Guidebook for Santa Barbara
Favorite Neighborhood Restaurants
Good breakfast with a great view, right on the beach!
223 locals recommend
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
2981 Cliff DrGood breakfast with a great view, right on the beach!
Backyard Bowls
331 Motor WayGreat Acai Bowls!
The Habit Burger Grill
628 State StGreat burgers!
Jeannine's Restaurant & Bakery
1253 Coast Village RdGreat breakfast!
Kimchi Korean BBQ
3132 State StLos Agaves
2911 De La Vina StFavorite place for Mexican food
Great seafood! Love their clam chowder. I like the 50/50 (red/white)... not as rich.
164 locals recommend
Lure Fish House
60 S California StGreat seafood! Love their clam chowder. I like the 50/50 (red/white)... not as rich.
Natural Cafe
508 State StGreat vegetarian options!
Petrini's Italian Restaurant - Santa Barbara
14 W Calle LaurelesLove the chopped salad here!
Sun Sushi
3631 State StFavorite sushi restaurant
Tee-Off Restaurant and Lounge
3627 State StBest place for prime rib
Via Maestra 42
3343 State StWonderful Italian deli!
Yellow Belly
2611 De La Vina StYour Choice Restaurant
3404 State StGreat Thai food!
Favorite Downtown Restaurants
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StGood sushi
Black Sheep Restaurant
18 East Cota Streetbouchon Santa Barbara
9 West Victoria StreetGood French food, but pricey $$$
The Brewhouse
229 W Montecito StGreat weekend brunch and sports
Buena Onda Empanadas
724 E Haley StThe Blue Owl
5 W Canon Perdido StCa' Dario
37 E Victoria StGreat Italian, but pricey $$$
Ca’Dario Pizzeria Veloce
38 West Victoria StreetReally good pizza!
Corazon Cocina SB
38 W Victoria StEmpty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar
38 W Victoria StFinch & Fork
31 W Carrillo StGreat brunch!
HANA KITCHEN
503 State StJane
1311 State StJill's Place Restaurant
632 Santa Barbara StGood steak house
Lilly's Taqueria
310 Chapala StFavorite tacos
Little Kitchen
1 West Ortega StreetOpen late
Milk & Honey
30 W Anapamu StTapas!
Olio e Limone Ristorante & Olio Pizzeria
11 W Victoria StOpal
1325 State StPetit Valentien
1114 State StRose Cafe
1816 Cliff DrGood Mexican food
Santa Barbara City Hall
735 Anacapa StSanto Mezcal
119 State StState & Fig
1114 State StVilla Wine Bar and Kitchen
618 Anacapa StreetYour Place Restaurant
22 N Milpas StThey usually have belly dancers on the weekend and great outdoor fire pits
57 locals recommend
Zaytoon
209 E Canon Perdido StThey usually have belly dancers on the weekend and great outdoor fire pits
Sandbar
514 State StFavorite Spots in the Funk Zone
The Lark Santa Barbara
131 Anacapa StLoquita Santa Barbara
202 State StMichelin rated restaurant in the Funk Zone
Lucky Penny
127 Anacapa StGreat pizza
Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant
216 E Yanonali StGreat deli in the Funk Zone
Mony's Mexican Food
217 Anacapa StFavorite taqueria
The Nook Santa Barbara
116 Santa Barbara StreetRestaurant inside Lama Dog brewery
Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E Thompson BlvdFigueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Santa Barbara
137 Anacapa StPali Wine Co. Tasting Room
116 E Yanonali StKunin Wines Tasting Room
831 E Yanonali StGreat Rhone varietals
Riverbench Santa Barbara Tasting Room
137 Anacapa StBubbles, Chardonnay & Pinot
Corks n' Crowns
32 Anacapa StJ. Wilkes
35 State StTell them Stacey Pokluda sent you ;)
Grocery Stores nearby
Gelson's Market
3305 State StBristol Farms
3855 State StWhole Foods Market
3761 State StTrader Joe's
3025 De La Vina StSanta Barbara Beaches
Constantly busy, Leadbetter Beach is a favorite with college kids and young people, who flock to it for surfing, swimming and tanning. They also enjoy socializing on the beach and picnicking on adjacent grassy expanses. Built-in grills are available on a first-come, first-served basis, making this beach ideal for beach BBQ’s. A restaurant, restrooms and showers make life easier during leisure time, and impressive private boats cruise in and out of the nearby harbor. You're also likely to catch windsurfers and sailboats plying the offshore waters. Paid parking is available in a convenient lot right out front.
