Sand & Signal

Less than a two-minute walk from the Pacific, this Santa Barbara apartment is the kind of place where the beach ends up being more of a daily habit than a destination. East Beach – one of the widest stretches of shoreline in the area – is a seven-minute walk along the coast, and State Street's restaurants and shops are a ten-minute drive when you want more. Back at the apartment, a private patio and a generous shared outdoor space with a gas grill make alfresco evenings easy, while the Santa Barbara Zoo is just three blocks away for families.

Home truths:
* Guests must be 25 years of age or older to rent this home.
* This apartment sits half a block from the Amtrak rail line, so you may hear passing trains — a trade-off that comes with any beachfront location in Santa Barbara.
* This is a multi-unit historic building, so sound can carry between units — worth bearing in mind if you're a light sleeper.
* There's no air conditioning here, though the mild ocean breeze typically keeps things comfortable.
* All three guests will sleep in the same room, with two on the queen bed, and one on the day bed. There isn't much privacy, so we think this home best suits a small family or a couple.