An elevated stay for slow Santa Barbara weekends
WELCOME TO SUNSET MOTEL
Boutique design, fair pricing
Newly renovated rooms feature white oak, solid brass, and French wallpaper. Experience thoughtful details, without a four-star markup. Located on Upper State Street, Sunset Motel is the easy pick for a trip that feels indulgent but isn't.
Amenities
Handcrafted rooms
Solid white oak headboards, alabaster & brass sconces. Quartz counters, French wallpaper, and woven throws.
Central, walkable location
Steps from Upper State Street’s shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Independent & family-run
No generic corporate brand, and no big investors. Just a family-owned inn, lovingly restored.
Convenient tech
Bedside outlet, USB-A, and USB-C ports within easy reach. Fast, free, and reliable gigabit wifi.
24-hour front desk
Check in anytime.
Free parking
Easy, on-site parking. No extra fees.
Rooms
Renovated King
Refined warmth.
Our Renovated King Rooms feature a king bed, quality finishes, and warm details througout. Upstairs rooms offer scenic mountain views, and downstairs rooms provide easier access. Great for couples who want a quiet, beautiful stay.
Best for short stays & weekend getaways
Renovated King Suites
More space, plus a jetted tub or jacuzzi.
Every King Suite comes with a private jetted tub or jacuzzi and a king bed. Enjoy more room, a luxurious wallpaper accent wall, along with some of the best mountain views in the house in select suites.
Most popular with couples
Renovated Two Queen
Built for sharing.
A bigger room with two queen beds, comfortably sleeping up to four. A great option for friends or family visiting Santa Barbara together.
More room to spread out
Renovated Family Suite
Our largest room.
Two queen beds plus a custom-built double sofa bed, giving everyone room to spread out and unwind after a day exploring.
Best for bigger families & groups
OUR STORY
Full circle, back
where it began
Before it was Sunset Motel, it was just Melanie’s home. Melanie's parents left Taiwan, then France, before settling in Santa Barbara and buying the property in the 1990s. They built the second story and raised Melanie and her sister in the manager's unit. Melanie left for college and a nonprofit career, but in 2025, Melanie returned with her husband Eric to renovate, transform, and reintroduce Sunset Motel to Santa Barbara.
Location
SEE WHAT IS NEARBY
Walkable Upper State Street
Steps from some of Santa Barbara's best: dinner at Lure Fish House or Via Maestra 42, coffee and pastries at Renaud's, drinks at Lama Dog or Brass Bear. Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are both an easy walk, too.
Centrally located: a 10 minute drive away to downtown Santa Barbara, UCSB, and Arroyo Burro Beach.