Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Food Scene
Great Mexican food with beautiful artwork all over the walls. It feels as if you are sitting with Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo
10 locals recommend
Del Pueblo Cafe
5134 Hollister AveGreat Mexican food with beautiful artwork all over the walls. It feels as if you are sitting with Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo
Quirky coffee place with bagels, fruit smoothies, sandwiches, coffee, matcha tea, etc. Lots of sitting areas in case you need a place in public to study, work, sit on internet. Cozy couches and even a fireplace!
7 locals recommend
Goleta Coffee Co / Loca Vivant Kitchen
177 S Turnpike RdQuirky coffee place with bagels, fruit smoothies, sandwiches, coffee, matcha tea, etc. Lots of sitting areas in case you need a place in public to study, work, sit on internet. Cozy couches and even a fireplace!
Go for the great coffee and food, STAY for the cupcakes and back patio. Super cute place with excellent food.
9 locals recommend
Crushcakes and Cafe
5392 Hollister AveGo for the great coffee and food, STAY for the cupcakes and back patio. Super cute place with excellent food.
This is where I always take out-of-town guests for their first dinner and sunset in SB. Great drinks, fish, vegetarian options. No reservations, but you can stroll the stunning beach as you wait for your table to open up.
223 locals recommend
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
2981 Cliff DrThis is where I always take out-of-town guests for their first dinner and sunset in SB. Great drinks, fish, vegetarian options. No reservations, but you can stroll the stunning beach as you wait for your table to open up.
Within walking distance from my home. It's a little farm stand with the fresh-picked produce (much of it is organic) from the farms you see near my home. This is where you go for your strawberries!
7 locals recommend
Lane Farms
5091 Hollister AveWithin walking distance from my home. It's a little farm stand with the fresh-picked produce (much of it is organic) from the farms you see near my home. This is where you go for your strawberries!
Because...it's THE fast food icon of the Western USA. I order fries at times cuz they are made fresh and are the best.
16 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
4865 Calle RealBecause...it's THE fast food icon of the Western USA. I order fries at times cuz they are made fresh and are the best.
There are three locations (Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito). Locally owned
7 locals recommend
Los Arroyos Goleta Mexican Restaurant & Take Out
5764 Calle RealThere are three locations (Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito). Locally owned
healthy, organic, vegan, gluten free options. Most food made from local farmers market produce. Locally owned. Just off the busy State Street shopping area.
7 locals recommend
Green Table
113 W De La Guerra Sthealthy, organic, vegan, gluten free options. Most food made from local farmers market produce. Locally owned. Just off the busy State Street shopping area.
Masala Spice Indian Cuisine
5796 Calle RealAuthentic Indian food. An entire vegan menu as well.
PANINO Goleta
5666 Calle RealThree locations. My favorite locally-owned sandwich shop.
THE romantic place for dinner if you want amazing vegan food. Nonvegans go here all the time for the food and ambience.
31 locals recommend
Oliver's
1198 Coast Village RdTHE romantic place for dinner if you want amazing vegan food. Nonvegans go here all the time for the food and ambience.
Loquita Santa Barbara
202 State StSpanish tapas with many vegan options
Oku
29 E Cabrillo BlvdParks & Nature
It's a lovely walk in nature. You can walk the circle around the preserve for an hour, or go down the steps to the beach. Warning: the beach to the right of the steps is a nude beach (although it's typically empty).
17 locals recommend
More Mesa Beach
It's a lovely walk in nature. You can walk the circle around the preserve for an hour, or go down the steps to the beach. Warning: the beach to the right of the steps is a nude beach (although it's typically empty).
Just 1.5 miles from my home and up into the mountains. Great 4-mile hike/walk/run at the very END of park (drive in and park in last lot near dog park to see trail).
15 locals recommend
Tuckers Grove Park
4800 Cathedral Oaks RdJust 1.5 miles from my home and up into the mountains. Great 4-mile hike/walk/run at the very END of park (drive in and park in last lot near dog park to see trail).
This trail is a 12-minute walk from my home (along San Simeon). It branches into hours and hours go bike and walking trails.
Maria Ygnacio Creek
This trail is a 12-minute walk from my home (along San Simeon). It branches into hours and hours go bike and walking trails.
THE dog-friendly beach (keep to the left upon beach entrance). The right side is for those avoiding dogs and dogs must be kept on leash.
41 locals recommend
Arroyo Burro Beach
Cliff DrTHE dog-friendly beach (keep to the left upon beach entrance). The right side is for those avoiding dogs and dogs must be kept on leash.
This is directly above Arroyo Burro (aka Hendry's Beach). Easy walk up a hill for amazing views!
81 locals recommend
Douglas Family Preserve
This is directly above Arroyo Burro (aka Hendry's Beach). Easy walk up a hill for amazing views!
Essentials
We have 3 of these stores around SB. This one is the closest to the condo. Go for healthy picnic/beach foods, or easy-to-make dinners. Iconic store along the Western USA
216 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3025 De La Vina StWe have 3 of these stores around SB. This one is the closest to the condo. Go for healthy picnic/beach foods, or easy-to-make dinners. Iconic store along the Western USA
Among the pricier places to buy food in town, but they have a great selection of organic and local produce. Great coffee bar and buffet of ready-made food
94 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3761 State StAmong the pricier places to buy food in town, but they have a great selection of organic and local produce. Great coffee bar and buffet of ready-made food
Vons
163 S Turnpike RdA typical CA grocery store. Within walking distance from my home.
Drinks & Nightlife
Obviosly this place has a great restaurant, but you can also just go and get a drink as you enjoy this famous resort.
31 locals recommend
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
8301 Hollister AveObviosly this place has a great restaurant, but you can also just go and get a drink as you enjoy this famous resort.
Enterprise Fish Co.
225 State StIt has the best happy hour. Great vegetarian options.
Shopping
It sits right along State Street. You can spend an entire afternoon walking along this outdoor mall area and along State. Half the people you see will be tourists.
112 locals recommend
Paseo Nuevo
651 Paseo NuevoIt sits right along State Street. You can spend an entire afternoon walking along this outdoor mall area and along State. Half the people you see will be tourists.
Sightseeing
Go to the top for free and see ALL of SB
162 locals recommend
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StGo to the top for free and see ALL of SB
Don't forget to picnic on the lawn and smell 20+ types of roses
201 locals recommend
Old Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StDon't forget to picnic on the lawn and smell 20+ types of roses
City/town information
Ojai
Excellent day trip (just 40 minutes from my home)
Unique Europe-inspired town. Great day trip since it's just 40 minutes from my home.
128 locals recommend
Solvang
Unique Europe-inspired town. Great day trip since it's just 40 minutes from my home.