59 locals recommend
Leadbetter Beach
Constantly busy, Leadbetter Beach is a favorite with college kids and young people, who flock to it for surfing, swimming and tanning. They also enjoy socializing on the beach and picnicking on adjacent grassy expanses. Built-in grills are available on a first-come, first-served basis, making this beach ideal for beach BBQ’s. A restaurant, restrooms and showers make life easier during leisure time, and impressive private boats cruise in and out of the nearby harbor. You're also likely to catch windsurfers and sailboats plying the offshore waters. Paid parking is available in a convenient lot right out front.
Of course everyone knows (and goes to) Butterfly Beach in Montecito. It's great for celebrity sightings and showing off your best bikini. But for a more exclusive Montecito beach experience, head to Hammond's. This stretch of shore is pretty much locals only and is tricky to get to unless you know where to go. First you need to get to Montecito. Then drive toward the ocean on San Ysidro Lane, which becomes Eucalyptus Lane after passing under Highway 101. There's a parking lot at the end there. You can either get out of your car and hit the sands of Miramar beach or take the trail through Hammond's meadow to Hammond's Beach, a true hidden gem.
10 locals recommend
Hammond’s meadow
Of course everyone knows (and goes to) Butterfly Beach in Montecito. It's great for celebrity sightings and showing off your best bikini. But for a more exclusive Montecito beach experience, head to Hammond's. This stretch of shore is pretty much locals only and is tricky to get to unless you know where to go. First you need to get to Montecito. Then drive toward the ocean on San Ysidro Lane, which becomes Eucalyptus Lane after passing under Highway 101. There's a parking lot at the end there. You can either get out of your car and hit the sands of Miramar beach or take the trail through Hammond's meadow to Hammond's Beach, a true hidden gem.
A Santa Barbara leisure-time favorite, this busy beach offers recreational opportunities in spades. A children's playground, rollerblading trails, food vendors, picnic facilities, a bathhouse, showers and open lawns hint at the amenities. Volleyball courts are prominent, given that the beach is home to various tournaments and is a favorite with aficionados. Swimming and sunbathing are popular as well, and special events are hosted regularly. Near Chase Palm Park, the Santa Barbara Zoo and area hotels. Street parking and paid parking lots are available. Located along the coastal bike trail, there is also a decent amount of parking for two-wheeled vehicles.
90 locals recommend
East Beach Tacos
226 S Milpas StA Santa Barbara leisure-time favorite, this busy beach offers recreational opportunities in spades. A children's playground, rollerblading trails, food vendors, picnic facilities, a bathhouse, showers and open lawns hint at the amenities. Volleyball courts are prominent, given that the beach is home to various tournaments and is a favorite with aficionados. Swimming and sunbathing are popular as well, and special events are hosted regularly. Near Chase Palm Park, the Santa Barbara Zoo and area hotels. Street parking and paid parking lots are available. Located along the coastal bike trail, there is also a decent amount of parking for two-wheeled vehicles.
No matter what you like to do when you get to the beach, you'll find it here. Less busy than the downtown beaches, Goleta beach has every amenity, including free parking. There are horseshoe pits, picnic tables, barbecues, volleyball courts and kayak rentals. There is also a playground, a restaurant (and bar) and a pier that allows fishing. You can easily stroll along the beach path up to the UCSB campus from here.
52 locals recommend
Goleta Beach
5986 Sandspit RdNo matter what you like to do when you get to the beach, you'll find it here. Less busy than the downtown beaches, Goleta beach has every amenity, including free parking. There are horseshoe pits, picnic tables, barbecues, volleyball courts and kayak rentals. There is also a playground, a restaurant (and bar) and a pier that allows fishing. You can easily stroll along the beach path up to the UCSB campus from here.
This particular stretch of sand is a best kept secret of Santa Barbara locals. To access it, you have to walk down about one million stairs tucked in between some private homes at the end of Mesa Lane. (Remember: once you're down there, you'll have to walk back up them again.) It's perfectly public, and picturesque, once you get down there though. This beach is a popular spot for local surfers and sunbathers. Just be wary of high tide, when the beach almost completely disappears. Plenty of free parking in the neighborhood near the top of the stairs.
