Cheap Hotel Near the Beach in Santa Barbara, CA

Pretty Franciscan Inn has Central Location but Room Rates are Budget

Aug 10, 2009

The Franciscan Inn is a historic hotel in the center of Santa Barbara, close to the beach, Amtrak station and California's Pacific Coast Highway but room rates are cheap.

The Franciscan Inn in Santa Barbara was originally a ranch, built in the Spanish style in the 1920s. Now it stands in the heart of town, and has been converted to an inexpensive yet very comfortable motel-style hotel.

Historic Franciscan Inn has a Central and Downtown Location

With its red roof tiles and lush palms, it would be hard to find a prettier budget hotel in a central location. The Franciscan Inn is only one block back from the beach and a few minutes' walk from Stearns Wharf. A slightly longer stroll takes you to Santa Barbara's main shopping street, State Street, or the Amtrak train station.

The Inn is close to the Pacific Coast Highway and easy to find whether driving north or south. And it has plenty of free parking, which is motel-style right outside the guest bedrooms.

Budget Rooms Near the Beach in Santa Barbara

There are 53 individually decorated rooms and suites at the Franciscan Inn. Carved wooden headboards reflect the hotel's Spanish character, and the light floral bedspreads keep the rooms bright and cheerful.

Rates for standard rooms are surprisingly cheap for Santa Barbara and California. On weekdays in winter, a standard room with one Queen bed costs a little over $100 per night if the guest is an AAA member and claiming the AAA 10% discount. Suites such as the Santa Barbara Suite, Franciscan Suite or the Manager's Suite are naturally rather more expensive, and more spacious, though even standard rooms are a generous size and feel more like hotel rooms than motel rooms. Current room rates can be checked on the Inn's own website.

Franciscan Inn Budget Hotel with Pool

If it's a bit too chilly for a dip in the sea, guests at the Franciscan Inn can enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool year-round. In addition to complimentary parking, other amenities include free high-speed wireless internet, cable TV with HBO and a free video library to choose from, free local phone calls and an on-site laundry.

For snacks, there is a hot beverage bar in the lobby and free cookies fresh-baked daily. Best of all, a night at the Franciscan Inn includes a generous complimentary breakfast of fresh bread and bagels from local bakeries, croissants, delicious muffins baked that morning, cheese squares, hard-boiled eggs, juices, coffee and a selection of teas.

Things to Do in Santa Barbara

The beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara has been described as the American Riviera. Its attractions include:

Santa Barbara and Michael Jackson

Santa Barbara is also associated with the late pop star Michael Jackson. As well as being a wonderful building in its own right, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, which dates from 1929, became famous as the setting for the Michael Jackson trial. Jackson's Neverland ranch is only about 40 miles from the city.

Franciscan Inn: Contact Details

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