Andeesue

Any tips for a pleasant, moderately priced hotel within walking distance of Amtrak and downtown? We've stayed at the Hotel Virginia, but it is booked already for Oct. Will only be there one night before renting a vehicle and hitting the wineries in Santa Ynez and Paso. Thanks for your help!

lforsyth

Check out the Fodor's site on Santa Barbara and look for hotels on lower State Street or Cabrillo Blvd. (which parallels the beach). When you go wine country-ing, check out the town of Los Olivos, just up the road from Santa Ynez. More tourist-y than it used to be (where isn't?), but there is a wine shop which features wines from a number of local wineries too small to have their own tasting rooms. It's a bargain. Los Olivos also has several high end Western art galleries, if the at pleases you. Try driving over the San Marcos Pass (Hwy. 154) on one leg of your trip - it's beautiful and affords stunning views of the islands.

joesorce

www.masonbeachinn.com

bluefan

I think the 2 best options per your requirements would be the charming Hotel Santa Barbara (on State Street) or the Fess Parker Doubletree (at the coast). If you decide to get a vehicle once you arrive, then I would also rec the following historic yet moderately-priced hotels: El Encanto and Chaplin's Montecito Inn.

wondering

you can walk to west beach inn. it is small and very nice with beautiful grounds, happy hour, breakfast buffet and half the price of fess parker..also there is a little electric bus going up and down state street if you have little luggage.

Andeesue

Thanks for all the suggestions. Turns out that a one-night Sat. stay is difficult to come by in the downtown area. Looks like we'll have to get our rental vehicle one day early and drive farther out... darn, was trying to stay in the middle of things. Will have to rethink this one.