Santa Barbara dreamin'

Your guide to the hot spots

With all the activities centering around the ocean—fishing on Stearns Wharf at the end of State Street or exploring the dozen-and-a-half beaches along the coastline—it is no wonder that SANTA BARBARA is often referred to as the “American Riviera.”

EAT
Wine Cask. California-style cuisine served in a historic adobe. 813 Anacapa St. (805) 966-9463; winecask.com.

Bouchon rejoices in fresh local ingredients. 9 W. Victoria St. (805) 730-1160; bouchonsantabarbara.com.

Downey’s. The restaurant’s eclectic, ever-changing menu has won praise from Food & Wine magazine and Zagat. 1305 State St. (805) 966-5006; downeyssb.com.

Land Shark in action

DO
Take a cruise on the aptly named Land Shark—an amphibious experience that is, to say the least, memorable. Out2seesb.com.

Santa Barbara Zoo. Spread across 30 acres, guests can visit animals, have a picnic lunch and enjoy talks by zookeepers or other interactive events. 500 Niños Drive
(805) 962-6310; sbzoo.org.

Santa Barbara Harbor. Enjoy fine dining, day charters or an island trip to one of four offshore islands. Santabarbaraharbor.com.

The beach! Venture out to the Pacific coast for surfing, swimming, whale watching, skimboarding, kite flying, boating, fishing, picnicking and practically anything else you can think to do with your time in the sand.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

 
SHOP
State Street, the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, is rife with shops and architectural outdoor malls such as De La Guerra Plaza and the Paseo Nuevo Mall.

STAY
The historic Hotel Santa Barbara offers a Mediterranean ambiance and easy access to downtown. 533 State St. (805) 957-9300; hotelsantabarbara.com.

Canary Hotel (formerly known as Hotel Andalucia) has a rooftop pool and patio, a perfect spot for cocktails at sunset. 31 W. Carrillo St. (805) 884-0300; canarysantabarbara.com.  

Harbor View Inn is on the beach near the wharf and the marina. 28 W. Cabrillo Blvd. (805) 963-0780; harborviewinnsb.com.

The Simpson House Inn, a Victorian estate built in 1874, may be the quintessential “bed and breakfast.” Breakfast is served on the veranda, in the gardens or delivered to your door. 121 E. Arrellaga (800) 676-1280; simpsonhouseinn.com.

HEARD & SCENE
Arlington Theatre. Home to the Santa Barbara Symphony as well as to other cultural events and performances. 1317 State St. (805) 963-4408; thearlingtontheatre.com.

The line-up at Lobero Theatre includes plays, lectures, and musical and comedy performances. 33 E. Canon Perdido St. (805) 963-0761; lobero.com.

INSIDER TIPS
Santa Barbara has one of the most user-friendly options you’ll find anywhere: the Downtown Waterfront Shuttle, or what some people call the “Quarter Trolley” (because that is the fare). Depending on the time of day, it runs every quarter- or half-hour. This is one reason why the best way to take advantage of much of Santa Barbara is to keep your car at your lodgings and stay on your toes.

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