Just spent 2 nights here and it was the perfect spot for us. Originally I had planned the trip for me, one of my daughters and our dog. We wanted to take a road trip from Oceanside. I Googled dog friendly hotels in the area and, with the pictures, price and reviews, we chose the Marina Beach Motel. Even before we arrived the text communication with the front desk was super helpful. My other daughter ended up coming along and I was able to add her to our reservation. Check in was easy and the front desk workers were all very friendly and helpful. They offer fresh baked cookies and complimentary breakfast too. We reserved the Queen with the kitchenette and patio. It also had a sleeper sofa. The room was clean and I liked the layout. We three were very comfortable here (the sleeper sofa was made up already when we unfolded it but that bed was not very comfortable). The Queen bed however was very comfortable. We enjoyed the sun on the patio during the day. We parked our cars in the lot (free/first come first serve) and left them parked their our entire stay. The location was walkable to the beach, wharf, restaurants, bars, parks. One of my favorite things about the hotel is that you can check out beach cruisers (locks, baskets) and ride around town. We loved that. This "motel" is super cute, lots of flowers, corn hole, a fire pit and chairs are in the center area. I'd stay again if I come back to this area for sure. read more

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Beautifully updated rooms at what appears to be an older motel, super friendly staff. Free loaner bicycles to cruise over to the Funk Zone just minutes away, convenient to restaurants at the Marina, also close to State Street, so terrific location especially for the price. Quiet neighborhood too. Pull up right in front of your room door in the free private parking lot, but leave your land yacht at home because the corners are pretty tight. I would suggest the motel should upgrade the basic, single-ply toilet paper. read more

Just one short block to the beach! The facility is spotless, have you ever seen a housekeeper clean the AC vent or the room vent cover? They cover every detail here in this quaint 1941 setting. Great restaurant choices just steps away as well. Breakfast included too. Peaceful courtyard for relaxing, bicycles available for your use. Check it out! read more

Marina Beach Motel - Welcome in. - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

DATE VISITED: June 2025 DOG FRIENDLY: Yes!! And I appreciated that the room did not have a terrible odor (as some pet friendly hotels/motels do). They do not have an on-grounds potty area, so you will have to walk to the street side. ARRIVAL: Staff were very friendly!!! The lobby was kept very clean and stocked on light refreshments. Staff were in communication prior to our arrival. If you arrive prior to 3pm, you are able to park and leave your luggage if your room is not ready. PERKS/AMENITIES: - A free continental breakfast comes with your stay (apples, banana, cereal, pastries, hard boiled eggs, burritos, coffee, juice). - Filtered water machine! Don't forget your water canister! - Free parking! - Dog Friendly! - Free bicycle rentals - Free beach towel rentals - Free Beach Surrey rental (I believe I only saw one when I went, so be sure to reserve it if you want to use it!) - Quiet neighborhood and within walking distance to the beach (1 block away) and a short 5-10min walk to State St, where all the restaurants are. ROOM: - We stayed in the Cozy King room. The room was cozy, but the walls were thin. You could literally hear people chatting from next door (although muffled) and you can feel them walking. The room was mostly clean, but I did find a few hairs in the bathroom, a stain on the toilet, and some broken plastic piece hanging from behind the bathroom mirror. - The bed was comfortable (not too hard, not too soft) and there were plenty of pillows. - There is a small refrigerator and microwave, as well a a Keurig machine, plenty of mirrors and lights, an ironing board and hair dryer. - There is a ceiling fan, with several speed settings. There is also an a/c unit (only low/high setting) and can be pretty loud. - Love that the rooms are non-smoking!!! PARKING: Plenty of parking (limited to 1 car per room). It is one-way road, and can be pretty tight since the center is an outdoor lounge area. If you have a large truck or vehicle, you may want to park on the street (which may be difficult to find). PRICING: The pet fee is $22/night. I also appreciate that they waive pet fees if you have a service animal/emotional support animal. Pricing per night was decent for SB, but still a bit high considering there is no pool/spa. OVERALL: It is conveniently located and in a quiet neighborhood. read more

