Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Food Scene
Great food, comfortable, healthy & natural food, affordable, & yummy. Outdoor seating available right on State Street. The Natch is another long time, classic Santa Barbara locals favorite.
34 residents recomanen
Natural Cafe
508 State StGreat food, comfortable, healthy & natural food, affordable, & yummy. Outdoor seating available right on State Street. The Natch is another long time, classic Santa Barbara locals favorite.
SLY's is our favorite place to eat & best steak house around. It is pricey, but casual. GREAT service, & the steaks are about the best I have every had. Worth the drive. Be sure to get a reservation.
22 residents recomanen
Sly's
686 Linden AveSLY's is our favorite place to eat & best steak house around. It is pricey, but casual. GREAT service, & the steaks are about the best I have every had. Worth the drive. Be sure to get a reservation.
Great atmosphere, outdoor seating on state st, steak, chick, fish, pastas & pizza. It is the best kind of simple Italian food w/ great service. They have GREAT gluten free pizza and pasta too!
Aldo's Italian Restaurant
1031 State StGreat atmosphere, outdoor seating on state st, steak, chick, fish, pastas & pizza. It is the best kind of simple Italian food w/ great service. They have GREAT gluten free pizza and pasta too!
Authentic Mexican food. People come from all over to eat here. Affordable. IF you have the chance you have to check it out. The line is often around the corner, so we always try to go during OFF times
96 residents recomanen
La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StAuthentic Mexican food. People come from all over to eat here. Affordable. IF you have the chance you have to check it out. The line is often around the corner, so we always try to go during OFF times
Another Santa Barbara Favorite. Mexican Food, comfortable & affordable. YUMMY!
18 residents recomanen
Los Arroyos Downtown Mexican Restaurant
14 W Figueroa StAnother Santa Barbara Favorite. Mexican Food, comfortable & affordable. YUMMY!
If you love sushi, this place is for you. All kinds of rolls, great service, fun and lively energy. YUM!
150 residents recomanen
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StIf you love sushi, this place is for you. All kinds of rolls, great service, fun and lively energy. YUM!
We have never actually eaten at The Lark, but it is one of SB's cool new food hangouts located in the infamous 'funk zone'
171 residents recomanen
The Lark Santa Barbara
131 Anacapa StWe have never actually eaten at The Lark, but it is one of SB's cool new food hangouts located in the infamous 'funk zone'
Isla Visa is about a 20 minute drive but if you want the largest and best burritos ever and you are up for some student life, check out Freebirds in IV. Seriously funky and low budget but fun.
19 residents recomanen
Freebirds
879 Embarcadero del NorteIsla Visa is about a 20 minute drive but if you want the largest and best burritos ever and you are up for some student life, check out Freebirds in IV. Seriously funky and low budget but fun.
Galanga is our favorite thai food in town. Friendly and fast service, great location, and great food.
Galanga Thai Restaurant
507 State StGalanga is our favorite thai food in town. Friendly and fast service, great location, and great food.
Japanese food. Great place for a group. They cook the food in front of you, and everyone sits around the grill. It's boisterous and fun, and great food! Try the mailbu; it is not on the menu but yum!
12 residents recomanen
Hibachi Steak House & Sushi Bar
502 State StJapanese food. Great place for a group. They cook the food in front of you, and everyone sits around the grill. It's boisterous and fun, and great food! Try the mailbu; it is not on the menu but yum!
Great pizza with organic ingredients. They also have gluten free pizza if you like that stuff!
7 residents recomanen
Pizza Guru
3534 State StGreat pizza with organic ingredients. They also have gluten free pizza if you like that stuff!
Classic Santa Barbara locals spot on the harbor with the best Clam Chowder ever. There is a fun and rowdy bar. There are always long lines for food, so if you go, it's a good idea to get there early.
203 residents recomanen
Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor WayClassic Santa Barbara locals spot on the harbor with the best Clam Chowder ever. There is a fun and rowdy bar. There are always long lines for food, so if you go, it's a good idea to get there early.
I haven't actually eaten here yet, but our Airbnb guests have recommended it. Walking distance from our place and the menu looks great!
35 residents recomanen
The Shop Kitchen
730 N Milpas StI haven't actually eaten here yet, but our Airbnb guests have recommended it. Walking distance from our place and the menu looks great!
Everything Else
Great way to have fun at the beach. Rent bikes, a bicycle built for 2, a surrey for 8 with a fringe on top, and other fun wheels. We love taking family & friends here for a great ride on the bike path
30 residents recomanen
Wheel Fun Rentals
24 E Mason StGreat way to have fun at the beach. Rent bikes, a bicycle built for 2, a surrey for 8 with a fringe on top, and other fun wheels. We love taking family & friends here for a great ride on the bike path
Fun paddle sports of all types at the beach! Kayak, paddle board, etc. Have fun!
33 residents recomanen
Paddle Sports Center
117 Harbor WayFun paddle sports of all types at the beach! Kayak, paddle board, etc. Have fun!
We have many great yoga studios , but if you are looking for something special, check out Yoga Soup. If you can make it to one of Eddie Ellner's or Deb Dobbin's classes you are in for a treat.
30 residents recomanen
Yoga Soup
28 Parker WayWe have many great yoga studios , but if you are looking for something special, check out Yoga Soup. If you can make it to one of Eddie Ellner's or Deb Dobbin's classes you are in for a treat.
