Paul’s guidebook
Food scene
Alcazar is the sister restaurant to Milk & Honey and offers delicious Spanish tapas. It is located on the Mesa away from downtown, so it has more of a local feel to it.
36 locals recommend
Alcazar Tapas Bar
1812 Cliff DrAlcazar is the sister restaurant to Milk & Honey and offers delicious Spanish tapas. It is located on the Mesa away from downtown, so it has more of a local feel to it.
If you love sushi, this is definitely worth a visit as it is one of the best in town.
150 locals recommend
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StIf you love sushi, this is definitely worth a visit as it is one of the best in town.
A cozy neighborhood restaurant serving naturally-leavened, Neapolitan-style pizza made with seasonal California ingredients in Montecito.
32 locals recommend
Bettina
1014 Coast Village RdA cozy neighborhood restaurant serving naturally-leavened, Neapolitan-style pizza made with seasonal California ingredients in Montecito.
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
2981 Cliff DrGood food and great ocean views.
Offering California French cuisine with fresh local ingredients and wine in an intimate setting. Highly recommended.
58 locals recommend
bouchon Santa Barbara
9 West Victoria StreetOffering California French cuisine with fresh local ingredients and wine in an intimate setting. Highly recommended.
This is a local favorite and a great place to have drinks. The wait for a table can be long, especially if you want to sit outside.
203 locals recommend
Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor WayThis is a local favorite and a great place to have drinks. The wait for a table can be long, especially if you want to sit outside.
Ca' Dario
37 E Victoria StAuthentic Italian cuisine...always a favorite.
Ca’Dario Pizzeria Veloce
38 West Victoria StreetAuthentic homemade pizza's located in the Santa Barbara Public Market.
Cajun Kitchen
901 Chapala StCajun comfort food, great for breakfast or brunch.
This is a great spot and prior stage coach stop in the hills above Santa Barbara. On Saturday's and Sunday's they have live music and serve tri-tip sandwiches outside. It can get crowded so you may have to park down the road a bit.
101 locals recommend
Cold Spring Tavern
5995 Stagecoach RdThis is a great spot and prior stage coach stop in the hills above Santa Barbara. On Saturday's and Sunday's they have live music and serve tri-tip sandwiches outside. It can get crowded so you may have to park down the road a bit.
Flor De Maiz
29 E Cabrillo BlvdHelena Avenue Bakery
131 Anacapa StGreat for breakfast or brunch in the Funk Zone.
There is a lot of history at what was previously the Paradise Cafe.
12 locals recommend
La Paloma Cafe
702 Anacapa StreetThere is a lot of history at what was previously the Paradise Cafe.
One Julia Child's favorite restaurants. It can get crowded on the weekends.
96 locals recommend
La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StOne Julia Child's favorite restaurants. It can get crowded on the weekends.
A hip restaurant in the Funk Zone offering a shared dining experience. Well worth it!
171 locals recommend
The Lark Santa Barbara
131 Anacapa StA hip restaurant in the Funk Zone offering a shared dining experience. Well worth it!
Excellent Spanish food in the heart of the Funk Zone. Reservations can be hard to get so it is best to plan ahead.
64 locals recommend
Loquita Santa Barbara
202 State StExcellent Spanish food in the heart of the Funk Zone. Reservations can be hard to get so it is best to plan ahead.
Lucky's
1279 Coast Village RdClassic American steakhouse.
Delicious, wood fired artisanal pizzas and a great outdoor seating area in the heart of the Funk Zone.
48 locals recommend
Lucky Penny
127 Anacapa StDelicious, wood fired artisanal pizzas and a great outdoor seating area in the heart of the Funk Zone.
Great Spanish and California inspired tapas. Oh, and their drinks are great as well. Sister restaurant to Alcazar on the Mesa.
32 locals recommend
Milk & Honey
30 W Anapamu StGreat Spanish and California inspired tapas. Oh, and their drinks are great as well. Sister restaurant to Alcazar on the Mesa.
Oh how I love the delicious tacos and burritos at Mony's...and it is conveniently located in the Funk Zone.
23 locals recommend
Mony's Mexican Food
217 Anacapa StOh how I love the delicious tacos and burritos at Mony's...and it is conveniently located in the Funk Zone.
