Guidebook for Montecito
Food Scene
Great for an early evening, casual Italian meal with family - call ahead to book a table outside on the heated patio. Located in the upper Village. 805-565-9393
17 locals recommend
Via Vai Trattoria Pizzeria
1483 E Valley RdGreat for an early evening, casual Italian meal with family - call ahead to book a table outside on the heated patio. Located in the upper Village. 805-565-9393
Lucky's
1279 Coast Village RdGreat food, and terrific people watching! Lots of celebs!
Very popular bar with great food. Burgers, fish and chips, salads etc done to a very high standard. Usually a wait for a table but worth it.
77 locals recommend
Honor Bar
1255 Coast Village RdVery popular bar with great food. Burgers, fish and chips, salads etc done to a very high standard. Usually a wait for a table but worth it.
A local hangout - coffee bar, deli counter, market and luxury dress shops all in one - also the Montecito Bistro is right next door.
27 locals recommend
Pierre Lafond Market & Deli
516 San Ysidro RdA local hangout - coffee bar, deli counter, market and luxury dress shops all in one - also the Montecito Bistro is right next door.
Jeannine's Restaurant & Bakery
1253 Coast Village RdWonderful breakfast, brunch and lunch!
Very popular downtown hangout with terrific coffee. Located pretty much in the center of town.
97 locals recommend
Handlebar Coffee Roasters
128 E Canon Perdido StVery popular downtown hangout with terrific coffee. Located pretty much in the center of town.
Very popular coffee bar with wonderful retro architecture located in downtown Santa Barbara.
68 locals recommend
Dune Coffee Roasters
528 Anacapa StVery popular coffee bar with wonderful retro architecture located in downtown Santa Barbara.
Wonderful low key brewery withentertainment. Outdoor beer garden. Right next to the Lucky Penny takeaway, and the Lark restaurant.
84 locals recommend
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Santa Barbara
137 Anacapa StWonderful low key brewery withentertainment. Outdoor beer garden. Right next to the Lucky Penny takeaway, and the Lark restaurant.
Loquita Santa Barbara
202 State StNew Tapas bar with fabulous outdoor area - book ahead!
Packed sushi bar on upper State with terrific food. No reservations taken.
150 locals recommend
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StPacked sushi bar on upper State with terrific food. No reservations taken.
Bree'osh Cafe Montecito
1150 Coast Village RdGreat croissants & breakfast. REALLY popular -
Oliver's
1198 Coast Village RdIt's upmarket vegan
It's a great taco place - very little seating and long line but great for lunch
23 locals recommend
Mony's Mexican Food
217 Anacapa StIt's a great taco place - very little seating and long line but great for lunch
GREAT small local Italian restaurant, owned and run by an.... Italian!
Off the beaten track on Upper State Street, nearish to the Whole Foods Market and next to the post office and Gelson's. Also around the corner from Chaucer's Books - best bookstore in SB.
43 locals recommend
Via Maestra 42
3343 State StGREAT small local Italian restaurant, owned and run by an.... Italian!
Off the beaten track on Upper State Street, nearish to the Whole Foods Market and next to the post office and Gelson's. Also around the corner from Chaucer's Books - best bookstore in SB.
This is really a restaurant/noodle bar in the Public Market - it's very very good. There are other great choices in the same market - Corazon Cocina is one! Right off State at Victoria.
21 locals recommend
Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar
38 W Victoria StThis is really a restaurant/noodle bar in the Public Market - it's very very good. There are other great choices in the same market - Corazon Cocina is one! Right off State at Victoria.
This is a steak and burger place with a craft brewery - it is PACKED and very lively.
23 locals recommend
Finney's Crafthouse & Kitchen
35 State StThis is a steak and burger place with a craft brewery - it is PACKED and very lively.
Sightseeing
Brophy Bros restaurant, the breakwater, view of the harbor, sailing rentals etc.
90 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Harbor
132-A Harbor WayBrophy Bros restaurant, the breakwater, view of the harbor, sailing rentals etc.
The El Encanto has a stunning outdoor dining space overlooking Santa Barbara and the Harbor from high up on the Riviera. Go for dinner, or lunch (but request a shady spot), or best: go for drinks and watch the sun set.
45 locals recommend
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
800 Alvarado PlThe El Encanto has a stunning outdoor dining space overlooking Santa Barbara and the Harbor from high up on the Riviera. Go for dinner, or lunch (but request a shady spot), or best: go for drinks and watch the sun set.
Take a walk along the waterfront in SB and amble up the length of the pier. There is a very small sea center, a couple of restaurants and a lot of fishermen! You can walk from here to the Harbor easily.
48 locals recommend
Stearns Wharf
217 Stearns WharfTake a walk along the waterfront in SB and amble up the length of the pier. There is a very small sea center, a couple of restaurants and a lot of fishermen! You can walk from here to the Harbor easily.
Gorgeous 1920s mall with tiny courtyards, hidden restaurants, and the historic Casa De Le Guerra House from the 1800s. Right smack in the middle of SB - across from the Paseo Nuevo Mall (Nordstrom's etc).
