Santa Barbara Recommendations and Guidebook
Walkable Restaurants
Restaurant recommendations in the local Mesa neighborhood, all within walking distance from the house. Within a 10-15min walk each way.
Great Mexican food a short walk away. They offer a variety of options at reasonable prices and have been a favorite in the area for decades.
35 locals recommend
Rose Cafe
1816 Cliff DrGreat Mexican food a short walk away. They offer a variety of options at reasonable prices and have been a favorite in the area for decades.
Local Japanese restaurant offering great sushi and various Japanese dishes a short walk from the house.
20 locals recommend
Ichiban Sushi
1812 Cliff DrLocal Japanese restaurant offering great sushi and various Japanese dishes a short walk from the house.
Local bar and restaurant with lots of beer and drink options. Fun sports bar when games are on and offering various local beers. Easy walk from the house.
11 locals recommend
Corner Tap Beer Bar and Eatery
1905 Cliff DrLocal bar and restaurant with lots of beer and drink options. Fun sports bar when games are on and offering various local beers. Easy walk from the house.
Local breakfast, lunch, and dinner cafe. Decent cafe food and large portions. Famous for their margaritas and bloody marys.
43 locals recommend
Mesa Cafe & Bar
1972 Cliff DrLocal breakfast, lunch, and dinner cafe. Decent cafe food and large portions. Famous for their margaritas and bloody marys.
Fun tapas (small portions to share) bar, great cocktails and fun environment.
36 locals recommend
Alcazar Tapas Bar
1812 Cliff DrFun tapas (small portions to share) bar, great cocktails and fun environment.
Local coffee shop with very well done espresso drinks, tea, and drip coffee with a great environment. 10min walk from the house.
22 locals recommend
Lighthouse Coffee
1819 Cliff DrLocal coffee shop with very well done espresso drinks, tea, and drip coffee with a great environment. 10min walk from the house.
Local dive bar, strong drinks and sticky tables with fun atmosphere.
8 locals recommend
The Cliff Room
1828 Cliff DrLocal dive bar, strong drinks and sticky tables with fun atmosphere.
Take away Mexican food. Authentic, greasy comfort food and spicy salsas. 15min walk from house.
10 locals recommend
Super Cuca's Taqueria
2030 Cliff DrTake away Mexican food. Authentic, greasy comfort food and spicy salsas. 15min walk from house.
Delicious Thai restaurant, not super authentic but great flavor and fresh ingredients. 10min walk.
19 locals recommend
Meun Fan Thai Cafe
1819 Cliff DrDelicious Thai restaurant, not super authentic but great flavor and fresh ingredients. 10min walk.
Local Chinese restaurant with lots of options. 15min walk from the house.
7 locals recommend
Szechuan Restaurant
1994 Cliff DrLocal Chinese restaurant with lots of options. 15min walk from the house.
Bagel Market Cafe
2000 Cliff DrGreat bagels and donuts. Delicious bagel sandwiches. 15min walk.
Bike Rentals
Bike rentals and bike tours in Santa Barbara. Tons of bike options and flexible time-frames to meet any bike rental needs.
9 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Bikes To-Go
736 Carpinteria StBike rentals and bike tours in Santa Barbara. Tons of bike options and flexible time-frames to meet any bike rental needs.
Ebike rentals for 30min point to point rides. Great option for getting to downtown or the funk zone and dropping off the bike. Closest bikes location to the house is Meigs Rd x Elise Way.
B Cycle
301 North Alisos StreetEbike rentals for 30min point to point rides. Great option for getting to downtown or the funk zone and dropping off the bike. Closest bikes location to the house is Meigs Rd x Elise Way.
Groceries
Closest major grocery store with tons of options and standard prices. 10-15min walk from the house and a 2min drive.
12 locals recommend
Vons
2010 Cliff DrClosest major grocery store with tons of options and standard prices. 10-15min walk from the house and a 2min drive.
High end grocery store with lots of organic and health food options. Huge vitamin and supplements department, very good hot food available, fairly expensive prices. 10min walk from the house.
121 locals recommend
Lazy Acres Grocery
302 Meigs RdHigh end grocery store with lots of organic and health food options. Huge vitamin and supplements department, very good hot food available, fairly expensive prices. 10min walk from the house.
Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara
Best sushi in town! Very authentic and high quality fish. Usually busy so reservations are recommended. Prices are high but worth it.
150 locals recommend
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StBest sushi in town! Very authentic and high quality fish. Usually busy so reservations are recommended. Prices are high but worth it.
