Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals – A Fact Sheet

There is a reason Santa Barbara vacation rentals are a hot commodity.  Santa Barbara is often referred to as “the American Riviera”. The beautiful miles of beaches, majestic mountains, natural scenery and a very colorful diverse culture make Santa Barbara one of the most sought after premier resort destinations. World-class accommodations and dining await all of the countless visitors arriving each year.

Accommodations at Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals are usually private homes, apartments or condos that are rented to vacationers by the property owners themselves. They offer the space, amenities and privacy of a home, but Santa Barbara vacation rentals vary in terms of on-site accommodations.  For instance:

•    The individual homeowner either rents Santa Barbara vacation rentals through a management company or directly.

•    Santa Barbara vacation rentals from a property management company typically offer on-site assistance and 24-hour contact staff with local knowledge and experience, professional hospitality and amenity services.

•    Santa Barbara vacation rentals from property owners typically offer more personal attention and direct contact with owner and possess intimate knowledge about details unique to their home.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals offer competitive pricing but you typically have to stay one week or more in order to even book the property.  Rates are higher during the summer months – what locals call “peak period” – but come the colder season after summer, so-called “snow birds”, usually retirees who travel to climates like Santa Barbara’s to get away from harsh, cold weather, will come to Santa Barbara and snap up monthly deals that are often times cheaper than what vacationers were paying for the week in Summer.  

While searching for your Santa Barbara vacation rental accommodations, you will want to take into consideration a few factors that will pay off in the end.

First off, size.  Yes, size matters. Not only will you be entertaining those that have planned to vacation with you, but you can always count on friends or family dropping in, so to have an extra bed, bedroom, or separate suite for them is an important consideration.  If you are the social types, count on meeting other vacationers who have their own vacation rental nearby and inviting them to visit at your property.  It isn’t uncommon for couples and families to meet other couples and families who stay in touch – or continue to vacation together – for many years.  Are you beginning to see the difference between staying in a Santa Barbara hotel or staying in a Santa Barbara vacation rental?

As many of us do when planning a weeklong or weekend getaway, we tend to pack pretty much everything we own, just in case; from the dress clothes to casual clothes and everything in between. However there is always something left behind on the kitchen counter that never made it’s way into the luggage, and upon arriving at your destination it’s the one thing you really need!

Vacation rentals in Santa Barbara typically come complete.  That is, the kitchens are stocked with pots and pans, patio furniture is set up and the pool is ready to go. If you are renting a private home from the owner, you will more than likely have access to more than what a management company will offer.  The private owner will more than likely have laundry accommodations, towels, bed linens and private parking. You are best off to be sure that you confirm with either the private owner or the management company, what is included in your Santa Barbara vacation rental, aside from the unit itself.

More than likely you will have to supply your own food and toiletries, but not much else besides a good book, some good company and a sense of adventure.  Kitchens come fully stocked with utensils, plates and cooking ware, not to mention clean bedding and towels for the bath and kitchen.

Santa Barbara vacation rentals and vacation rentals in general are most popular for being affordable, roomy and private with an array of amenities and a private kitchen.  They are great for large groups and many are friendly towards pets.  Most of all, spending a week or more in a Santa Barbara vacation rental will allow you and your family to live like a local and to feel like a local.

And what is that worth?  To visitors of Santa Barbara vacation rentals, it means a lot.  And what will it mean to you?  Let me know when you return.