Our Santa Barbara Favorites
Here is a list of our top places and things to do in Santa Barbara.
Check out this article from the New York Times with lots of ideas
for how to spend your time in Santa Barbara.
ACTIVITIES
BEACHES
Butterfly Beach and Hendry's Beach two of our favorites. At Butterfly parking spots are hard-won and there aren't a lot of amenities around, so bring a lunch and anything else you might need for the day. Hendry's on the other hand, is next to The Boathouse, which serves lunch and dinner.
Lotus Land
Ganna Walska Lotusland is a world renowned, 37 acre botanical garden nestled in the foothills of Montecito. Frequently named one of the top ten botanical gardens in the world, this eccentric estate showcases over 3,000 plant species arranged across more than 20 distinct, whimsical themed gardens. Book your tickets well in advance as access is limited.
The Courthouse & State Street
Start with pick-me-up at LOKUM a Turkish sweet shop on State Street, Santa Barbara’s main drag. Take your pistachio coffee to stroll down State Street, which is a tree-lined pedestrian and cycling avenue with parklets and buskers. Continue to the Spanish Colonial Santa Barbara County Courthouse, surrounded by sunken gardens, fountains and bunya-bunya trees. Climb to the courthouse’s clock tower for a 360-degree view of the city, including the 1786 Santa Barbara Mission.
SPECIALTY
Handlebar Coffee
Handle Bar is our favorite spot for coffee. They open at the crack of dawn every morning. We should know because we’re often there before they have opened for business.
The Eddy
This corner store downtown is always one of my first stops when I gets to town. The Eddy stocks its shelves with a variety of dry goods as well as non alcoholic spirits and an impressive selection of chocolate bars.
HIKES
Inspiration Point is a relatively short hike that doesn't require a huge climb. As its name suggests, there's pay-off for making it to the top, which include great views of the city, the ocean, and The Channel Islands. There is extremely limited parking so we suggest going as early as you can manage.
Saturday Farmer’s Market
Even if you’re not staying long enough to stock your fridge, it’s worth strolling through the Saturday Farmer’s market on State Street. Pick up a container (or three) of berries and enjoy all the beautiful, local produce and flowers.
The Mission and Rose Garden
The Old Mission Santa Barbara and the adjacent A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden form a famous historical and natural landmark in Santa Barbara, featuring the 10th of 21 Spanish missions and a public garden with over 1,500 rose plants.
McConnell’s Ice Cream
Founded in Santa Barbara by a husband and wife team more than 70 years ago, McConnell's still uses many of the same farms and purveyors they did when they first began.
Lilac Patisserie
Lilac Patisserie is a highly acclaimed dedicated gluten-free bakery in downtown Santa Barbara. We eat gluten and we still love this spot for a light breakfast and delicious salads and sandwiches for lunch or take out.
RESTAURANTS
The Daisy
The Daisy is one of our favorite lunch and dinner spots because of the giant salads and Middle Eastern inspired dishes like the falafel and mezze plates. If you are looking for a healthy and delicious lunch spot, this is the place!
Brophy Bros.
Located on the waterfront, this is an always packed (no reservation accepted), lively and fun place to come for great, fresh fish dishes with the family. The clam chowder and fish & chips are especially popular.
Honor Bar
Honor Bar is technically part of the Hillstone/Houston’s restaurant chain. Being that it’s more bar than restaurant, the menu leans heavily on elevated bar food. Since reservations are not taken in advance, getting a table—whether outside or in the dimly-lit dining room—can take close to an hour, but the stellar drinks make the wait more than bearable.
Sama Sama
Come here for quality Indonesian food—all made with fresh ingredients sourced solely from local farms—and a solid drink. There's a sprawling bar if you're dining solo and several communal tables for bigger groups. Regardless of where you sit, you'll want to tuck into a share-friendly plate of garlic wings and blistered shishito peppers, followed up by Mie Goreng noodles.
Carazon Comedor
A restaurant from chef Ramón Velázquez, who earned Michelin recognition for his taco stand at the Public Market, the comedor serves dishes inspired by his mom when Mr. Velázquez was growing up in Guadalajara. The airy dining room smells of dishes like the earthy mole coloradito that tops the free chips and the rich, complex pozole (a traditional stew made with hominy and long-cooked pork broth).
Lucky’s
Lucky's is known for its great American fare, which comes in the form of martinis, grilled artichokes with vinaigrette, lobster tail, and of course, the requisite steaks and chops. It has a great old-world Rat Pack vibe and it's perennially packed, meaning it's always a fun night out.
Jeannine’s
Everything about this Santa Barbara institution is legendary. Some 30 years ago, Jeannine’s signature scones helped put the original Downtown SB location on the map. These days, the Classic Benedict and Kahlua-soaked banana French toast keep all four locations slammed at brunch time, while crisp salads and fresh, no-frills sandwiches leave lunch crowds happy.
Carlito’s
A longstanding staple on State Street, Carlito’s is a laid back Mexican restaurant serving baskets of chips and spicy margaritas on a delightful patio.
The Lark
The Lark is a highly acclaimed New American restaurant located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone arts district. Situated inside a beautifully repurposed 1920s fish market warehouse, it is celebrated for its locally sourced, family-style shared plates and sophisticated yet relaxed beach-town ambiance.
Loquita
Loquita is a Spanish restaurant located on State Street right next to the Funk Zone. Known for its exceptional, upscale atmosphere, it specializes in authentic hot and cold tapas, wood-fired seafood, and seasonal paellas crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Start here for dinner and then pop into one of the many wine bars in the nearby Funk Zone.
Paloma
Eat on the flower-draped patio of La Paloma Cafe, built on the figurative ruins of not one but two of Santa Barbara’s most beloved restaurants: a mid-century institution and the neon-lit Paradise Café, which closed, to the lament of many locals, in late 2020. La Paloma takes this lineage seriously, keeping the neon and restoring the building’s murals. The restaurant’s unmissable dish also nods to heritage: A Wagyu tri-tip with salsa, horseradish and pinquito beans is a gussied-up version of Santa Barbara’s regional BBQ.
The Stonehouse Restaurant
At San Ysidro Ranch - one of the most idyllic hotels ever - Stonehouse Restaurant is gorgeous in every way. It’s housed in a 19th century building that was once the property’s citrus-packing house; now, it’s sought after for romantic evenings and special occasions.
San Ysidro Pharmacy
This quaint diner shares space with an old-timey, packed-to-the-rafters pharmacy, which means that unless you know to look for it, it’s easy to miss. The service here is limited to breakfast and lunch, both of which are pretty basic—really, you want to come for the pancakes and bacon.
