-
Downtown's main street is State St which runs roughly north-south. Upper State St (north of Ortega St) has most of the museums.
Has information about Santa Barbara, including maps, pricing and hours of attractions, restaurant guides, bus and waterfront shuttle schedules.
-
Weather
The climate of Santa Barbara is classified as dry-summer subtropical. Summers and falls are the driest, warmest times of the year, which have the most sunshine. The daytime temperatures during this time of year are typically from 75-85F, with nighttime temperatures from 55-64F and water temperatures in the mid-60sF. Winter and spring are the rainier, mild times of the year, with daytime temperatures fro 60-65F and nighttime lows around 41F. The water during this time of year is usually around 55F.
-
-
By plane
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport [url=http://www.flysba.com/]], located in Santa Barbara, near the neighboring town of [[Goleta[/url]], provides access to LAX through a shuttle service that flies between the two airports several times per day. There is also service to San Francisco, Phoenix, Denver, Seattle and Portland. Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District's Route 11 bus links the airport with downtown Santa Barbara.
-
By train
Amtrak, housed in a historical landmark on lower State Street in the heart of the Funk Zone [url=http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/funk-zone/],]provides service on both the Pacific Surfliner [url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256322013&ssid=132[/url]]([[San Luis Obispo[/url]] to [wiki=a1edff17ec0464c4c048d25d25bce75a]San Diego[/wiki]) and Coast Starlight [url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321841&ssid=135]]([[Seattle[/url]] to [wiki=d0aa2dffa0da83f1f34681308d04db5d]Los Angeles[/wiki]).
-
By bus
The Greyhound [url=http://greyhound.com/scripts/ticketcenter/terminal.asp?city=893420]]station is now located adjacent to the train station. The Santa Barbara AirBus [url=http://www.sbairbus.com/[/url]]operates several times per day from Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria to LAX. Other overland options can be found through the Santa Barbara County website, Traffic Solutions [http://www.trafficsolutions.info/transit.htm[/url].
-
By car
There is only one major highway in and out of Santa Barbara, US 101; downtown Santa Barbara can be accessed via the Garden St. exit, while the beaches can be found off the Cabrillo Blvd. off ramp. Traffic patterns are the opposite from the famous Los Angeles grid lock, as the 101 can come to a grinding halt on Sunday afternoons.
-
-
By bus
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (SBMTD) [http://www.sbmtd.gov] runs buses all over Santa Barbara proper, and neighboring Goleta, Montecito and Carpinteria. Routes and fares are on their website. Most buses stop at the Transit Center which is 8 blocks from the Amtrak train station.
The SBMTD also runs shuttle bus services along State St between downtown Sola St and Stearns Wharf, and along the waterfront between the harbor and zoo, leaving every 15 or 30 minutes between 9AM and 6PM (till 10PM F-Sa in summer). Fare is 50 cents; get a free shuttle transfer to switch between the two shuttles.
-
By taxi
Taxis are extremely expensive.
-
By bike
Along the waterfront, many businesses offer bicycle, surrey or inline skate rentals for exploring the beach areas, and "rickshaw" taxis are also common. Cyclists needing maps, pdfs, or apps can visit the Santa Barbara visitor center at Garden St and Cabrillo Blvd or the Santa Barbara County website, Traffic Solutions [url=http://www.trafficsolutions.info/bikemap.htm]][url=http://www.trafficsolutions.info/biking.htm[/url]][http://home.bikestation.com/bikestation-santa-barbara[/url].
There is a beach side bike path that is common with walkers, joggers and cyclists. It goes from the bird refuge to the harbor.
-
By car
Budget and Hertz car rental outlets are present at the airport terminal, and several other rental agencies are located in Santa Barbara. Getting around by car is fairly easy in this city. Free parking in most locations outside downtown. In downtown, the first 75 of parking are free, then $1.50 an hour.
-
Ridesharing
Uber and Lyft are both available from the western edge of Goleta to the eastern side of Carpinteria.
-
Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa St, [url=http://www.santabarbaracourthouse.org].]M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4:30PM. Guided tours, M-Sa 2pm and M, Tu, F 10:30am. Built in 1929 and the grandest building in the town. A working courthouse, this Spanish-Moorish castle has frescoes, murals and Tunisian tilework. The El Mirador Bell Tower provides great views of the city and the bay. The grounds contain a collection of palms and specimen trees from more than 25 countries and a printed guide to the plants is available. Free.
*Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St., (from downtown State St., turn east onto Mission St. and follow signs pointing toward the Mission), (805) 682-4149, [url=http://www.sbmission.org/home.html].]Self-guided tours daily 9AM-4:30PM. Known as "The Queen of the Missions," Santa Barbara's "Old Mission" is a superb example of California's Franciscan Spanish architecture. The tenth California Mission to be constructed, Mission Santa Barbara today is both a scenic wonder and a fine anthropological study of original native culture in the surrounding area. Well worth a visit, note the adjacent pottery kiln and tanning vat ruins. Adults $5.
*Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta Del Sol (follow signs from nearby Santa Barbara Mission), (805) 682-4711, [url=http://www.sbnature.org/[/url].]Daily 10AM-5PM. This large, well-presented museum is - literally - a hidden treasure. Highlights in the eleven exhibit halls include regional natural history, a life-size Blue Whale skeleton, and a rare skeleton of a pony-sized "pygmy mammoth." $10 for adults; free on the 3rd Sunday of every month except September.
*Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State Street, (805) 963-4364, [url=http://www.sbmuseart.org/[/url].]Tu-Su 11AM-5PM. A remarkably well-provisioned museum considering the size of the town, Santa Barbara's main art museum features a strong collection of Roman antiquities, as well as an impressive lineup of classical European and modern art. Frequently rotated exhibitions are among the strongest in California. Adults: $9; suggested donation on Sunday.
*Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 136 East De la Guerra St, [url=http://www.santabarbaramuseum.com/[/url].]Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Free.
*Presidio of Santa Barbara, 123 East Canon Perdido St (a block off State St, corner of East Canon Perdido and Santa Barbara Sts), [url=http://www.sbthp.org/presidio.htm[/url].]Every day except major holidays, 10:30AM-4:30PM. A military fortress founded in 1782, only parts of which remain. Some parts are gradually being rebuilt. Adults $5, seniors (62+) $4, children 16 & under free.
*Stearns Wharf, end of State Street along the Waterfront, [url=http://www.stearnswharf.org/[/url].]This picturesque 1872 wharf - the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco - has lots of history. Badly damaged several times by fire, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and today features more than a dozen shops and restaurants, and one of the best views in California from the end of its pier. You may see brown pelicans at the end of the wharf. It was once owned by Hollywood legend James Cagney. Free.
*Karpeles Museum, 21 West Anapamu St. (half a block from State St), (805) 962-5322, [url=http://www.rain.org/~karpeles/sbafrm.html[/url].]W-Su, noon-4PM. The Karpeles Library is the world's largest private holding of important original manuscripts & documents. Among the items on permanent display in the museum is an original Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence, a replica of the globe used by Columbus (sans the Western Hemisphere), handwritten scores by a dozen leading composers, and the computer guidance system used on the first Apollo lander flight to the moon. Free.
*Santa Barbara Zoo, 500 Ninos Dr, (805) 963-5695, [url=http://www.santabarbarazoo.org[/url].] Every day, 10AM-5PM, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and some private events. Small but well-represented with over 600 animals, the zoo has provided entertainment for all ages since 1963 and is the largest zoo between Los Angeles and San Francisco (unless you count the [[Monterey (California)|Monterey[/url]] Aquarium). Adults 13-59: $14. Children 2-13 and Seniors 60+: $10. Children under 2: Free.
*Located on 65 acres in the foothills just above the city, the Garden features exquisite exhibits of California native plants displayed in beautiful landscaped settings. Walk along a meadow, through a canyon and redwood forest, across a historic dam, and along ridge tops that offer sweeping views of the Channel Islands. Established in 1926 as an educational and scientific institution, it is the oldest botanic garden in California dedicated to the study, conservation, and display of native flora.
*CAF is a non-profit, non-collecting institution dedicated to exhibiting the highest quality of contemporary art while recognizing "the artists of tomorrow," and was founded in 1976 by artists and art supporters seeking a venue dedicated solely to contemporary art. What began as a grassroots, artist-run organization with nominal funding now serves as the leading contemporary arts presenter in Central California. CAF offers its innovative education and exhibition programming to the region primarily free of charge. Foundations and individuals keep CAF active with opportunities for artists, children, and adults to experience all the visual and performing arts have to offer.
*Features original Reagan Ranch artifacts matched with state-of-the-art, interactive, multimedia exhibits that highlight the history of Ronald Reagan’s quarter-century at Rancho del Cielo and the accomplishments of his presidency. Over six hours of dynamic multimedia exhibits provide access to exclusive speeches, interviews, radio addresses, and original video presentations. The centerpiece is a 28-foot-long interactive “timeline” that gives users the ability to explore the “Western White House” during the 1980s.
-
Although Santa Barbara is an atypical coastal town, it offers the typical Southern California variety of outdoor activities, from surfing to whale-watching.
*Beaches, along the waterfront. Santa Barbara's most popular beach, East Beach, is a pristine stretch of blindingly white sand framed by postcard quality palm trees, surrounding hills and nearby harbor. For less crowded beachcombing, try nearby Leadbetter Beach, or further up the road, isolated Arroyo Burro (known to locals as Hendry's Beach) where dog lovers bring their pets to frolic in a no-leashes-needed surfside dog park. Hendry's Beach is also home to a nudist beach, where one can often see a frolicking nude man pass by. Even more isolated is Butterfly Beach, tucked away in a cove beneath the high-toned Biltmore Hotel in Montecito.
*2.5 hour food and photo tour visiting 8 eateries in the Funk Zone and Waterfront neighborhoods. Taste some of the best seafood, gourmet flatbread, and gastropub creations topped off with local wines and craft beer. Soak in the epic views of the city and learn how to take better travel photos with your camera or iPhone.