Delicious Lebanese food with a gorgeous dining patio. Belly dancers and hookah offered on some weekends.
57 locals recommend
Zaytoon
209 E Canon Perdido StDelicious Lebanese food with a gorgeous dining patio. Belly dancers and hookah offered on some weekends.
Best Italian restaurant in town. Delicious food and fun upscale environment. Great wine selection and everything is made with imported Italian olive oil.
40 locals recommend
Ca' Dario
37 E Victoria StBest Italian restaurant in town. Delicious food and fun upscale environment. Great wine selection and everything is made with imported Italian olive oil.
Upscale Italian fusion on the waterfront. Very nice environment, great food, and great location for a pre or post dinner walk in the harbor.
45 locals recommend
Toma Restaurant & Bar
324 W Cabrillo BlvdUpscale Italian fusion on the waterfront. Very nice environment, great food, and great location for a pre or post dinner walk in the harbor.
Famous seafood restaurant in the charming Santa Barbara harbor. Usually very busy and lively.
203 locals recommend
Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor WayFamous seafood restaurant in the charming Santa Barbara harbor. Usually very busy and lively.
Fantastic Indonesian fusion restaurant. Top rated and never disappoints. Fun seating along State Street and very lively.
60 locals recommend
Sama Sama Kitchen
1208 State StFantastic Indonesian fusion restaurant. Top rated and never disappoints. Fun seating along State Street and very lively.
Great option if everyone wants something different to eat. Indoor restaurant marketplace with various food options including Thai, Mexican, sushi, pizza, burgers, falafel, ice cream, etc. Also has a fun beer garden and is a great place to hang out.
77 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Public Market
38 W Victoria StGreat option if everyone wants something different to eat. Indoor restaurant marketplace with various food options including Thai, Mexican, sushi, pizza, burgers, falafel, ice cream, etc. Also has a fun beer garden and is a great place to hang out.
Top rated mixology bar in downtown Santa Barbara. Best cocktail bar in town.
65 locals recommend
The Good Lion
1212 State StTop rated mixology bar in downtown Santa Barbara. Best cocktail bar in town.
Michelin star restaurant located in the famous San Ysidro Ranch property. Very good food, exceptional wine list.
11 locals recommend
The Stonehouse Restaurant
900 San Ysidro LnMichelin star restaurant located in the famous San Ysidro Ranch property. Very good food, exceptional wine list.
Rusty's Pizza Parlor
Encina LaneOne of the best pizza options in town. Easy delivery.
Loquita Santa Barbara
202 State StGreat tapas and paella restaurant near the wharf and beach.
Very popular Mexican restaurant with fresh ingredients and delicious salsa options.
103 locals recommend
Los Agaves
2911 De La Vina StVery popular Mexican restaurant with fresh ingredients and delicious salsa options.
Michelin star restaurant service tasting menu sushi only. Reservations required. Only 3 seatings a night. Amazing sushi, exceptional experience, very expensive.
8 locals recommend
Sushi Bar Montecito
1295 Coast Village RoadMichelin star restaurant service tasting menu sushi only. Reservations required. Only 3 seatings a night. Amazing sushi, exceptional experience, very expensive.
Off the beaten path Italian restaurant. Some of the best Italian food in town. Very small restaurant with amazing food and dessert.
43 locals recommend
Via Maestra 42
3343 State StOff the beaten path Italian restaurant. Some of the best Italian food in town. Very small restaurant with amazing food and dessert.
A local favorite bar in town. Great drinks, interesting history, lively environment, off the beaten path. Excellent appetizers.
9 locals recommend
The Pickle Room
122 East Canon Perdido StreetA local favorite bar in town. Great drinks, interesting history, lively environment, off the beaten path. Excellent appetizers.
Excellent sandwich and salad lunch option. Most common as take away/to go. Very tasty and large portions.
35 locals recommend
South Coast Deli
1436 Chapala StExcellent sandwich and salad lunch option. Most common as take away/to go. Very tasty and large portions.
Fun sushi restaurant by the beach. Beautiful views and good food. Reservations recommended.
20 locals recommend
Oku
29 E Cabrillo BlvdFun sushi restaurant by the beach. Beautiful views and good food. Reservations recommended.
High end Mexican restaurant with great food and excellent cocktails. Very good value happy hour Mon - Thur, 3-5pm.
26 locals recommend
Santo Mezcal
119 State StHigh end Mexican restaurant with great food and excellent cocktails. Very good value happy hour Mon - Thur, 3-5pm.