Really cute summer clothes, and great guy clothes too. Board shorts, dresses, bathing suits, cover ups, etc. It is right down by the beach and fun to shop at.
8 residents recomanen
Surf N Wear's The Beach House
10 State StReally cute summer clothes, and great guy clothes too. Board shorts, dresses, bathing suits, cover ups, etc. It is right down by the beach and fun to shop at.
Loop & Leaf is the best yarn & knit store EVER. Celeste, the owner, is @ the most talented knitter I have ever known & she's generous with her help. Great place to just hang out too! If you knit, GO!
Loop & Leaf - Permanently Closed
536 Brinkerhoff AveLoop & Leaf is the best yarn & knit store EVER. Celeste, the owner, is @ the most talented knitter I have ever known & she's generous with her help. Great place to just hang out too! If you knit, GO!
Great fun for the whole family. Shade & sun, and lots of fun places for the kids to climb and hang and make new friends.
24 residents recomanen
Kids World
1400 Santa Barbara StGreat fun for the whole family. Shade & sun, and lots of fun places for the kids to climb and hang and make new friends.
Right across from the beach, you will find some kid friendly activities during the day including a carousel, and there are often concerts and other fun events in the evenings.
27 residents recomanen
Parc Chase Palm
323 E Cabrillo BlvdRight across from the beach, you will find some kid friendly activities during the day including a carousel, and there are often concerts and other fun events in the evenings.
Easy access from our house. Great beach with volleyball and lots of space. Nice views, and close to the harbor.
90 residents recomanen
East Beach Tacos
226 S Milpas StEasy access from our house. Great beach with volleyball and lots of space. Nice views, and close to the harbor.
Leadbetter is a locals' favorite. Great for long walks, there is a restaurant with a view, good parking, and it's right across the street from City College.
59 residents recomanen
Leadbetter Beach
Leadbetter is a locals' favorite. Great for long walks, there is a restaurant with a view, good parking, and it's right across the street from City College.
Great park high up on a hill with great views, softball games, and some nice walks.
16 residents recomanen
Elings Park
1298 Las Positas RdGreat park high up on a hill with great views, softball games, and some nice walks.
The Ty Warner Sea Center on the wharf is great fun for the whole family. It is at the end of the pier, with a great view!
43 residents recomanen
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
211 Stearns WharfThe Ty Warner Sea Center on the wharf is great fun for the whole family. It is at the end of the pier, with a great view!
Great park overlooking the ocean with swings and sand. A favorite spot for kite flying and walking also.
65 residents recomanen
Shoreline Park
Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa PlaceGreat park overlooking the ocean with swings and sand. A favorite spot for kite flying and walking also.
Sightseeing
Sunset cruise on the condor, a real Santa Barbara treat!
29 residents recomanen
Condor Express Whale Watching
Sunset cruise on the condor, a real Santa Barbara treat!
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon RdBeautiful trails and serenity near the mission.
We are not really hikers, but if you like hiking and aren't intimidated by the name, this is supposed to be some great hiking :)
8 residents recomanen
Rattlesnake Canyon Park
We are not really hikers, but if you like hiking and aren't intimidated by the name, this is supposed to be some great hiking :)
Supposed to be a GREAT hike to pools of water, well, if we have any water, that is! :)
28 residents recomanen
Seven Falls
Tunnel RoadSupposed to be a GREAT hike to pools of water, well, if we have any water, that is! :)
Entertainment & Activities
Blocks and blocks of park, a KOI pond, and a great children's play ground. Fun for the whole family.
33 residents recomanen
Jardins Memorial Alice Keck Park
1500 Santa Barbara StBlocks and blocks of park, a KOI pond, and a great children's play ground. Fun for the whole family.
Another great park, shade trees, playing fields, barbeque, swings, and more.
15 residents recomanen
Tuckers Grove Park
4800 Cathedral Oaks RdAnother great park, shade trees, playing fields, barbeque, swings, and more.
Many people enjoy a day at the zoo! Especially the little ones.
169 residents recomanen
Zoo de Santa Bàrbara
500 Ninos DrMany people enjoy a day at the zoo! Especially the little ones.
Essentials
Great market with lots of fresh produce and natural foods. They have a great deli/cafe also for a quick bite to eat.
121 residents recomanen
Lazy Acres Grocery
302 Meigs RdGreat market with lots of fresh produce and natural foods. They have a great deli/cafe also for a quick bite to eat.
Drinks & Nightlife
Soho has a restaurant, but it's known for it's nightlife. There is usually great music and fun dancing.
58 residents recomanen
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
1221 State StSoho has a restaurant, but it's known for it's nightlife. There is usually great music and fun dancing.
Reds
211 Helena AvenueA fun locals bar with great music and a fun atmosphere.
Shopping
Wondering around and shopping, if you are a shopping lover, anywhere on state street is great! There are boutiques as well as all the usual stores. Paseo Nuevo is the mall, and is centrally located.
112 residents recomanen
Paseo Nuevo
651 Paseo NuevoWondering around and shopping, if you are a shopping lover, anywhere on state street is great! There are boutiques as well as all the usual stores. Paseo Nuevo is the mall, and is centrally located.