Santa Barbara

The fine dining venues in Santa Barbara offer something for everyone’s discerning palate. Whether you want to enjoy your dinner alongside a striking view or are looking for a warm, romantic ambiance, you will have your pick. You will also have a wide range of fare from which to choose: Italian, French, Mediterranean, Seafood, Fusion, Thai, Sushi – the list goes on.

BELMOND EL ENCANTO | CONTEMPORARY

Enjoy California coastal cuisine with a side of stunning ocean views at this lovely restaurant. Belmond El Encanto Dining Room features comfortable indoor seating and alfresco dining on the terrace. The wine room is the ideal venue for private gatherings. Light dining, sunset hour cocktails, extensive California wines by the glass and afternoon tea all happen in the lounge.

BARBAREÑO | CALIFORNIAN

For its dishes Barbareño uses the history and traditions of the California area as a starting point, along with an abundance of local products. Executive Chef Julian Martinez and Chef de Cuisine Preston Knox work together to create the most unique menu, served in a casual yet refined space and complemented by some of the best wine and beer California has to offer.

BOUCHON | CALIFORNIA

Diners will always find fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care at Bouchon. Excellent wine reflecting the quality and character of the California region work in concert with the cuisine. This eatery features a warm, inviting ambiance, and dining at a relaxed, leisurely pace.

CA’DARIO RISTORANTE | ITALIAN

Anything grilled is divine, and other menu items are delectable. This charming Italian restaurant is known for its excellent execution of simple pasta, meats and other classics. Ca’Dario has a fantastic wine list with many vintages available by the glass. This place is a local favorite, so reservations are a must.

OLIO PIZZERIA | ITALIAN

Olio Pizzeria is a casual pizza, salumi, wine, and full bar inspired by the myriad neighborhood pizzerias and wine bars found around the corner from just about every piazza in Italy. The idea for this establishment began to take shape even before Alberto and Elaine Morello opened Olio e Limone Ristorante, their fine dining Italian restaurant next door.

TOMA RESTAURANT & BAR | ITALIAN

Toma Restaurant and Bar is a waterfront bistro on picturesque Cabrillo Boulevard. Experience the waterfront's most romantic restaurant. Savor exquisite Italian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes from Santa Barbara's seasonal bounty, supporting local fisherman, farmers, foragers and food artisans.

CONVIVO | ITALIAN

Convivo is a restaurant with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as “Nomad Italian.” It strays from the standard or traditional Italian fare, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’ cooking but its soul is thoroughly Italian. The ever-changing menu includes small plates, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and steaks.

STELLA MARE’S | FRENCH

Stella Mare's Bistro is located between Montecito and Santa Barbara in a historic Victorian home overlooking the Bird Refuge. French country cuisine rules the menu, with dishes like coq au vin, cassoulet, and moules frites. Sip seasonal cocktails amid cozy décor – all the right ingredients for a great dining experience. Bon appétit!

STONEHOUSE AT SAN YSIDRO RANCH | SEAFOOD

Located in what used to be a 19th century citrus packing house, the Stonehouse Restaurant features a relaxing lounge with full bar service and a separate dining room with a crackling fireplace and creek side views. Chef Matthew Johnson’s evocative regional cuisine is prepared with a host of herbs and vegetables harvested from the ranch’s organic garden.

Santa Barbara’s bars offer an exceptional ambiance in which to enjoy those cocktails. There is no better way of taking in evening views than toasting the sun as it sinks below the horizon. Indulge in the magic of Mediterranean-like weather with friends and relax to the soothing sound of Pacific waves.

THE IMPERIAL

Looking for somewhere to have a drink in a vintage-style bar? Fire up your GPS and map your way to The Imperial – a swanky bar tucked away in a nondescript parking lot. Step through the door to be transported to another time, a time when bars were attractive and the epitome of sophistication.

JOE’S CAFE

Go for dinner and stay for cocktails; this legendary restaurant transforms into a lively bar as the night goes on. A State Street tradition since 1928, Joe's Cafe offers drinks that pack a punch. The martinis are even served with a little bit of backup, still in the shaker. Another part of Joe's undeniable appeal is the huge mix of people who are patrons.

FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO.

Visit this Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. location in the Funk Zone to try locally brewed, award-winning beer. Order a pint or ask for a sample or two before deciding. Red and white wine from local vineyards are also available. There are a number of restaurants within easy walking distance if you get hungry.

Take time out for a bit of culture and history by spending some time in one of the area’s museums. The whole of California has a love for the arts, and Santa Barbara is no different. You can get lost in a number of museums, galleries and areas where the city pays homage to its own artists and international artists as well. Contemporary art is a favorite here and meld well with the community’s general ambiance.

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

With more than 3.5 million artifacts and specimens in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, vertebrate and invertebrate biology, geology and paleontology, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History provides access to one of the largest collections in the state.

MOXI

MOXI brings an added level of innovation, imagination and fun to downtown Santa Barbara. Located on lower State Street, MOXI is not just for kids, but shows science is fun for the whole family.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Located downtown in the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center on the Upper Arts Terrace, the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) has been inspiring creativity and critical thinking by exposing visitors to the art of our time for 40 years.

THE FUNK ZONE

The Funk Zone is one of the top tourist areas in Santa Barbara for a good party.This interesting location was once an industrial spot, but artists began to move in, turning it into a lively, artistic, and exciting locale.

Every destination has its own landmarks that make it unique. These places can speak volumes about the culture and history of a place. By visiting these spots, you can get a detailed snapshot of the landscape, people, the past and what might be currently happening in the community.

OLD MISSION SANTA BARBARA

Old Mission Santa Barbara is an incredibly elegant and graceful attraction completed in 1786. It is currently the only mission in all California that continues to be lived in by Franciscans, making it one of the best places to visit in the state.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY COURTHOUSE

The Spanish Colonial Revival style building that houses the courthouse was designed by William Mooser III and completed in 1929. Architect Charles Willard Moore called it the "grandest Spanish Colonial Revival structure ever built," and the prime example of Santa Barbara's adoption of the Spanish Colonial style.

EL PRESIDIO DE SANTA BARBARA

El Presidio de Santa Barbara is one of the most popular historical points of interest in the city. Originally built in 1782 by Spaniards, this structure is a fortified military settlement holding a lot of rich history and it’s fascinating to explore.

STEARNS WHARF

Stearns Wharf was finished in 1872 and is now the oldest wharf of its kind in California, and the only wooden wharf that continues to be used today. It sits on popular State Street, home to more than 17 different businesses, an educational facility, and a market specifically for shellfish.

LOTUSLAND

Bask in Santa Barbara’s botanical beauty on a visit to Lotusland, a stunning 37-acre Montecito estate once owned by the late Madame Ganna Walska. A well-known opera singer and socialite, she purchased the property in 1941 and spent the next 43 years transforming it into a unique horticultural nirvana now recognized as one of the world’s best gardens.