Visit Santa Margarita: 2026 Travel Guide for Santa Margarita, California

Where to stay in Santa Margarita

Find the best Santa Margarita areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Santa Margarita

Downtown

Downtown

If you're spending some time in Downtown, Ancient Peaks Winery is a top sight worth visiting.

Cottage Inn By The Sea

2351 Price St Pismo Beach CA

$137 nightly

$157 total

Oct 27 - Oct 28

Total with taxes and fees

Book a stay at this beach hotel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...

9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,480 reviews)

"It's was a well spend stay , clean and slept well in the comfortable bed with ocean waves. Few issues with flushing the toilet, shower head needs a little maintenance but over all our one day stay was pleasant."

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2026

Apple Farm

2015 Monterey St San Luis Obispo CA

$129 nightly

$147 total

Nov 1 - Nov 2

Total with taxes and fees

Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...

9/10 Wonderful! (1,652 reviews)

"I love Apple Farm and have stayed here regularly when I come to visit my son at Cal Poly. This time, however, was not the best experience. On Sunday morning at about 9 am there was loud pounding right above me on the roof. This persisted for over two hours. I had planned to host other family members ..."

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2026

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach

651 Five Cities Dr Pismo Beach CA

$129 nightly

$148 total

Oct 21 - Oct 22

Total with taxes and fees

Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...

9/10 Wonderful! (2,199 reviews)

"."

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2026

See all 2,434 properties in Santa Margarita

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground

7075 Ontario Rd San Luis Obispo CA

Stay at this cabin in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Avila Hot Springs and Pismo State Beach are ...

9.2/10 Wonderful! (54 reviews)

"Lovely property, friendly check-in staff. Great location right near the Bob Jones trailhead. My only notes are that the cabin i stayed in is a bit rundown - the mattress could be replaced, the bedside light had no outlet, so was just ornamental, and the tv in the bedroom didn’t work. Other than that, ..."

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2026

The Lofts at The Market

1803 Spring St Paso Robles CA

Stay at this aparthotel in Paso Robles. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Paso Robles Pioneer Museum and Paso Robles Children's ...

9.6/10 Exceptional! (80 reviews)

"Beautifully designed, felt roomy. We weren't bumping into each other. Loved the room had 2 comfortable, easy chairs not the usual 1. Location was excellent. We walked to downtown Paso several times. Several restaurants & excellent bakeries close by. Great communication from Jill was appreciated. ..."

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2026

The Cayucan Bungalows by AvantStay

14 N Ocean Ave Cayucos CA

Book a stay at this business-friendly apartment in Cayucos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Morro Rock and Brown Butter ...

10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)

"Beach view and location was the best"

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2026

See all properties in Santa Margarita

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Santa Margarita attractions

Santa Margarita Lake

6.0/10 (1 review)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Santa Margarita Lake during your travels in Santa Margarita. While you're in the area, stroll along the beaches.

See properties

Things to do

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

$20

per traveler

Scenic Sidecar Vineyard Adventure San Luis Obispo

Scenic Vineyard Tour Adventure San Luis Obispo

$45

per adult

100% of travellers recommend

3-Hour Kayaking and Hiking in California’s Central Coast

$130

per adult

100% of travellers recommend

Santa Margarita: Zipline Adventure with 6 Different Ziplines

$129

per adult

Pacific Coast Highway Big Sur Monterey to San Luis Obispo Tour

$17

per traveler

The Fremont Theatre is one of the last Streamline Moderne building in existence.

Essential Downtown SLO: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

$8

per adult

See all activities in Santa Margarita

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Margarita worth visiting?

Santa Margarita is worth visiting for its outdoor activities at Santa Margarita Lake and the unique experience of the Pozo Saloon. Travelers can explore the lake's natural setting and enjoy the local atmosphere at the saloon. For those who prefer to cook, local grocers are also available.

What is a good itinerary length for Santa Margarita?

A good itinerary length for Santa Margarita is one to two days to explore key spots like Santa Margarita Lake, Pozo Saloon, and Soda Lake. For a more relaxed trip, travelers might consider three to four days, allowing more time to enjoy the natural beauty and local attractions at a leisurely pace.

What are the top things to do in and around Santa Margarita?

Santa Margarita offers natural beauty and unique local spots to discover:

Visit Santa Margarita Lake, a scenic natural area.
Explore the historic Pozo Saloon.
See Soda Lake, another beautiful natural lake.
Tour Pozo Valley Winery.

How do I plan a trip to Santa Margarita?

To plan your trip to Santa Margarita, search for places to stay on Expedia. Book flights and a rental car in advance, especially if visiting during popular times. Plan to explore the natural beauty of Santa Margarita Lake and Soda Lake, and be sure to visit the historic Pozo Saloon for a local experience.

Can I book a refundable hotel in Santa Margarita?

Yes, Expedia offers many flexible booking options, and you can look for refundable hotels in Santa Margarita by entering your dates and using the refundable or fully refundable filter. Always check the hotel's cancellation policy before you book, since terms can vary by hotel, and visit Expedia help center for further details.

Why book a trip to Santa Margarita with Expedia?

Expedia makes it easier to plan your Santa Margarita trip with travel tools, flexible search options, and bookable trip components all in one place. You can organize your plans in one account and use Expedia to help build a trip that fits your budget and travel style. Find out more about how by visiting Expedia's Trip Planner page.

Should I stay in a hotel or vacation rental in Santa Margarita?

The best choice depends on your travel style. Hotels in Santa Margarita can be a good fit for convenience, on-site amenities, and shorter stays, while vacation rentals may offer more space, privacy, and home-style amenities for longer trips, families, or groups. With Expedia, you can compare both options side by side, read traveler reviews, and filter by amenities to find the right fit for your trip.

How can I manage my Santa Margarita trip on Expedia?

Once you've booked your Santa Margarita trip, you can manage it through your Expedia account or the Expedia app. You can view your itinerary, access booking details, make eligible changes, and check for updates in My Trips. The Expedia app can also help you stay organized while you travel.

What if I need help during my Santa Margarita trip?

Expedia offers customer support before, during, and after your Santa Margarita trip. If your plans change or something unexpected happens, you can review your booking in My Trips and use Expedia help center channels for help with eligible changes, cancellations, or travel issues.

How can Expedia help me plan my first trip to Santa Margarita?

If it's your first trip to Santa Margarita, Expedia can help you plan by bringing together stays, flights, activities, traveler reviews, and trip-planning tools in one place. With Expedia's Trip Planner you can compare options, read reviews from other travelers, and build an itinerary that matches your interests and budget.

How can I save on my Santa Margarita hotel booking with Expedia?

Join One Key™ for free to unlock instant discounts with Member Prices on select hotels. You can also earn and use OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings on Expedia. Booking in advance is usually another great way to save on your Santa Margarita hotel.

*Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.

Santa Margarita, CA

Travel Guide