*Golf, Santa Barbara has numerous private and public golf courses located in and around the city. Hidden Oaks, Twin Lakes, and Ocean Meadows are nine-hole courses that provide budget prices for a round of golf. For those wishing to play 18 holes without spending a lot, the Santa Barbara Golf Club, located at 3500 McCaw, provides reasonably priced rounds. For those wishing to spend more, Sandpiper Golf Course, located north of Goleta on Hollister, or Rancho San Marcos, located about 15 miles up the 154, provide a world class golf experience.
*Hiking, from the Mesa to the Santa Ynez Mountains, the unique geography of Santa Barbara provides amazing opportunities to see panoramic views and abundant wildlife. Hiking guides and maps are easily obtained at any local bookstore, well-equipped newsstand, or selected stores in tourist-heavy locations such as downtown. Examples include the Douglas Family Preserve, a great off-leash open space that often serves as the backdrop for numerous weddings, and East Camino Cielo Road off of Highway 154, which has several spots one can park and find a little trail to hike on, or even just sit and enjoy the view.
*Eagle Paragliding, (805) 968-0980, [url=http://eagleparagliding.com/].]Santa Barbara offers year-round flying, and some of the best flying in the United States. You can fly solo on your first day at Elings Park. Tandem Flights are also available from the Mountains, the Beach, or the Elings Park Training Hill.
*Surfing. There are numerous beaches in the area fit for surfing and several companies that rent surfboards. Although the surf tends to be much smaller in the summer, it is perfect for beginners. There are also several nice long board breaks that are suitable year round.
*Wine Tasting. Santa Barbara has a number of wineries all within blocks of downtown. Known as the urban wine trail [url=http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/wine/urban-wine-trail/[/url],]most wineries have tasting rooms, are open to the public starting at 10am, and cost around $10 per winery. The Santa Barbara back country also has a great collection of wineries, most of which are part of the Vintner's Association [url=http://sbcountywines.com[/url].] Just pop up to [[Solvang[/url]] or [wiki=61be60a2904a171ab47b4bf6bed84ea3]Buellton[/wiki] and enjoy. The region takes responsible consumption very seriously, and since the February 2008 launch of the CHP Designated Driver Program, DUI checkpoints have been frequent. Consider hiring a limo or signing on for a wine tour.
*Wine Tours, Daily wine tasting excursions depart from most area hotels, and you can pick from several different approaches. The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle (888) 8-WINERY, [url=http://www.gogrape.com/santabarbara]]offers a flexible day aboard deluxe shuttles. Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours offer a wine tour in open air jeeps [url=http://ccjeeps.com/[/url].]Sustainable Vine (805)698-3911. [url=http://www.sustainablevine.com/[/url]]focuses on the producers employing sustainable practices. I Bike Santa Barbara (805) 705-7998 provides single-day bike tours of the wine country [url=http://www.ibikesantabarbara.com[/url].]The Stagecoach Wine Tours (805) 686-8347 [http://winetourssantaynez.com/[/url] offers fun, exciting, educational wine tasting tours and also offer large group tours for corporate events, weddings, bridal showers, etc.
* An easy walking tour. Find some free parking on the side streets from Cabrillo Boulevard after passing State Street (i.e. on Bath Street and Yanonali St). Then walk on the sidewalk or the beach to State Street. At the intersection of Cabrillo Boulevard and State Street you will find the pier which will give you great views of the city. After walking on the pier, take State Street up past the train station. Shops and restaurants line up State Street up and down providing a great visitor experience. Take a right on West Carillo St and go one block and then take a left on Anacapa St. This should get you to the Santa Barbara Courthouse (details above under See) opposite the public library Main Branch, where you can enjoy the pleasant views from its tower. Next, walk up the street to Anapamu St and take a left. This will put you back on State Street. If you're not tired yet you can keep walking up State Street to Mission St and take a right. If you follow the street to Laguna St and take a left and after three blocks take a right on Los Olivos. This will get you to the Santa Barbara Mission. After visiting the the mission and the delightful rose garden in front of the Mission, you can walk back to Cabrillo Boulevard or just take the shuttle back to the waterfront.
*Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.
*Santa Barbara Winery
-
[url=http://sbiff.org,]Santa Barbara International Film Festival[/url], Held annually towards the end of January/beginning of February, downtown.
*The film festival welcomes some of the biggest names in Hollywood with awards ceremonies and world premier screenings.
[url=http://www.frenchfestival.com,]French Festival[/url] Bastille Day Weekend in Oak Park.
[url=http://www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org/new/index.php,]Fiesta[/url], Last Week of July or First week of August. This week long event takes over the entire city, but most of the main events are in the downtown area. Also known as Old Spanish Days, it is a yearly of Santa Barbara's Spanish, Mexican, and occasionally Native American history. Fiesta events generally feature Folklorico, flamenco, and Aztec music and dance. However, you will also see some country music and ballet. It is the biggest event of the year and everyone wants to find a way to get involved.
Main Fiesta Events:
Many restaurants and all of the local malls have their own smaller events. If you want a good view of performers these smaller venues are your best bet. Local businesses and organizations also typically have their own parties. There are also special tours of the Mission and other historical sites take place, and a rodeo is held at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. Below, is a list of the main free public events.
