A Santa Barbara Hotel Near the Beach

Life’s a breeze when you stay with us at our beachfront motel in Santa Barbara. Our location is ideal and we look forward to helping you map out a great California vacation.

Enjoy dozens of nearby fun things to do–everything from wine limo tours to kayaking to whale watching.

Santa Barbara Area Destinations. About 35 miles north of Santa Barbara you’ll encounter Solvang, an authentic Danish settlement, founded in 1911. Known as “Little Denmark,” the village features specialty shops and authentic Danish bakeries. Nearby you can tour Mission Santa Ines or even try your hand at hang gliding. Not far from Solvang, and nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s legendary vineyards, is the breathtaking Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country. This idyllic spot is home to more than a dozen award-winning wineries and makes for an ideal day trip. [Top]

Big Dog Parade. Held less than one mile from the motel at Old Chase Palm Park, the annual Big Dog Parade and Canine Festival takes place each June and features more than 1,000 dogs dressed in creative costumes marching with their owners. Enjoy fun floats, rows of sponsor and vendor booths, live music, a kid’s zone, food and a whole lot more. All proceeds from the country’s largest dog parade benefit the Big Dog Foundation, which supports charities that help dogs, children and dogs that help people. For more information, visit www.beachcalifornia.com/bigdog.html.

The motel is also centrally located to another popular annual event–though this one involves people, not dogs. It’s the Santa Barbara Triathlon and it begins at the Cabrillo Bathhouse, which is less than one–half mile from our front door. [Top]

Santa Barbara Triathlon. The Santa Barbara Triathlon is considered to be one of the greatest races in the country. What makes this race unique is the Long Course, which allows runners to race along the shores of the area’s breathtaking coast. A family–oriented co–ed sprint and women–only sprint combine to create a truly amazing event. The 26th Annual Santa Barbara Triathlon takes place August 24–26, 2007. For more information, visit www.santabarbaratriathlon.com/Index.cfm. [Top]

Santa Barbara Attractions. There is no shortage of fun things to do and many are within a short drive of our front door. Attractions include the zoo, botanic garden and Museum of Art.

Beach – ¼ block
Santa Barbara Zoo – .5 miles
Old Spanish Days – 1 mile
Stearns Wharf – 1 miles
Whale Watching – 1.5 miles
Kayaking – 1.5 miles
County Bowl – 1.5 miles
Paseo Nuevo Mall – 2 miles
Santa Barbara Harbor – 2 miles
Court House – 2 miles
Museum of Art – 2 miles
Earl Warren Showground – 4 miles
State Street – 1 mile
Santa Barbara Mission – 4.4 miles
Museum of Natural History – 5 miles
Botanic Garden – 6 miles
Santa Ynez Valley Wineries – 35 miles
Solvang (“Little Denmark”) – 35 miles [Top]

Nearby Cities

Carpinteria – 10.1 miles
Solvang – 35 miles
Los Angeles – 90 miles [Top]

Airports / Transportation

Santa Barbara Airport – 11.5 miles
AMTRAK – 1.3 miles [Top]

Directions. Coming from the south heading north: Exit at the Milpas Street exit. At the end of the off ramp you will approach a “round-about”. You will need to make a right hand turn at the “round-about” and turn ¾ of the way around until you are heading towards the ocean. Go underneath the 101 freeway and travel about ¼ of a mile. The Blue Sands Motel will be on the left side across from the park about 100 yards before you hit the beach.

Coming from the north heading south: Exit at the Milpas Street exit. Turn right at the bottom of the off-ramp and travel about ¼ of a mile. The Blue Sands Motel will be on the left side across from the park about 100 yards before you hit the beach. [Top]

Hotel Location Map

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