Find Santa Barbara hotel deals

On State Street, you can people watch, browse shops and pop into an art gallery or museum. This seven-mile street is lined with restaurants and sidewalk cafes, too. Just remember that, after scoring such a great Santa Barbara hotel deal, you don’t want this free activity to get the better of you with too many pricey purchases.

When you get tired of walking, hop on the MTD Shuttle. For 50 cents, ride the electric-powered shuttle down State Street and along the waterfront.

Take part in a 50-year tradition—the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show. Every weekend, more than 200 local artists display their creations along a half-mile stretch of beachfront on Cabrillo Boulevard, starting east of Stearns Wharf.

Absorb the sights and sounds of nature at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge. This 42-acre open space features an estuary where you can look for 200 different bird species—while you hike, bike or just take in the scenery. The Santa Barbara Zoo is right there, too, but that’ll cost you $15.

Have a ball at the beach—East Beach, that is. Locals and visitors agree that this is the best strand of ocean in Santa Barbara, with its clean sands and free parking. Just beware of errant volleyballs landing—sand courts are everywhere.

Step back in time at El Presidio de Santa Barbara. Built in 1782, it’s one of the last Spanish military settlements to be established in California. For a very low admission fee ($5 or less), you’ll not only relive colonial days, but also learn about early Asian settlers and the Chumash Native Americans who lived here more than 13,500 years ago.

Trek the Urban Wine Trail. Santa Barbara is the capital of California’s central coast wine region, and heading out to the scores of nearby wineries is always a fun daytrip. Walk along the Urban Wine Trail downtown—and hit as many as 25 tasting rooms. Many charge for the tastings, but the pours are generous and the deals are pretty sweet.