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Perfect for what it is! Dog friendly. Incredibly kind front desk and staff. Safe. Nothing over the top and that is totally okay. I can't wait to come back with my dog! read more

Absolutely loved our stay at Marina Beach Motel! Great staff; Daisy helped us out at check in and check out, she was so warm and welcoming. Room was perfect, matched the photos exactly, was clean and well kept -- the bath tub was amazing, especially for tall people! 10/10 stay, will definitely be coming back! read more

Great stay for anniversary weekend. Small quaint hotel. Front staff were all great! Younger collage age kids. Good breakfast in the morning had coffee out in the grass area out front and just enjoyed the morning Rooms smaller size but really clean, nice big TV, great bathroom and shower. Used the free bike rental every day to ride up state st to Institution Ale for a beer and live music read more

1st OFF - ONE OF THE BEST MOST COMFORTABLE BEDS I'VE EVER SLEPT IN MY LIFE !!! I was in Santa Barbara to Day of Coordinate a Valentines Wedding & I'm incredibly grateful the couple booked my overnight stay at this wonderful unique unexpected newly remodeled gem of a motel! I wasn't sure I would make the cut off check in time & had arranged for my room key to be picked up in a convenient coded lock box. The staff made it easy & effortless with my last minute request. I ended up arriving in time & the night clerk greeted me warmly & she was so incredibly helpful, pleasant and professional when trying to make arrangements on the phone and in person! The room was clean, smelled fresh, modern, lit well. The Bathroom was the same - the spacious shower had 2 different shower heads, a ceiling rainfall & classic. As mentioned the amazing bed brought me a memorable & incredibly blissful nights sleep. I also appreciated that the motel is only one level so I did not hear anyone above me or below me or walking outside my door. The neighborhood was extremely quiet and it was a very peaceful night sleeping The morning staff was as genuinely pleasant & wonderful as the evening staff ! The continental breakfast was well stocked & offered premium pastries. I hope to return for a weekend in Santa Barbara and actually get out to the beach and enjoy riding one of the complementary bikes. I HIGHLY recommend this motel ! read more

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Stayed here for one night and absolutely loved it! The motel is super clean and just steps away from the beach. The pier and Funk Zone are close by, with plenty of great restaurants in walking distance. They offer complimentary bikes, which made it really fun to explore the area, plus free breakfast in the morning. The highlight for me was the delicious fresh-baked cookies -- such a nice touch! Overall, a perfect spot for a quick getaway with great location, comfort, and little extras that make the stay memorable. read more

Ive stayed here a few times. It's a pretty cool place. Close to the beach, they offer bikes. Breakfast in the lobby with lots of food and snacks. I can't wait to come back again. Beds are super comfortable too. read more

Wonderful. So glad we found this place for our SB vacation. Clean, convenient, cozy, adorable, dog friendly and well thought out. Did I mention clean? Like really clean. I don't know how long this place has had its lovely makeover but it is on point. We had the room with a separate kitchen and patio and it was perfect for our stay. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need. The bathroom has nice amenities as far as toiletries go and the housekeepers tidied our room each day swiftly and efficiently. The bed is very comfortable and the pretty shutters on the windows are the perfect way to control privacy and light. Reasonably priced and about 1 block from the beach and a few blocks to the funk zone. Very walkable. Love it. Can't wait to come back. read more

Marina Beach Motel - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This review has been resting in my drafts for awhile & I just wanted to take the time to say thank you to the staff for being so kind. My husband & I did a birthday getaway for him awhile ago & while cleaning out his closet I found the birthday card they gave him & remembered our wonderful time here. The motel is near the beach which was awesome & the amenities were nice. This place was very clean, & the staff was so friendly. We both enjoyed our stay here & won't forget the friendliness of the staff. Thank you read more

