Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Essentials
Trader Joe's
3025 De La Vina StDrinks & Nightlife
Nearby fun, trendy place for dining and happy hour. Indoor, outdoor, pool table, fire pits. https://www.kimptonhotels.com/stay/the-goodland-santa-barbara
13 locals recommend
Kimpton Goodland
5650 Calle RealNearby fun, trendy place for dining and happy hour. Indoor, outdoor, pool table, fire pits. https://www.kimptonhotels.com/stay/the-goodland-santa-barbara
A tasting room that's off the beaten path. If some in your party prefer beer, Telegraph brewery is next door. They don't serve food but you can bring your own and there's usually a food truck Thurs-Sat evenings. http://carrwinery.com/visit-us/#sbloc
18 locals recommend
Carr Winery Santa Barbara
414 N Salsipuedes StA tasting room that's off the beaten path. If some in your party prefer beer, Telegraph brewery is next door. They don't serve food but you can bring your own and there's usually a food truck Thurs-Sat evenings. http://carrwinery.com/visit-us/#sbloc
Shopping
Saturday mornings at Santa Barbara Street and Cota Street
Tuesday evenings in Old Town, State Street near Cota Street. http://www.sbfarmersmarket.org/
56 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market
232 Anacapa StSaturday mornings at Santa Barbara Street and Cota Street
Tuesday evenings in Old Town, State Street near Cota Street. http://www.sbfarmersmarket.org/
Your source for gifts and artisan goods with an emphasis on all things local. https://www.santabarbaracompany.com/
Santa Barbara Company
214 E Victoria StYour source for gifts and artisan goods with an emphasis on all things local. https://www.santabarbaracompany.com/
Friendly staff, wide selection of local and international wine. https://savoywinessb.weebly.com/
Savoy Wines Santa Barbara
18 W Anapamu StFriendly staff, wide selection of local and international wine. https://savoywinessb.weebly.com/
Food Scene
My favorite deli on the outside of the Funk Zone. Great sandwiches, salads, cookies, and gourmet grocery items. Can get very busy around lunch time. http://metrofinefoods.com/
15 locals recommend
Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant
216 E Yanonali StMy favorite deli on the outside of the Funk Zone. Great sandwiches, salads, cookies, and gourmet grocery items. Can get very busy around lunch time. http://metrofinefoods.com/
Favorite downtown coffee house. Trendy and busy but great people and great coffee. Lots of cyclists on the weekends. https://www.handlebarcoffee.com/
97 locals recommend
Handlebar Coffee Roasters
128 E Canon Perdido StFavorite downtown coffee house. Trendy and busy but great people and great coffee. Lots of cyclists on the weekends. https://www.handlebarcoffee.com/
Backyard Bowls
5668 Calle RealWarm grain or frozen fruit breakfast and lunch bowls. http://www.backyardbowls.com/
Great dine in or take out menu and prepared deli items. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Gluten free, vegan and paleo options.
http://thesavoycafe.com/
29 locals recommend
Savoy Cafe & Deli
24 W Figueroa StGreat dine in or take out menu and prepared deli items. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Gluten free, vegan and paleo options.
http://thesavoycafe.com/
Great Santa Barbara Mexican food in a casual setting. A favorite of the late Julia Childs and other celebrities. Can be quite busy so be prepared to stand in line.
https://www.facebook.com/La-Super-Rica-Taqueria-118537971493785/
If too busy, go down the street to Los Agaves.
96 locals recommend
La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StGreat Santa Barbara Mexican food in a casual setting. A favorite of the late Julia Childs and other celebrities. Can be quite busy so be prepared to stand in line.
https://www.facebook.com/La-Super-Rica-Taqueria-118537971493785/
If too busy, go down the street to Los Agaves.