*Fiesta Pequenia: The steps of the mission to transform into a stage. Fiesta dignataries (people who plan the events) are greeted by Flower Girls (the "hostesses" of Fiesta) and shown to their seats at the front. El president then declares the official start of Fiesta week. Next, local dance studios showcase some of their best dancers. In the middle of the performances, a representative from "Native Daughters of the Golden West" appears as Saint Babara, for the first time in public. The Junior and Senior Spirits of Fiesta also have their first public performances here. The two spirits are flamenco dancers. The best dancers in each Flamenco studio compete for the titles, during a May competition. The Junior Spirit competition involves a dance performance, where as Senior Spirt contestants are asked to demonstrate his or her public speaking abilities, in addition to their dancing abilities.
*Mercados: These events last all week and feature food booths and stages with live entertainment. El Mercado del Sud, located in De la Guerra Plaza, is the largest of the mercados. Mercado del Norte, in Makenzie park is slightly smaller and less crowded. During the day, both mercados have performances from local dance groups and at night they have live music. Both El Mercado del Sud and El Mercado del Norte start on the Wednesday of Fiesta Pequina and run until the Saturday of Fiesta week. In addition to food booths they have Fiesta themed merchandise for sale. From Friday through Sunday, there is the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado, which is one of the most authentic Mexican experiences you can have, outside of Mexico. There you will find food and mariachi music.
*Las Noches de Ronda, Nightly dance and music performance in the Court House sunken gardens. Auditions are required and flamenco studios normally show reserve their best dances for "Noches". Other performers include Folklorico, Hip-Hop, and Aztec dancers, in addition to musical performances.
*El Desfile Histórico: The Fiesta Historical Parade Up State Street, is one of the largest equestrian parades in the United States. It occurs on the Saturday of Fiesta Week. It is led by the flower girls and features floats and equestrian groups from local organizations.
*El Desfile De Los Niños: The Children's Parade Up State Street. Local children's groups dress up for Fiesta and parade down the street.
*Tardes de Ronda Daytime performance in the courthouse sunken gardens, featuring child performers.
[url=http://www.solsticeparade.com,]Summer Solstice Celebration[/url], Summer Solstice Weekend in downtown Santa Barbara.
*Summer Solstice Parade, State Street. Groups of locals use recycled products to create whimsical floats and costumes around a general theme. Past themes have included: Jungle-2011, Circus-2002, Creatures-2013, Wild Things-2005, The Sea-1990, Hot-1992, Garden of the Absurd-1992, Dance of Life-1987, Carneval of Illiusion-1985, People Celebrating Art Through Life-1980 and Children for the first parade in 1979. Yearly favorites include belly dancers, swing dancers, and Tihitian Dancers.
*Summer Solstice Festival, Alemeda Park. Floats are lined up around the park. Painted participants, in their costumes and face paint, mingle with parade goers at the various food booths and at the dance stages. Other booths at the park sell clothes, knick knacks and jewelry, while there are tables around the park where you can learn about new solar power companies or other solutions to ecological concerns.
-
Santa Barbara is a shopping paradise [url=http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/shopping/].]State Street alone offers more than a mile stretch of everything from trendy boutiques to popular chain stores like Restoration Hardware. El Paseo (812 State St., downtown) is an upscale mall that bills itself as "California's First Shopping Center," while lushly themed and nearby Paseo Nuevo (651 Paseo Nuevo) offers Nordstrom's, Macy's, and more than 50 specialty shops. Whatever you're looking for, you'll likely find it on State Street. There is plenty of parking downtown with the first 75 minutes free in most lots (except at the beach). A good bet is the parking structure on Ortega.
*The Italian Pottery Outlet, 929 State St, 877-496-5599, [http://www.italianpottery.com/[/url]. A family owned business, it has been in this location for more than 15 years. It carries the largest collection of Italian pottery in the west and at discounted prices.
-
Latin-themed dishes are, quite logically, the order of the day in
Santa Barbara, and the town's Mexican food ranks with any other town in
California. The town's elevated cultural status attracts high-powered
chefs from all over the world, and the selection and sheer variety of
local fare is quite astonishing for a community of 90,000. Here
are just a few of Santa Barbara's culinary choices:
-
Budget
La Super Rica Taqueria, 622 N. Milpas St., (805) 963-4940. Once tabbed "Best Mexican Food in the Country" by the New York Times. You won't come here for the atmosphere. There is no sign on the building, and seating is first come-first served, but you'll be happy you stood in the long line forming outside the door once you taste what's served up here. Julia Child claimed this her favorite Mexican restaurant (or even all-time favorite place to eat, according to some accounts), saying, "Everything is incredibly fresh. The salsas are wonderful." $5-$15.
* Outdoor, sidewalk dining that is healthy and good. If there is a vegan/vegetarian in the group, they will be happy here. Part of a small regional chain.
*Woody's BBQ, 5112 Hollister Ave. Serving delicious BBQ in Santa Barbara for 19 years and voted Santa Barbara's Favorite BBQ For 19 Years In A Row!
