The Most Expensive Summer Destinations in California

Updated: July 17, 2025

Santa Barbara, a coastal city in Santa Barbara Country, is the most expensive summer destination in California for hotel stays this year, according to a survey by Cheaphotels.org.

The survey compared the cost of accommodation across 30 popular California destinations. For each destination, the average price for the cheapest available double room during July and August 2025 was established. Only hotels located close to a beach or in the city/town center, and with 3 or more stars, were considered for the survey.

With an average rate of $351 per night for the most affordable double room, Santa Barbara came out as the priciest destination. Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small beach city on the Monterey Peninsula, and Carlsbad, situated near San Diego, complete the podium with average rates of $342 and $324 per night, respectively.

Compared with 2023, the last time the survey was conducted, hotel rates in Santa Barbara have increased by more than 20%. In Carlsbad, they are up by more than 24% — the biggest increase among the 30 Californian destinations considered by the survey.

On average, hotel rates in California are up just 3% compared with two years ago, with some destinations now significantly more affordable such as Calistoga (-26%) and Long Beach (-15%). The least expensive summer destination once again in 2025 is San Francisco, where average nightly rates come in at just $124.

Average Hotel Rates – Summer 2025

Destination	Average Nightly Rate
Santa Barbara	$351
Carmel-by-the-Sea	$342
Carlsbad	$324
La Jolla	$321
Palo Alto	$317
Santa Monica	$314
Laguna Beach	$314
Pismo Beach	$307
Napa	$278
Santa Cruz	$257
Cambria	$248
Monterey	$247
West Hollywood	$240
Mammoth Lakes	$226
South Lake Tahoe	$217
Eureka	$214
San Luis Obispo	$205
Calistoga	$195
Paso Robles	$187
San Diego	$187
San Jose	$185
Santa Rosa	$175
Sacramento	$172
Palm Springs	$169
Long Beach	$166
Los Angeles	$162
Anaheim	$148
Oakland	$146
Sunnyvale	$129
San Francisco	$124

About the Methodology

The survey considered 30 popular destinations in California with at least 20 hotels or inns. For each destination, the average price for the cheapest available double room was established for the period spanning July 1 to August 31, 2025. Only hotels rated at least three stars and located close to the beach or city centre were considered for the survey. Rates were established in late June based on prices shown on leading hotel booking sites.

Press Contact

Charlotte Smith
cheaphotels.org@gmail.com