Travel Tips – Santa Barbara

ACTIVITIES:

Lotusland – It’s inland and up the hill a bit. Make a reservation ahead of time, timed entry in morning and afternoons
The Mission and rose garden – ride bikes up State Street.

RESTAURANTS:

Rancho San Ysidro (Lunch) – one of my all-time favorite meals! $pendy but worth it. Jackie O and JFK spent their honeymoon here – make reservations. Lunch in the garden or by the fireplace if it is chilly.
Brophy Brothers – Next to the wharf/on the water. Clam chowder.
Shoreline beach restaurant – feet in sand
Tacos, el Bajio on Milpas
Corazon Cantina in the Public Market
Corazon Cantina in the Public Market.
La Paloma since it has been redone but the setting was always a favorite.
La Super Rica Taqueria – Julia Childs’ favorite Mexican spot. Gordita. rajas tacos. Queso fundido. Rica especial. Al pastor quesadilla.
Carlito’s on State street for Mexican and margaritas
Los Arroyos in Montecito

Funk Zone:

Municipal winemakers is a favorite.
Mony
Beer garden
Margerum Winery. Around the corner from Melville Winery.
Dinner at Loquita – Rose Sangria. We did four tapas (octopus, prawns, tortilla, asparagus)
Melville for afternoon Wine (They close at 7pm) – you’re required to order food as well. Hummus with homemade pita chips
Dinner on the beautiful patio at La Playa Azul
Lucky Penny for pizza
The Lark for dinner
The Blue Door for vintage and mid-century modern furniture finds.

DRINKS:

HOTELS:

HIKES:

Cold Spring Trail – East Fork. Cold Spring has a few ways to go-Montecito
Inspiration Point Trail – in SB. Up and back.
Seven Falls
Hot Springs – saddle rock – views – heart in rocks. Back to ocean go left go to a fire road. Right on the road. First set of power lines to do a loop. Go right at the bench and loop back to saddle rock. On tree go down. (At bench go left to San Ysidro) Hot spring is good but parking is hard.
Romero Canyon has loops that are longer. The 5.6 miler loop feels longer in a good way.
Gaviota Peak is about 8 miles and you are almost at the best restaurant in all of SB County….Industrial Eats in Buellton. Well worth it.
San Ysidro trail – fire road up. San Ysidro is up and back but it’s good.
Front side Monetcito hikes are great for shorter day hikes.
Hike Tequapis on the way to San Ynez. It is about an 8 miler as well then you can end up at SY Kitchen.

Downtown SB:

Walk or Bike State Street. Fun to ride through slowly since it’s closed off and has a dedicated bike line. Probably best earlier in the day.
Take Hotel bikes to Handelbar Coffee just off State Street – We took our coffees/food across the street on benches at the Mission/Presidio.
Caje coffee house / patio

Montecito:

Coast Village
Montecito Country Mart
Upper Village in Montecito
Bettina Restaurant
Lucky’s Restaurant
Merci – breakfast spot-Montecito
Olivers – upscale vegetarian – Montecito
Renaud’s patio is nice to sit for a coffee and almond croissants
la Bree’osh has good almond croissants too. We went to both places on Saturday morning.
Upper Village in Montecito
Rosewood Hotel / Miramar beach
Lunch at San Ysidro Ranch – Request table upstairs on patio with view of the water.

Heads up on both SB/Montecito:

Uber drivers are extremely limited and rides can take 30+ minutes to arrive. Plan / schedule ahead or take bikes.
Most restaurants close early (last seatings at 7-7:30) and wineries even earlier. Early to bed, early to rise.

Wine Country:

Cold Spring Tavern – worth visiting en route to wine country.
We enjoyed staying at Santa Ynez Inn because they provided a wine passport (free tastings) to several wineries.
SY Kitchen dinner
Red Barn for dinners
Los Olivos is super cute and worth a visit. Los Olivos —the Bells people just opened a new French joint.
Los Alamos is a farther drive but it has Bells…worth it