Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
3761 State StOnly 5-minutes from the house!
If you love Trader Joe's like I do, it's only 7-minutes away, and is the least expensive area to grab some groceries.
216 Einheimische empfehlen
Trader Joe's
3025 De La Vina StIf you love Trader Joe's like I do, it's only 7-minutes away, and is the least expensive area to grab some groceries.
Located in the La Cumbre Plaza area, this is a semi-high end grocery store. Well stocked with fresh veggies, organic produce, and meats. They also have prepared foods.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Bristol Farms
3855 State StLocated in the La Cumbre Plaza area, this is a semi-high end grocery store. Well stocked with fresh veggies, organic produce, and meats. They also have prepared foods.
La Cumbre Plaza
121 S Hope AveHigher end shopping experience in an open mall setting.
Shopping
This is the main mall and is located on State Street, the main Santa Barbara drag. It's full of local and nationwide shops and restaurants.
112 Einheimische empfehlen
Paseo Nuevo
651 Paseo NuevoThis is the main mall and is located on State Street, the main Santa Barbara drag. It's full of local and nationwide shops and restaurants.
Near the house, there's some local eateries, pet store, Starbuck's, CVS, Ross, etc. Across the street is La Cumbre Plaza where the area mall is located.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Five Points Shopping Center
3943 State StNear the house, there's some local eateries, pet store, Starbuck's, CVS, Ross, etc. Across the street is La Cumbre Plaza where the area mall is located.
Food Scene
Starbucks
1990 Cliff DrFor those of you looking for the nearest Starbucks!
Have a drink and dinner while watching the sunset over the ocean on Hendry's Beach. Make reservations for outside seating... they fill up fast!
223 Einheimische empfehlen
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
2981 Cliff DrHave a drink and dinner while watching the sunset over the ocean on Hendry's Beach. Make reservations for outside seating... they fill up fast!
The best sushi in town. It's pricey, but well worth it. They don't take reservations, so first come first serve. Arrive early! Try the Baked Avocado with Crab. Amazing!
150 Einheimische empfehlen
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StThe best sushi in town. It's pricey, but well worth it. They don't take reservations, so first come first serve. Arrive early! Try the Baked Avocado with Crab. Amazing!
Little hole in the wall Italian restaurant. Great pasta at reasonable prices. Try the Gelato!
43 Einheimische empfehlen
Via Maestra 42
3343 State StLittle hole in the wall Italian restaurant. Great pasta at reasonable prices. Try the Gelato!
If you want fresh sushi at VERY reasonable prices and don't mind the atmosphere, this is the place to go. Very friendly. Local's favorite. Definitely less expensive than Arigato.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Shintori Sushi
3001 State StIf you want fresh sushi at VERY reasonable prices and don't mind the atmosphere, this is the place to go. Very friendly. Local's favorite. Definitely less expensive than Arigato.
Tourists and locals love Brophy Bros., which has a lot to offer. It's right in the harbor, so you can see all the cool SB sailboats while eating shrimp cocktail, chowder, and oyster shots. Make reservations! Pricey.
203 Einheimische empfehlen
Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor WayTourists and locals love Brophy Bros., which has a lot to offer. It's right in the harbor, so you can see all the cool SB sailboats while eating shrimp cocktail, chowder, and oyster shots. Make reservations! Pricey.
If a bit of creole cooking is what you're looking for, then The Palace is THE spot in SB. They really love to party there, so get ready for a group sing-along. Make reservations!
38 Einheimische empfehlen
The Palace Grill
8 E Cota StIf a bit of creole cooking is what you're looking for, then The Palace is THE spot in SB. They really love to party there, so get ready for a group sing-along. Make reservations!
The best steakhouse in Santa Barbara and it's super close to the house. Just about 7-minutes away. They have a great salad bar as well.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Chuck's of Hawaii
3888 State StThe best steakhouse in Santa Barbara and it's super close to the house. Just about 7-minutes away. They have a great salad bar as well.
One of Santa Barbara's best hidden gems. If you love Mexican food, then you're bound to fall in love La Super-Rica. Small bites at a very reasonable price. A divey kind of a place, but since Covid they've expanded their outdoor seating area. They ONLY accept cash!
96 Einheimische empfehlen
La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StOne of Santa Barbara's best hidden gems. If you love Mexican food, then you're bound to fall in love La Super-Rica. Small bites at a very reasonable price. A divey kind of a place, but since Covid they've expanded their outdoor seating area. They ONLY accept cash!
