When to Visit Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria has a relatively cool Mediterranean climate that stays fresh thanks to coastal breezes. Temperatures stay consistent throughout the year with some slight seasonal variations. From July through October, daily highs reach the low 70s and dip down to the low 50s overnight. During the rest of the year, highs are generally in the low 60s and go down to the upper 30s at night. Summers in Santa Maria tend to be dry, but you might want to pack an umbrella if you visit during the winter months.
Visit Santa Maria during one of the city's many delicious and colorful events to experience the area at its best. In the spring, take the whole family to the Santa Maria Kite Festival, which includes kite contests and races, local food, and kid-friendly fun. Celebrate the beginning of your favorite juicy, red fruit's season in style at the Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival. This three-day event includes dessert-eating contests, strawberry tastings, and carnival rides.
In the middle of July, the Santa Barbara County Fair comes to town, complete with agricultural demonstrations, arts and crafts, a rodeo, musical entertainment, and fair food. When October rolls around, it's time for the annual Autumn Arts, Grapes, and Grains Festival, which brings together the area's legendary barbecue and local wine along with a fine arts show.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Santa Maria, CA:
Santa Maria by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean nightly cost trends by star rating class in Santa Maria, CA. You can use these illustrations to evaluate the best months to stay in Santa Maria for upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotels in Santa Maria, CA
4 Star Average Prices: $492.20
Though you won't find luxury hotels in the heart of Santa Maria, several are just a short drive away in Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez.
A short drive south of Santa Maria, The Landsby is located in nearby Solvang and convenient to several area wineries. Choose a deluxe room or upgrade to a premium room with a balcony and settle into this boutique hotel. All 41 guest rooms are equipped with deep soaking bathtubs, digital programming, free Wi-Fi, and bottled water. Start your day with a complimentary continental breakfast, and spend the afternoon soaking in the sun in the hotel's garden. In the evening, stay in and order room service or take a stroll to the nearby Solvang Festival Theater.
One of the top rated hotels in the Santa Maria area, Fess Parker Wine Country Inn offers luxury rooms with extras like fireplaces and complimentary wine tastings. Make yourself at home with amenities like an LCD TV and a DVD player, and get a restful night's sleep on a pillow-top bed with a down comforter. Book an on-site massage or facial, or head straight to the outdoor pool for a relaxing afternoon. Have a memorable meal at the on-site restaurant or dine out in downtown Los Olivos, right outside the inn's front door.
Book a stay you won't soon forget at the Santa Ynez Inn, Luxury Boutique Hotel. This upscale property is located in the heart of downtown Santa Ynez and just a short drive from Santa Maria and the area's many wineries. All 20 rooms at this boutique hotel come with refrigerators and plush bathrobes, and the hotel's sauna and whirlpool ensure that you stay relaxed throughout your stay. In the morning, indulge in a complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast before heading out to explore this beautiful area.
Best Budget-Friendly Hotels in Santa Maria, CA
3 Star Average Prices: $142.42
You'll find plenty of places to save with budget-friendly accommodations near Santa Maria's Highway 101.
Stay at the Motel 6 Santa Maria, and you'll get some of the lowest room rates in town. Rooms include essentials like a comfortable bed and wireless internet access available for a surcharge, and the hotel offers free coffee in the lobby.
Located on the east side of town, the Days Inn Santa Maria is convenient to the city's Natural History Museum and several area wineries. Rooms include basics like mini fridges, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, and the hotel offers a complimentary Daybreak Breakfast each morning.
If you're visiting the Santa Maria area for the Strawberry Festival or another annual event, book a room at the Travelodge Santa Maria, just minutes from the city's Fairpark. Rooms and the Travelodge are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, and workspaces, as well as free Wi-Fi. Wake up to a complimentary Bear Bites continental breakfast, and take advantage of the hotel's free truck and RV parking to get even more value out of your stay.
When you're looking for a home away from home in the Santa Maria area, book your stay at the Candlewood Suites Santa Maria. All rooms at this apartment-style hotel include kitchens with full-size refrigerators and stoves, so you can prepare all your meals inexpensively. Use the workspace and free Wi-Fi to catch up on email, and make your way to the 24-hour fitness center to work up a sweat. The hotel also features a 24-hour business center and front desk for round-the-clock service.
