Planning to attend a volleyball camp this summer with our daughter - will need to stay at a hotel near the UC campus - asking for suggestions - no need for expensive opulence

SB is pricey all summer long and you'll need to book soon. Check rates at TheGoodland.com, otherwise the Ramada is fine or the nearest Motel 6 is not too scary.

What is your actual budget? As Debbie says, SB is not a budget destination in summer.

https://www.kitp.ucsb.edu/visitors/b...sit/short-term

When DS was in UCSB and we went to visit, we stayed at the Sandyland in Carpenteria. https://www.yelp.com/biz/sandyland-reef-inn-carpinteria
It's not fancy but not bad for sleeping.
DS was living in 800 square feet of student housing with a wife, 2 kids and a dog which was not good.

Book now. Don't wait. This town, with its exorbitant rates and zillion hotels gets booked up.

I know from personal experience because last October I wouldn't pull the trigger on a weekend stay because the rates were so high and they just went higher. I ended up staying only one night for a ridiculous amount of money and am still kicking myself for it ! I know better.

Try some of the hotels on upper State like the Lemon Tree or the best Western on Bath Street or the Upham on dela Vina.

+1 for The Goodland

Go the VRBO route. If you search my user name, you will see my trip report for Santa Barbara. We stayed in an AWESOME apartment in SB for the same price or better than a hotel.

We have liked this little motel, which is just a block or so away from the marina:

http://www.sbcastilloinn.com/rooms.html

West beach inn, near Stearns Wharf, has some rooms with a second, smaller room with a twin bed. We stay there often and like it a lot.