Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Food Scene
Mexican food, California coast-style--grilled meats, mango, avocado. Inexpensive. Pretty dining room.
103 locals recommend
Los Agaves
2911 De La Vina StMexican food, California coast-style--grilled meats, mango, avocado. Inexpensive. Pretty dining room.
So, so good! I love the salted caramel chip.
36 locals recommend
Mission Street Ice Cream & Yogurt - Featuring McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
201 W Mission StSo, so good! I love the salted caramel chip.
We are so lucky to have this well-established bakery move in just 2 blocks from our house! Walk down for espresso, pastry, breakfast or lunch.
18 locals recommend
Our Daily Bread
2700 De La Vina StreetWe are so lucky to have this well-established bakery move in just 2 blocks from our house! Walk down for espresso, pastry, breakfast or lunch.
The local's favorite low-key sushi haunt. Very good fish, fair prices, and a charming owner who is there most nights. Open LATE--unusual for our sleepy town!
16 locals recommend
Edomasa
2710 De La Vina StThe local's favorite low-key sushi haunt. Very good fish, fair prices, and a charming owner who is there most nights. Open LATE--unusual for our sleepy town!
A Santa Barbara breakfast institution, I grew up eating breakfast here. I dream of the andouille sausage, shrimp and grits with poached eggs.
34 locals recommend
Cajun Kitchen Cafe
1924 De La Vina StA Santa Barbara breakfast institution, I grew up eating breakfast here. I dream of the andouille sausage, shrimp and grits with poached eggs.
A locals place at the end of the pier. Friendly, casual bar seating, beer, shellfish, and views. So fun and great for dining solo because you will be chatting with staff and other diners soon.
32 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
230 Stearns WharfA locals place at the end of the pier. Friendly, casual bar seating, beer, shellfish, and views. So fun and great for dining solo because you will be chatting with staff and other diners soon.
Santa Barbara's version of hipster coffee. The Anacapa location is gorgeous and has a great patio.
25 locals recommend
The French Press
1101 State StSanta Barbara's version of hipster coffee. The Anacapa location is gorgeous and has a great patio.
Upscale, casual, all-day brasserie style restaurant with a full bar and a patio. Women will feel comfortable coming here alone for a drink or a meal.
14 locals recommend
Le Cafe Stella
3302 McCaw AveUpscale, casual, all-day brasserie style restaurant with a full bar and a patio. Women will feel comfortable coming here alone for a drink or a meal.
A state-wide following and out-the-door lines prevent me from calling this a locals-favorite hole-in-the-wall authentic taqueria. But the homemade tortillas and unusual offerings make it worth it.
96 locals recommend
La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StA state-wide following and out-the-door lines prevent me from calling this a locals-favorite hole-in-the-wall authentic taqueria. But the homemade tortillas and unusual offerings make it worth it.
Tacos only, with fillings ranging to the familiar (carnitas) to exotic (eyeballs). $1.80 each! Make sure to put on cilantro/onion mix and salsa. Yum.
53 locals recommend
Lilly's Taqueria
310 Chapala StTacos only, with fillings ranging to the familiar (carnitas) to exotic (eyeballs). $1.80 each! Make sure to put on cilantro/onion mix and salsa. Yum.
Very affordable grilled chicken, beans, rice, and a salsa bar.
14 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch
2618 De La Vina StreetVery affordable grilled chicken, beans, rice, and a salsa bar.
Yellow Belly
2611 De La Vina StBurgers, craft beer, a hip, camp-out aesthetic and great staff.
Drinks & Nightlife
Good neighborhood watering hole with a crowd that gets younger and hipper as the evening progresses. Super fun karaoke.
13 locals recommend
Uptown Lounge
3126 State StGood neighborhood watering hole with a crowd that gets younger and hipper as the evening progresses. Super fun karaoke.
In the heart of the State Street bar district, Joe's has served the stiffest drinks in town since the early 1900s. A lively mix of all ages, locals, tourists, politicians, and students. Fun.
84 locals recommend
Joe's Cafe
536 State StIn the heart of the State Street bar district, Joe's has served the stiffest drinks in town since the early 1900s. A lively mix of all ages, locals, tourists, politicians, and students. Fun.
Young, fun DIY tasting room in the heart of the ultra hip Funk Zone. The Bright White Rocks. Great patio. Other wineries worth a visit: Oreana, Santa Barbara Winery.
43 locals recommend
Municipal Winemakers
22 Anacapa StYoung, fun DIY tasting room in the heart of the ultra hip Funk Zone. The Bright White Rocks. Great patio. Other wineries worth a visit: Oreana, Santa Barbara Winery.
Everything Else
CVS
2973 State StFull service drug store and pharmacy.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
3025 De La Vina StGood wine, cheese, picnic supplies, and cold prepared foods.
Ralphs
100 W Carrillo StFull service grocery store with hot deli and other prepared foods.
Sightseeing
Beautiful. Historic. Take the tour. Also visit the rose garden and historical garden. This is a very pleasant walk up Quinto from our house.
201 locals recommend
Old Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StBeautiful. Historic. Take the tour. Also visit the rose garden and historical garden. This is a very pleasant walk up Quinto from our house.
A great collection for all ages. Especially fascinating bird, nest, and egg collection. Beautiful "back yard" along a creek with oaks and sycamores. Don't miss the butterflies in spring/summer.
118 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta Del SolA great collection for all ages. Especially fascinating bird, nest, and egg collection. Beautiful "back yard" along a creek with oaks and sycamores. Don't miss the butterflies in spring/summer.
Incredible range of plants and trees set around a stream (although currently dry). The little redwood forest is magic. Great for a long walk/short hike. So beautiful!
136 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon RdIncredible range of plants and trees set around a stream (although currently dry). The little redwood forest is magic. Great for a long walk/short hike. So beautiful!
A perfect place to start a tour of Santa Barbara, the courthouse was built in the 20s and is a good example of the Moorish-influenced architectural style prevalent here. Clock tower views are amazing
162 locals recommend
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StA perfect place to start a tour of Santa Barbara, the courthouse was built in the 20s and is a good example of the Moorish-influenced architectural style prevalent here. Clock tower views are amazing