Located in the Funk Zone near the beach, this a great local and visitor favorite. Plenty of outdoor seating and near all the tasting rooms, this makes a great place for a very nice dinner. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it. You'll need reservations!
171 Einheimische empfehlen
The Lark Santa Barbara
131 Anacapa StLocated in the Funk Zone near the beach, this a great local and visitor favorite. Plenty of outdoor seating and near all the tasting rooms, this makes a great place for a very nice dinner. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it. You'll need reservations!
This one always makes the list of favorite Italian restaurants. They're pasta bolognase is out of this world. Make reservations!
40 Einheimische empfehlen
Ca' Dario
37 E Victoria StThis one always makes the list of favorite Italian restaurants. They're pasta bolognase is out of this world. Make reservations!
A breakfast and lunch favorite! They're not open for dinner. They're a very well known French bakery and eatery. Fresh ingredients and amazing desserts. Great for lunch! No reservations. Try their chicken sandwich on their homemade croissants. Amazing!
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Renaud's Bakery and Bistro
3305 State StA breakfast and lunch favorite! They're not open for dinner. They're a very well known French bakery and eatery. Fresh ingredients and amazing desserts. Great for lunch! No reservations. Try their chicken sandwich on their homemade croissants. Amazing!
This is currently my favorite restaurant in town. It can be a little pricey, but definitely worth it. Try their delicious baos, but definitely get the chocolate dessert!
Secret Bao
This is currently my favorite restaurant in town. It can be a little pricey, but definitely worth it. Try their delicious baos, but definitely get the chocolate dessert!
Arts & Culture
Check out the events at Earl Warren, which is within walking distance. They always have something going on...
Earl Warren Showgrounds
3400 Calle RealCheck out the events at Earl Warren, which is within walking distance. They always have something going on...
During the summer be sure to check out the live Butterfly Preserve where you can walk amongst swarming butterflies.
118 Einheimische empfehlen
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (Naturkundemuseum)
2559 Puesta Del SolDuring the summer be sure to check out the live Butterfly Preserve where you can walk amongst swarming butterflies.
If you're traveling during the Summer, then check out who's playing at the Bowl. SB brings in many great bands. The open theater is set atop a mountain overlooking the sea. There's NO bad seat.
122 Einheimische empfehlen
Santa Barbara Bowl
1122 N Milpas StIf you're traveling during the Summer, then check out who's playing at the Bowl. SB brings in many great bands. The open theater is set atop a mountain overlooking the sea. There's NO bad seat.
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
653 Paseo NuevoSightseeing
Downtown is less than 10 minutes drive from the house. An Uber will cost about $7.50, so take advantage of it. A great starting point is to be dropped off at State and Victoria Streets. Then, walk down (towards the ocean). State Street downtown has been closed off to traffic, which makes it even more enjoyable to walk down.
Experience all the shopping and restaurants lower State street has to offer! There's also wine tasting rooms, bars, nightclubs, the outdoor mall--Paseo Nuevo, and movie theaters.
46 Einheimische empfehlen
Santa Barbara Downtown
Downtown is less than 10 minutes drive from the house. An Uber will cost about $7.50, so take advantage of it. A great starting point is to be dropped off at State and Victoria Streets. Then, walk down (towards the ocean). State Street downtown has been closed off to traffic, which makes it even more enjoyable to walk down.
Experience all the shopping and restaurants lower State street has to offer! There's also wine tasting rooms, bars, nightclubs, the outdoor mall--Paseo Nuevo, and movie theaters.
Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StHave a picnic in the rose garden!
Amazing botanical garden experience, which you won't soon forget.
136 Einheimische empfehlen
Botanischer Garten Santa Barbara
1212 Mission Canyon RdAmazing botanical garden experience, which you won't soon forget.
Stearns Wharf is a great place to stroll over the ocean while visiting some gift shops and having a drink overlooking the horizon. There's also an aquarium out there!
135 Einheimische empfehlen
Stearns Wharf Pier
144-152 Stearns WharfStearns Wharf is a great place to stroll over the ocean while visiting some gift shops and having a drink overlooking the horizon. There's also an aquarium out there!
SB Harbor has many great little places to eat and watch the sailboats dock. It's also where Brophy Brothers is located, which is one of the best seafood restaurants in town.
