Nearly 100 million Americans plan to take a family vacation this year, according to AAA. And it’s no secret, vacations in the US can get pricey. From transportation and accommodation, costs can add up quickly, and you don’t want to stress out about funds during your much-deserved vacation. Fortunately, there are some simple tips to help you cut travel costs when planning a trip to Santa Barbara.

Don’t follow the crowd 

plan trip santa barbara

Go against the grain and it could save you significant bucks. A great way to save money is by traveling on less popular days of the week. Most people don’t travel on Tuesday or Wednesday, so consider starting or ending your trip on one of these days. Consider peak transit times and rush hour when booking flight times or deciding when to hit the road.

Drive the Central Coast

road trip American Riviera

Save money by taking a good old-fashioned road trip. AAA found half of traveling families expect to take a road trip this year. When you consider how expensive and stressful flying has become, it’s not surprising. Forget about baggage fees, overpriced airport food and cattle calls. Pack snacks and travel the Central Coast at your leisure. Don’t have a car? Rent one or search ride share options for shorter distances.

Stay walking distance to the beach

family santa barbara beach

The beaches of Santa Barbara are free entertainment for the whole family. Many of our vacation rental homes are walking distance to the beach, Stearn’s Wharf and Santa Barbara Harbor, which are filled to the brim with activities, restaurants and shops. But for an even more frugal option, use your vacation rental home’s fully-stocked kitchen and pack a gourmet lunch then head to one of the many picnic spots at Shoreline or Leadbetter Beach.

<<Check out our short-term vacation rentals within walking distance to Santa Barbara beaches>>

Pet-friendly vacation rental homes

dog santa barbara beach

Pets are family, so why shouldn’t they join in on the fun? Avoid the cost of pet-sitters by bringing your furry friend with you. Santa Barbara is one of the most dog-friendly cities in California. Haller Coastal Homes also has a few pet-friendly rentals. If you see a white paw print on the top right hand corner of a rental property’s picture, then that indicates it’s a pet-friendly rental which welcomes Fido at no extra charge.

Pack light and save for shopping on State Street

cut travel costs santa barbara

If you are flying and your vacation is reasonably short, avoid the costs of baggage fees and just bring a carry-on. Use that extra cash you save for shopping on Santa Barbara’s famous State Street. If you have to check a bag on the way back home because you bought too much stuff, at least you’ll have avoided the fees on the way out! Make sure to weigh your bags before you arrive at the airport.

Book your coastal home away from home

vacation coastal rental home santa barbara

Save on restaurant expenses by booking one of our coastal vacation rental homes which feature multiple bedrooms, fully-stocked kitchens, living areas and patios, gardens or balconies. All of our rental homes come with luxurious amenities to make your stay as carefree as possible. In our homes, you can relax with a glass of wine while you cook your own food, saving you big bucks from dining out.

 Comfortable, clean and curated with thoughtful interior decor, our coastal vacation rental homes offer much more value than a hotel room. Reserving a vacation rental home for your trip to Santa Barbara could be the clincher that makes a trip to the American Rivera more affordable than you ever thought possible.

<<Learn more about all of our Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Goleta vacation rental properties and find your ideal home away from home>>

 

images source – (BPT)