Ala Mar by the Sea

Property class: 3

Choose dates to view prices

Located close to Stearns Wharf and Presidio Santa Barbara, Ala Mar by the Sea provides free continental breakfast, a terrace, and a garden. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

6.0 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
The current price is ¥18,080
¥25,624 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 24 - Sep 25

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 8 of 8 rooms

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Oceanfront King

  • Ocean view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Queen Twin Spa

  • Ocean view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Room, 2 Queen beds & 1 Twin

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Twin Bed

Queen

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

King Spa

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

King Twin Spa

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Bed

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About the neighborhood

Located in Santa Barbara Beach, a neighborhood in Santa Barbara, Ala Mar by the Sea is in the entertainment district and near the beach. Presidio Santa Barbara and Mission Santa Barbara are notable landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Stearns Wharf and Cabrillo Bike Path. Check out an event or a game at Santa Barbara Bowl, and consider making time for Santa Barbara Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Santa Barbara travel guide
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Map
93101, CA, Santa Barbara, 102 West Cabrillo Blvd

What's nearby

  • A beach with mountains in the background.
    West Beach
    1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • A marina with numerous boats docked, a pier extending into the water, and a backdrop of mountains and a sunset sky.
    Santa Barbara Harbor
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • A pier with lights reflecting on the water, a flag, and buildings in the background.
    Stearns Wharf
    7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • A two-story building with a beige facade, large windows, and a balcony.
    Santa Barbara City College
    8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, dense greenery, and a clear blue sky.
    Leadbetter Beach
    13 min walk - 1.2 km

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station
    7 min walk
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)
    12 min drive

Restaurants

  • SB Biergarten
    4 min walk
  • Jeannine’s American Bakery And Restaurant
    3 min walk
  • Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen
    4 min walk
  • Mother Stearns Candy Co.
    7 min walk
  • Chad’s
    3 min walk

About this property

Ala Mar by the Sea

  • Motel near Stearns Wharf
  • Located close to Presidio Santa Barbara and Leadbetter Beach, Ala Mar by the Sea provides free continental breakfast, a terrace, and a garden. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
  • Additional perks include:
    • An outdoor pool along with sun loungers and pool umbrellas
    • Free self parking
    • Express check-in, ATM/banking services, and tour/ticket assistance
    • Meeting rooms, motorized watercraft on site, and smoke-free premises
    • Guest reviews give top marks for the beach locale and helpful staff
  • Room features
  • All guestrooms are individually furnished, and boast comforts such as premium bedding and laptop-friendly workspaces, as well as perks like free WiFi and air conditioning.
  • More amenities include:
    • Recycling and LED light bulbs
    • Refrigerators, microwaves, and irons/ironing boards
    • Flat-screen TVs with premium channels
    • Cribs/infant beds, heating, and daily housekeeping

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Things to do

  • Hot tub
  • Outdoor pool
  • Personal motorized watercraft

Family friendly

  • Crib (surcharge)
  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Outdoor pool
  • Pool gate

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Guidebooks
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 1"on-site accessible parking spaces 1", on-site accessible parking spaces
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 2 floors
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Humane treatment of captive wild animals
  • Local artist showcase
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • Smoking not allowed
  • Some LED lighting used

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Crib (surcharge)
  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Pillowtop mattress

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium digital channels

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Limited room service
  • Meal delivery service
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laundry detergent
  • LED lighting
  • Mobile key entry
  • Recycling
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM

Express check-in available

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The property charges USD 28.50 for credit card payments

The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Front desk staffed during limited hours

If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Guests are asked to check in between 3 PM and 11 PM on Saturdays and by 10 PM Sunday through Friday. To arrange check-in outside of these hours, guests should contact hotel/vacation rental management in advance.

Renovations and closures

The property will be renovating from June 5 2027 to July 5 2027 (completion date subject to change). The following areas are affected:
  • Select guestrooms
During renovations, the motel will make every effort to minimize noise and disturbance.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 50 per pet, per day

Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 50.0 per night

Cribs (infant beds) are available for USD 50 per night

Property payment types

DiscoverJCB InternationalMastercardVisa

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: USD 50 per pet, per day
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Crib (infant bed) fee: USD 50 per night
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 50.0 per night
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of USD 28.50

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Frequently asked questions

Does Ala Mar by the Sea have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Ala Mar by the Sea?

As of Sep 21, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ala Mar by the Sea on Sep 24, 2026 start from ¥18,080, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Ala Mar by the Sea pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. There's a fee of USD 50 per pet, per day. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Ala Mar by the Sea?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ala Mar by the Sea?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ala Mar by the Sea located?

Located in Santa Barbara Beach, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Stearns Wharf and Leadbetter Beach. Presidio Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Zoo are also within 2 mi (3 km). Santa Barbara Station is 7 minutes by foot.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Ala Mar by the Sea Reviews