90 Einheimische empfehlen
Santa Barbara Harbor
132-A Harbor WaySB Harbor has many great little places to eat and watch the sailboats dock. It's also where Brophy Brothers is located, which is one of the best seafood restaurants in town.
The Sunken Gardens are adjacent to our beautiful court house. During the summer SB holds "movies in the park", where everyone can come for a picnic and stay for a late movie, which always has a different theme each summer. Its so fun!
162 Einheimische empfehlen
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StThe Sunken Gardens are adjacent to our beautiful court house. During the summer SB holds "movies in the park", where everyone can come for a picnic and stay for a late movie, which always has a different theme each summer. Its so fun!
Drinks & Nightlife
Nice little brewery. Very lively and you can watch any number of sports on their many number of TVs. Nice little outside area. Located in The Funk Zone, so walk around and experience it all!
84 Einheimische empfehlen
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Santa Barbara
137 Anacapa StNice little brewery. Very lively and you can watch any number of sports on their many number of TVs. Nice little outside area. Located in The Funk Zone, so walk around and experience it all!
A little hard to find, upstairs in the Victorian Court, but worth it to see small bands. A local favorite many tourists don't know about.
58 Einheimische empfehlen
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
1221 State StA little hard to find, upstairs in the Victorian Court, but worth it to see small bands. A local favorite many tourists don't know about.
The Funk Zone is THE hot spot of Santa Barbara at the moment. It's full of wine tasting rooms, restaurants, a few bars, and a brewery (Fig Mountain). Some of my favorite wineries are Kunin Wines, Lafond, and Riverbench. The Zone is just about a block from the beach! Wineries normally close around 6 p.m. during the off-season and around 7 p.m. during the summer months.
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Funk Zone Patio
220 Gray AveThe Funk Zone is THE hot spot of Santa Barbara at the moment. It's full of wine tasting rooms, restaurants, a few bars, and a brewery (Fig Mountain). Some of my favorite wineries are Kunin Wines, Lafond, and Riverbench. The Zone is just about a block from the beach! Wineries normally close around 6 p.m. during the off-season and around 7 p.m. during the summer months.
The oldest winery in Santa Barbara county, SB Winery has a great selection of Rhône varietals at very reasonable prices. They specialize in Pinot Noir and Chardonnays. Stop by! You may even see me pouring there on Saturdays. :) Please note... SB Winery recently moved to 28 Anacapa Street where Kunin Wines used to be. Kunin is now with their sister winery, The Valley Project.
50 Einheimische empfehlen
Santa Barbara Winery
28 Anacapa StThe oldest winery in Santa Barbara county, SB Winery has a great selection of Rhône varietals at very reasonable prices. They specialize in Pinot Noir and Chardonnays. Stop by! You may even see me pouring there on Saturdays. :) Please note... SB Winery recently moved to 28 Anacapa Street where Kunin Wines used to be. Kunin is now with their sister winery, The Valley Project.
If you drive up to Goleta, then don't miss out on Draughtsmen Aleworks. It's quickly become a local favorite with a wide variety of beers on tap. The owners are super friendly. It's in more of an industrial park in Goleta, but they have a Satellite tasting room on State Street downtown as well.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Draughtsmen Aleworks
53 Santa Felicia DrIf you drive up to Goleta, then don't miss out on Draughtsmen Aleworks. It's quickly become a local favorite with a wide variety of beers on tap. The owners are super friendly. It's in more of an industrial park in Goleta, but they have a Satellite tasting room on State Street downtown as well.
The Valley Project and Kunin Wines are located in the same tasting room and offers a variety of specialty Santa Ynez VAlley wines. Once you're there, check out the rest of the "Funk Zone". There are tons of great tasting rooms and restaurants to enjoy a leisurely weekend.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
The Valley Project
116 E Yanonali StThe Valley Project and Kunin Wines are located in the same tasting room and offers a variety of specialty Santa Ynez VAlley wines. Once you're there, check out the rest of the "Funk Zone". There are tons of great tasting rooms and restaurants to enjoy a leisurely weekend.
Everything Else
If you're visiting UCSB, it's just 17 minutes up the 101N to campus.
52 Einheimische empfehlen
University of California, Santa Barbara
If you're visiting UCSB, it's just 17 minutes up the 101N to campus.
If you're visiting SBCC, then it's only an 8 minute drive to campus.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff DrIf you're visiting SBCC, then it's only an 8 minute drive to campus.