Montecito Guidebook
Food scene
Legendary local hangout for excellent cocktails, steak, fish and salads any night of the week.
61 locals recommend
Lucky's
1279 Coast Village RdLegendary local hangout for excellent cocktails, steak, fish and salads any night of the week.
A favorite spot, (daily for many of us!) in the Montecito Country Mart for coffee, matchas, baked goods by the Paris trained chef owner, Elizabeth and the BEST chicken paillards and endive salad to eat-in, take to the beach or home.
8 locals recommend
Merci Montecito
1028 Coast Village RdA favorite spot, (daily for many of us!) in the Montecito Country Mart for coffee, matchas, baked goods by the Paris trained chef owner, Elizabeth and the BEST chicken paillards and endive salad to eat-in, take to the beach or home.
Don't miss Bettina for the absolute BEST fermented pizza with local organic ingredients. Excellent salads, roast chicken and an array of changing seasonal specials and desserts.
32 locals recommend
Bettina
1014 Coast Village RdDon't miss Bettina for the absolute BEST fermented pizza with local organic ingredients. Excellent salads, roast chicken and an array of changing seasonal specials and desserts.
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StExcellent sushi and lively vibe in downtown Santa Barbara.
Great coffee, fantastic croissants and wonderful French scrambled eggs or breakfast sandwiches.
6 locals recommend
Bree'Osh Bakery
2700 De La Vina StGreat coffee, fantastic croissants and wonderful French scrambled eggs or breakfast sandwiches.
Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Coast Village Road. Order the Ellen Salad, (roasted salmon, shrimp and grilled scallops on arugula) or the Cacio e Pepe.
35 locals recommend
Tre Lune
1151 Coast Village RdGreat for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Coast Village Road. Order the Ellen Salad, (roasted salmon, shrimp and grilled scallops on arugula) or the Cacio e Pepe.
Absolute favorite spot for a romantic dinner, special occasion or any night of the week. This very special small hotel, voted Travel & Leisure's best hotel in the United States, year after year offers lunch or dinner under lit trees in the garden or inside by the fireplace in winter.
19 locals recommend
San Ysidro Ranch
900 San Ysidro LnAbsolute favorite spot for a romantic dinner, special occasion or any night of the week. This very special small hotel, voted Travel & Leisure's best hotel in the United States, year after year offers lunch or dinner under lit trees in the garden or inside by the fireplace in winter.
Walk over to the Rosewood Miramar Resort to enjoy fish tacos and a margarita, or burgers and red wine at the beach bar, a very upscale dining experience at Caruso's, omakase or Edomae-style sushi at the new AMA Sushi, breakfast, lunch or dinner on the patio of the Revere Room.
20 locals recommend
Rosewood Miramar Beach
1759 S Jameson LnWalk over to the Rosewood Miramar Resort to enjoy fish tacos and a margarita, or burgers and red wine at the beach bar, a very upscale dining experience at Caruso's, omakase or Edomae-style sushi at the new AMA Sushi, breakfast, lunch or dinner on the patio of the Revere Room.
Shop for home treasures and enjoy lunch (outside seating only) at the lovely Field and Fort. Delicious soups, salads, outstanding grilled cheese and tomato jam sandwiches.
18 locals recommend
Field and Fort
2580 Lillie AveShop for home treasures and enjoy lunch (outside seating only) at the lovely Field and Fort. Delicious soups, salads, outstanding grilled cheese and tomato jam sandwiches.
Outstanding Indonesian food and excellent craft cocktails in a fun, welcoming downtown location.
60 locals recommend
Sama Sama Kitchen
1208 State StOutstanding Indonesian food and excellent craft cocktails in a fun, welcoming downtown location.
Rori’s Artisanal Creamery
1024 Coast Village RdThe best locally made ice cream.
Don't miss the farmer's market, Friday's on Coast Village Road, Saturday on the corner of Cota and Santa Barbara Street and on State Street, Tuesday's starting at 3:30PM. World-class local organic produce, cheeses, eggs, pasture-raised meats and local wild-caught fish.
6 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Farmers Market // Saturday
119 East Cota StreetDon't miss the farmer's market, Friday's on Coast Village Road, Saturday on the corner of Cota and Santa Barbara Street and on State Street, Tuesday's starting at 3:30PM. World-class local organic produce, cheeses, eggs, pasture-raised meats and local wild-caught fish.
If you love food, it is well worth the drive to Bell's in Los Alamos, a 45 minute drive from Montecito.
13 locals recommend
Bell's
406 Bell StIf you love food, it is well worth the drive to Bell's in Los Alamos, a 45 minute drive from Montecito.
One of our absolute favorites! Wonderful Mediterranean meets Santa Barbara restaurant, with delicious fresh craft cocktails, tapas and entrees we consistently crave, served in a warm and inviting atmosphere by gracious staff. Don't miss it!
Gala Restaurant
One of our absolute favorites! Wonderful Mediterranean meets Santa Barbara restaurant, with delicious fresh craft cocktails, tapas and entrees we consistently crave, served in a warm and inviting atmosphere by gracious staff. Don't miss it!
TO DO!
By far the BEST venue for concerts we have ever been to in California ...or the US for that matter. World-class concerts spring-fall, under the stars in the most beautiful setting.
122 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Bowl
1122 N Milpas StBy far the BEST venue for concerts we have ever been to in California ...or the US for that matter. World-class concerts spring-fall, under the stars in the most beautiful setting.
Cold Spring Trailhead
811 Cold Spring TrailGreat hike.
Ennisbrook Open Space
San Leandro LaneA lovely, easy, mostly shaded trail.
Climb the beautiful rock formations with coastal views to the top where you can continue onto fire roads for miles or loop back around for a great medium intensity hike. Great photo ops at the top with the rocks and gorgeous view.
Saddle Rock Trail
Saddle Rock TrailClimb the beautiful rock formations with coastal views to the top where you can continue onto fire roads for miles or loop back around for a great medium intensity hike. Great photo ops at the top with the rocks and gorgeous view.