Guide to the Best of Santa Barbara
Hiking
Cold Spring Trail
Cold Spring TrailThis is a great place for hiking and is close by our house!
Inspiration Point
Great place for hiking near the Santa Barbara Mission
Lizards Mouth Rock
Great place to go hiking with interesting rock formations.
Favorite Fine Dining
Lucky's
1279 Coast Village RdA great place for a good steak nearby in Montecito
Ca' Dario
37 E Victoria StThis is my favorite fine dining Italian restaurant in town
Gala opened in 2023 and is easily my new favorite! Great cocktails and great food! Try the Duck Confit and the Cheesecake!
Gala Restaurant
Gala opened in 2023 and is easily my new favorite! Great cocktails and great food! Try the Duck Confit and the Cheesecake!
Caruso's
1759 S Jameson LnThis is a splurge but such a treat!
Favorite sushi and unique Japanese items! The Sunrise Roll is my current favorite.
20 locals recommend
Oku
29 E Cabrillo BlvdFavorite sushi and unique Japanese items! The Sunrise Roll is my current favorite.
Loquita Santa Barbara
202 State StAmazing, authentic Spanish dishes and Paella's!
Favorite Mexican Food
If you love Mexican food as much as we do, Santa Barbara has some great options. Below are two of our favorites.
Los Agaves Restaurant
600 N Milpas StThe best Mexican food in Santa Barbara hands down!
Best hole in the wall authentic tacos! This is cash only and lines can get long so get there early.
96 locals recommend
La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StBest hole in the wall authentic tacos! This is cash only and lines can get long so get there early.
Great Seafood
Brophy Bros has the best clam chowder. The wait can be about 90 minutes but consider going early and take a walk around the breakwater while waiting for your table.
203 locals recommend
Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor WayBrophy Bros has the best clam chowder. The wait can be about 90 minutes but consider going early and take a walk around the breakwater while waiting for your table.
Lure has a great happy hour menu but get there early- it gets crowded!
164 locals recommend
Lure Fish House
60 S California StLure has a great happy hour menu but get there early- it gets crowded!
Bluewater Grill
15 E Cabrillo BlvdWe love the views from the upper patio and the food is delicious!
Restaurants where locals go to get strong drinks
These restaurants are local favorites known for strong drinks
Joe's Cafe
536 State StCasual dining and bar atmosphere
Harry's is an upper scale greasy spoon known for its retro decor and strong drinks.
33 locals recommend
Harry's Plaza Cafe
3313 State StHarry's is an upper scale greasy spoon known for its retro decor and strong drinks.
Best Tri Tip and Wild Game
It is a little ways from here but it is a beautiful drive and worth the trip! A rustic local favorite with the best Tri-Tip sandwiches served outdoors on Sunday afternoons, and their main dining room features an eclectic menu with wild game. It is near Lizard Mouth and can be a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon by grabbing sandwiches and going on a hike.
101 locals recommend
Cold Spring Tavern
5995 Stagecoach RdIt is a little ways from here but it is a beautiful drive and worth the trip! A rustic local favorite with the best Tri-Tip sandwiches served outdoors on Sunday afternoons, and their main dining room features an eclectic menu with wild game. It is near Lizard Mouth and can be a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon by grabbing sandwiches and going on a hike.
Casual Italian and Pizza!
A local favorite, this is a great casual Italian restaurant for the family. There is a bocci ball court that is fun too!
13 locals recommend
Arnoldi's Cafe
600 Olive StA local favorite, this is a great casual Italian restaurant for the family. There is a bocci ball court that is fun too!
Lucky Penny
127 Anacapa StYummy pizza in the Funk Zone
Persona Pizzeria
905 State StAuthentic neapolitan style pizza off of State Street
The first time I visited Mosto Crudo was right after a trip to Italy and it was so authentic. They have great small bites and a variety of bruschetta's just like you would find in Tuscany.
Mosto
7 W Haley StThe first time I visited Mosto Crudo was right after a trip to Italy and it was so authentic. They have great small bites and a variety of bruschetta's just like you would find in Tuscany.