1. The Wayfarer
8.0
12 E Montecito St (State Street), Santa Barbara, CA
Hotel · Lower State · 10 tips and reviews
Laurissa: I wouldn't call it a "hostel." The rooms are tiny but trendy, very clean, and cozy. Friendly staff. Walking distance from the pier. I would stay again, but I wasn't fond of our ground floor room.
Lauren Pedrazzi: Trendy, great location, don't miss the jumbo jenga & connect 4 in the common area!
Rachael Leonie: I don't know how this place gets away with being called a "hostel," but I'll take it! Trendy, fun atmosphere and a positive vibe. Great location, clean rooms, and just overall good accommodations.
2. Handlebar Coffee
9.2
128 E Canon Perdido St (Santa Barbara St.), Santa Barbara, CA
Coffee Shop · Santa Barbara Downtown · 91 tips and reviews
Emilio C: Nice and trendy coffee shop. There's no outlets though, so make sure you have a lot of battery power if you're bringing your computer.
Vittorio Grieco: Truly artisan coffee & a great little place to have a cozy afternoon pick me up coffee & chat with a friend. Next to Three Pickles sandwiches (great subs!) my favorite Goodland Club
Luc Jacobs: Best coffee I encountered in Santa Barbara. Beautiful setting.
4. The Funk Zone
8.6
34 Anacapa Street (Yanonali Street), Santa Barbara, CA
Art Gallery · Lower State · 8 tips and reviews
Stacy Bo Bacy: Neat spot, especially if you’re into cool street art, trendy restaurants, wine tasting, and shopping for home decor.
Alex G: Great wine and people watching just steps from the beach.
Vittorio Grieco: Funk Zone = where the creatively eclectic artists of Santa Barbara fade away from pop culture & enter into the portal of artistic knowledge & discovery. Careful when you are wondering in wonderland.
5. The Good Lion
8.8
1212 State St, Santa Barbara, CA
Cocktail Bar · Santa Barbara Downtown · 7 tips and reviews
Doug de Wet: Well made classic cocktails in a attractive, comfortable space, my Martini (pictured) was excellent, and you will be warmly welcomed with a complimentary glass of punch.
Stacy Bo Bacy: Fun atmosphere and cocktails, including a rotating seasonal menu. Best when there’s music playing but can get crowded.
Allen: Montenegro daiquiri and the Kon-tiki Kentucky are both delicious.
6. The Lark
8.9
131 Anacapa St Ste A (Yanonali Street), Santa Barbara, CA
New American Restaurant · Lower State · 48 tips and reviews
Meredith Blechman: Great outdoor seating or indoor bar scene. Food is phenomenal. Get the Brussels sprouts and hazelnut praline ice cream sandwich for dessert. Can't go wrong with everything in between. And make a res!
Taryn Matthews: My favorite restaurant in SB! The brussel sprouts are out of this world!
Danielle Hunt: Brussels sprouts are insanely tasty. The hanger steak is phenomenal but could have had more steak and less broccoli. The beef cheeks with bone marrow is rich and decadent. The ice cream sandwich OMG
7. Lure Fish House
8.9
3815 State St., Suite G131 (La Cumbre), Santa Barbara, CA
Seafood Restaurant · North State · 6 tips and reviews
Solène G.: I had the sesame seared ahi tuna, with almond pesto cauliflower and brown rice and loved it! Service is great and we were served quickly. One of my favorite places to eat fish in SB.
Natalie Guerra: Wow, oysters galore. We got their signature oysters and they were out of this world! I got the salmon with a side of grilled spinach which was also the bomb. This place is amazing for any occasion!
Gleymar Loyo: So delicious everything !!! 🙌🏻
12. The Blue Owl
9.0
5 W Canon Perdido St (at State St), Santa Barbara, CA
Sandwich Spot · Santa Barbara Downtown · 39 tips and reviews
Ryan Gantz: Santa Barbara's great little gourmet secret. For lunch you want a Duck Croissant or savory salad, with a Mexican coke or house soda.. But you must come back late night for a Thai Basil Burger.
lemonjelly luukkanen: Rosemary lemonade and Thai iced tea are both made in-house. Delicious. Thai tea is not overly sweet, too. If you are there with a friend, get both.
Suzie Black: Check out the banh mi!
Doug de Wet: Wide ranging lineup with something for every taste, from crisp, refreshing pilsner, to malty ales and hoppy IPAs, even juicy shandies.
Nic Viz: Their patio is dog friendly ❤️🐶
Matt VL: Great beer. Really talented live music, but uncomfortably loud.