Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Food Scene/Bar scene
Coffee, local scene, NYT, salad bar, deli, high end shopping
27 locals recommend
Pierre Lafond Market & Deli
516 San Ysidro RdCoffee, local scene, NYT, salad bar, deli, high end shopping
Beef Stroganoff, drinks, Old West Saloon setting where you can find a plumber or a Hedge Fund Manager
20 locals recommend
The Nugget
2318 Lillie AveBeef Stroganoff, drinks, Old West Saloon setting where you can find a plumber or a Hedge Fund Manager
Great Breakfast and Lunch. People watching, locals and well-heeled tourists.
117 locals recommend
Jeannine's Restaurant & Bakery
1253 Coast Village RdGreat Breakfast and Lunch. People watching, locals and well-heeled tourists.
Honor Bar
1255 Coast Village RdBettina
1014 Coast Village RdUncorked Wine Tasting and Kitchen
432 E Haley StParks & Nature
Clean, private and near the Biltmore and Coral Casino. Don't miss.
145 locals recommend
Butterfly Beach
Clean, private and near the Biltmore and Coral Casino. Don't miss.
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos DrVery lovely zoo and easily doable in a few hours.
Cambria
Miramar Beach
Miramar BeachAlice Keck Park Memorial Gardens
1500 Santa Barbara StCondor Express Whale Watching
There are at least two spots in the Marina where you can rent SUPs right on the water. Fun to cruise the Marina and some small waves if you go to the Breakwater Point.
Standup Paddles Sports
121 Santa Barbara StThere are at least two spots in the Marina where you can rent SUPs right on the water. Fun to cruise the Marina and some small waves if you go to the Breakwater Point.
Gaviota State Park Beach & Campground
17620 Gaviota Beach RdCould be done in a day if you got up very early but better to spend at least one night there.
332 locals recommend
Big Sur
Could be done in a day if you got up very early but better to spend at least one night there.
Sightseeing
Complete contrast from Santa Barbara but only 40 minutes away ! Wine Tasting, beautiful scenery, bike riding, golf, tennis and great restaurants.
47 locals recommend
Santa Ynez
Complete contrast from Santa Barbara but only 40 minutes away ! Wine Tasting, beautiful scenery, bike riding, golf, tennis and great restaurants.
Got to Bob's Well-Bread. Also the Flat-Bread restaurant. There are lots of wineries and tasting rooms in the area.
25 locals recommend
Los Alamos
Got to Bob's Well-Bread. Also the Flat-Bread restaurant. There are lots of wineries and tasting rooms in the area.
Carpinteria
A great small town with few national chains. 15 minutes away at most.
Why go to Napa's wine country when you have this beautiful Santa Ynez valley 40 minutes away. Loads of interesting wineries, blueberry picking and more. Why not rent an e-bike while you're there?
Ballard
Why go to Napa's wine country when you have this beautiful Santa Ynez valley 40 minutes away. Loads of interesting wineries, blueberry picking and more. Why not rent an e-bike while you're there?
Just go for a meal or a drink and enjoy walking the grounds. About 20 minutes away. Just remember it's a Ritz, so expect prices to correspond accordingly.
31 locals recommend
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
8301 Hollister AveJust go for a meal or a drink and enjoy walking the grounds. About 20 minutes away. Just remember it's a Ritz, so expect prices to correspond accordingly.
You'll need at least one overnight to make the drive and possible traffic worthwhile for enjoying the destination
527 locals recommend
Palm Springs
57096 Twentynine Palms HighwayYou'll need at least one overnight to make the drive and possible traffic worthwhile for enjoying the destination
Essentials/Groceries
Not our finest but will do when you need something close by. We also have too small markets in the Upper Village of Montecito. Both high end and priced accordingly. Trader Joes is only 10 minutes away and a Farmer's Market-Like grocery store that I like I on Milpas street (also 10 minutes away) called Tri-County Produce.
33 locals recommend
Vons
1040 Coast Village RdNot our finest but will do when you need something close by. We also have too small markets in the Upper Village of Montecito. Both high end and priced accordingly. Trader Joes is only 10 minutes away and a Farmer's Market-Like grocery store that I like I on Milpas street (also 10 minutes away) called Tri-County Produce.
Nice little market but you will pay up for the convenience and quality.
8 locals recommend
Montecito Village Grocery
1482 E Valley RdNice little market but you will pay up for the convenience and quality.
This is a clothes-on, no appointment massage place that does a great job very inexpensively.
Evans Relaxing Station Inc
3009 State StThis is a clothes-on, no appointment massage place that does a great job very inexpensively.
Neighborhoods
Upper East
Beautiful and historic homes, great neighborhoods
Hope Ranch
Beautiful Homes and small Ranches
Santa Barbara Downtown
Busy with Bars, stores, restaurants and services
Arts and Culture
Ensemble Theatre Company
33 W Victoria StGreat Theater and not a bad seat in the house (stadium seating).
Lobero Theatre
33 E Canon Perdido StExcellent lectures and music at this small historic venue