16 locals recommend
Mesa Lane Beach
This particular stretch of sand is a best kept secret of Santa Barbara locals. To access it, you have to walk down about one million stairs tucked in between some private homes at the end of Mesa Lane. (Remember: once you're down there, you'll have to walk back up them again.) It's perfectly public, and picturesque, once you get down there though. This beach is a popular spot for local surfers and sunbathers. Just be wary of high tide, when the beach almost completely disappears. Plenty of free parking in the neighborhood near the top of the stairs.
A lovely beach just 10 minutes or so south of Santa Barbara with wide shores and an easy, shallow ocean entrance. Usually not too crowded, Summerland Beach is located just below Lookout Park. There's a great picnic spot, playground and showers right up top by the free parking, but you should bring your beach umbrella because there's not a lot of shade on the shore. When you've rinsed all the sand off, head into Summerland town proper (it's so cute) for a bite and some shopping. Antique stores and boutiques line the main avenue just a few blocks from the beach.
Summerland beach
Beach AccessA lovely beach just 10 minutes or so south of Santa Barbara with wide shores and an easy, shallow ocean entrance. Usually not too crowded, Summerland Beach is located just below Lookout Park. There's a great picnic spot, playground and showers right up top by the free parking, but you should bring your beach umbrella because there's not a lot of shade on the shore. When you've rinsed all the sand off, head into Summerland town proper (it's so cute) for a bite and some shopping. Antique stores and boutiques line the main avenue just a few blocks from the beach.
Applauded by "Dr. Beach" for its beauty and quality, Carpinteria also finds approval with visitors, who love the calm waters that result from a protective reef. Swimming is safe for adults and little ones, and the beach is great for sand play, exploring tide pools and fishing. Restrooms, picnicking areas and camping facilities can be found in the vicinity, and marine mammals pass through in winter and spring. Just 10 minutes or so south from downtown Santa Barbara, this beach lies at the end of one of Carpinteria's main streets, Linden Avenue. Pick up some food and shop for souvenirs before or after your beach trip.
39 locals recommend
Carpinteria State Beach Campground
205 Palm AveApplauded by "Dr. Beach" for its beauty and quality, Carpinteria also finds approval with visitors, who love the calm waters that result from a protective reef. Swimming is safe for adults and little ones, and the beach is great for sand play, exploring tide pools and fishing. Restrooms, picnicking areas and camping facilities can be found in the vicinity, and marine mammals pass through in winter and spring. Just 10 minutes or so south from downtown Santa Barbara, this beach lies at the end of one of Carpinteria's main streets, Linden Avenue. Pick up some food and shop for souvenirs before or after your beach trip.
Arroyo Burro Beach might be what the guidebooks and websites say, but locals know this beach by another name: Hendry's. This is THE place to go if you have a dog. The whole beach welcomes our four-legged friends, but the left side of the beach allows pups to chill out off leash. There is also a picnic area, restroom and an amazing seafood restaurant called The Boathouse onsite. Two small lots offer 100% free parking, but they do fill up fast - especially on weekends.
41 locals recommend
Arroyo Burro Beach
Cliff DrArroyo Burro Beach might be what the guidebooks and websites say, but locals know this beach by another name: Hendry's. This is THE place to go if you have a dog. The whole beach welcomes our four-legged friends, but the left side of the beach allows pups to chill out off leash. There is also a picnic area, restroom and an amazing seafood restaurant called The Boathouse onsite. Two small lots offer 100% free parking, but they do fill up fast - especially on weekends.
A local favorite, Santa Claus Beach is one of Santa Barbara's best kept secrets. Made up of a wide stretch of soft white sand, Santa Claus is actually located in Carpinteria, a sleepy beach town just a short drive (or long bike ride!) from downtown Santa Barbara. Santa Claus gets great, mild waves for all sorts of ocean fun: paddle boarding, boogie boarding, general frolicking etc... The shore offers a shallow, gradual entrance. There's limited shade, so bring an umbrella. Restaurants, shops and board rentals are nearby. Free street parking is first come, first serve.
8 locals recommend
Santa Claus Beach
A local favorite, Santa Claus Beach is one of Santa Barbara's best kept secrets. Made up of a wide stretch of soft white sand, Santa Claus is actually located in Carpinteria, a sleepy beach town just a short drive (or long bike ride!) from downtown Santa Barbara. Santa Claus gets great, mild waves for all sorts of ocean fun: paddle boarding, boogie boarding, general frolicking etc... The shore offers a shallow, gradual entrance. There's limited shade, so bring an umbrella. Restaurants, shops and board rentals are nearby. Free street parking is first come, first serve.
