Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Drinks & Nightlife
Old Town Tavern
261 Orange AveDrinks, games, karaoke!
Seven Bar & Kitchen
235 Helena AveGood drinks, good service, and decent food.
Dargan's
18 E Ortega StLive Irish music on certain nights.
Mercury Lounge
5871 Hollister AveDive bar.
Elsies Tavern
117 W De La Guerra StSmall, intimate, beer and wine only, cash only.
The Brewhouse
229 W Montecito StPeanut butter cream pie, bacon wrapped prawns, habañero beer.
Sightseeing
South Coast Railroad Museum
300 N Los Carneros RdOnce the Goleta Depot, now an historic landmark.
An historic landmark dating back to the 1870s, Rancho La Patera and Stow House have been preserved as an educational ranch.
Rancho La Patera & Stow House
304 N Los Carneros RdAn historic landmark dating back to the 1870s, Rancho La Patera and Stow House have been preserved as an educational ranch.
The grove before you get to the beach is a butterfly preserve. The butterflies are most concentrated from November to February.
14 locals recommend
Ellwood Mesa
Cannon Green DriveThe grove before you get to the beach is a butterfly preserve. The butterflies are most concentrated from November to February.
Take the bike path and it is about a mile to get to the beginning of the bluffs. It is a beautiful area. Beach access from the bluffs leads to a nude-friendly area.
13 locals recommend
More Mesa
Take the bike path and it is about a mile to get to the beginning of the bluffs. It is a beautiful area. Beach access from the bluffs leads to a nude-friendly area.
Nice, small beach. Take the bike path near the house and it's a beautiful 2 mile walk.
52 locals recommend
Goleta Beach
5986 Sandspit RdNice, small beach. Take the bike path near the house and it's a beautiful 2 mile walk.
Outside the Mission is beautiful on its own, however you can tour the inside.
201 locals recommend
Old Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StOutside the Mission is beautiful on its own, however you can tour the inside.
Food Scene
Sit in the sand while enjoying a mimosa. The food isn't spectacular, but I like the experience.
62 locals recommend
Shoreline Beach Cafe
801 Shoreline DrSit in the sand while enjoying a mimosa. The food isn't spectacular, but I like the experience.
Vegetarian food—the first place I've been to that made tofu taste good.
13 locals recommend
Sojourner Cafe
134 E Canon Perdido StVegetarian food—the first place I've been to that made tofu taste good.
All they do is tacos. It's great. Another location in Goleta on Storke Rd.
53 locals recommend
Lilly's Taqueria
310 Chapala StAll they do is tacos. It's great. Another location in Goleta on Storke Rd.
Thai food—I have not been able to find a better spicy Tom Yum soup.
25 locals recommend
Your Place Restaurant
22 N Milpas StThai food—I have not been able to find a better spicy Tom Yum soup.
The Palace Grill
8 E Cota StCajun food!
Palazzio
1026 State StPopular Italian restaurant; large portions; garlic bread.
Everything Else
Stearns Wharf
217 Stearns WharfSightseeing, stores, restaurants. Quaint and beautiful.
Zodo's - Bowling and Beyond
5925 Calle RealOnly bowling place in town.
Seven Falls
Tunnel RoadOne of my favorite trails. Medium to difficult level.
Inspiration Point
Medium level hiking.
Shopping, art galleries, restaurants, sight-seeing, night life - downtown Santa Barbara offers a wide variety of entertainment.
46 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Downtown
Shopping, art galleries, restaurants, sight-seeing, night life - downtown Santa Barbara offers a wide variety of entertainment.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon RdLocal plants.
Arts & Culture
Small, but great pieces. Wonderful collection of Asian art on the top floor.
107 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State StSmall, but great pieces. Wonderful collection of Asian art on the top floor.
Metropolitan Fairview Theatre
225 N Fairview AveClosest movie theater.
UCSB is a huge venue for arts and lectures, musical performances, theater, academic conferences, etc. http://www.news.ucsb.edu/calendar
52 locals recommend
University of California, Santa Barbara
UCSB is a huge venue for arts and lectures, musical performances, theater, academic conferences, etc. http://www.news.ucsb.edu/calendar
Essentials
The Saturday market is from 8:30 am to 1 pm. It is lively with musicians in every aisle, fresh veggies, meat & seafood, breads, and much more.
56 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market
232 Anacapa StThe Saturday market is from 8:30 am to 1 pm. It is lively with musicians in every aisle, fresh veggies, meat & seafood, breads, and much more.
Trader Joe's
3025 De La Vina StClosest Trader Joe's.
Lane Farms
5091 Hollister AveThe produce stand carries local and organic fruit and veggies.