6.0

6.4

Cleanliness

9.0

Location

6.8

Staff & service

5.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 226 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 190 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 188 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 155 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 245 out of 1004 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location, great staff, and spacious room
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was across the street from the beach with a great open balcony
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Disliked: Amenities
Good location. Needs some "TLC" in rooms. Check in staff very nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
While I rated the ameneties and staff as 3 our of 5, the place itself is a 5 out of 5 if you understand what you are paying for. We needed a place to stay for a night for a courthouse wedding. It had parking, it was across the street from the ocean, and it was a 10 minute walk from downtown SB. If you have ever used the cliche "we just need a place to sleep", then this is perfect. Bed was comfy, the AC worked well enough. So if you are just needing a place to sleep, this is your go to. You can't beat the price or location.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Surprised at older poor reviews; stayed here w elderly parents and enjoyed relaxed quiet peaceful stay, so close to beach and wharf.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
This hotel has the potential to be extremely quaint and cute. Positives were the excellent location across from the beach and walking distance to State St., very friendly front desk staff and nice snacks and breakfast in the morning. Unfortunately, the room reeked of cigarette smoke, the shower was filled with black mold, the jacuzzi tub had about an inch of water left sitting in the bottom, and the room was cluttered with an odd array of furniture. If there was a bit more effort put into cleaning the rooms, maybe removing some of the cluttery old furniture from the room, and a coat of paint, i'd love to stay here again because the building itself is beautiful and historic. Honestly a shame to see a property like this let to get to this state.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a great pet friendly spot loved it!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The location is great! The room was very clean and they have a nice pool. The room was very run down and if it wasn’t in this location I would’ve been really upset about paying that much for that room!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Disliked: Staff & service
Right by the beach , problem with homeless in the parking lot, sitting on the benches by your room, staff was notified and said that there’s not much they can do?
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Checked in late and staff was very helpful. Certainly paying for location as there was a stain on the comforter, shower floor was covered in stains, AC didn’t seem to work. Location is great, pool was closed, and overall room cleanliness wasn’t up to par for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I booked four rooms for two families in a road trip with four stops, this was the third stop and we got disappointed, the rooms are not equally maintained, one is good the other one needs renovation! The bathroom tiles are broken in one of the rooms, the other one needs proper cleaning ( the previous guests’ nails leftover were on the ground!!) The day we were leaving, housekeepers opens the door without knocking!! You need to pay attention to how you are running this business, your location is so good, the place could be a cozy nice place but it needs a different level of attention and investment
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely lovely hotel. We reserved a 2 bedroom room and ended up with a mini apartment with 2 cute little bedrooms, a little kitchen a nice living room, and beautiful patio to the pool area. Furnishings are old fashioned and the place could use a slight refresh on somethings (tub was a little old and could use a deeper cleaning) but I loved it. So worth it for the money (everything in the area was expensive that weekend but this was on the lower end and way better than other options at the price) and the location is perfect. May not be for everyone if you prefer more modern amenities but I loved it and will definitely be returning. 4.5 stars for me
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The beach view from the couches on the huge palm tree lined sundeck was amazing! We could feel the ocean spray as baby seals frolicked in the gently breaking waves as they rolled across the shoreline.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful place. Very nostalgic and exceptionally clean. Super friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I was not aware while booking that this was owned by a neighboring property, so the lobby area for check in and breakfast was in a separate building we had to walk to. Also the room was much smaller and a tight squeeze compared to what is perceived from the pictures. Shower could have used an update. Lastly, the lighting in the main room was very dim. Other than that, on the positive side we really enjoyed the free wine tasting nightly and the distance to the beach and other in-town attractions were an amazing feature. The staff was polite. I would stay here again but not with the entire family due to size.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
If you book a room at the Ala Mar Motel, the check in is at the Villa Rosa Inn which is like a 1-2 minute walk. Location has a very limited parking spaces but they do have additional parking in front of Villa Rosa Inn. There is no pool at this location but they do have a large balcony with couple of chairs and tables. If you are interested in the pool, the pool is located on Villa Rosa Inn. Ala Mar Motel is located just across the beach and it’s a like 15-20 minutes walk to the downtown Santa Barbara. Other than that this still a really good place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Location was amazing. Bathroom was dirty, moldy and unventilated and the room was not ready by the promised time. Front desk lady was rude because I didn’t fill in a form that was texted to me in the middle of my 5 hour drive to Santa Barbara. If a form was required it should have been sent 24 hours earlier, not when people are actively traveling. Maintenance man was very nice and helpful. We didn’t know how to check in, there was no signage saying that the registration desk was at a neighboring hotel and thankfully he walked us over to check in. He salvaged what started out as a crappy experience.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
This was the worst shower I have ever taken in my life the beautiful bathroom redecorate. It was good when I went to take the first shower there’s no water pressure. The water comes from the roof ceiling in the bathroom very terrible water pressure. I would never go back to this hotel. I couldn’t get through to the receptionist front desk clerk for hours to verify my stay before I took a 2 Hour Drive. The noise from the refrigerator motor was too loud during my sleeping hours and during the day you could hear it humming the worst TV. Unit I’ve ever had couldn’t figure out how to change the channel which channel even on a woman came to the room 102 late in the evening 10 11 o’clock at night knocked on the door. There was no reason even given she said she’d come back and help with the remote control and the TV never came back. I paid for these amenities. A shower was horrible. I couldn’t even get myself clean the TV I couldn’t watch for 12 hours bit of fix things in that place. It’s horrible. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. The only good feature was it was right across the street from the ocean
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place was nice and clean access to the beach is great.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I recommend this place, great location basically for everything on this town!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
It took long time to check in but otherwise everything was great! Great location, large clean room. easy access to nice restaurants and shopping.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Room was not cleaned very well, the shower especially Very outdated appliances in breakfast area. Great location and looks nice outside but needs cleaning.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
The receptionist Melody was fantastic despite how busy they were. Substantially understaffed, funky older motel that truthfully I went through and cleaned with a washcloth. However proximity to the beach, the great staff and just being in Santa Barbara makes it all worth while 👍
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Had to wait a winute for room. But all good therw after
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026