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 centered 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 realized.
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. I’ve got it all in hand with my round-up of the best budget hotels and hostels in Santa Barbara.
So get ready to hit the beach, because I’ve got your accommodation sorted!
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Best Hostels and Budget Stays in Santa Barbara
Yes, Santa Barbara hotels can be expensive, but these iconic stays will give you all the comfort you need without breaking the bank!
ITH Santa Barbara Beach Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Santa Barbara
- Dorm (mixed): From $62
- Private Room: From $158
- Address: 134 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, USA
This place really is the best overall hostel in Santa Barbara, there’s a super nice outdoor area, daily social events, and the rooms are really chic and trendy. It’s the ultimate Santa Barbara Beach Hostel to add to your California trip. You’ll be super stoked that you picked it: there’s no end of fun activities to do nearby and the staff are really helpful.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Movie and music nights
- Shared supper nights
- Next to the beach
A tennis table and sun beds are out in the yard, and the kitchen is literally modern AF and state of the art. The shared kitchen and workspace both have plenty of natural light for all my fellow digital nomads out there, and it’s within walking distance from the beach.
Choose from a twin private room, an 8-10 bed mixed dorm, or a 10-bed female dorm (love those!) The location couldn’t be more perfect and the pancake breakfast? Make sure you don’t miss it!
Motel 6 State Street – Cheapest Place to Stay in Santa Barbara
- Private Room: From $103
- Address: 3505 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Okay, okay, this isn’t a hostel (there aren’t many here), but it’s the cheapest budget stay in Santa Barbara by a mile. And it’s not far from the best things to do in town! Despite being a pretty basic roadside motel, you will find an amazing pool to cool off in and clean, private rooms.
Why you’ll love this motel:
- The POOL <3
- You can bring your pets!
- Free parking
Located on State Street (hence the name), you’ll be a short car ride away from the city center, and the ability to swim makes up for not being directly near the beach. You can choose between a room with a single double bed, or if you’re traveling with a squad, get a quadruple with room for up to four.
While the rooms themselves are small, the cleaning services are spectacular, and the beds are actually comfy. It’s certainly not the fanciest spot in town, but I promise you it’s cheap and private!
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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!More Budget Stays in Santa Barbara
Sometimes a city doesn’t have a whole load of hostels, but they do have a whole host of budget accommodation choices with a touch of a hostel atmosphere about them. A Southern California road trip really doesn’t have to break the bank.
Let’s get into them:
Orange Tree Inn
- Private Room: From $139
- Address: 1920 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
The perfect choice for a 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 the best beaches and attractions from around from here. If you’re on a road trip, there’s free on-site parking for your car which is really quite handy, especially if you’re on a West Coast road trip with a big vehicle.
Motel 6 Beach
- Private Room: From $143
- Address: 443 Corona Del Mar, East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
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 I think is pretty fun. As cheap as it is,
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.
Cabrillo Inn at the Beach
- Private Room: From $124
- Address: 931 East Cabrillo Boulevard, East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
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 (and heated) outdoor pool. So you can spend some time lingering around, or take a stroll to one of the many beaches. I mean, East Beach is quite literally right across the street!
There’s a lot else to do nearby. And with free on-site parking, if you’re traveling by car, it’s simple to get around the city from here.
The Presidio
- Private Room: From $125
- Address: 1620 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Located just a 6 minutes drive away from Starns Wharf, this cute and affordable place to stay in Santa Barbara should definitely be on your shortlist. The rooms are cute and have a modern boho design, and there’s even a sundeck complete with sun beds.
A 42-inch flat-screen TV is provided in every single room, each with access to HBO channels. It sits at just about the lowest average price you’ll find in this expensive city, and also offers free parking and bicycle rentals.
Sandpiper Lodge
- Private Room: From $134
- Address: 3525 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
What I loved most about this epic little lodge was that it not only has an outdoor pool, but also a jacuzzi! Talk about luxury for less. While it’s not exactly at a traditional budget backpacking price point, it is a lot cheaper than most Santa Barbara hotels.
You’ll also find a gym, sun beds, and a free continental breakfast, all not too far from the city center. A fridge and coffee maker are provided in each room, and ample parking spaces are available!
Agave Inn
- Private Room: From $140
- Address: 3222 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
This perfectly decorated Santa Barbara hotel just might have my favorite decor on the list. It’s fully Mexican-inspired, which means bright colors and lots of natural light pouring in.
Each room has a flat-screen TV with cable, and a mini fridge to keep those leftovers ready for the next day. West Beach is just an eight-minute drive away, and East Beach is only a tiny bit further. It’s also one of the closest budget stays to the Santa Barbara Airport.
Inn at East Beach
- Private Room: From $200
- Address: 1029 Orilla Del Mar, East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
You know a hotel has to be amazing if it’s just a TWO-minute walk to East 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 traveling in a group.
Oasis Inn and Suites
- Private Room: From $99
- Address: 3344 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
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 travelers 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.
Moxy Santa Barbara
- Private Room: From $278
- Address: 12 East Montecito Street, West Beach, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Traveling 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 affordable stay in Santa Barbara, it may not be as cheap as the rest of the options but it still is pretty affordable by SoCal standards. It’s situated so close to the beach that you can hear the sea from your room.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Santa Barbara
Good travel insurance is a must when hitting the road, especially when that road is in the very expensive USA!
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.
FAQ about Hostels in Santa Barbara
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Santa Barbara.
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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
How much does a hostel cost in Santa Barbara?
You can get a Dorm bed for $50 and a Private room starts at $100.
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 mid-range accommodation that’s only an 11-minute drive from the airport.
Final Thoughts on Santa Barbara’s Hostels
By now I hope my epic guide to the best hostels in Santa Barbara has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure! While there aren’t very many hostels in this SoCal city, there is the incredible ITH Santa Barbara Beach Hostel that will tick all your backpacker boxes.
And beyond that, you’ll find a whole load of budget hotels that won’t break the bank. I know this part of Calfornia (and the world) can be prohibitively expensive, but I think you’ve now seen that there are in fact ways around that 🙂
Now go ahead, finalize that trip, and get yourself booked in at one of the best budget stays in Santa Barbara. The very cheeky combo of mountains and ocean awaits!
- 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.
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