THE RAMADA LIMITED
4770 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, Calif., 805-964-3511,
RATES: Start at $109 per night for a mountain-view room and go up to $250 for suite. Free parking.
STAY HERE IF YOU’RE: Vacationing in this very expensive town and are looking for a moderately priced place that’s off the beaten track.
IT’S CLOSE TO: The Santa Barbara airport, both major routes to the wine country, a great wooded running path and only a 10-minute drive to State Street and the waterfront.
THE ROOMS ARE: Basic decent motel furnishings with comfortable beds.
THEY PUT ALL OF THE MONEY INTO: The gardens. The treasure of this otherwise unremarkable property is a large pond boasting ducks, koi and even frogs. The water, which is on two sides of a large swimming pool, also has gorgeous plantings. You’ll want to spend an hour or two with a book and a refreshing beverage sitting in the garden.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Moderately priced, which means you can spend more on some of Santa Barbara’s great restaurants or get your yia-yias shopping in the wide array of upscale stores along – and behind – State Street. You can also bring home a case of wine from “Sideways” country.
