How big is Santa Catalina?

1,475 residents across two towers — North Tower has 11 floors, South Tower has 10 — making it UCSB's largest residence hall.

When does Santa Catalina move in for Fall 2026?

Santa Catalina is listed on all three days, September 18-20, 2026. Select your specific slot through your assignment email, and note that check-in and keys happen at Parking Lot 60 before you unload.

Is Santa Catalina Residence Hall a good hall to live in?

That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Santa Catalina Residence Hall has Twin XL (39 in x 80 in) beds with Loftable/bunkable, height not published of under-bed storage, and is not air conditioned. UC Santa Barbara provides Bed, desk, chair, dresser, mirror (mounted above the room's sink and smaller in size, not in the closet), towel bar, wastebasket, drapes in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Santa Catalina Residence Hall stacks up against UC Santa Barbara's other halls above.

Santa Barbara, CA · Beachfront, quarter-system campus with seven residence halls

Santa Catalina Residence Hall Dorm Checklist 2026

UC Santa Barbara

Doubles and triples; suite-style bathrooms, described by UCSB as suites with two double rooms connected by a common bathroom with shower, toilet and sink

Verified Aug 18, 2026 · housing.ucsb.edu

Santa Catalina is UCSB's largest residence hall. It's a self-contained community with on-site ResNet, RHA and UCPD satellite offices, and it sits a one-mile off-street bike ride from the middle of campus.

Bed SizeTwin XL (39 in x 80 in)
Under-BedLoftable/bunkable, height not published
ACNo
On-CampusGuarantee not published on housing.ucsb.edu — confirm with Campus Housing

✓ In the room

Beddeskchairdressermirror (mounted above the room's sink and smaller in sizenot in the closet)towel barwastebasketdrapes

✗ Not provided

Bedding and linenspillowstowelsdesk lamptelevisionmini-fridgedishes and kitchen utensils

⊘ Prohibited

Candles/incensehookahsvapeshalogen/torchiere lampshoverboardsweaponswaterbedsdart boardssatellite dishessmoke/fog machinespets (except approved service animals or one aquarium tank of 10 gallons or less)in-room cooking appliancesair conditioning unitsspace heaters

Santa Catalina's move-in check-in is off-site: vehicles must arrive at Parking Lot 60 (671 Storke Road, Isla Vista) to check in and pick up keys at the tent before driving across the street to unload, then move to long-term parking at Parking Lot 16 and Parking Structure 18 with a shuttle back.

Living in Santa Catalina Residence Hall: what to know before you pack

The room

Santa Catalina lists doubles and triples, with UCSB describing its suites as two double rooms connected by a common bathroom complete with a shower, toilet and sink. Every room includes the standard UCSB furnishing set — Twin XL bed, desk, chair, dresser, mirror, towel bar, wastebasket, and drapes — but Santa Catalina is the one exception to UCSB's closet-mirror standard: its FAQ states that every other hall comes with a mirror in each closet, while in Santa Catalina "the mirror is above your room's sink and is smaller in size," with full-length mirrors placed in the hallways instead. As UCSB's largest hall — North Tower 11 floors, South Tower 10 — views vary dramatically by floor and side, and many rooms look out on the ocean, mountains, and surrounding community. Bunk beds and lofts are permitted under policy Section 2 at a height approved by Housing staff, but UCSB publishes no under-bed clearance figure for Santa Catalina, so measure before buying risers or bins. Rooms are not air conditioned.

Day to day

With 1,475 residents, Santa Catalina is UCSB's largest community by far, and its published amenities match: basketball court, elevator, fitness room, piano, pool, surf racks, volleyball court, and WiFi. Centrally located inside the complex are a ResNet office, an RHA office, a UCPD satellite office, a wellness center with a massage chair, a recreation room, and multiple study rooms and kitchenettes. Housekeeping and laundry come with the all-inclusive nine-month contract, and laundry is free with machine status tracked through the Speed Queen app. Portola is the closest dining commons. Living Learning Communities include First Generation Scholars and Scholars Floors. The hall is a one-mile off-street bike ride — about ten minutes — from the middle of campus and sits adjacent to four bus lines, with Tenaya Market & Eatery and the North Campus Open Space trail network nearby.

