We are looking for a place at the beach in Santa Barbara in the summer for under $300 night. Any suggestions?

Fesss Parker is across from the beach, nice location.

If you're looking for cheap and near the beach try the motel6.

Amtrak will give a 20% discount on the fare if you come to Santa Barbara on the train. http://www.santabarbaracarfree.org/
You may find a link to lodging on that website as well.

OCdogsmom:
The charming Montecito Inn is not on the beach, but it's an easy walk to the uncrowded, beautiful beach at the elegant Biltmore Hotel. We've stayed at the Inn many times since our grandchildren were students at nearby Crane School. It's historic, since Charlie Chaplin was involved at one time. Probably making it with one of the staff...what the heck Charlie Sheehan, Charlie Chaplin!
It's rates are under $200 and the pretty village of Montecito is very cordial with several very good restaurants. My daughter lives en route to he Biltmore.
stu tower

We really liked the Fess Parker Doubletree resort.

OCdogsmom:

Here is the web site for Montecito Inn....just over $200..we usually got rooms on a discount from the school at about $160-180. You'll love it.

stu

http://www.montecitoinn.com/

Hotel Mar Monte is along the beach around $300/night

We're locals. So as a disclaimer I'll tell you the only hotels I've ever stayed at in Santa Barbara are the DoubleTree before I moved here and the Four Seasons on our wedding night. But in a former job I was putting out of town clients up all the time so I have a pretty good feel for the hotels on the waterfront.

I have sort of a personal bias against big, corporate feeeling hotels. So while the DoubleTree has a lot to offer that would not be my choice. Mar Monte is nice but a bit dated. Although the location is great. East Beach right across the street, and no matter where you stay you must go for breakfast and get pancakes at East Beach Grill.

At the opposite end of the waterfront check out Oceana. Rooms have a fresh, modern feel. I think were to visit and want to be on the water this is where I'd stay.

Check out our post on FamilyTrek.org about 51 things we love about Santa Barbara. Not everything on the list applies to tourists, but a lot does. Do what the locals do! http://bit.ly/ihwpeA

Not on the beach, but we are just back from SB and absolutely loved the Inn of the Spanish Garden.

I'm making plans to visit California in June arr. into Monterey, then train to Santa Barbara, return flight from SFO. Have been warned about getting hotel bookings early as possible. I am senior, active and looking for hotel that is close enough to walk along beach and near the shuttle so I enjoy Santa Barbara for about 4 days. I just tried the website for Montecito but calendar for June 2012 is shown as fully booked. I need help finding a hotel/inn that is in a safe location and reasonably priced. Just need a clean, comfortable room in hotel that is secure. Many thanks.

Call the Montecito. It may be that their website isn't set up to accept reservations that far in advance. Your dates may also coincide with commencement at UC Santa Barbara, in which case blocks of rooms may already be booked but could be partially released later.

http://www.ia.ucsb.edu/commencement/