*Super Cuca's Taquería,2030 Cliff Dr., 966-3863; 626 W. Micheltorena St., Big burritos, vegetarian recommended even for those die-hard carnivores. Alternatively, you can plan on buying two meals in one. Get the "super burrito", with grilled onions and peppers (and sour cream) in addition to your normal burrito fillings and it should heat up nicely in the microwave! Locals regularly choose Super Cuca's for "Best Burito" in the Santa Barbara Independent's "Best of Santa Barbara" list.
*Rudy's Restaurant, Six in town, one in Paseo Nuevo. Very good tamales, chimichangas and burritos. Charming family-owned business.
*The Habit, 216 S. Milpas St., 962-7472; 628 State St., 892-5400. Stop by for a sidewalk burger, hailed as one of the best in the nation.
*Panino, 834 Santa Barbara St., Good variety of sandwiches.
*Los Arroyos, 14 W. Figueroa St., off State, 962-5541; 1280 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, popular and very good Mexican food.
*Cajun Kitchen, 901 Chapala St., 1924-A De la Vina St. Very popular breakfast and lunch place. The best breakfast in town. Delicious sausages. Good price.
*[url=http://onlineordering.rustyspizza.com/default.aspx?AffCode=c1042b80-a6e0-445f-a414-0bd86acb464f,]Rusty's Pizza[/url], [url=http://rustyspizza.com/santa-barbara/locations,]multiple locations[/url], 805.564.1111. Locally owned pizza franchise. If you want a real local experience, have them deliver some McConnell's Ice Cream (locally owned ice cream company, stealing their cow mascot is the traditional senior prank for Santa Barbara High School Students), with your pizza! Also good for late night food, which can be hard to find.
*[url=http://longboardsgrillsb.com,]Longboard's Grill[/url]. 210 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara. Located above the Harbor Restaurant, it is the cheapest place to eat and watch the sunset over the ocean. Their clam chowder is fantastic and the fish and chips are pretty good! The rest of the menu isn't as great, but the deserts and drinks are good.
*East Beach Grill, 1118 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. Located right on the beach. The food is great, especially for breakfast! It is very affordable.
-
Mid-range
Palazzio's, 1026 State St., Generous portions of pastas and salads. One entree and a half salad is enough to feed up to three people. Every fifteen minutes waiters walk around with freshly baked garlic rolls that are to die for.
*Arigato Sushi, 1225 State St., Unbelievably good sushi.
*East Sushi & Thai, 1208 State St. Across the street from Arigato, very good and a lot less crowded than Arigato.
*Brophy Bros., Breakwater at the Harbor, great seafood, known for clam chowder, the setting cannot be beat.
*Pascucci, 729 State St., Santa Barbara's best affordable Italian food.
*Montecito Café, 1295 Coast Village Rd., Montecito. Try the coconut cake.
*Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Rd., Stop for lunch on your way out to wine taste -- off the 154. Great location and great food. Fun atmosphere on weekend nights with live music. Dinner is more expensive, $17-29.
*Chuck's of Hawaii, 3888 State St., 113 Harbor Way, (805) 564-1200, A great cut of beef. Try anything with artichokes.
*The Palace Grill, 8 E. Cota St. This place celebrates the cuisine of New Orleans. It has a fun, yet laid back atmosphere with great service. Try the Caribbean coconut shrimp!
*[url=http://petitvalentien.com/#home,]Petit Valentien[/url], 1114 State Street #16. In La Arcada. Creative small plates, French Cuisine, with a constantly changing menu. Great for foodies and their pricing is very reasonable, for the quality of the food!
*[url=http://www.intermezzosb.com,]Intermezzo[/url], 819 ANACAPA STREET, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101, in front of The Wine Cask. The Wine Cask's moderate range little sister. On their website they say they are ideal for a quick meeting or a cocktail before dinner. However, if you are not a big eater, you can easily make a meal of their small plates and enjoy some superb food. They also have an excellent wine selection, as you would expect from the wine cask's sister restaurant. Good for foodies and wine lovers and groups.
*[url=http://www.tupelojunction.com/Tupelo-Junction-Cafe-Dinner-menu.php,]Tupelo Junction Cafe[/url], 1218 State Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101. Cajun/ Southern gourmet.
-
Splurge
Downey's Restaurant, 1305 State St., Santa Barbara. One of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. Excellent wine pairings.
*Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel, 1260 Channel Dr., Montecito. When on an expense account, grab brunch here.
*[url=http://www.winecask.com,]Wine Cask[/url], 813 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, in the (old) El Paseo complex (not to be confused with Paseo Nuevo, though El Paseo and Paseo Nuevo are not too far away from eachother). A long time local favorite, you probably cannot do better if you are into wines. Thier food is also excellent. They feature local, fresh ingredents and classic California cuizine. Reservations recomended.
*[url=http://www.stellamares.com,]Stella Mare's[/url], 50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA, 9310. Located a historic 1872 house, near the ocean and the bird refuge. French cuizine. Small plates aviailable. Try their Lavender and vanilla creme brulee! Reservations Recomended.
*[url=http://mobydicksb.com,]Moby Dick's[/url], 220 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. On the warf with wonderful ocean views. Specalizes in sea food.
