ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel

2.0 star property
Hostel near Santa Barbara Harbor in Santa Barbara

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel

A coastal road leading to a pier with a view of the ocean and beach.
A spacious indoor area with large windows, wooden benches, a sofa, and a coffee table.
A modern building with a glass facade, outdoor seating area with Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, and a school bus parked nearby.
A building with a central courtyard, surrounded by palm trees and a clear blue sky.
A modern kitchen with a wooden countertop, a blue chair, and a television mounted on the wall.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry

Explore the area

View in a map
134 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
  • Place, Moreton Bay Fig Tree
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Barbara Harbor
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Stearns Wharf
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Room options

Economy Shared Dormitory

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • City view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

Classic Shared Dormitory, Women only

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(7 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

Classic Shared Dormitory

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(10 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

Basic Double Room

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

Basic Double Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

10 Bed Dormitory

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

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About the neighborhood

Santa Barbara

City center stay.Within a 10-minute walk of this Santa Barbara Beach hostel, you'll find Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and West Beach are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Moreton Bay Fig Tree - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Santa Barbara Harbor - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Santa Barbara City College - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Stearns Wharf - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 5 min walk
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪SB Biergarten - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Jeannine’s American Bakery And Restaurant - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Rodeo Room - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Chad’s - ‬6 min walk

About this property

ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel

Hostel near Santa Barbara Harbor in Santa Barbara
Free breakfast is served daily. Public spaces have free WiFi. Barbecue grills, a vending machine, and a garden are also featured at ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel. Parking is available for a fee.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Santa Barbara hostel.

  • 9 guestrooms or units
  • To-go breakfast (free)
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Lockers available
ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel offers 9 shared accommodations with air conditioning and hair dryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Bathrooms include showers with rainfall showerheads. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Self parking on site (USD 20 per night)

Food and drink

  • Free on-the-go breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Laptop workspace
  • Shared accommodations

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
The front desk is open daily from 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Self parking fee: USD 20 per night

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

I.T.H. Santa Barbara Beach Hostel
ITH Santa Barbara Beach Hostel Santa Barbara
ITH Santa Barbara Beach Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Frequently asked questions

How close is ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel to the airport?

ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel is 10.4 mi (13-min drive) away from the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel?

As of Jul 23, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel on Jul 26, 2026 start from $208, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel.

How close is ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel to the beach?

This hostel is a short 4-minute walk from West Beach and 11.4 mi (22-min drive) from Carpinteria State Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel offer free breakfast?

ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel offers free on-the-go breakfast every day from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

Is there a casino at ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel?

No, there is no casino at this hostel.

What time is check-in at ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM.

Is there free parking at ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel?

Free parking is not available at this hostel. Self parking is available for USD 20 per night.

Does ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel have a pool?

ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel does not have a pool.

Does ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hostel.

How close is ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel to downtown Santa Barbara?

ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel is 1 mi away from Santa Barbara.

ITH Santa Barbara Surf Hostel Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 167 out of 231 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 29 out of 231 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 22 out of 231 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 231 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 231 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really enjoyed my stay and will definitely stay there again! Nice staff..very helpful. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tamela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
When I booked I didn't realize it was a Hostel, turned out to be a wonderful happy accident! Fun community vibe and great self-prep breakfast option. Love the space and nice to have such a wonderful outdoor space...if only the WiFi worked outside! Wifi isn't very strong beyond the living room. And I'm sure this comment is indicative of my age, but the music is too loud all the time.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

yusnawaty

Liked: Amenities
breakfast okay you have to cook eggs in the kitchen
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

shannon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff and very cool vibe!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Janette

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Staff are inviting and friendly. There are NO lockers available. I purchased a $5 lock that they sold to me and couldn’t find one locker available, all of them were used as storage for the staff. In the middle of the night someone reached through my curtain and grabbed my leg. I assume it was to see if I was still in there but it felt aggressive and weird. I won’t stay again because of it, but other than that the place was clean and the area was really nice.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were SUPER chill! Everyone was friendly (guests and staff alike). There's a common area kitchen where you can store your food in a refrigerator or freezer, and there are utensils, basic spices, a stove, and cooking ware to prepare your own food. During my stay they had eggs, bananas, and pancake mix that they provided for breakfast with some accoutrements for the pancakes (brown sugar, coconut, syrup). There were common guitars and a common piano for people to use too. Lights out at 11am and it wasn't too noisy. Such a cool place!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cassie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff. Clean and Fun property with daily activities..2 blocks from the beach. Make your own pancake breakfast with great coffee. Great prices! We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Close to the beach, public transportation, restaurants, farmers market etc. Lots of activities. Games, corn hole, ping pong, firepit. Washers and dryers. Lockers. Vending machine. Kitchen. Breakfast provided. Beds are comfortable. Staff is amazing.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Esmeralda