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We just returned from a 1 night stay at the Marina Beach Motel. Don't let the work MOTEL fool you because it is definitely a nicely renovated upscale INN. Prior to arrival, we requested an early check-in time with a quieter room location and we got exactly that. Was able to check in at noon and got a 2 queen size room near the lobby with no one next to us (probably why we didn't have any issues with noise with neighbors). If you do arrive before 3pm and your room is not ready, you are able to park your car and leave your luggage for free at the lobby. Fast and friendly check-in. Lobby has a water filling station along with coffee and fruits. I think they also offer complimentary cookies in the afternoon. We would stay here again in the future! -They are dog friendly and only charge $20 +tax for the pet fee / per night. No weird pet smell in the room -Lounge area in the center of the motel with 2 cornholes -Free breakfast (assortment of fruits, pastries, hard boil eggs, bagels, microwavable burritos, water, coffee, juice. milk and cereal) -Free bikes and 1 surrey rental ( with helmets and locks) -Free beach towel rentals (typical bath towel size) -location: quiet and 5 minutes walk to the beach read more

I would give it 5 stars, but I can't only because it is priced a little bit too high for what it is. Having said that, it's very cozy, very clean, super friendly staff and provides an excellent location. The free breakfast was also a nice touch. The rooms just seemed really tight, and that's where the value fell short. Overall, I would recommend this place for a quick stay in SB. Just half a block away from the beach. read more

What an adorable little find this place was! We just got back from a 2-night stay and loved it. First, the location was perfect--we were taking a whale-watching tour and the marina and beach are just across the street, a few minutes' walk away. We had a great breakfast at Chad's, just a block away, and a very nice dinner at Toma, just a block away as well. The grounds are landscaped with beautiful, well-tended flowers and plants, and it's nice to park right inside the little motor court. They have a cute little landscaped, grassy area with corn hole and lounges set up. You can also take their bikes out for a spin, though we didn't get a chance to do that. We had a wonderfully appointed, spotlessly clean room with a cute kitchenette and a super comfy bed. (A special shout out for their bed linens game: they include a top sheet AND a light blanket as well as a duvet. So many hotels now only have a duvet, so it's either freeze or sweat!) The bathroom was beautiful, with a large walk-in shower and luxe rain showerhead. Despite the proximity to the marina, restaurants, etc., it was very quiet and peaceful at night. The staff all deserve kudos for warmth, friendliness, and helpfulness. The continental breakfast served in the front office is varied and generous. Absolutely would stay here again and would recommend to friends! read more

Lovely room and nice breakfast. Just a half block from the beach. Very relaxing. We especially enjoyed the free use of their bikes. We rode for 1.5 hours to the other end of the beach and out to the end of Stearn's Wharf. We also went to the SB Museum of Art and had a wonderful dinner at Loquita. read more

My family stayed here a couple nights. Very reasonable price and reasonable pet fee. Clean room, nice complimentary breakfast and very convenient location that is walking distance to the beach and to State street. Free parking. We had a minor problem with our shower the morning of checkout and even though it didn't inconvenience us much they gave us a discount even though I didn't ask for it. It's a well-run business with friendly people and good service. Would definitely stay again! read more

Seriously the best place to stay. I'm sure the word "motel" scares a few people, but there's nothing to be afraid of. Came for a couple of days for my birthday and wanted a place that was affordable and this was perfect! Really loved that the parking and breakfast are free and that they had coffee all day. Breakfast included coffee, juices, cereal, oatmeal, fresh pastries, and a couple of microwaveable burritos/sandwiches. It's within walking distance of a lot of food and shops. The room was super clean and the king bed was incredibly comfortable. The shower had a regular shower head and a rain shower as well. The pictures honestly don't do it justice. The people at the front desk were very friendly and were able to accommodate an early check in. I would stay here anytime I visit Santa Barbara read more

Marina Beach Motel - Cozy King - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great location steps from the beach. Clean rooms with comfy beds and pillows, love that they had fridge, freezer and coffee maker in the room. Staff is super nice and helpful. Complimentary breakfast does the job. Complimentary bike rentals is a nice touch. read more

