ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel

Take your own bath towel. Take food to cook, Gas stove, microwave, pans, plates and utensils are supplied. Don’t forget to wash your dishes. Refrigerator is available. Meet lots of great friends. Pay for parking in lot . Street parking is free. Close to beech, main st, farmers market, and beech

The staffs are amazing – friendly & helpful. The place is fun & very well-managed: outside amenities (ping-pong table, chairs & tables – n a school bus!) & daily activities (free surfing excursions, hiking & dipping in Santa Ynez River…). A very welcoming n chillax atmosphere!!

Extremely helpful and friendly staff. The host Maxine is super! Mid August the rooms were a little warm but tolerable. Short walk to the beach and shopping. I would stay again.

The kitchen had a nice refrigerator where you could label and keep your food. There was a place to cook eggs and pancakes. The lounge area was comfortable, there was a TV. There was a piano if you wanted to play that. My dorm bunk bed was very comfortable and I’m 78 years old, it was better than my own bed at home. There were washers and dryers to use. The bathrooms were clean and the showers were nice. The front yard was fabulous with a corn hole game, tables and umbrellas. There were bicycles to use. It’s two blocks from the ocean. Two blocks from downtown. Everything walkable. The price was fantastic. I will return probably late September or early October.

Fantastic hostile. Enjoyed my stay. Very close to train which was perfect. Close to good restaurants. Comfortable bunk beds pretty quiet nice people just a great experience. Good showers too.

Exceptional

Avoid this hostel! The conditions were so poor it caused physical illness and panic. The property is falsely advertised and unsafe. • False advertising: Booked a "Single Bed" (floor level) due to physical limitations, but was forced into a top bunk 2-3 meters high with a dangerous ladder. Staff refused to help or change it. • No AC: Advertised with AC, but had none. It was extremely hot, especially near the ceiling. • Parking chaos: Promised private parking, but none was available. Spent hours searching for a spot in total stress. • Terrible service: Staff were rude and unhelpful. No uniforms, making it chaotic to know who worked there. • Amenities missing: No towels provided. Broken vending machines. Outlets by the bed did not fit standard 3-prong US plugs. The "breakfast buffet" was just DIY pancake batter. I could not sleep and had to sit in the lounge just to cool down and charge my phone. Completely exhausted and unsafe. Do not stay here.

Very good

The hostel was conveniently located next to the train station and beach. The room was ok, but hot. The overall vibe was ok, but not exceptional.

For a hostel, the place is well kept and clean. Staff are kind and knowledgeable about the area. Parking is limited, but available at a cost.

Awesome location to walk around Santa Barbara. Super friendly and nice staff. Great open relaxing spaces and I liked the privacy curtains for the beds It was a bit warm in the room, but it was August….

I didn’t try the breakfast, but the location is pretty good! Some of the stuff people were so rowdy, and particularly this person ( transgender ) when he/she was at the front desk put a very loud music on the speakers which made me go away because it was annoying.

Exceptional

Nice cool environment very comfortable and welcoming

Exceptional

Great and cheap stay with great and friendly staff and just as friendly guests.

We stayed just one night with our young kids and really enjoyed the experience. Our kids made smores and played the lobby piano, and were amused by the available toys. We walked to the beach and pier, and had fresh fruit ready for us when we returned. We felt like we were the only family there at the time, but that was fine. We slept well, so our room was quiet even when there was more going on outside.

Easy access to amtrak train station, state street downtown, centrally located, doors are well secured, safe during night ,free breakfast especially pancakes and eggs (self cooking)...beds were comfy, clean . No A/C.

Nothing. Staff were arrogant, place is for individuals to get high. Beds are too small, bedding is disgusting. Found boxers and clothes down the side of the bed after the staff told myself to take the bedding off. Price is way too high! No air conditioning and small fans were soo loud you couldn’t sleep. Overall I had a poor experience and wouldn’t recommend anyone who is doing a road trip to join this ITH community or stop by at this Hostel.

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