How to Spend a 24-Hour Staycation in Santa Barbara

It is unlike any kind of bar in Santa Barbara, where bartenders source fruits, herbs, aromatics, and produce from regional farms to develop a turning menu of inventive drinks along with a commendable local craft beer and a glass of wine checklist. 1212 State Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

Prepare to be charmed by Lokum, a Turkish coffee shop on a pedestrian-friendly area of Midtown State Street. The walk is particularly good on Tuesdays between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. when farmers market vendors line the street. 1019 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

Tondi Gelato is a necessary stop in Santa Barbara no matter what time of day. Proprietor James ‘Tondi” Haskins opened the shop in 2021 on an area of State Road where bikes and pedestrians have the access. Haskins thinks every gelato needs to be made daily, usually utilizing herbs and fruits sourced from State Road’s weekly farmers market that are brought straight to the shop’s manufacturing location. The selection of vegan or full-cream gelato consists of pistachio, salty sugar, lemon, strawberry, or the dreamy hazelnut and delicious chocolate. Tondi Gelato remains open until 10 p.m., so work out into a chair in the middle of State Street for people-watching. 401 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Mona Holmes
is a reporter for Eater Los Angeles and a normal contributor to KCRW radio. She has actually covered restaurants, eating, and food culture because 2016. In 2022, the James Beard Structure nominated her for a Jonathan Gold Citizen Voice Honor.

There’s no question that Santa Barbara’s wine-producing, hilly, and coast-lined area is just one of California’s the majority of spectacular regions. Located simply an hour and 40 minutes from Midtown Los Angeles by vehicle, the city is full of charming coffee shops, mixed drink dens, tasting spaces, and dining establishments serving casual and creative dishes utilizing freshly caught fish and shellfish. Locations and opportunities expand with auto gain access to, including a stop at the Santa Barbara Botanic Yard or the Pacific Ocean-adjacent zoo. However, if time allows, take the three-hour train experience north via Amtrak from Union Station which drops off tourists at the foot of Santa Barbara’s bustling, main, and walkable State Street. It’s the best area to begin a 24-hour staycation.

Strolling from Lokum to the Lark takes 20 minutes on a pleasant and mostly car-free area of State Street. This activity will help work up a hunger before hitting chef Jason Paluska’s significant 11-year-old restaurant, yet hopping in a five-minute rideshare is flawlessly acceptable, as well. Called after an over night Southern Pacific Railway that serviced Santa Barbara for over half a century, the Lark is an inviting space with sensational outside patio areas bordered by fire pits. The exact same treatment was given to the inside dining room with wooden cubicles and a significant design. Paluska safeguards the freshest catch from local fishermen and prepares an unbelievable Channel Islands crudo with enthusiasm fruit. For a heartier meal, opt for the Creekstone Farms ribeye with mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, and beef tallow jus. Ask the server for a white wine pairing to further improve the meal. 131 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

After a long experience right into Santa Barbara, stretch those legs with a stroll to Helena Opportunity Bakeshop. If showing up after midday, Helena’s shares a room with the Santa Barbara Red wine Collective where regional varietals flow. 131 Anacapa Street, #C, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

Several components of Santa Barbara are best explored walking, so bring comfy shoes and ideal layers as the weather can be unpredictably over cast, overcast, drizzly, or simply hot. When booking lodging, be mindful of high period and weekend prices. High-end options like the homes at San Ysidro Cattle ranch start at $2,779 per evening, mid-range accommodations hovers around $400 per evening like at the Santa Barbara Inn, and the regional Motel 6 chooses $189 per evening. Airbnb leasings are fairly reasonable however rates boost based upon closeness to the coastline.

Drive 30 minutes from Downtown Santa Barbara into the Chumash Painted Cavern State Historic Park. This bright, inviting restaurant lives on the quieter end side of State Road and is run by mother-and-son owners Imelda Saldicar Hernandez and Ramon Velazquez. 29 E. Victoria Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

For those who have the endurance for a late-night mixed drink and live music at one of Montecito’s most special resorts, drive to San Ysidro Cattle Ranch for the Speakeasy. Available to the general public, bench operates from 5 p.m. till twelve o’clock at night and draws in all kinds of travelers. The price is light, with flatbreads, Oriental beef tacos, and a cheese platter, while bartenders diligently prepare Sazeracs and a Cuban Old Fashioned with bourbon, butter pecan syrup, bitters, and cinnamon. The Boulevardier is made with Sazerac rye, Campari, and sweet vermouth is a genial method to end the day. 900 San Ysidro Lane, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108.

If time enables, take the three-hour train trip north through Amtrak from Union Terminal which drops off tourists at the foot of Santa Barbara’s dynamic, central, and walkable State Road. 131 Anacapa Road, #C, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

1212 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

1019 State Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.

131 Anacapa Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.