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The Marina Beach Motel was the cutest and cleanest motel I have ever stayed in. Prior to our arrival, the motel was in contact with us via email to confirm our booking and had accommodations for a late check in, if needed. When we checked in, they had welcome cookies at the front desk which was such a nice touch after traveling so long to get there. Parking is free and looked like one spot available per vacancy. Dogs are allowed at this location for an extra fee. Free bike rentals and towels were also included in the stay with just a few steps away from the sand! There are quite a few options within a 5-10 minute walk. I was thoroughly impressed with the layout of the bathroom and the upgraded furniture. The bathroom had a HUGE tub, two shower heads, a hair dryer, the black makeup towel in addition to your normal white towels, a disposable plastic shower cap provided, and even a nice body length mirror. My husband and I even joked that it was probably nicer than some New York studio apartments. The bed and the pillows were comfortable. Free wifi is available, there was a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker in the room. And there was free continental breakfast from 7-10:30am where you check in. 10/10 would stay here again and would recommend any family member or friend to stay here! Staff was super nice and helpful even though we only stayed one night. read more

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We never stay outside our Hilton, but we decided to be daring! This place is a gem! The girls at the front are extremely sweet and very helpful! It's literally across the street from the beach! The room was small, but had all the amenities. The waterfall shower head was a plus! No pool, but the parking is right outside your door! Love love love! read more

We liked the fact that it was in a central location but also in a quiet neighborhood. Add to that affordable rates, decent complimentary breakfast, free parking etc. However, the room we stayed in was small. The king bed occupied most of the room so felt like cramped. We could also hear neighbors tv late into the night, wasn't sure if the walls were not insulated or the tv volume was set high. read more

This motel is perfectly situated right off Cabrillo Blvd. and walking distance to the pier, restaurants, and shops. We stayed in a room with a kitchenette-- to our surprise, it was well equipped with everything needed: cookware, glassware, utensils, and cleaning supplies. The room was very meticulously kept with no detail spared. The bathroom was also well stocked. The daily continental breakfast was plentiful and well provided. We also appreciated the pet policy as we travel with our small dog-- their pet area is two small patches of grass right outside of the motel on the sidewalk. The parking area is a little tight but right off the rooms for convenience. We were overall surprised by this hidden gem and will definitely return-- you definitely get better value for the money here than the larger, well-known chain hotel down the Blvd. read more

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We love this quaint,clean little inn.It's close to Funk Zone and Harbor.We stayed in king with kitchenette room 17 and we slept well. It looks like Santa Barbara is cleaning up homeless and now no one allowed on beach half hour after sunset. I was glad to see the city is also smoke free and the gal checking us in told us it's a "Smoke Free" inn. We got smoked out last time.A smoker highjacked the entire patio areas in morning and evenings so we couldn't sit outside. This is probably the 20th time we stayed here.It's our solid go-to! read more

Lovely, updated, clean, close to beach, pier. Museum. Great staff. Needed to check in early. They accommodated us. The room was lovely, kitchen was great. And front desk was great. Took the train from Los Angeles. Marina Beach Motel was within walking distance. Plenty of restaurants nearby. Lovely courtyard for lounging or reading etc. They have bike rentals and beach towels. Included is breakfast and afternoon cookies. Really enjoyed my getaway.​​ read more

Really friendly and local feel to this motel. Steps from the beach! I will stop there more regularly in my north/south travel. Def ask about the room's mattress if that matters to you - some are firmer than others (which I need). read more

Quick visit to Santa Barbara to babysit our granddaughter. This was an easy walk to the beach , restaurants , , easy parking , adequate breakfast at the hotel . Comfortable room , easy parking . read more

We had the pleasure of staying here for a few days. First off this motel has got to be the cleanest place we have ever stayed! I wouldn't even consider it a motel! I would rate it 5 starts just for that! But besides that the rooms are cozy , well stocked with everything you may need we also loved the fact there is only 1 floor! The grounds are well kept and the office staff are all very pleasant and ready to tend to any request you will have. This was our first time visiting Santa Barbara and I can't wait to come back! Loved the Marina Beach and will highly recommend it to all! read more