2 Star Average Prices: $110.44
Best Hotel Discounts in Santa Maria, CA
Save even more on low room rates with Santa Maria's best hotel discounts. AAA members save on standard rates at the Travelodge Santa Maria and the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria. Government employees and members of the military get low rates at the Days Inn Santa Maria and the Best Western Plus Big America.
Best Value Options in Santa Maria, CA
No matter if you want to stay in the center of the city or on its outskirts, you'll get plenty of value out of these mid-range hotels in Santa Maria.
The Best Western Plus Big America is just steps from the Santa Maria Civic Theatre and other downtown attractions, making it the ideal choice for visitors who want to explore the city. Make yourself at home in the well-appointed rooms, which include mini fridges, microwaves, LCD TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Take a dip in the outdoor pool or head to the nearby fitness facility for a workout. In the morning, get started with a complimentary buffet breakfast. If you plan to use the hotel's complimentary airport shuttle, be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time.
Located in the heart of Santa Maria, the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Santa Maria has over 200 guest rooms with workspaces, video game consoles, and free Wi-Fi. Cool off in the Holiday Inn's outdoor pool on a hot summer day or work up a sweat in the fitness room. Use the 24-hour business center to finish work projects, then grab a drink at the bar when you're done for the day. The hotel's free on-site parking makes the Holiday Inn a great deal for all types of travelers.
Book your stay at the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria, and you'll be just minutes from the Santa Maria Country Club and the city's business district. All 184 guest rooms have basics like complimentary Wi-Fi and coffee makers, and the hotel keeps guests busy with a fitness center and an outdoor pool. Start your day with breakfast at the hotel restaurant before making your way to an event or conference in the Radisson's 4,000 square feet of facilities. Free on-site parking adds to the hotel's overall value.
Leave the chain hotels behind and be a part of history at the Historic Santa Maria Inn. Convenient to the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum and the city's historical society, this hotel has it all. Rooms include basics like mini fridges, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi as well as extras like video game consoles and designer toiletries. Make your way to the on-site spa for a body treatment or a massage or enjoy a long soak in the spa tub. Have a quiet night and order room service or go to the hotel nightclub for a late-night drink.
Can’t-Miss Attractions in Santa Maria, CA
Explore Santa Maria's culture with a visit to the Pacific Conservatory Theatre, which puts on a variety of classic and contemporary plays and musicals year-round. Take the family to the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, which offers hours of interactive fun, recreation, and play spaces for young kids. Everyone will appreciate the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, which has everything from helicopters to airplanes to military aircraft on display.
Sample local vintages at your choice of wineries, or follow an established route like the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. Presqu'ile Winery makes some of the area's best bottles of pinot noir and chardonnay, Rancho Sisquoc specializes in Malbec and Syrah, and Foxen Vineyard and Winery produces a special line of varietals and blends.
Whether you're planning a winter or a summer visit, Santa Maria has plenty to do and taste. Book your ideal accommodations and start planning your trip to Santa Barbara County today.
'Inflicting pain, instilling fear, causing destruction, these aren't the actions of heroes, but cowards, are the powerful words from Santa Maria-born actor Jason M. Olazábal.
Santa Clause Maria is an excellent excursion place situated in the foothills of the Sierra Madres, minutes from perfect shorelines, parks, mountains and beautiful trekking trails. The regularly windswept Santa Maria Valley is the northern most handle in Santa Barbara County. Chardonnay and Pinot noir are two varietals which particularly profit by the sea's impact, and are the lead wines of this sobriquet. A recompense winning wine developing area, Santa Barbara County is home to over 50 wineries settled in miles of beautiful farmland. The Central Coast town is additionally understood for its nourishment society, so abandon some time for eating and drinking. People from all around the world visit this beautiful place to explore the numerous energizing things to do which ends up invigorating their mind, body and soul.
Which Budget Hotels in Santa Maria Can Travelers Access?
There are many cheap hotels in Santa Maria that would easily fit under a low budget. Most of them are hostels which offer a cozy and warm setting for guests to relax and have a good time. Motel 6 is one of such places which always are in high demand. What makes it an enticing option is the fact that it lets children under 17 stay for free provided an adult's there for supervising. Other Santa Maria hotels in the category are Quality Inn & Suites, which is 4.5 miles from Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refugand and Travelodge Santa Maria, which offers very cheap rooms on rent. Holiday Motel is another option worth going for, if traveling on a low budget to the city.
