Photos: Santa Barbara hotels
BRISAS DEL MAR, INN AT THE BEACH
223 Castillo St., 93101; (800) 468-1988 or (805) 966-2219; www.brisasdelmarinn.com
This hotel has probably never looked better. In a 2003 renovation of this 1958 complex (formerly the Tropicana Inn & Suites), the owners gave the place a pleasant “modmed” feel -- sleekly modern, yet Mediterranean enough to sport the requisite Santa Barbara red-tile roofing and Spanish colonial flourishes. (Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
Inside, youll find upscale Mission and French Country furniture, linens and wallpaper. (The owners also run four other local hotels.) Kids are welcome, and the smallish pool is good for splashing, less so for laps. (Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
PRESIDIO MOTEL 1620 State St.; (805) 963-1355, www.thepresidiomotel.com
The price is right at this hipster-motel-in-the-making on the northern end of State Street. Its not a luxury hotel, but its more than you would expect for midweek rates that start at $69. And the staff is friendly too. (Jane Engle / Los Angeles Times)
Most of the 16 rooms at the Presidio have new tile baths and mod, minimalist furniture. The rest, although plainly furnished, sport nice touches such as artsy photos and, in upstairs rooms, hand-crafted origami mobiles, left. (Jane Engle / Los Angeles Times)
THE INN AT EAST BEACH 1029 Orilla del Mar; (800) 575-5667 or (805) 965-0546; www.innateastbeach.com.
The Inn at East Beach is neatly laid out on multiple levels around a small swimming pool. It’s one block back from beautiful East Beach and a trolley stop and across a public ball field from the Santa Barbara Zoo. (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)
The 34 rooms and suites at the Inn at East Beach are strikingly large with high ceilings, louvered windows and a collection of cheerful, original Haitian art; some have partial ocean views. (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)
MOTEL 6 SANTA BARBARA-BEACH NO. 1 443 Corona Ddel Mar, 93103; (805) 564-1392, www.motel6.com
This is the mother lode of the Motel 6 chain: the very first one started in 1962 by building contractors Paul Greene and William Becker, who charged just $6 per person per night. Great location for family or single travelers, as youre just two blocks off East Beach. (Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)
BATH STREET INN 1720 Bath St., 93101; (805) 682-9680 or (toll-free in California) (800) 549-2284, www.bathstreetinn.com
Those who break out in a rash at the words bed and breakfast can put away the cortisone cream. Staying at this B&B feels more like coming home to visit your Aunt Alice if her taste and culinary skills were excellent and her only desire were to help you relax. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times)
This 1890s Bath Street Inn has eight rooms (a Times reporter stayed in the Partridge Room, left, which felt like a cocoon) and the newer back house has four more, each done in period decor but not even remotely pushing the edge of cute. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times)
CABRILLO INN 931 E. Cabrillo Blvd.; (800) 648-6708, www.cabrillo-inn.com.
This place offers a great location at a decent price (provided you dont choose the pricey ocean-view suite). Its a few blocks from East Beach and a short drive (or longish walk) to Butterfly Beach. (Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)
EAGLE INN
232 Natoma Ave.; (805) 965-3586, www.theeagleinn.com
Distinguished 1930 building (nice Moorish arch over the entrance) on a quiet corner two blocks from the beach. Walking distance to State Street, train station and Stearns Wharf. (Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
EL PRADO INN 1601 State St.; (800) 669-8979, www.elprado.com
The traditional-style El Prado Inn wraps around an outdoor pool and courtyard. The family-run hotel offers free parking. (Jane Engle / Los Angeles Times)
The El Prado Inn has 68 rooms, all with TV, air conditioning, phone, small fridge, coffee maker, shower or tub-shower combo, and Mission-style furniture. There’s an outdoor pool with courtyard, and you get a free continental breakfast. (Jane Engle / Los Angeles Times)
FRANCISCAN INN 109 Bath St.; (805) 963-8845, www.franciscaninn.com
This family-owned motel, once a Spanish-style ranch house, is one block from the beach in a quiet residential area. The attractively landscaped property, which has 53 rooms and suites, has a nice list of amenities, including freshly baked cookies daily, an on-site laundry and a hearty complimentary breakfast with croissants and muffins. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times)
The Franciscan Inn also has a heated pool and hot tub, VCRs and free video library, free parking, hot beverage bar in the lobby and free wireless Internet access. It has a quiet location one block from the marina and Santa Barbara Yacht Harbor. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times)
HOTEL STATE STREET 121 State St.; (805) 966-6586, www.hotelstatestreet.net
This is a no-frills budget hotel with a terrific location: just steps from the train station, a block from Stearns Wharf and two blocks from the bar-and-restaurant scene on State Street. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times)
OLD YACHT CLUB INN
431 Corona del Mar Drive; (805) 962-1277, www.oldyachtclubinn.com
This shipshape B&B has 10 rooms, three suites (including one three-bedroom family suite for $479) and one cottage. The classic Craftsman-style main building was the temporary headquarters for the Santa Barbara Yacht Club in the 1920s. (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)
Rooms at the Old Yacht Club Inn are pretty with antiques and nautical memorabilia; some have fireplaces, private decks and whirlpool tubs. (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)
VILLA ROSA INN 15 Chapala St.; (805) 966-0851, www.villarosainnsb.com
Fewer than 100 steps from the beach, with an inviting lobby fireplace, this inn is within walking distance of State Street, the train station and Stearns Wharf. (Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
The 18-room Villa Rosa Inn serves continental breakfast and evening hors doeuvres, with wine, port or sherry included. It also has a pool and whirlpool. (Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
