Santa Barbara, California occupies some of the state's prime coastal real estate. The city has even trade-marked the tagline The American Riviera - that should tell you something. It's a popular destination for its natural beauty, beaches, Spanish colonial architecture, restaurants, and outdoor activities. Located just two hours north of Los Angeles, it's also a hotspot for celebrities of all types to escape the city for a relaxing weekend. If all of this sounds like mucho dinero to you, well, you're not wrong. But there is a way to have the best of Santa Barbara and not break the bank. 

While it's tempting to want to stay right on the beach, that’s where you’ll pay top dollar. Just five miles north of downtown Santa Barbara is the city of Goleta, which, funny enough, is home to the Santa Barbara County airport and the University of California Santa Barbara.

Goleta beach. Photo courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara

Have the best of Santa Barbara and still mind your budget by staying at the Ramada Santa Barbara (actually located in Goleta just 5 miles away).  Enjoy a great hotel and the exclusive Value Pass for a plethora of discounts on activities. And guess what? The Value Pass is free for guests of the Ramada.

Ramada's pool and gardens. Photo courtesy of the Ramada Inn

What can you do with the Ramada Value Pass?
Better ask, what can’t you do? How about 2 for 1 admission to the Santa Barbara Zoo and The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Prefer to see the wildlife in its natural habitat? Take a whale watching tour with Condor Express and receive 20% off. You can spot whales year round along the Pacific coast. I went whale watching in Long Beach and it is a truly awesome experience to see these giant and gentle creatures up close. The Concierge at the Ramada Santa Barbara will give you passes for the activities you would like to do. Just pick from the list of partner discounts.

Giraffe at Santa Barbara Zoo. Photo courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara

Get physical
Prefer a more athletic activity? No problem. The Value Pass offers discounts at several area golf courses like Sandpiper, where you can play golf along the Pacific Ocean. 

Bike along the beach and save 20% with Wheel Fun Rentals. Rent anything from a beach cruiser to a triple surrey. Wheel Fun Rentals has a crazy fun selection of wheels to try. Your rental comes with a map highlighting points of interest for a self-guided tour. 

If you’re more of a get in the water and get wet mermaid/merman type, Channel Island Outfitters rents kayaks and paddle boards and offers a 25% discount with the pass. I love this deal. Paddle around the area and who knows what kind of wildlife you’ll see. Their motto is: “Spending time on the ocean leads to happiness.” Channel Island Outfitters has two locations - one is Santa Barbara at Stearn’s Wharf and one in Goleta at the Goleta Beach Pier. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
 

The Beach

Speaking of Goleta Beach, if you want to avoid the crowds, this is a better choice than Santa Barbara beaches and equally convenient. And there’s plentiful (and free) parking, sailing, fishing, volleyball, picnic tables, a restaurant on the beach, and miles of bike trails. This is a perfect beach for family events.
Further information about Goleta Beach: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/parks/parks02.aspx?id=7682

Pathway at the Beach. Photo courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara

Drink the wine 
Believe it or not, people go to Santa Barbara not only for the abundance of outdoor activities but also to drink the great local wines. With over twenty-six tasting rooms along the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, you can easily spend a weekend simply exploring the tasting rooms. Most of the tasting rooms are in El Paseo just off State St., and in the Funk Zone, an artsy eclectic area just a block from the beach. You could conceivably walk from El Paseo to the Funk Zone or vice versa. There are a few other tasting rooms scattered along the Urban Wine Trail that are not in either location. If you want to go wine tasting, just have a look at the list of wineries partnering with the Value Pass and make your selections. The Front Desk staff at the Ramada will give you the discount cards for your 2 for 1 tastings that day. No appointments are needed.

Photo courtesy Penny Sadler

As you can see the Value Pass really is a value. But are you hungry, too?

Breakfast at iHop, 20%  off. Mexican food at Palapa on State Street, 20% off. Soho Restaurant & Music Club, 2 for 1 entree. Or go to the Santa Barbara Farmers Market and pick up fresh local cheeses, breads, and produce every Sunday and Thursday in Goleta and Saturday and Tuesday in downtown Santa Barbara.

Why stay at the Ramada Santa Barbara?
Of course, getting discounts on activities and entertainment is not the only reason to choose the Ramada Inn Santa Barbara. And if you want a little more than a comfortable bed and a good shower, no problem. 

Photo courtesy of the Ramada Inn

Photo courtesy Penny Sadler

Located just off the 101 Freeway, the location can’t be beat and it’s clean, comfortable, safe, and affordable; in short, an ideal base for your Santa Barbara adventures.

The Ramada Inn SB offers all the usual amenities in addition to three car-charging stations for eco-friendly vehicles. And, there's free wifi.

Perhaps the amenity I had the most fun with was the rubber fish that was included with the toiletries. It became my mascot for my Santa Barbara experience. 

Photo courtesy Penny Sadler

The rooms are quite large, with high beamed ceilings that give a nice spacious feeling. One of the best things about the Ramada Inn is the year round solar-heated pool and whirlpool. California can be chilly in the evenings, so a heated pool is welcome. And, it’s a certified green hotel.

Don’t forget, a walk along the beach is 100% free any time and is one of most magical and healing activities available in this little piece of earthly paradise. And I’ve seen some of the best sunsets here, bar none.

Photo courtesy Penny Sadler

It couldn’t be easier to find affordable and fun activities - after all, you’re in one of the prettiest coastal areas in the country. 

How to get there:

To get to Santa Barbara, you can fly directly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. For the first time American Airlines is offering direct flights. Or fly to LAX and book a connecting flight. However, if you plan to rent a car you’ll pay a lot less if you pick it up at LAX.

A drive up the 101 is always a treat, or take the Amtrak and arrive at the Goleta Depot.

Penny Sadler is the Style/Travel Editor for Wandering Educators. For more information on traveling in style, please see www.pennysadler.com andhttp://adventuresofacarryon.com/

Thanks to Visit Santa Barbara for my stay at the Ramada Inn Santa Barbara. I had no idea that it was possible to have a Santa Barbara budget friendly vacation that included a hotel!