You won't find much in the way of amenities at this lovely beach, which is a bit ironic considering that it's across the street from the esteemed Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara. Nevertheless, the sweep of sand is ideal for lying in the sun, and the ocean proves irresistible to swimmers. Butterfly Beach is very walkable and overlooked by the fabulous Coral Casino. The rock wall that lines the upper part of the beach provides a great seat and vantage point, even on not-so-sunny days. Another perk to Butterfly is that it looks west, unlike most of Santa Barbara's south-facing beaches. For that reason, it's one of the area's best spots for sunset views and long strolls. Street parking is first come, first serve.
145 locals recommend
Butterfly Beach
You won't find much in the way of amenities at this lovely beach, which is a bit ironic considering that it's across the street from the esteemed Four Seasons Resort the Biltmore Santa Barbara. Nevertheless, the sweep of sand is ideal for lying in the sun, and the ocean proves irresistible to swimmers. Butterfly Beach is very walkable and overlooked by the fabulous Coral Casino. The rock wall that lines the upper part of the beach provides a great seat and vantage point, even on not-so-sunny days. Another perk to Butterfly is that it looks west, unlike most of Santa Barbara's south-facing beaches. For that reason, it's one of the area's best spots for sunset views and long strolls. Street parking is first come, first serve.
Favorite Hiking Trails
Jesusita Trail
Jesusita Trail8.4 miles - moderate
San Ysidro Trail Head
San Ysidro Trail4.5 miles - difficult
Arroyo Burro Trail
Arroyo Burro Trail5.8 miles - difficult
Tunnel Trail
Tunnel Trail3.8 miles - difficult
6 miles - easy
26 locals recommend
Hot Springs Canyon Trailhead, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
1202-1298 E Mountain Dr6 miles - easy
Tangerine Falls Trail Head
East Mountain Drive2.5 miles - moderate
Inspiration Point Trailhead
Spyglass Ridge Road3.6 miles - difficult
Seven Falls
Tunnel Road2.5 miles - moderate
Rattlesnake Canyon Trail
Rattlesnake Canyon Trail3.5 miles - moderate
Favorite Things To Do
The Funk Zone
137 Anacapa StFavorite place for wine tasting
Cold Spring Tavern
5995 Stagecoach RdLive Music and Tri-Tip Sandwiches on Sundays
State Street is a walking street with lots of shopping, restaurants, bars, and galleries
46 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Downtown
State Street is a walking street with lots of shopping, restaurants, bars, and galleries
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
3300 Via RealWatch a polo tournament
Take a drive up Hwy 154 to visit the wineries and do some wine tasting --- about 45 minutes from Santa Barbara (we recommend Uber for this)
47 locals recommend
Santa Ynez
Take a drive up Hwy 154 to visit the wineries and do some wine tasting --- about 45 minutes from Santa Barbara (we recommend Uber for this)
The Playground
Class 3 rock climbing
Lizards Mouth Rock
Great place to watch the sunset -- easy 1/4 mile walk
Paddle Sports Center
117 Harbor WayKayaking or SUP along the Santa Barbara Harbor
Eagle Paragliding
Cliff DriveTandem paragliding at Elings Park
A-Frame Surf
3785 Santa Claus LnLearn to surf with our friends at A-Frame Surf
Condor Express Whale Watching
Take a whale watching tour
Bike Ride on Cabrillo Beach Bike Trail -- the most popular SB bike trail - 4.5 miles from Sterns Wharf to East Beach
30 locals recommend
Wheel Fun Rentals
24 E Mason StBike Ride on Cabrillo Beach Bike Trail -- the most popular SB bike trail - 4.5 miles from Sterns Wharf to East Beach
Eat This Shoot That!
200 Stearns WharfFood, wine, and photo tours
The only tour company permitted for kayaking tours at the Channel Islands
40 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Adventure Company
520 E Haley StThe only tour company permitted for kayaking tours at the Channel Islands
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
1221 State StGreat place for live music
Santa Barbara Bowl
1122 N Milpas StGo see a concert
Ostrichland USA
610 E Hwy 246Visit an Ostrich farm to feed the Ostriches!