My husband booked this place for an overnight stay after dropping off our college kids. This boutique hotel is conveniently located near the wharf in Santa Barbara. There are lots of great activities in the area which include beach tours, outdoor markets and lots of great restaurants. The grounds of this hotel are clean and well maintained.This is a one level building and parking is available in the courtyard in front of the respective rooms. Our room was very clean and modern with a minimalist design. I enjoyed the very comfortable king mattress, large modern shower complete with two shower-heads. There is a mini bar/kitchenette area with a coffee maker, supplies , a microwave and mini fridge. There is also a small desk and an accent chair. Simple but cozy and comfortable.It was nice to also have our 20 pound Bichon be able to stay here for a small fee. We enjoyed walking her by the beach while we checked out the area. Loved it and would definitely stay here again! read more

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This was my first time ever staying in a place where you can park your car right outside your room door. It was so interesting to me. 1. Check in: was painless, fast and despite having had no prior reservations, we could get a room here and I loved it. 2. Clean, comfy room: the bed was comfortable and I had no complaints. What more can I ask? Maids were polite and knocked on the door when they needed to ask something. 3. No restaurant on site, but a beautiful seating areas available to bring your own food and have a nice picnic. There's a Trader Joe's close by and i loved that I could just enjoy the weather, be a few steps away from my room, but could enjoy cheese platter and whatever you desired brought with you. It was such a great memorable thing to do. 4. Not many people around, which I liked. If there were, they were staying in their room. read more

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Came here for an overnight stay during my short trip to Santa Barbara. I decided not to choose a hotel chain to stay and kinda gambled on something different, especially since it's in an excellent location (close to the beach and Stearns Wharf). Since it was a weekday and off-peak, we had no trouble with noise. The rooms were clean and tidy. They were of decent size, but definitely smaller. I did appreciate the lovely bathroom and the rainforest showerhead. Breakfast wasn't exactly memorable. I brought in some food from the outside and didn't get harassed by staff, who were super friendly throughout my stay. I would just get a beverage and not expect too much more. You can rent bikes and even a surrey bike. I rented one and the boardwalk is just 30 seconds away, where you can see the lovely beaches. Off topic, as I was biking, I saw a woman and her daughter pedaling a surrey bike, with their fat-ass husband/father sitting behind, yapping on his mobile. Irony pervades us all. read more

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loved this motel- location was amazing, roughly a 4 minute walk to the beach, 5 minutes from downtown mall and was extremely close to anything driving wise. Rooms are a tad on the smaller side, but very clean and modern. Tvs all have netflix and youtube which was nice. motels do have bike rentals free to guests. Staff was extremely welcoming and kind. would stay again read more

Marina Beach Motel - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Tremendous value, newly refurbished room in a convenient location close to downtown Santa Barbara and the harbor. But what really won me over was good coffee and the most incredible French pastry, all free with our stay. Come to think of it, so many aspects of staying in this place made me think of Parisienne hotels. read more

Super cute little place with tons of amenities. VERY reasonable price, free bikes to use, free breakfast and snacks, very helpful staff. I would definitely stay here again. read more

This is a great place to stay! Dog friendly ($15 extra a day for your furry friend). We had the king room with a kitchenette and were very comfortable for the week. It's a nice, quiet area. Close to beach (one block), close to restaurants and shopping on State Street (2-3 blocks). There is a 7/11 within walking distance (2 blocks) and they have bikes available for no charge! Beach towels are provided in the office. As well as a complimentary breakfast. The complimentary breakfast has hard boiled eggs, bagels & pastries, yogurt, oatmeal & fresh fruits. Coffee and orange juice. The front desk is full of pamphlets and brochures with local things to do, places to see, where to eat... Very friendly here, great value for your money. We will stay here next time we come to Santa Barbara! read more