*"Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach", 2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Over looks arroyo burro beach. Good for seafood and brunch.
*Tratorria Mollie, 1250 Coast Village Rd, Montecito, CA 93108, United States. Amazing in house gelato.
-
In addition to Santa Barbara wine tasting on the urban wine trail [url=http://www.santabarbaraca.com/things-to-do/wine/urban-wine-trail/],]the region is also full of bars. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your preference), many of them cater to crowds of students from the nearby university. Thursday nights are the official college night of downtown bars at which time the drinks are particularly cheap. Really any bar on lower State Street is Fun on Thursday nights to relive those college days.
*Rooftop Bar at Canary Hotel, Carillo St. and Chapala. Top of Canary Hotel. Great sunset bar as you overlook the mountains, the mesa and the harbor. Very nice. Hotel Guests only.
*The James Joyce [http://www.thejamesjoyce.com[/url], 513 State Street. (805) 962-2688. Open 10AM-2AM daily. Yes, it's an Irish pub, or "A Traditional Irish Bar." Free peanuts, a fireplace and dixieland jazz bands on the weekend. Guinness flows freely.
*Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant 18 E Ortega St, Sportsbar with Irish music. Good Lambstew.
*Santa Barbara Brewing Co. 501 State St., Microbrewery, TVs. Decent food.
*Sharkeez, State Street. This sportsbar has a lot of TVs. Well drinks are usually around $1 on Thursdays.
*Elsie's, 117 De La Guerra. Neighborhood beer and wine joint with good music. Meet the locals out back in the outdoor smoking area or over rounds of pool inside.
*Wilcat Lounge, 15 W Ortega St. Best Danceclub in Santa Barbara! Perhaps the only danceclub in Santa Barbara...
*Joe's, State Street. Stiffest drinks on State St. Have a couple at the beginning of the night.
*Roy's Carrillo and State. Good "off State St." bar. Serves great food late at night, focus on local ingredients. Price fix menu with everything at around $25.
*SOhO Restaurant and Music Club 1221 State St. Jazz/live music club above Victoria Court.
-
Santa Barbara has a huge number of hotels and motels, ranging from Motel 6 to Fess Parker's astonishing Doubletree Resort. One thing you won't find here is dives. Prices are before tax, allow another 10% taxes.
*Avania Inn of Santa Barbara, 128 Castillo St.,+1-805-963-4471 [http://www.avaniainnsantabarbara.com]. A Newly Remodeled hotel featuring Pillow Top Beds, 37" LCD HD TV's. Free HOT Breakfast, Free Parking, Free Internet. Heated Pool & SPA. Redwood Sauna. Located 1 block from the Beaches.
*The Hampton Inn Goleta hotel is positioned within eight miles of downtown Santa Barbara in the heart of Old Town Goleta, near shops, dining and more.
*Eclectic tequila bar, happy hour and dinner with fresh seafood authentic Mexican cuisine. Try the locals' favorite Blood Orange Margarita.
-
Budget
Motel 6 Santa Barbara - Beach, 443 Corona Del Mar, +1-805 564-1392, [url=http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0001].]Basic simple hotel room with bed, private bath, small pool, and TV. Has air conditioning, but noisy in window units. Friendly staff. About 75 yards to the beach. $91.99-$164. This was the world's first Motel 6.
* Motel 6 Santa Barbara - Goleta, 5897 Calle Real, Goleta, +1-805 964-3596, [url=http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0028[/url].]Located on US 101 at Fairview Ave in Goleta, which is to the west of Santa Barbara proper and closer to UCSB and the airport. $75.99-78.99.
* Presidio Motel, 1620 State Street, "+1-805" 963-1355, [url=http://www.thepresidiomotel.com/[/url].]This sweet motel is run by a charming young couple, with a foible for mid-century design. Free wireless internet and some books on design or art are likely to be part of the rooms set up, as much as TV and a coffee and muffin in the morning. $109+ for king-size bed.
* Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel, 134 Chapala Street, +1-805 963-0154, [url=http://www.sbhostel.com/[/url].]Amazingly, an inexpensive backpacker two blocks from the beach and one block from the State Street buzz. Basic breakfast and wifi internet in the lobby included. Bed in a shared room $25-45, private double room with shared bath $69-125, private double room with private bath $79-139, rates in all cases a function of day (weekends, summer, festivals are more expensive).
* Sandpiper Lodge, 3525 State Street, [http://www.sandpiperlodge.com/[/url]. Budget hotel lodging accommodations for guests seeking golf, romantic or weekend coastal getaways near State Street attractions.
-
Midrange
Avania Inn of Santa Barbara, 128 Castillo St.,+1-805-963-4472 [url=http://www.avaniainnsantabarbara.com].]A Newly Remodeled hotel featuring Pillow Top Beds, 32" LCD HD TV's. Free HOT Breakfast, Free Parking, Free Internet. Heated Pool & SPA. Redwood Sauna. Located 1 block from the Beaches.
*Brisas Del Mar, Inn at the Beach, 223 Castillo St., [url=http://www.brisasdelmarinn.com[/url].]A Mediterranean-style villa two blocks from the beaches and yacht harbor.