10 locals recommend
El Paseo
El PaseoGorgeous 1920s mall with tiny courtyards, hidden restaurants, and the historic Casa De Le Guerra House from the 1800s. Right smack in the middle of SB - across from the Paseo Nuevo Mall (Nordstrom's etc).
Parks & Nature
Locals' beach at the end of San Ysidro Road - gorgeous walking during low tide.
9 locals recommend
Miramar Beach
Miramar BeachLocals' beach at the end of San Ysidro Road - gorgeous walking during low tide.
Check the tides, but you can walk along the promenade as well. Pop into the Biltmore across the street and check out the gardens, the lobby and have a cocktail on the patio. There are nearly always dolphins swimming by during the cocktail hour - how DO they manage that?!
145 locals recommend
Butterfly Beach
Check the tides, but you can walk along the promenade as well. Pop into the Biltmore across the street and check out the gardens, the lobby and have a cocktail on the patio. There are nearly always dolphins swimming by during the cocktail hour - how DO they manage that?!
Rattlesnake Canyon Trail
Rattlesnake Canyon TrailGreat hiking trail - and at least 50 per cent shady.
You have to walk across the railroad tracks, so take care! You can walk past the seal rookery, and the bird sanctuary.
21 locals recommend
Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve
5905 Carpinteria AveYou have to walk across the railroad tracks, so take care! You can walk past the seal rookery, and the bird sanctuary.
Great beach for families with a public bathroom and a dog washing facility! Also a restaurant - the Boathouse. Crowded on weekends. The food is sometimes terrific and sometimes average.
41 locals recommend
Arroyo Burro Beach
Cliff DrGreat beach for families with a public bathroom and a dog washing facility! Also a restaurant - the Boathouse. Crowded on weekends. The food is sometimes terrific and sometimes average.
Spectacular 37 acre Botanic Garden created by the flamboyant outlier, Madame Ganna Walska. Open Feb - Nov,
Wed - Saturday. TICKETS REQUIRED. Lotusland.org or call
805-969-9990. Pricey but if you are into gardens, totally worth it. Book in advance.
61 locals recommend
Lotusland
Cold Spring RoadSpectacular 37 acre Botanic Garden created by the flamboyant outlier, Madame Ganna Walska. Open Feb - Nov,
Wed - Saturday. TICKETS REQUIRED. Lotusland.org or call
805-969-9990. Pricey but if you are into gardens, totally worth it. Book in advance.
Shopping
Wendy Foster Montecito
516 San Ysidro RdGreat stores in upper village!
Imagine
1470 E Valley RdAmazing upmarket gift shop and clothing store with one-of-a-kind items.
Lovebird Boutique & Jewelry Bar
7 E De La Guerra StEntertainment & Activities
Unbelievably FUN Children's Museum! Even the adults will enjoy it - this isn't just for tiny kids, it's for adolescents, teenagers and parents. Well worth a visit
59 locals recommend
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
125 State StUnbelievably FUN Children's Museum! Even the adults will enjoy it - this isn't just for tiny kids, it's for adolescents, teenagers and parents. Well worth a visit
Well run Zoo with extensive gardens with views over the ocean, room for kids to run about and to have a picnic, a terrific train ride, elephants, giraffes and lots more.
169 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos DrWell run Zoo with extensive gardens with views over the ocean, room for kids to run about and to have a picnic, a terrific train ride, elephants, giraffes and lots more.
Family friendly bowling alley with arcade, food, beer and clean shoes!!
29 locals recommend
Zodo's - Bowling and Beyond
5925 Calle RealFamily friendly bowling alley with arcade, food, beer and clean shoes!!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a restaurant, but the area is hopping late at night. The food is served family style, and the restaurant is always packed. Figueroa Mountain Brewery is around the corner - a very lively spot.
171 locals recommend
The Lark Santa Barbara
131 Anacapa StThis is a restaurant, but the area is hopping late at night. The food is served family style, and the restaurant is always packed. Figueroa Mountain Brewery is around the corner - a very lively spot.
Great interior, fanciful cocktails, usually a lively atmosphere. Next to the Granada Theatre.
65 locals recommend
The Good Lion
1212 State StGreat interior, fanciful cocktails, usually a lively atmosphere. Next to the Granada Theatre.
The Mill
406-414 E Haley StCraft Brewery & Wine Bar with hidden courtyard patio
Check out who's playing - there is live music here at least 4 nights a week.
58 locals recommend
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
1221 State StCheck out who's playing - there is live music here at least 4 nights a week.
This is also a restaurant - but really the bar stands out late at night. Original interior from the 1940s, stiff drinks, and usually crowded.
84 locals recommend
Joe's Cafe
536 State StThis is also a restaurant - but really the bar stands out late at night. Original interior from the 1940s, stiff drinks, and usually crowded.
Lama Dog Tap Room + Bottle Shop
116 Santa Barbara StSo much fun.