What's it like in Isla Vista?

Isla Vista is a neighbourhood that travellers like for its beaches, university setting and live music. Are you looking for Isla Vista travel tips? Make sure that you visit Isla Vista Beach and UC SB Events Center while you're in the neighbourhood.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Isla Vista, will I receive a refund?

Yes, most hotel room reservations are refundable provided that you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before your arrival date. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and be given a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Plug in your dates, click on "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to review the best options available in Isla Vista.

What can I see and do in this Goleta neighbourhood?

Dip your toes in the water at Isla Vista Beach, Devereux Beach and Campus Beach while you're in Isla Vista. UC SB Events Center and Goleta Point are also a couple of places to visit in the neighbourhood. Coal Oil Point Reserve, Ucsb Labyrinth and Devereaux Slough are just a few of the places to visit in and around Isla Vista. While you're out sightseeing, Sands Beach and Camino Real Marketplace are a couple of additional sights to visit in Goleta.

How can I get around Isla Vista and the greater Goleta area?

To venture out of town, take a train from UC Santa Barbara Station.

The Best Hotels in Isla Vista, Goleta - 2026 Updated Prices

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Our top choices for Isla Vista hotels

An outdoor patio with tables and chairs, string lights, and a bar area.

1. Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara / Goleta

Old Town, 2 km from Isla Vista

W Scott

7.087.890 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

An outdoor patio with wicker furniture, a central fire pit, and potted plants.

2. Courtyard Santa Barbara Goleta

Ellwood, 1.5 km from Isla Vista

Sarajean

7.328.241 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A beach with a pier extending into the water, a path leading to a bench, and a palm tree in the foreground.

3. Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta

Old Town, 4.3 km from Isla Vista

Kenneth

5.958.506 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A patio with wicker chairs, a fire pit, and a dining area with tables and chairs.

4. Residence Inn by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta

Old Town, 2.7 km from Isla Vista

Daniel

8.996.529 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A bar area with a long counter, multiple stools, and a view of the outdoors through large windows.

5. The Leta Santa Barbara Goleta, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Fairview, 4.8 km from Isla Vista

Erik

5.881.522 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Oct - 30 Oct

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and a building.

6. Best Western Plus South Coast Inn

Fairview, 4.9 km from Isla Vista

JEANETTE

5.520.547 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, a window with a view of palm trees, and a door.

7. Motel 6 Goleta, CA - Santa Barbara

Fairview, 4.3 km from Isla Vista

Isabel

3.630.309 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

6 Oct - 7 Oct

A cozy indoor seating area with a swing chair, a cushioned bench, and a coffee table.

8. The Steward, Santa Barbara, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

4.8 km from Isla Vista

Cecil

7.444.053 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A serene pond surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees, with a building in the background.

9. Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara

7.5 km from Isla Vista

Wayne

5.976.707 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Oct - 30 Oct

A resort with a swimming pool, beach access, and ocean views.

10. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Ellwood, 5.9 km from Isla Vista

julie

23.184.175 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

29 Oct - 30 Oct

An outdoor patio area with stone walls, a fire pit, and seating arrangements.

11. Hyatt Place Santa Barbara

9.7 km from Isla Vista

robert

6.203.844 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

A gated entrance with an arch covered in greenery, a tiled pathway, and a building with a balcony.

12. FOUND Hotels, Santa Barbara, Series by Marriott

10.7 km from Isla Vista

Samantha

5.516.097 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

13. Extended Stay America Suites Santa Barbara Calle Real

7.2 km from Isla Vista

Holly

6.042.423 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

11 Oct - 12 Oct

A spacious living room with a round wooden coffee table, two blue armchairs, and a patterned armchair.

14. Sandpiper Lodge

11.5 km from Isla Vista

Greg

3.302.732 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

A VAGABOND INN sign, a building with a balcony, and palm trees.

15. Vagabond Inn Santa Barbara

11.6 km from Isla Vista

chris

3.121.562 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

1 Oct - 2 Oct

A covered outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, overlooking a runway and palm trees.

16. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

16.9 km from Isla Vista

John

8.451.677 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

A restaurant with wooden floors, wicker chairs, and hanging plants.

17. Best Western Plus Santa Barbara

13 km from Isla Vista

Aiping

5.268.466 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A sunlit balcony with a curved sofa, a small round table, and a potted plant. The balcony features arched windows with a view of palm trees and the sea.

18. Santa Barbara Inn

17.3 km from Isla Vista

melanie

8.573.216 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

30 Oct - 31 Oct

A spacious interior with high ceilings, wooden beams, and a central column.

19. Hotel Santa Barbara

15.1 km from Isla Vista

Karri

6.861.117 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a desk, and a nightstand.

20. Avania Inn of Santa Barbara

15.2 km from Isla Vista

Joseph

5.239.188 ₫ total

includes taxes & fees

5 Oct - 6 Oct

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Where to stay in Isla Vista

Find the best Isla Vista areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A coastal cityscape with Mediterranean architecture, palm trees, and a clear sky.

Old Town

When in Old Town, you can plan a visit to Goleta Beach and Isla Vista Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

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A railway track running alongside a beach with mountains in the background.

Gaviota

If you're spending some time in Gaviota, Gaviota Beach and Gaviota State Park are top sights worth seeing.

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Ellwood

If you're spending some time in Ellwood, Sandpiper Golf Club and Goleta Butterfly Grove are top sights worth seeing.

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A historic building with a bell tower, arches, and a fountain.

Fairview

If you're spending some time in Fairview, Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens and Zodo's - Bowling and Beyond are top sights worth seeing.

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A coastal cityscape with a vibrant sunset sky, dense urban area, and distant mountains.

Winchester

While there might not be top attractions in Winchester, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Goleta Butterfly Grove and Glen Annie Golf Club.

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