*Best Western Encina Lodge & Suites, 2220 Bath Street., [url=http://www.encinalodge.com[/url].]Offers lodging accommodations including suites and apartments with small luxury hotel amenities and bed and breakfast charm near local tourist attractions.
*Coast Village Inn, 1188 Coast Village Road, +1-800 257-5131, [url=http://www.coastvillageinn.com/[/url].]Located in the tony Montecito area on the city's east side. Breakfast included. Basic room $169, Suite with kitchen $259, deluxe suite with two bedrooms and kitchen $469. Midweek rates as low as $99, also check for internet discounts of about 20% off. Take 101 to the Coast Village Road exit.
*Colonial Beach Inn, 206 Castillo Street, [url=http://www.colonialbeachinn.com[/url].]Located near the beach, Amtrak Station, golf and wineries. Offers lodging accommodations reminiscent of the romantic American South and a variety of hotel packages.
* Country Inn by the Sea, 128 Castillo Street, +1-805-963-4471 [url=http://www.countryinnbythesea.com[/url].]Located 1 block to the waterfront and beach. King beds, Jacuzzi Rooms, Queen Beds and 2 Double Beds. Free breakfast and cookies and milk every evening. Heated Pool & Spa, his and hers Sauna.
*Inn by the Harbor, 433 W. Montecito Street, [url=http://www.innbytheharbor.com[/url].]The Inn by the Harbor is an enchanting Spanish colonial hotel and resort offering vacation packages from wine country to whale watching. Extended stay lodging is also available.
* The Eagle Inn , 232 Natoma Avenue, +1-805-965-3586, [url=http://www.theeagleinn.com[/url].]Santa Barbara bed and breakfast. King or queen size bed, private bath, whirlpool tub, fireplace, balcony/patio, high speed Internet, etc. Free on-site parking, complimentary continental breakfast.
*Hampton Inn Goleta, 5665 Hollister Ave., +1-805-681-9800, goleta.hamptoninn.com[url=http://www.goleta.hamptoninn.com[/url].]Hampton Inn, located in the heart of Old Town Goleta less than 10 miles from Santa Barbara, offers king and queen hotel rooms and suites including complimentary beverages and breakfast.
*Holiday Inn Santa Barbara Goleta Hotel, 5650 Calle Real, +1-805 964-6241, [url=http://www.hisantabarbarahotel.com[/url].]The usual corporate range rooms with twin beds, queen beds, and king beds. $117 per night with advance purchase, $129 regular, $141 with breakfast.
*Hotel Santa Barbara, 533 State Street, +1-800 549-9869, [url=http://www.hotelsantabarbara.com[/url].]"European-style" hotel smack in the middle of Santa Barbara's busy downtown shopping area. $129-$219, ask about midweek specials.
*Ramada Santa Barbara, 4770 Calle Real, +1-805 964-3511, Fax: +1-805 964-0075, [http://www.sbramada.com[/url]. Beautiful gardens and freshwater lagoon. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, Wifi, parking, free offsite fitness center & airport shuttle. AAA 3 diamond. $99-119.
*14 Suite Bed and Breakfast on East Beach in Santa Barbara. Charming Inn with Fireplaces, Whirlpool Tubs & Bicycles only steps to the Beautiful Santa Barbara Wine Valley.
-
Splurge
Canary Hotel, 31 West Carrillo Street, Phone: 805-884-0300 Fax: 805-884-8153, [url=http://www.canarysantabarbara.com].]A boutique hotel near State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Amenities include function space for meetings and wedding receptions, spa service, and dog friendly accommodations.
*The Cheshire Cat Inn features three stately Queen Anne Victorians, an elegant Coach House, three cottages, all surrounded by lush flower-filled gardens and patios. The Inn is located in a residential area, just one block from Santa Barbara’s main shopping street.
Each of the sunny guest rooms and cottages is uniquely furnished and ranges from the elegant to the whimsical. Some are larger split-level junior suites with private balconies; others have in-room Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces. Amenities may include TV/DVD, ironing boards and refrigerators. All the rooms have private baths and telephones. Breakfast is served daily and is included in the rate.
*El Encanto Hotel and Garden Villas, 1900 Lasuen Road, +1-800 393-5117, Fax: +1-805 687-3903, [url=http://www.elencantohotel.com[/url].]Good views and a favorite with the glitterati, like Diane Lane, Barbara Streisand, and Sharon Stone.
*Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort, 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, +1-800 879-2929, +1-805 564-4333, [url=http://www.fpdtr.com/[/url].]24-acre oceanside resort. Starting around $255 for a two queen bedded room, up to $735 for a Presidential Suite with whirlpool bath. Add $25 for breakfast for two adults. Enter off Calle Puerto Vallarta.
*Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore, 1260 Channel Drive, Tel +1-805 969-2261 Fax +1-805 565-8323, [url=http://www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara/[/url].]Spanish Colonial with red roof tiles and adobe on Butterfly Beach in exclusive Montecito.
