This website is so helpful! My husband and I are thinking about going to Santa Barbara for 4 or 5 days in early January. Any suggestions as to where to stay? I'd like to stay under 100-120 a night. Would it be better to stay in the Santa Ynez valley and then drive to SB/Solvang/wineries? We don't mind driving and we'll have a car.

Thanks in advance!

Even a B&B would do!

Check out pillowpoints.com for b&bs. Good luck.

Thanks Julie for the suggestion!

Anyone else?

Depends on your interests. I love to be near the beach so I can walk within a few blocks and dip my feet in the water--so no Santa Ynez for me. And also depends on luxury level or pampering you want for $120 dollars.

I usually stay somewhere inexpensive--Franciscan Inn, or one of the motels by lower State St close to the beach. Not posh, but usually clean and comfortable and close to bicycle rental place for nice beach bike. It is also close to the pier and you can ride or bus up to middle state st. (or walk) to where the shopping areas are located. I love Santa Barbara--used to have a grandmother that lived there.

Thanks Katie! We're just looking for a nice, quiet place..probably close to dining and activities (ie: biking, and definitely resting!)

I'm going to check out the Inn you mentioned. How far is Solvang from SB? 30 minutes or so? I went there when I was a little girl and loved it! Can't wait to go back!

Solvang is not far easily under an hour. There are some well known wineries out that way and there is a pretty drive over the mountains. Don't have exact directions--have not been in a while, but I know it is near the Montecito area that you catch the highway over the mountains. Montecito is nice too! A lot of the little motels also have amenities like wine and cheese in the evening.

Thanks again, Katie! We just booked 3 nights at Country Inn by the Sea. Supposedly, they have having a special on rooms right now. We booked a king room with a jacuzzi for 139 a night! It's a B&B with afternoon goodies, too!

I honestly didn't think I would find a B&B in our price range. I figured I would be willing to spend up to 150 for a B&B. I'm thrilled!

The reservation desk told me that Solvang is about 45 minutes to one hour from them. Does that sound right?

PS- I called the Franciscan Inn. They only had a room with 2 double beds or 1 queen bed available for our timeframe. However, it looks awfully nice on the internet.

Enjoy! Sounds like a nice place.....

Glad you found a place that sounds really nice--let us know when you get back, OK? Have a good trip.

Be careful when booking a room at the Franciscan Inn. Some of their rooms do not have airconditioning. So if you are going in a hot month or week, you want to check that out. It is a very nice place though. We were just there. The rooms are spacious and the pool and spa is nice.

Katie is confused, but this is an old thread. Anyways, Montecito is south of Santa Barbara off 101 whereas Solvang is north off of 246 which is accesible from 154, San Marcos Pass, or the 101, Buellton exit.

I would stay in SB and spend the day in the Santa Ynez for wineries after maybe the morning in Solvang. Byron is the best but also the farthest from Santa Barbara. Babcock, near Lompoc, has terrific whites. Foxen Canyon is also very good, but they are small and not open every day.

Check out the Upham Hotel in SB. I am putting together a trip for some friends which includes a visit to the Lotusland Gardens in Montecito and wine tasting. If you're going to SB, you might really enjoy Lotusland. You will need reservations in adavance. The garden has a website.