Marina Beach Motel - Central area where bikes, ice, vending is located. No pets in this area 7/2020 - Hotels Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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A quaint inn near the beach in Santa Barbara. The rooms are clean, furnished with a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and an in-room safe. They have parking located in the property and ample street parking also. In the morning, they serve continental breakfast which provides enough energy before venturing out to the beach which is just a block away. And if walking isn't your thing, they have free bikes you can use to cruise down the beach and enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara weather. read more

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HIGHLY RECOMMEND -value & location. I loved this place, the room exceeded my expectations . The location is fabulous. The staff is so friendly. Lovely well kept grounds and they even had bikes to ride down the beach which was very fun. I most definitely will be coming back. Thank you Marina Beach Motel. See you next time. (The only reason I have to give them 4 rather then 5 stars is because the maid Silvia was being stingy with the paper products and we ran out of toilet paper and paper towels) read more

TLDR: HIGHLY RECOMMEND -value & location Booked this spot last minute for nye. We were lucky to get it too because it reached no vacancy by the time we arrived in the afternoon before our check-in time. This place was a true gem. It was exceptionally clean for a boutique style motel and had all the amenities of AC/heater, fully stocked kitchen with microwave and mini fridge. I'm very particular with having a clean and sanitary bathroom and they did not let me down. All the towels were clean, neatly folded, and they had a lot available without you having to call for room service to get extras. The tub was optic white, no stains or grime. The bathroom had a mini window that offered a lot of sunlight, privacy, and ventilation to dry out the vapor when you shower. There was a coffee maker and large flat screen tv that we didn't use, but appreciated. The major bonus was free breakfast from 7am-11:30am. Croissants, danishes, apples, bananas, oranges, frozen burritos and frozen egg, cheese, sausage croissants, boiled eggs, oatmeal, tea, creamer, oj and coffee were all provided in the leasing office. You could choose to eat your breakfast there, on the outdoor deck, the center community lawn outside, or in your room. I have to say that everything was so smooth from checking in to checking out. It was an extremely relaxing trip and nye experience. Oh and I forgot to mention that parking was so easy. The spots are unreserved, but you'll usually get your spot right outside your door so it's ridiculously convenient, especially those who are handicapped or have trouble with walking long distances. Staff was friendly and I honestly have nothing bad to say about this gem. We will most definitely be making frequent trips back here to ensure a seamless and comfortable stay in SB. read more

My wife and I loved our one-night stay at Marina Beach Motel. It was the last stop on our California honeymoon, and were definitely sad when we had to leave. We easily could have spent a week at this motel--which I never thought I'd say about a motel. First and foremost, the staff were so professional and friendly. I felt like I was back home in the midwest! We had to check-in a bit after hours. We called the office to let them know, and they set up a late check-in for us. When we showed up (~10 minutes after the office closed), the staff member was locking the doors, but still offered to get us checked-in quick before she left for the night. Her generosity was heart-warming, but we wished her a good night and proceeded with the late check-in process--which was painless. The room, my goodness, was so nice. The amenities were all very modern, the kitchenette had everything you'd need for simple meals, the bathroom was spotless, the whole room was clean, the bed was comfortable, climate controls were simple, and there was lots of information in the room regarding things to do, places to go, and what to see in the area--all pleasantly and effectively organized. In the morning--after the yummy complimentary breakfast where they had tons of fresh pastries from local shops--my wife and I borrowed some beach towels from the office and walked the short 2-4 minutes to the nearby beach. We were there on a weekday morning, and we were basically the only people there. It was so peaceful--until the adorable sea lions starting popping their noses up out of the water... then it was less peaceful and more adorable. This motel is one of my easiest recommendations. If they have availability, snag it. Yes, it might seem pricy for a motel, but everything here is pricy... and this might be better and more comfortable than hotels for 1.5x the price. read more

Great place to stay. Dog friendly. Great selection for breakfast. Our kitchette room had all we needed. Comfortable room. Walking distance to the places we wanted to see,eat and taste wine. read more