Move-in day

Santa Catalina appears on all three Fall 2026 move-in days — Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20 — with your specific date and time selected from the slots available for your building through your mid-August assignment email. Santa Catalina's move-in flow is different from the other halls: vehicles must first arrive at Parking Lot 60 (671 Storke Road, Isla Vista), where you check in and pick up your keys at the Check-In Station tent, and only then are directed across the street to unload in the interior driveways at Santa Catalina North or South. Have photo ID and a charged phone ready — every student scans a QR code to check in — and print your move-in unloading voucher, which is valid 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on your move-in day with no return trips. All floors in Santa Catalina have elevator access. After unloading, vehicles must move immediately to long-term parking at Parking Lot 16 and Parking Structure 18, with a shuttle service running back to the hall (large appliances and furniture aren't allowed on the shuttles).

A styled dorm desk, furnished and shoppable

Room ideas

See dorm rooms styled

4 looks, every object linked to the exact listing.

Styled render — not a photo of Santa Catalina Residence Hall.

Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup

Sources & verification — last checked Aug 18, 2026

Santa Catalina Residence Hall FAQ

How big is Santa Catalina?: 1,475 residents across two towers — North Tower has 11 floors, South Tower has 10 — making it UCSB's largest residence hall.
What's the bathroom setup?: Suite-style. UCSB describes it as suites with two double rooms connected by a common bathroom complete with a shower, toilet and sink.
Is Santa Catalina far from campus?: It's a one-mile off-street bike ride — about ten minutes — from the middle of campus, and sits adjacent to four bus lines.
When does Santa Catalina move in for Fall 2026?: Santa Catalina is listed on all three days, September 18-20, 2026. Select your specific slot through your assignment email, and note that check-in and keys happen at Parking Lot 60 before you unload.
Is Santa Catalina Residence Hall a good hall to live in?: That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Santa Catalina Residence Hall has Twin XL (39 in x 80 in) beds with Loftable/bunkable, height not published of under-bed storage, and is not air conditioned. UC Santa Barbara provides Bed, desk, chair, dresser, mirror (mounted above the room's sink and smaller in size, not in the closet), towel bar, wastebasket, drapes in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Santa Catalina Residence Hall stacks up against UC Santa Barbara's other halls above.

Thinking About Living in Santa Catalina Residence Hall Next Year?

If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Santa Catalina Residence Hall: it has Twin XL (39 in x 80 in) beds with Loftable/bunkable, height not published of under-bed clearance, and there's no AC, so plan around that. On top of that, the room comes with Bed, desk, chair, dresser, mirror (mounted above the room's sink and smaller in size, not in the closet), towel bar, wastebasket, drapes; you'll need to bring Bedding and linens, pillows, towels, desk lamp, television, mini-fridge, dishes and kitchen utensils yourself; Candles/incense, hookahs, vapes, halogen/torchiere lamps, hoverboards, weapons, waterbeds, dart boards, satellite dishes, smoke/fog machines, pets (except approved service animals or one aquarium tank of 10 gallons or less), in-room cooking appliances, air conditioning units, space heaters isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.

Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see UC Santa Barbara’s other halls below.

More UC Santa Barbara halls

Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.

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Santa Catalina Residence Hall Dorm Checklist 2026

Living in Santa Catalina Residence Hall: what to know before you pack

The room

Day to day

Move-in day

See dorm rooms styled

Everything for your Santa Catalina Residence Hall room

Fan — pack first

Bedding

Bathroom

Personal Care & Grooming

Self-Care Essentials

Storage & Organization

Closet Space-Savers

Tech & Power

Laundry

Desk & Study

Health & Safety

Comfort & Room

Kitchen & Dining

Misc Essentials

Move-In Day Gear

Santa Catalina Residence Hall FAQ

Thinking About Living in Santa Catalina Residence Hall Next Year?

More UC Santa Barbara halls