Spend the day at the beach and then grab some lunch at the Padaro Beach Grill.
36 locals recommend
Padaro Beach Grill
3765 Santa Claus LnSpend the day at the beach and then grab some lunch at the Padaro Beach Grill.
A hidden gem serving French cuisine during the week and evenings, and Ethiopian cuisine for brunch on weekends.
12 locals recommend
Petit Valentien
1114 State StA hidden gem serving French cuisine during the week and evenings, and Ethiopian cuisine for brunch on weekends.
A taste of Paris in Santa Barbara. There are several Renauds locations in Santa Barbara and Montecito. The almond croissant and the fried egg sandwich are favorites.
13 locals recommend
Renauds Bakery
1187 Coast Village RdA taste of Paris in Santa Barbara. There are several Renauds locations in Santa Barbara and Montecito. The almond croissant and the fried egg sandwich are favorites.
Opal restaurant & bar infuses an eclectic California cuisine with creative influences from around the world. The Pesto Sauteed Bay Scallop Salad is my favorite dish.
46 locals recommend
Opal
1325 State StOpal restaurant & bar infuses an eclectic California cuisine with creative influences from around the world. The Pesto Sauteed Bay Scallop Salad is my favorite dish.
Plow & Angel
900 San Ysidro LnLocated in the historic San Ysidro Ranch.
Rosewood Miramar Beach
1759 S Jameson LnThe Rosewood Miramar Beach has several restaurants.
A great farmers market and worth a visit if you are in Santa Barbara on a Tuesday afternoon or Saturday morning.
56 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market
232 Anacapa StA great farmers market and worth a visit if you are in Santa Barbara on a Tuesday afternoon or Saturday morning.
Great for breakfast or brunch located across from the Santa Barbara Public Market.
39 locals recommend
Scarlett Begonia
21 W Victoria StGreat for breakfast or brunch located across from the Santa Barbara Public Market.
The Stonehouse Restaurant
900 San Ysidro LnBeautiful and romantic setting at the San Ysidro Ranch.
Sushi Bar Montecito
1295 Coast Village RoadIntimate sushi bar in Montecito featuring Omakase.
Taqueria Cuernavaca
1117 N Ventura AveExcellent and authentic Mexican food.
Taqueria El Bajio
129 N Milpas StTre Lune
1151 Coast Village RdAuthentic Italian food in the heart of Montecito.
Zaytoon
209 E Canon Perdido StGreat Mediterranean food with a great ambiance with outdoor seating.
Barbareño
205 W Canon Perdido StHigh end California cuisine...delicious.
Sightseeing
Old Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StSanta Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos DrSmall but quaint museum located near the Mission Santa Barbara.
118 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta Del SolSmall but quaint museum located near the Mission Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon RdMadame Ganna Walska, a well-known Polish opera singer and socialite, purchased the Montecito, California estate in 1941 and spent the next 43 years creating Lotusland, today recognized as one of the ten best gardens in the world. The spectacular collections of exotic plants on the 37-acre property are a personal expression of Walska’s penchant for the dramatic, the unexpected, and the whimsical. Lotusland is home to several extraordinary plant collections and around each corner there is a surprise of unique garden design and plant species. After her death in 1984, Lotusland became a nonprofit botanic garden and opened to the public in 1993. Our educational programs serve the Santa Barbara community and our innovative horticultural practices are shared with botanic gardens and garden-lovers around the world.
Note reservations are required and booking is recommended 2-3 weeks in advance.
61 locals recommend
Lotusland
Cold Spring RoadMadame Ganna Walska, a well-known Polish opera singer and socialite, purchased the Montecito, California estate in 1941 and spent the next 43 years creating Lotusland, today recognized as one of the ten best gardens in the world. The spectacular collections of exotic plants on the 37-acre property are a personal expression of Walska’s penchant for the dramatic, the unexpected, and the whimsical. Lotusland is home to several extraordinary plant collections and around each corner there is a surprise of unique garden design and plant species. After her death in 1984, Lotusland became a nonprofit botanic garden and opened to the public in 1993. Our educational programs serve the Santa Barbara community and our innovative horticultural practices are shared with botanic gardens and garden-lovers around the world.
