Downtown Santa Barbara, California
Downtown Santa Barbara is the vibrant and lively central hub of the city. The Downtown area is home to a number of cultural attractions and great entertainment, including museums, theaters, and beautiful historical landmarks like the Court House. Downtown also offers a variety of exceptional retail and dining options along State Street, Santa Barbara’s popular main street. With so much to do here, it can get overwhelming! Luckily our team has highlighted some of our favorite activities to do in Downtown Santa Barbara!
David: “Some of my fondest memories were of living in West Beach and walking to the beach for a paddle in the ocean. Back then my only reason for going to the Funk Zone was to dream about a new board at Channel Islands Surfboards. But now dinner at Lark is a staple, and I love to bounce around between Tyger Tyger (Thai food) and Lama Dog and Topa Topa (tap rooms). I've been frequenting Farmer’s Markets downtown for years and love knowing the farmers and where my food is coming from. Mony's in the Funk Zone has my favorite Al Pastor tacos. Arigato has the best sushi, but be sure to make a reservation. My kids love visiting the Moxi Science Museum followed by ice cream from McConnells. Downtown Santa Barbara is full of so many historic architectural styles, going back to the late 1800s Folk Victorian style, to Queen Anne, Craftsman, then the quintessential Spanish Colonial style that our town is known for. I highly suggest taking walking tours throughout downtown because it's so rich with interesting history.”
Devin: “My wife and I often start our weekends off with coffee and breakfast sandwiches at Lighthouse on Chapala. Then we'll head to Tri County Produce to get our grocery shopping done (best fresh squeezed orange juice on the planet!) If you're ok waiting in line, the smash burgers at Third Window are not to be missed! Be sure to visit Helena Mason Art Gallery, a hip spot in the Funk Zone that's locally owned and features the likes of Pedro de la Cruz and Wallace Piatt. On summer evenings, the Sunken Garden at the Courthouse features projected movies on the lawn!”
Teddy: “There is so much to do Downtown. I love going to the Arlington Theater and Granada Theater to see our local ballet companies and symphony perform. As far as food goes, some of my favorite spots are The Daisy, Arigato, The Public Market, and Ca’Dario. The bolognese pasta at Ca’Dario is one of my favorites, ever! As a mother of three, it seems we are always at Chicken Little buying presents for their friend’s birthday parties. It is a locally owned business and the owner and staff are so friendly and helpful. Another Downtown spot I frequent is Pilates and Or. The new studio on Canon Perdido St is as absolutely stunning and the classes are top notch!”
