked after by the friendly staff. You can choose from different room types to suit your travel needs, which is especially good if you’re travelling in a group.
Oasis Inn and Suites
There isn’t much you can’t like about this place for what you get for the money. Staying here is like staying in a big villa with a pool, except you’re sharing with some other fun travellers too. Ok, it might not be the most glamorous place to stay in town, but it is totally one of the best budget hotels in Santa Barbara. It’s really fun to just laze around the pool, you know? And there’s a tasty free breakfast to set you up for the day.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Santa Barbara Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Santa Barbara
Did you find the best hostel in Santa Barbara for you? There aren’t too many hostels to choose from, but what’s on offer is really cool and could suit a lot of different traveller’s needs.
And if hostels aren’t you’re thing, you can always go for one of the best budget hotels in Santa Barbara with their outdoor pools and free breakfasts.
If you’re still having a hard time making a decision about where to stay, don’t you worry – just go for our best overall hostel in Santa Barbara – The Wayfarer – and have the best trip ever!
FAQ about Hostels in Santa Barbara
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Santa Barbara.
How much does a hostel cost in Santa Barbara?
You can get a Dorm bed for $61 and a Private room starts at $153.
What are the best hostels in Santa Barbara for couples?
ITH Santa Barbara Beach Hostel is an ideal hostel for couples in Santa Barbara. It’s close to the train station and near the beach.
What are the best hostels in Santa Barbara near the airport?
Since there aren’t any hostels in Santa Barbara that are particularly close to the airport, the nearest is Oasis Inn and Suites, a budget accommodation that is an 11-minute drive from the airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Santa Barbara
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in USA and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Santa Barbara.
Planning an epic trip all across USA or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
- Best hostels in San Diego
- Best hostels in Los Angeles
- Best hostels in Santa Cruz
- Best hostels in Las Vegas
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Santa Barbara has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in California for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Santa Barbara before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for USA to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate USA backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
