Hotels

The Waterman is perhaps best known as an exemplar of the “hip hostel” trend, which marries budget communal lodgings with boutique-hotel looks. But here on Tablet, this stylish Santa Barbara hotel is notable for its twenty-seven private rooms, which actually make up the bulk of the accommodations — each of which sleeps up to three guests (of your choosing!) in a king or queen bed plus a twin-sized Murphy bed.

The look is classic whitewashed Spanish Colonial on the outside and a dark, vibrant, dare we say funky contemporary style on the inside, with bright yellow accents livening sober, richly textured rooms. Free wi-fi and proper electronics are a must for a hotel with such a youthful audience, and the Waterman is as wired as they come.

This part of town is pedestrian-friendly, which is a good thing, because it’s also home to more than a few local wine producers’ tasting rooms, as well as microbreweries, restaurants, galleries and shops. You can rent a bike for a bit of further exploration, or you can while away the hours in the Waterman's social spaces, including the pool and the community kitchen and dining room. And if you’re on a long enough trip, you’ll appreciate one hostel amenity in particular: on-site laundry.