Which Luxury Hotels in Santa Maria Can Travelers Access?
There are many great luxury hotels in Santa Maria which are located very conveniently. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Santa Maria is a luxury three star hotel that offers the finest services to its guests with rooms that overlook the scintillating landscapes of Santa Maria. Candlewood Suites Santa Maria is another hotel from the category that is just 2.5 miles away from Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum. Radisson Hotel Santa Maria and Best Western Plus Big America are classic hotels in Santa Maria that provide guests the ultimate luxurious experience.
Which Boutique/Independent Hotels in Santa Maria Can Travelers Access?
In the boutique hotels rank, Casa Verde Hotel is the most sought after hotel. The building's located on a quiet street in the city while being very near to prime shopping destination. Its friendly staffers are always ready to serve guests to the fullest of their capabilities. La Casa del Farol Hotel Boutique is another top hotel in this category. It's located right in the historical center of Santa Maria. Hotel Boutique Don Pepe and Santorini Hotel Boutique Santa Marta are two other best boutique hotels in the area worth staying at for a truly comfortable and memorable experience.
FAQs about hotels in Santa Maria
How much does a cheap hotel in Santa Maria cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in Santa Maria can be as cheap as $110.44 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in Santa Maria cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in Santa Maria has been $142.42 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a higher-end hotel in Santa Maria cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in Santa Maria has been $492.20 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
Verified reviews of the city: Santa Maria, CA
Below are reviews of the city of Santa Maria, CA from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Great Swiss Restaurant!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The Swiss restaurant was great!
Jeffrey C., from 31-Mar-2024
"Scenic Area"
Score
4.0 / 5
Love the flowers and vegetables you see growing in the fields.
Katherin P., from 17-Mar-2024
"Old World Charm"
Score
5.0 / 5
The old world charm.
Jo W., from 30-Jun-2023
"Wine Tasting!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Came down for a wine tasting weekend!
Ron K., from 18-Apr-2023
"Close to Mall & Enos Center"
Score
4.0 / 5
Very close to the mall and Enos Center for more shopping and food selections!
Gina C., from 11-Jan-2023
"Nice city with good restaurants and quaint shops."
Score
4.0 / 5
Nice city with good restaurants and quaint shops.
Phil S., from 28-Dec-2022
"Santa Maria is a lively city."
Score
4.0 / 5
Santa Maria is a lively city.
Laura A., from 21-Dec-2022
"Clean, quiet, helpful and friendly staff."
Score
5.0 / 5
Clean, quiet, helpful and friendly staff. Santa Maria is a nice place to visit got family living there.
Edward A., from 11-Dec-2022
"Room clean and comfortable, quiet."
Score
4.0 / 5
Room clean and comfortable, quiet. Santa Maria is nice got family that lives there.
Edward A., from 11-Dec-2022
"Fabulous hotel!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Weather and hotel experience were fabulous!
Ruben Z., from 15-Jul-2022
"Weather and hotel experience were fabulous!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Weather and hotel experience were fabulous!
Ruben Z., from 15-Jul-2022
"Shopping!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The weather and convenience of shopping!
Edgar M., from 29-Jun-2022
"Restaurants!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Restaurants! Santa Maria is known for Santa Maria style tri tip!
Michelle G., from 14-Jun-2022
"Close to various wineries."
Score
5.0 / 5
Close to various wineries.
Nancy H., from 05-Apr-2022
"Very clean and welcoming."
Score
4.0 / 5
Very clean and welcoming.
Leonel C., from 07-Feb-2022
"Very clean and welcoming!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Very clean and welcoming!
Leonel C., from 06-Feb-2022
"Very clean and welcoming."
Score
4.0 / 5
Very clean and welcoming.
Leonel C., from 06-Feb-2022
"Clean Hotel"
Score
4.0 / 5
Clean!
Deby B., from 06-Nov-2021
"Nice, Quaint Town"
Score
4.0 / 5
Beautiful, sunny weather. Very family oriented place.
Joe H., from 09-Apr-2015
The average traveler rating of the city of Santa Maria, CA shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 19 reviews