Santa Barbara, CA, is my current place of residence. Many people from around the world come to enjoy our sandy beaches and mountainous ranges. It is a paradise for lovers, friends, families, and college students alike. It is definitely not idealistic for new home owners (it’s just very expensive), by that is a trade off for living in one of the most beautiful and serene places in the world. That said, I absolutely love it here, and I am enjoying my time in Santa Barbara before a new adventure commences! Thanks for tuning into this blog as I highlight some of my favorite spots around town.
Locations listed in order:
- Santa Barbara Courthouse offers some of the most picturesque views of Santa Barbara. You might also witness a few publicized and celebrity weddings here.
- State Street is the place to go for shopping and food/drinks. If you like margaritas, check out Sandbar- I always order the spicy margarita. Or if you want stiff drinks and like to dance the night away, visit Wildcat, or as Santa Barbrians like to call it, The Shitty Kitty. Finally, after a night out on the town, you’ll want to stop at Velvet Jones for some good ol’ mac and cheese, with a twist.
- The Funk Zone is a hub for wine and beer tasting, dining, arts, and retail. It has a hipster vibe and is always a good time! Some of my favorite spots include The Lark, Corks n’ Crowns, Shalhoob, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co, Santa Barbara Wine Collective, Lama Dog, Seven, and Pearl Social.
- Shoreline Park is one of Santa Barbara’s most popular parks. It’s a great location to walk the dog, picnic, and run. You can enjoy a nice afternoon sunset at the park or walk down to the beach.
- Stearns Wharf is a historic pier with dinning and shopping. It is one of the most popular and well-trafficked areas in Santa Barbara. If you want some good sea food, views, and wine (Deep Sea Winery), this is the place to go!
- Hope Ranch is a suburb in Santa Barbara. Some celebrities and mostly rich folks live in this area- we are talking million dollar homes and properties. For all you golfers out there- this needs to be on the bucket list.
- Lake Cachuma is a reservoir in the Santa Ynez Valley. Lake Cachuma is just a short 40 minute drive away. It is dog friendly and can be used for day use camping, boating, discing, and hiking.
- Old Mission Santa Barbara was founded by Spanish Franciscans in 1786, and is still an active parish church and museum. Many people will bring their dogs and picnic out on the lawns- a perfect Sunday Funday activity if you ask me!
- Painted Cave Rd. is an exit off of the 154. Individuals can drive up to the top of the road to witness jaw dropping views of Santa Barbara. If one drives a little further, they can also visit the Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park, where a small sandstone cave preserves rock art attributed to the Chumash peoples.
- Coal Oil Point Reserve is perfect for surfers, sunset goers, and beach bums. Personally, I like to park outside the one mile trail and run in to watch the sunset. Coal Oil is part of the University of California natural reserve system. Just beware, you might step in tar while on this beach (FYI olive oil can be used for clean up).
Make sure to pack the sunblock. The suns out and the waves are firing!
