Vacation in Santa Barbara (Pismo Beach, Cambria: hotels, houses, safe area)

[Camaro5]

We're planning a birthday trip for my wife at the end of April and want to go to Santa Barbara. We were looking at the Hotel Milo since it's right on the beach and pet friendly. It's about 5 1/2 hours from our place in Henderson, NV. We also plan to drive up the coast a bit and maybe make a side trip to Solvang. We were in SB and Solvang on our honeymoon (31 years ago!) and thought it might be fun to check it out again.

My main question involves the safety of staying at the beach and in that area in general. I am a photographer and would like to do some shooting at the beach and also at the marina, pier, etc. I normally walk around, sometimes alone, and while I can take care of myself I don't want to take any risks with expensive camera gear.

I only ask because the articles I've read seem to indicate that the area around that hotel isn't exactly the best part of town anymore. That may or may not be true, and I'd rather hear from someone that lives there or has been there recently.

[Astral_Weeks]

Originally Posted by Camaro5

We're planning a birthday trip for my wife at the end of April and want to go to Santa Barbara. We were looking at the Hotel Milo since it's right on the beach and pet friendly. It's about 5 1/2 hours from our place in Henderson, NV. We also plan to drive up the coast a bit and maybe make a side trip to Solvang. We were in SB and Solvang on our honeymoon (31 years ago!) and thought it might be fun to check it out again.

My main question involves the safety of staying at the beach and in that area in general. I am a photographer and would like to do some shooting at the beach and also at the marina, pier, etc. I normally walk around, sometimes alone, and while I can take care of myself I don't want to take any risks with expensive camera gear.

I only ask because the articles I've read seem to indicate that the area around that hotel isn't exactly the best part of town anymore. That may or may not be true, and I'd rather hear from someone that lives there or has been there recently.

In general, Santa Barbara is a very safe city. That could be my "big city" bias but honestly I wouldn't sweat it. I would be curious to see/read the articles calling it an unsafe area.

The area in question (near the Hotel Milo) is referred to as West Beach and is a very safe area. Lots of pedestrians in the area so you won't feel alone. Also, that hotel is just blocks from the Funk Zone which has blossomed in the last 10 plus years to become the go to area for locals and tourists with art galleries, restaurants, bars, etc. The Hotel Californian is one of the newest and priciest hotels in Santa Barbara and is located there.

[Just One of the Guys]

I have never felt unsafe in SB, especially near the beach.

[Dave Coe]

Originally Posted by Just One of the Guys

I have never felt unsafe in SB, especially near the beach.

Fairly safe but homeless presence has grown in downtown SB since the pandemic.

[NORTY FLATZ]

If you're going to travel North, then Vandenburg is kinda unique, for photography.

Farther North, you have Pismo Beach.

A little more North, and you're at Morro Rock/Bay.

Next would be Cambria (I'd rather stay here than SB.)

Finally, a photog's dream...Hearst's Castle.

Granted, this is kind of ambitious, if you want to stick around Santa B, then check out the Mission there. Good photo ops there.

Since you'll be in the general area, you might want to visit the Reagan Library, for add'l photo ops. (The Air Force One Tour is pretty cool.)

[AustinTraveler]

FYI, Hearst Castle is closed with no timetable for opening. They are repairing the road up to the castle.

[wac_432]

The only place to avoid on the beachside is E. Yananoli street East of Garden as a group of day laborers and, I think, some homeless hang out there near a portapotty. The rest of the area is very safe, photogenic, and very tourist-friendly. There's no reason you'd go back there anyway, as it's just an ugly collection of warehouses next to the freeway.

I think you've picked the best place in an already-beautiful town to stay. You will have no issues walking around the beach or your hotel, day or night.

Thievery is the most rampant crime, so don't leave your fancy camera gear sitting on the bus bench (or even at your restaurant table) or something dumb like that. It's a city, so lock your car doors after parking it and don't attract trouble by leaving a purse or laptop sitting out in plain view.

If you see a zombie (Drug-addled stumbling/jibbering vagrant) just avoid. There are less of them in April as its still pretty cold, so you probably won't unless you go looking for them.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Originally Posted by AustinTraveler

FYI, Hearst Castle is closed with no timetable for opening. They are repairing the road up to the castle.

"CALTRANS?" Oh no. This could take forever...

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ

"CALTRANS?" Oh no. This could take forever...

The contract was awarded to John Madonna Construction.

[wizrap]

Resurrecting a months old thread to see if the wine country near Santa Barbara is a better place to stay than the city/beach area. We’ll be vacationing for 3/4 days in mid-May and our favorite wine is sparkling. Don’t know if it’s best to hit up the wine tasting rooms downtown and stay there or stay up in the wine country and visit some wineries.

The hotel prices are less expensive in the wine country but if the beach and downtown area is better for what we want then we’ll look there. We’ve been to Santa Barbara before, about 5 years ago but just drove around a bit—didn’t stay as we were heading up to Carmel.