Going there for our OD college orientation. We will be staying one night on campus (UCSB) but second night will be on our own. Something rather close to the University, but we can drive a bit too. It will be at the end of June, night on our own a Sunday, so very worried about prices. It is a resort town and can be very expensive is my understanding.

Any help with cheap or reasonable lodging for one night? thanks

Hi Heavens, oh gads, Santa Barbara and area is so expensive. But, my stepdaughter will be calling me this weekend. She lives down there. In fact she is a graduate of UCSB. I will ask her and see what she can suggest and I will post the info back here on your thread.

Heavens, Our son graduated from UCSB some years ago, and we stayed in many places in SB over the years. I think for orientation we stayed a couple miles from campus at The South Coast Inn in Goleta. It is a Best Western property. Sunday should be less expensive than a Fri. & Sat.

PS: When your OD begins her senior year, make your hotel reservations for the following spring graduation, that far in advance!

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...21&disablenav=
8-)

Thanks, I will check out these ideas. We are so excited about the univerisity. It was her first choice. But I feel like H and I are really going to have to get smart about the area so that it doesn't cost us an arm and a leg when we go and visit her. Ya know?

Any other tips about the town would be greatly appreciated.

Last Sept. I got great advice from this site to stay at Holiday Inn Express Carpinteria (not sure how far from UCSB, but it was about a 15min drive to downtown SB.) Our rate was $55/night using Entertainment Book code online booking and that included a yummy continental breakfast. If you click on my screen name and scroll down all my postings to "Santa Barbara and Vicinity" you will see all the responses to your question that I asked last fall...

Another place we enjoyed over the years is the small Villa Rosa Inn in SB, but they have a two night min. Fri. & Sat. It is steps from the ocean and close to Sterns Wharf and restaurants.

http://www.villarosainnsb.com/html/home.html

Not sure what direction you are coming from, but Carpinteria would be a half hour south of UCSB campus. Of course at Graduation people are staying in Santa Maria, Solvang, and Ventura as well.
8-)

We live in the Palm Springs area. Checked out the hotel web sites and they both look like they might work. No info as to how close to the campus though. I am not familiar with the layout of the town yet. Thanks for info.

AZWildcat...that deal in Carpinteria has doubled in price this year, some of us are gonna have to stop "broadcasting" these finds on Fodors if we want to keep the places from becoming too popular!

Heavens....check the Orange Tree Inn or the Lemon Tree Inn in SB, the Days Inn is sometimes affordable too, and nice location close to the beach. There are a number of decent choices on Upper State Street including Sandman Inn, El Prado Inn and a Travelodge or two. If you're going to be staying up there often, invest in a membership at entertainment.com because you'll save $20 to $40 a night on your rooms. Discount not usually available in SB on Fri and Sat however.

Also, check for coupons at roomsaver.com

There used to be a nice place on the north side of town called Cathedral Inn. I believe it has been bought out by a chain but when we stayed there a few years ago, it seemed independently owned and while not cheap, was a bargain for that area.

Just booked the Sandman after reading very nice reviews about it on tripadvisor.com. So, will let you know how it is.

Since we will probably up there a few times a year to visit, we are only six hours away driving, or can even take the train, will get up there now and then. Being aware of where to stay is going to be helpful. There is such a huge range of rates. Thanks again for suggestions. Any additional will be appreciated...

Heavens, just an FYI, UCSB is not located in SB city, but about 10 miles north of there in Goleta/Isla Vista. That is why I gave the info for South Coast Inn in Goleta, as you wanted to be close to campus for this visit. However, it is more fun to stay in SB with the beach, restaurants and activities to choose from.
8-)