Would like to stay in a small place for about a month in Santa Barbera. The month of January. Can any one help me?
Thank You Jim

It's spelled Santa Barbara. Sorry I can't be more help. Just be prepared to spend lots of money on a rental - even in January.

I'm green with envy. I'd love to do what you're doing. I have NO IDEA what to suggest though. My daughter attends college there so when I'm there, I sleep on her couch. Housing is expensive though. I wish you luck.
Phil

In Carpinteria, about 10 miles south of SB, there is a condo place on the beach, www.carpinteriashores.com

Also in Carp, the Eugenia Motel might give you a monthly rate.

Just north of SB there is an Extended Stay America location and those usually run about $250 per week.

Well, Carpinteria isn't Santa Barbara, but here's a website address for an apt that rents by the week. (never used this site...just thought I'd look some up for you)

http://www.choice1.com/seashell.html

What's your price range? I saw some nice ones, but at over $3000 a month, I didn't think it was reasonable! Santa Barbara isn't cheap though. If you don't have to stay in the heart of Santa Barbara, Isla Vista (where UCSB is) may have something cheaper, although it's filled with college kids. Even further north is Goleta, where it should be cheaper. As already mentioned, Carpinteria is to the south.

It's a pricey town! Too bad I didn't enjoy it to the hilt when I lived there.

Thank you all for this great information.
Jim Chicago

I went to school there and it's expensive because they have 3 big schools in town. Good luck.

Actually, Isla Vista is probably more expensive. Yes, it's 99% college students but they get horrendous rents there by renting a home to say 6 students...each paying $500+ a month for a shack. OK, granted it may be a shack on the Pacific Ocean but they rip those kids off. Been there ('89) done that! Bruce

Santa Barbara is so nice and I'd love to be there myself. I would stay away from Isla Vista though. Although it is a well acclaimed school with high standards for admission, it is also quite a party school, with people and bicycles in the streets at all hours of the night. It is suppose to have the highest concentration of people west of the Mississippi...really, I did read this! Santa Barbara though is heaven in my book! Gloria

I do remember I saw some cheap apartments in Isla Vista...but they were shacks! Shanties! So the posters are right..there probably is a rip off factor involved.

I lived in the La Cumbre area of town. Pretty quiet, residential area.

Don't ignore Carpenteria, it's one of the coolest small towns left in Calif! It's about 10 Mi. South of SB on a great beach. Expect the weather in Jan. to be cool and occasionally rainy with some mild sunny days.

It all depends on what you're looking for and what you can afford. Are you looking for a quiet place to relax or just somewhere to sleep while you explore the city? Do you have skills with which to barter for rent (carpentry, gardening, house painting, house-sitting, etc)? Do you want your own place or would it work for you to rent a room in a home?

I'd recommend you pick up the Sunday real estate section of the Santa Barbara News-Press and read through the rental section. You might also consider running a "house/apt. wanted to rent" ad. The Santa Barbara Independent weekly newspaper also has rental postings.

Several of the realty companies have rental divisions and property management companies can also do some checking for you, although they tend to be more expensive than private parties.

Carpinteria is only a 10 minute drive from downtown and it's a sweet little community. Isla Vista is adjacent to UCSB and primarily a student community. If you want to be next to the university and live among students, this would be a good choice. But it's very, very crowded and rentals, if at all available, are not inexpensive.

January is a great time to be here. I hope you're able to find something that works for you.

Hi Jim:

You may check out this site for monthly rentals in the Ventura/Oxnard area. There are many that are near or on the ocean and you are still in close proximity to Santa Barbara.
http://www.condohouse.com/rentals.html