Nearby, casual and quick burgers, salads and soup.
http://www.kyleskitchen.com/
12 locals recommend
Kyle's Kitchen
791 Chapala StNearby, casual and quick burgers, salads and soup.
http://www.kyleskitchen.com/
French bakery and restaurant with outdoor seating. Pastries, egg dishes, salads and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.
http://www.renaudsbakery.com
42 locals recommend
Renauld's Bakery
1324 State StFrench bakery and restaurant with outdoor seating. Pastries, egg dishes, salads and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.
http://www.renaudsbakery.com
Great Mexican food for lunch and dinner. 3 locations
http://www.los-agaves.com
103 locals recommend
Los Agaves
2911 De La Vina StGreat Mexican food for lunch and dinner. 3 locations
http://www.los-agaves.com
The newest, hippest tiny taco shop. In the Funk Zone, open 10:30am until 4:30pm. Closed Sundays. http://monyssb.com/
23 locals recommend
Mony's Mexican Food
217 Anacapa StThe newest, hippest tiny taco shop. In the Funk Zone, open 10:30am until 4:30pm. Closed Sundays. http://monyssb.com/
Funk Zone breakfast and picnic items. Behind the Lark Restaurant. http://www.helenaavenuebakery.com/
23 locals recommend
Helena Avenue Bakery
131 Anacapa StFunk Zone breakfast and picnic items. Behind the Lark Restaurant. http://www.helenaavenuebakery.com/
Plant-based deliciousness hidden at the top of Antioch College, right next to the Saturday farmers market. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Breakfast and lunch, closed Sundays.
The Savoy
602 Anacapa StPlant-based deliciousness hidden at the top of Antioch College, right next to the Saturday farmers market. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Breakfast and lunch, closed Sundays.
Entertainment & Activities
Goleta Beach
5986 Sandspit RdFamily beach scene, kayak and standup paddle board rentals.
Classic harbor scene. Visit Paddle Sports Center https://www.paddlesportsca.com/ for kayak and standup paddle board rentals.
90 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Harbor
132-A Harbor WayClassic harbor scene. Visit Paddle Sports Center https://www.paddlesportsca.com/ for kayak and standup paddle board rentals.
Parks & Nature
Several miles of trails for hiking, walking or running.
6 locals recommend
San Marcos Foothills Nature Preserve
1155 Via GaiteroSeveral miles of trails for hiking, walking or running.
Lovely trails and examples of different California plant communities
136 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon RdLovely trails and examples of different California plant communities
A moderately strenuous hike or run, 6.3 miles to Inspiration Point and back. Park on the street near the Cater Water Treatment Plant, 1150 San Roque Road.
Jesusita Trail
Jesusita TrailA moderately strenuous hike or run, 6.3 miles to Inspiration Point and back. Park on the street near the Cater Water Treatment Plant, 1150 San Roque Road.
Large open-space with many trails along the bluffs and to the beach. Monarchs are usually seen mid-November through mid-February. Docents available weekends 11am-2pm during these months. http://www.goletabutterflygrove.com/
15 locals recommend
Goleta Butterfly Grove
7727 Hollister AveLarge open-space with many trails along the bluffs and to the beach. Monarchs are usually seen mid-November through mid-February. Docents available weekends 11am-2pm during these months. http://www.goletabutterflygrove.com/
If you have the time, a full-day trip to the islands is very worthwhile. Boats leave from Ventura or Oxnard. https://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
If you have the time, a full-day trip to the islands is very worthwhile. Boats leave from Ventura or Oxnard. https://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm
A nice easy trail behind Tuckers Grove County Park. Find the trailhead near the creek at the top of the farthest left parking area (Kiwanis Meadows).
San Antonio Creek Trailhead
San Antonio Creek Trail A nice easy trail behind Tuckers Grove County Park. Find the trailhead near the creek at the top of the farthest left parking area (Kiwanis Meadows).
Great local family beach. Dogs to the left, long walks to the right. Boathouse Restaurant is right on the beach.
41 locals recommend
Arroyo Burro Beach
Cliff DrGreat local family beach. Dogs to the left, long walks to the right. Boathouse Restaurant is right on the beach.
Getting Around
Santa Barbara Car Free offers ideas for activities and info on getting around without a car. http://www.santabarbaracarfree.org/
38 locals recommend
Santa Barbara station
209 State StSanta Barbara Car Free offers ideas for activities and info on getting around without a car. http://www.santabarbaracarfree.org/