Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Food Scene
Huge portions, great prices, no digestive issues. A mile from my place. Good food.
103 locals recommend
Los Agaves
2911 De La Vina StHuge portions, great prices, no digestive issues. A mile from my place. Good food.
I don't drink coffee, but I think of this place as having good coffee, and their muffins are crazy good if you love gluten and sugar :). It's pretty close by.
36 locals recommend
Daily Grind
2001 De La Vina StI don't drink coffee, but I think of this place as having good coffee, and their muffins are crazy good if you love gluten and sugar :). It's pretty close by.
This is just a classic Santa Barbara mostly vegetarian restaurant. Lots of locals. Really fantastic desserts. Open late - until 10:30 or 11 at night.
13 locals recommend
Sojourner Cafe
134 E Canon Perdido StThis is just a classic Santa Barbara mostly vegetarian restaurant. Lots of locals. Really fantastic desserts. Open late - until 10:30 or 11 at night.
My new favorite eatery. They have incredible smoothies - it truly feels like visiting an exotic tropical country to try these new taste combinations. I love their great steak, rice and beans plate.
10 locals recommend
Brasil Arts Café
1230 State StMy new favorite eatery. They have incredible smoothies - it truly feels like visiting an exotic tropical country to try these new taste combinations. I love their great steak, rice and beans plate.
Everything Else
If you hit this during the daytime you can take the elevator to the tower and get the most awesome view of the whole of Santa Barbara. The art and architecture and gardens are beautiful, too.
12 locals recommend
Santa Barbara City Hall
735 Anacapa StIf you hit this during the daytime you can take the elevator to the tower and get the most awesome view of the whole of Santa Barbara. The art and architecture and gardens are beautiful, too.
Trader Joe's
3025 De La Vina StWe're a mile from Trader Joe's. My most recommended grocery store.
We're also fairly close to Whole Foods - maybe 2 miles. Grocery stores are of course cheaper than restaurants, so it's good to know where to find them.
94 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3761 State StWe're also fairly close to Whole Foods - maybe 2 miles. Grocery stores are of course cheaper than restaurants, so it's good to know where to find them.
This is the easiest access and closest beach. It's crowded but gives a flavor of the Southern California ocean scene. Lots of dogs off leash and kids and surfers. Quiet on weekday mornings.
155 locals recommend
Hendrys Beach
This is the easiest access and closest beach. It's crowded but gives a flavor of the Southern California ocean scene. Lots of dogs off leash and kids and surfers. Quiet on weekday mornings.
Dog walking heaven - but fun for the view from the cliffs over the ocean, see the islands like it's a CGI effect. You can see a lot of beautiful dogs, too, and sometimes people fly by on parachutes.
81 locals recommend
Douglas Family Preserve
Dog walking heaven - but fun for the view from the cliffs over the ocean, see the islands like it's a CGI effect. You can see a lot of beautiful dogs, too, and sometimes people fly by on parachutes.
If you're on the Mesa (the beach side of Santa Barbara), this is the best grocery store in town. Natural foods, sushi, deli, great people working there. Not a monolithic chain. Very Santa Barbara.
121 locals recommend
Lazy Acres Grocery
302 Meigs RdIf you're on the Mesa (the beach side of Santa Barbara), this is the best grocery store in town. Natural foods, sushi, deli, great people working there. Not a monolithic chain. Very Santa Barbara.
I always see tourists here so I think it's popular, but I love it because it has a beautiful view of the harbor, and a great Franciscan monastic vibe, a kind and gentle atmosphere. Also a rose garden.
201 locals recommend
Old Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StI always see tourists here so I think it's popular, but I love it because it has a beautiful view of the harbor, and a great Franciscan monastic vibe, a kind and gentle atmosphere. Also a rose garden.
Drinks & Nightlife
Eat in the outdoor courtyard - this is an upscale restaurant, the only one I eat at. It's all local and super homemade and feels casual but very elegant at the same time.
39 locals recommend
Scarlett Begonia
21 W Victoria StEat in the outdoor courtyard - this is an upscale restaurant, the only one I eat at. It's all local and super homemade and feels casual but very elegant at the same time.