Motel 6 Santa Barbara Beach

Motel 6 Santa Barbara Beach is the budget answer on one of California's most expensive coastlines, and it comes with a story. This is the original Motel 6: the chain began here in Santa Barbara in 1962, when the founders set out to offer a clean room at a rock-bottom price (the six in the name referred to the original nightly rate in dollars), and the idea went on to cover the country. The property, now branded as a Motel 6 Classic, has been remodeled with a modern, fun take on a retro-sixties look, and the location is the real bargain: it sits in a quiet pocket of the East Beach neighborhood, only steps from the sand, the waterfront path and the volleyball courts, with the Santa Barbara Zoo, the harbor and Stearns Wharf all within about two miles. Rooms are compact and simple, with free Wi-Fi and smart TVs that let you mirror your own device. Do not expect a pool, a restaurant or extras; this is a place to sleep between beach days and nights out, and guests must be eighteen or older with photo ID. Parking is at the rear and can be tight, and recent reviews note that beds can be smaller than expected. Check-in is mid-afternoon and check-out late morning. For travelers on a budget, surfers, cyclists and anyone who would rather spend money on tasting rooms and whale watching than on a room, it is the best-located inexpensive bed in town.

The East Beach neighborhood is one of the best places in Santa Barbara to stay on a budget because it puts you near the free things the city does best: the beach, the bike path, the Sunday arts and crafts show along Cabrillo Boulevard, and sunsets at the end of Stearns Wharf. From here the zoo is a short walk, the Funk Zone's tasting rooms are about twenty minutes on foot, and rental bikes open up the whole waterfront from the harbor to Montecito.

Tips: book early for summer weekends and event dates, when even budget rooms in Santa Barbara climb sharply in price. Request a quieter room if you are a light sleeper, and if you are bringing a car, arrive early to secure one of the rear spaces. Since there is no breakfast on site, plan coffee at one of the cafes along the waterfront or in the Funk Zone. Keep valuables out of sight in your car, as you would anywhere near a busy beach.

Who should stay: budget travelers, solo visitors, beach-focused couples and road-trippers who want a clean, simple base with history and an unbeatable location for the price. Families wanting a pool or larger rooms should consider the Hilton across the neighborhood or The Milo in West Beach.