All states›Thrift Stores Accepting Donations›California›Santa Barbara

Thrift Stores Accepting Donations in Santa Barbara, CA

3 of the 12 thrift stores we list in Santa Barbara have donation drop-off.

A store's "thrift store" category on Google doesn't tell you whether it actually takes donations — some are consignment-only, some fund a specific charity and only want certain items, and some have stopped accepting drop-offs altogether. Every thrift store on this page has its donation policy confirmed on the store's own website, not assumed from the category.

  1. Unity Thrift and Gift Shoppe

    1209 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

    Accepts donations
    Call Website Directions

    Spotted an error? Let us know

  2. Alpha Thrift Store | Santa Barbara

    700 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103-3029

    Accepts donations
    Call Website Directions

    Spotted an error? Let us know

  3. Alpha Thrift Donation Center

    3845 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105-3111

    Accepts donations
    Call Website Directions

    Spotted an error? Let us know

Call ahead if you have furniture or electronics. Most thrift stores gladly take clothing, housewares, and books anytime, but bulky items like furniture, mattresses, and electronics are often restricted, seasonal, or require a scheduled drop-off.

More in Santa Barbara and California

Thrift Stores Accepting Donations near Santa Barbara

Good to know

Do thrift stores give tax receipts for donations?

Nonprofit-run thrift stores — Goodwill, Salvation Army, and similar charity operations — typically hand out a blank donation receipt you fill in yourself for tax purposes, since IRS rules require the donor, not the charity, to estimate the value. For-profit resale shops usually don't offer receipts since donations aren't tax-deductible there.

What items do thrift stores not accept?

Most won't take items that are stained, broken, recalled, or missing safety parts — think damaged furniture, expired car seats, or exposed electrical cords. Many also decline mattresses, box springs, and old CRT televisions due to disposal costs or local regulations.