Note reservations are required and booking is recommended 2-3 weeks in advance.
Great place to rent paddle boards, kayaks or sailboats and explore the water.
33 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Sailing Center
302 W Cabrillo BlvdGreat place to rent paddle boards, kayaks or sailboats and explore the water.
Beautiful Spanish architecture and worth a visit if you are in the area.
162 locals recommend
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StBeautiful Spanish architecture and worth a visit if you are in the area.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State StThe Granada Theatre
1214 State StThe Granada is a beautiful theatre.
The Santa Barbara Bowl is small and intimate and a great place to see a concert. Highly recommended.
122 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Bowl
1122 N Milpas StThe Santa Barbara Bowl is small and intimate and a great place to see a concert. Highly recommended.
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
125 State StStearns Wharf Pier
144-152 Stearns WharfDouble Dolphin Cruises
302 W Cabrillo BlvdCondor Express Whale Watching
A great place to rent kayaks or paddle boards and explore the water.
33 locals recommend
Paddle Sports Center
117 Harbor WayA great place to rent kayaks or paddle boards and explore the water.
Ok it is a little touristy, but a great place to explore Santa Barbara if it is your first time.
50 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Winery
28 Anacapa StOk it is a little touristy, but a great place to explore Santa Barbara if it is your first time.
Beaches / Parks
Wonderful spot to see hundreds / thousands of Monarch butterflies from mid-November through mid-February. Even without the butterflies, the preserve is a great place to hike, mountain bike and take in the awesome views. There is beach access as well.
15 locals recommend
Goleta Butterfly Grove
7727 Hollister AveWonderful spot to see hundreds / thousands of Monarch butterflies from mid-November through mid-February. Even without the butterflies, the preserve is a great place to hike, mountain bike and take in the awesome views. There is beach access as well.
One of the more popular beaches in Santa Barbara due to its proximity to downtown.
59 locals recommend
Leadbetter Beach
One of the more popular beaches in Santa Barbara due to its proximity to downtown.
East Beach Tacos
226 S Milpas StA great dog friendly beach. Dogs are allowed off leash on one side of the beach and it often gets crowded especially on the weekends.
155 locals recommend
Hendrys Beach
A great dog friendly beach. Dogs are allowed off leash on one side of the beach and it often gets crowded especially on the weekends.
Butterfly beach is much less crowded than those in Santa Barbara.
145 locals recommend
Butterfly Beach
Butterfly beach is much less crowded than those in Santa Barbara.
Hammond’s meadow
Another awesome local beach.
Haskell's is another locals favorite next to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara resort. Parking is limited.
12 locals recommend
Haskell's Beach
Haskell's is another locals favorite next to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara resort. Parking is limited.
Great beach for Goleta and UCSB locals. Easy access and plenty of free parking.
52 locals recommend
Goleta Beach
5986 Sandspit RdGreat beach for Goleta and UCSB locals. Easy access and plenty of free parking.
Shoreline Park
Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa PlaceShoreline park has awesome views overlooking the water.
Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens
1500 Santa Barbara StHikes
Hot Springs Canyon Trailhead, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
1202-1298 E Mountain DrLizards Mouth Rock
Gaviota Wind Caves
1595 U.S. 101
Rattlesnake Canyon Trail
Rattlesnake Canyon TrailThis is one of my personal favorites.
Inspiration Point Trailhead
Spyglass Ridge RoadSan Antonio Creek Trailhead
San Antonio Creek TrailThis is a nice shady trail that is close by.
Bars / Pubs / Lounges
Captain Fatty's Brewery
6489 Calle RealInstitution Ale Co.
516 State StEOS Lounge
500 Anacapa StJoe's Cafe
536 State StStiff drinks.
M Special Brewing Company
6860 Cortona DrNight Lizard Brewing Company
607 State StPress Room
15 E Ortega StAuthentic English Pub
Test Pilot
211 Helena AveThe Brewhouse
229 W Montecito StThe Creekside Restaurant & Bar
4444 Hollister AveThe Good Lion
1212 State StThe James Joyce
513 State StThe Red Piano
519 State StWildcat
15 W Ortega St