A locals favorite restaurant and bar. The strongest drinks in town without question.
84 locals recommend
Joe's Cafe
536 State StA locals favorite restaurant and bar. The strongest drinks in town without question.
Local Beaches
Closest beach to the house. A short 5min walk with stairs leading to the sand. Best at low tide with the most sand for walking and lounging.
10 locals recommend
1000 Steps Beach
1429 Shoreline DrClosest beach to the house. A short 5min walk with stairs leading to the sand. Best at low tide with the most sand for walking and lounging.
Very popular beach for surfing and lounging. 25min walk from the house. Very busy on weekends!
21 locals recommend
Mesa Lane Steps
Very popular beach for surfing and lounging. 25min walk from the house. Very busy on weekends!
Beautiful beach for relaxing, swimming, and popular for surfing. Lots of sand and easy access. 15min walk from the house.
59 locals recommend
Leadbetter Beach
Beautiful beach for relaxing, swimming, and popular for surfing. Lots of sand and easy access. 15min walk from the house.
Beautiful long stretch of sandy beach. Multiple volleyball courts and a great restaurant located in the historic bath house building.
13 locals recommend
East Beach Volleyball Courts
East Cabrillo BoulevardBeautiful long stretch of sandy beach. Multiple volleyball courts and a great restaurant located in the historic bath house building.
Very popular beach in charming Montecito. Great place to relax at the beach. Can be very busy and lively on weekends.
145 locals recommend
Butterfly Beach
Very popular beach in charming Montecito. Great place to relax at the beach. Can be very busy and lively on weekends.
Sightseeing
Beautiful park on the cliff above the beach. 2 blocks from the house. Stunning sunsets and coastal views.
65 locals recommend
Shoreline Park
Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa PlaceBeautiful park on the cliff above the beach. 2 blocks from the house. Stunning sunsets and coastal views.
Famous Santa Barbara harbor. Beautiful place to walk. Highly recommend going out to the end of the cement break wall for a view of the city, mountains, and coast!
90 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Harbor
132-A Harbor WayFamous Santa Barbara harbor. Beautiful place to walk. Highly recommend going out to the end of the cement break wall for a view of the city, mountains, and coast!
Historical Stearns Wharf is a must see attraction. It's a beautiful place to walk and watch the fisherman try their luck.
48 locals recommend
Stearns Wharf
217 Stearns WharfHistorical Stearns Wharf is a must see attraction. It's a beautiful place to walk and watch the fisherman try their luck.
Famous and historic Santa Barbara Mission and surrounding rose gardens are a must see when visiting Santa Barbara.
201 locals recommend
Old Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StFamous and historic Santa Barbara Mission and surrounding rose gardens are a must see when visiting Santa Barbara.
Beautiful cliff top park with dirt trails above the beach. Great for walking or biking around. Very popular on weekends.
81 locals recommend
Douglas Family Preserve
Beautiful cliff top park with dirt trails above the beach. Great for walking or biking around. Very popular on weekends.
Beautiful architecture and gardens. Clock tower offers a fantastic viewpoint and perspective of the downtown area.
162 locals recommend
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StBeautiful architecture and gardens. Clock tower offers a fantastic viewpoint and perspective of the downtown area.
One of the most spectacular private gardens and tours anywhere. Pre booking required. An absolute must see if you enjoy gardens and exotic plants.
61 locals recommend
Lotusland
Cold Spring RoadOne of the most spectacular private gardens and tours anywhere. Pre booking required. An absolute must see if you enjoy gardens and exotic plants.
Beautiful gardens with meandering paths. Fun for families and beautiful scenery.
136 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon RdBeautiful gardens with meandering paths. Fun for families and beautiful scenery.
Fantastic interactive museum for kids and families. Very interesting and exciting place for kids.
59 locals recommend
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
125 State StFantastic interactive museum for kids and families. Very interesting and exciting place for kids.
Neighborhoods
The heart of Santa Barbara with tons of restaurants, shops, wineries, movie theaters, malls, nightlife, etc. Walk up beautiful state st and stop in at any of the countless street side restaurants and coffee shops. Becomes very lively Thur - Sat nights!
46 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Downtown
The heart of Santa Barbara with tons of restaurants, shops, wineries, movie theaters, malls, nightlife, etc. Walk up beautiful state st and stop in at any of the countless street side restaurants and coffee shops. Becomes very lively Thur - Sat nights!