Would agree...hard to find inexpensive places there, big time resort destination for SoCal...but there are some values if you look...
Values?...Would agree...best values are out of town north or south...check the standard hotels in Carpenteria South of SB, Oxnard maybe a half hour wouth, or a half hour north in Buellton. That is where we stay when we are doing the budget thing, or can't find a place in SB (often). We stay in the Days Inn,(was in the movie Sideways)about 30-45 minutes north but a nice drive along the ocean. The place is clean, safe, get breakfast..just checked about $70 per night.
There are a few budget places in Goleta (same as UCSB)...Motel 6...stay away from the Holiday Inn IMO, overpriced.
If you can find an opening SB has some great little hole in the wall places along Cabrillo Blvd within a block or two of the ocean...may not always be up to date..but the beach may make up for a lot...
The Cabrillo Inn at the Beach is often written up in travel mags as a place for budget famnilies to get the SB ocean experience, It is dated but solid, and overlooks the beach. The Motel 6 a block off the Cabrillo and the beach was the first motel 6 ever...but can be hard to find openings for , but a great first place to check.
Across the street from these two hotels is the East Beach grill...a great hidden locals gem for for breakfast...right on the sand, very unique. Try the blueberry pancakes if you like such things...
Dinner...Dinner houses...Not inexpensive, but moderately priced and solid choices are...the Elephant Bar at the airport of all places in Goleta, is near the school and very popular among the UCSB kids and families...we had very nice meal there last summer after a collegiate league game...The Enterprise Fish Company on lower state has always been good to us...
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