One of our dear friends got married here recently and we were lucky enough to share in the celebration, so we thought why not do a blog on SB?! We typically come here for day trips, but due to the occasion we spent a couple of days exploring the area.
Santa Barbara is on the central coast of California and sits along the Santa Ynez Mountains. It is about one and half hours from Sherman Oaks and an easy drive…all 101 North coasting. The city of SB is a combination of Spanish heritage and Mediterranean architecture. With upscale boutiques, restaurants, various beaches, and a wide range of wineries and breweries, this area provides for a relaxed ambiance.
While there are many things to see and do in this area – we have only done a handful and thought we would share our thoughts on those!
~ Hendry’s Beach – Also known as Arroyo Burro Beach Park – This beach is about ten minutes from downtown Santa Barbara and is pet friendly! If you’re an animal lover like us, this is likely refreshing to you as well! In our neck of the woods, it’s a challenge to find a pet friendly beach. On this beach you will find the Boathouse Restaurant along with BBQs, bathrooms, a dog wash, picnic tables, and showers! We know your fur baby will enjoy this beach, hopefully you do too!
~ Salt Cave – Located on State Street, this is easily one of our favorite spots in all of Santa Barbara. It’s a Himalayan salt paradise! Get a massage, experience a facial, enjoy a therapeutic cave session, and pick up some bath or culinary salt products while you’re there! With this Pakistani salt being roughly 200 million years old at their location, it is said to stimulate a healthy PH, support respiratory, sinus, and vascular health, and promote bone strength. There are many other benefits to this experience as well, but if holistic medicine is not your jam, just give it a shot for relaxation purposes. You’re bound to leave rejuvenated and calm.
~ Three Pickles – This spot is our favorite! There are two locations for this amazing sandwich shop: Goleta and Santa Barbara. We go to the Santa Barbara location on E Canon Perdido Street. You might wonder why the name Three Pickles…well, when you order you are given a bag to fill up with three difference pickle options. Our favorite sandwiches from this shop are:
****Gaucho – Hot cheesesteak with cheddar, mayo & provolone cheese on a roll with cooked onions and peppers. Served with au jus sauce.
****Albacore Tuna – Served on a roll with diced tomatoes, dill pickles, onion, olive oil, oregano, mayo, mustard, and your choice of cheese.
~ Zaytoon – Also on E Canon Perdido Street, this Lebanese restaurant is super cool. Sit outside and enjoy the fire pits in the center of each table, while belly dancers dance around. Indulge in Kebab plates, Baba Ghanouj, Halloumi Cheese, and lots more. This restaurant has an incredible feel, and the food is very tasty – with lamb from Australia and garlic fresh from Gilroy, California how could you go wrong? We recommend making a reservation when coming here.
~ Test Pilot – Serving exotic cocktails and boozy slushies, this bar is bound to get you feeling relaxed. This tropical themed bar features indoor and outdoor seating and serves most of their drinks in specialty glasses. This is the perfect spot to get a buzz and kick off your weekend! BEWARE – the drinks are WAY strong!
~ Old Mission Santa Barbara – This iconic landmark was founded in 1786 by Padre Fermin Lasuen and serves the community still today as a gathering place. Take a tour, learn some history, and witness some incredible architecture firsthand. Visit the Queen of Missions for $15 and don’t forget your camera! Fun Fact – Each year there is a festival outside of the mission called the Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival. The streets are turned into chalk art pieces! It is quite the site to see, and a fun time to check out the mission!
~ The Funk Zone – A contemporary part of the city that has breweries, wine tasting rooms, galleries, shops, and eateries. Eat pizza at the Lucky Penny, Enjoy BBQ at Shalhoob’s Patio, Drink beers from the Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co, or just take a stroll and admire the murals throughout the neighborhood.
~ Santa Barbara Botanical Garden – This 78-acre property has five miles of walking trails to enjoy the San Ynez Mountains and over 1,000 plants native to California. It’s pet friendly and located on Mission Canyon Road. Admission is $18 per person.
~ Stearns Wharf – This may be the most well-known landmark in Santa Barbara. This pier is the oldest working wharf in all of California. Enjoy the boardwalk stores and restaurants, watch people take their shot at fishing, and Pelican’s soar above the ocean waves.
~ Chad’s Café – This amazing place serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch all day long. Sit outside on the patio and enjoy the ocean views up close. Chads has a diner feel and is still owned and operated by the original founders. They serve free muffin baskets (blueberry and chocolate chip), and boy are they delicious. Sink your teeth into these doughy bites of goodness and wash it down with their mimosa flight! We loved this place!
~ The Cruisery – Craft Cocktails, Craft Beers, and tasty food on downtown State Street. This place is awesome! It has great service, excellent food/drinks, and it stays open late for food! Enjoy the fun atmosphere, check out the antiques decorating the space, and set foot on what used to be the Shaw House in the late 1800s.
Santa Barbara is filled with sandy beaches, eateries, and loads of outdoor activities. Before you come visit, look online, this city frequently has festivals and events around town.
Fun Fact- Katy Perry was born in Santa Barbara and she certainly loves it here. “Santa Barbara is my hood. I mean, it’s not much of a hood, but it is definitely like my hood. I claim Santa Barbara like I claim my family. I’m going to be married and buried there.” – Katy Perry
Where my beaches at?
TnT