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff is really nice and helpful overall a comfortable stay
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Fernanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
+ O hostel é uma graça, os funcionários são muito simpáticos e acolhedores. Ambiente alto astral. Fizemos uma aula de yoga incrível com a Kay. Excelente localização, pertinho da praia. - Acordei de madrugada com o barulho de um casal tr4ns4ndo e gemendo em algum quarto próximo por bastante tempo. Quarto pequeno e simples (só uma cama e uma escrivaninha). O banheiro não é muito próximo, então tive que atravessar um corredor um pouco longo para ir ao banheiro de madrugada. Café da manhã até estava gostoso, mas muito simples para o valor da diária. Não tinham itens básicos como frutas e leite. Parece que tudo é contado e pego por quem acorda primeiro (conseguimos os dois últimos ovos). Entendo que é hostel, mas pagamos diária de hotel caro (quase R$ 1.000 para 2 pessoas). tempo. O quarto e
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mustafa

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is a centrally located welcoming place to stay. Common areas have all the amenities that every hostel should carry. The private room I booked could also have had its private bathroom in it. However, the shared bathroom and the all gender restroom was clean and helpful. Eggs, package and the coffee were pleasant for the breakfast. Thanks to Bobby, Jonathan and the rest of the hostel crew for their accessibility.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

ANDRES

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Súper céntrico !!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
To start with, the staff are very kind and accommodating - I had a gig that started at the time their check-in is and due to traffic beforehand and finishing up well after their front desk closed, they offered a solution that they will leave my key where I can grab it when I arrive so that I would be able to get in (also, luckily, there was actually someone at the front desk somehow at 4am as the key was unintentionally left inside so I'm grateful to her). I booked a bed in the all female 10 bed dormitory and had zero issues. Clean sheets, super comfortable mattress, a wide shelf to put things on, a lamp, and a fan - all of these little things made me sink in and have an incredible sleep. When it comes to hostels, there's a level of trust with the people in the room with you regarding your things, respect for each other's space, and a feeling of safety and I felt very comfortable all around. I also love how close the beach is! It was a short and sweet walk especially with beautiful weather. Very happy that I booked with this hostel!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alfie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Amazing staff, really friendly & welcoming. Well-equipped hostel with a cozy common area and everything you might need but forgot. Daily/nightly events and a great outdoor space. Literally next to the train station so it’s convenient to get to. My daughter & I felt safe the entire time!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Liahnnie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Yes it was
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Naya

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Highly recommended
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dezheng

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Neat and clean place for backpackers. I love the kitchen which allows me to cook for the kids and myself. Very nice atmosphere and well maintained. They are not fancy but definitely clean everywhere.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angelina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I spend 4 days in this Hostel and it was incredible ! The staff are so nice and everything is really clean ! By the way if you meet Maxine you're better watch out because she is iconic !! There is also activities during the day and in the evening, so as a single traveler it's perfect to meet new people ! Don't hesitate if you come in Santa Barbara, come to the ITH !!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Giovanni

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cozy, courteous, and cute. This hostel was unlike previous I had stayed in that it had unique qualities such as the themed nights. The location is perfect! I was able to walk to dinner (a local Mediterranean spot) and steps from the beach for sunset. 10/10 would recommend & hope to return
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Irene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everyone is always amazing!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Walkable to everything, beach and downtown
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jacob

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fun and friendly atmosphere. Matthew was especially kind in showing me around. Definitely would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donald

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hostel! Friendly, helpful staff.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Martin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Yes and yes.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jorge

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My husband was in town just to drop of some of my son's belongings and needed a place to rest before driving back home...literally less than an 24 hour trip. Hotels were either sold out, super far or ridiculously priced at over $400/night. I saw the hostel & he said he loved the idea...meeting new people, having a place to sleep, being downtown and you can't beat the rate. I did get him the private bedroom because he snores. Eeek, don't tell him I shared that on the internet! He checked in rather late at 9pm and was welcomed in by Hailey. She shared the rules, gave him a quick tour of the hostel and he left his backpack in his room and went out to find some dinner. He shared that it was such a relaxed environment: people working on their laptops, chatting by the fire pit, cooking up a meal, and sharing a beer. When he came back most people had gone to bed. He used the restroom which he said were spotless, went to bed and slept all night. He commented that the hostel was super clean, trendy, and really had a great atmosphere. Everything is so close by and while the crowd was younger than him, he said it's definitely a place he'd come back to and said he thinks I'd love it too!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025