*Harbor View Inn, 28 W. Cabrillo Blvd., [url=http://www.harborviewinnsb.com/[/url].]Boutique 4-diamond family friendly beachfront hotel. All rooms and suites have a patio or balcony.
*Montecito Inn, 1295 Coast Village Road, [url=http://www.montecitoinn.com[/url].]Boutique lodging located two blocks away from Montecito's Butterfly Beach. Originally built in 1928 by Charlie Chaplin as an escape to paradise for his closest friends.
*Pacifica Suites, 5490 Hollister Avenue, +1-800 338-6722, Fax: +1-805 683-4121, [url=http://www.pacificasuites.com[/url].]All-suite hotel adjacent to the beautifully restored Sexton House, an 1880's architectural landmark. Meeting space and conference facilities. $169-$209.
*San Ysidro Ranch, 900 San Ysidro Lane, (805) 565-1700, [url=http://www.sanysidroranch.com/[/url].]"Hotel ranch," with room, suite and villa accommodations, dining, day trips to local beaches and wineries, guided hiking.
*Simpson House Inn, 121 East Arrellaga St., +1-800 676-1280, [http://www.simpsonhouseinn.com[/url]. A historic Italianate Victorian manor considered one of the best preserved and restored homes of its era in California. Guestrooms inside the estate house, private English style cottages and four rooms in the Carriage House. Landscaped gardens, wood-burning fireplaces and personalized service. All rates include daily gourmet breakfast, evening wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres and complimentary parking. Rates from $235 to $615.
-
Mahakankala Buddhist Center, 508 Brinkerhoff Ave, +1 805-563-6000, [url=http://www.meditationinsantabarbara.org].] Offers relaxation meditations and meditation classes to increase inner peace.
* Santa Barbara House of Prayer: Daily and evening drop-in prayer; Fri evening music, prayer, teaching, sharing; Non-denominational; 2 W De La Guerra St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (sbhop.org)-> [http://www.sbhop.org[/url]
-
Although Santa Barbara is somewhat geographically isolated, with
only one major route in or out of the city, the surrounding area is
rife with fascinating side-trips. The Santa Barbara County website, Traffic Solutions [url=http://www.trafficsolutions.info/transit.htm],]has useful info about pubic transit to these nearby locations.
*[wiki=6361cecb22ce89f05a1b6120eadf3e3e]Goleta[/wiki], a city just to the west and part of the contiguous urban area of Santa Barbara, is home to University of California, Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.
*Wine Country. North on US 101 in the [wiki=d69a3bbfd0bd68d73f30fefde8a9f636]Solvang[/wiki] region.
*[wiki=1f8c35dbc2bf8726ef1f214da05d46c7]Los Olivos[/wiki]. About 50 miles north of Santa Barbara on Highway 154. This is a cute little one horse town with about 20 local winery tasting rooms lined up on Grand st. A great place to go wine tasting without having to drive a zillion miles from winery to winery.
*[wiki=d69a3bbfd0bd68d73f30fefde8a9f636]Solvang[/wiki]. Located approximately 40 miles north of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang is a gingerbread town. What must have started several decade back as a small "Little Denmark" tourist trap has grown into an entire town and surrounding community obsessed with its own overwhelming Danishness. Every sign, roof, light post and pothole is Danish-themed here, and reports of wandering bands of drunken men in plastic Viking helmets are firmly founded in reality. Take Highway 101 north/west to Buellton (the home of the original Pea Soup Anderson's), exit at the Highway 246 offramp and follow the destination signs to Solvang. If you're up for a twisty drive, take Highway 154 (also known as the San Marcos Pass) back to Santa Barbara at sunset and enjoy an unforgettable view.
*Lake Cachuma. Beautiful Lake Cachuma Recreation Facility is located approximately 20 miles north of Santa Barbara and offers RV hookups, tent camping, and yurt camping. The Lake also provides fishing, boating, sailing, and lake cruising. No swimming and/or body contact with the water is allowed because the lake is used as a reservoir by the city of Santa Barbara. The Lake's location along highway 154 (the San Marcos Pass) makes it an excellent rest stop on the way up to [wiki=d69a3bbfd0bd68d73f30fefde8a9f636]Solvang[/wiki] from Santa Barbara.
*El Capitan Canyon, 11560 Calle Real, tel +1 866 352-2729, [url=http://www.elcapitancanyon.com/].]An interesting combination of rustic cabin camping and high-end spa. $145-$345, about 5% lower in Nov-April. A few kilometers west of Santa Barbara on Highway 101 near El Capitan State Beach.
[[de:Santa Barbara[/url]]
[wiki=1c50be069371e8f098af9efa9cd114cf]wts:Category:Santa Barbara[/wiki]
[[WikiPedia:Santa_Barbara,_California]]
[wiki=402e8e5f7ceb39674490de0fd51ee249]Dmoz:North_America/United_States/California/Localities/S/Santa_Barbara[/wiki]
Seleccionar Destino
Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, Democratic Republic (ex. Zaire)
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
France, Metropolitan
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard and Mc Donald Islands
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle Of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey Island
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Other Countries
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City State (Holy See)
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands, U.S.
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Western Sahara
Yemen
Yugoslavia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Spanish