Santa Barbara sits on California’s central coast nestled right up to the Pacific and backed by the Santa Ynez Mountains. It’s a sunny and peaceful place where there’s quite a bit to do – or not do — and eat (and drink)! I had ventured to Santa Barbara for the first time last Memorial Day and fell in love. This trip only solidified my love for the laid-back little town, and I’m officially hooked on the American Riviera! 
Eats:
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- The Lark
- The Goat Tree
- The Bear and Star – The ‘Ranch to Table’ restaurant is cooking up something really special in the valley!
- Smithy Kitchen + Bar
- Honor Bar– Located on Montecito’s main strip, this modern American eatery has some of my all-time favorites: deviled eggs and the Dip Duo!
- Tre Lune – a Montecitostaple, this spot is old-school Italian. Don miss the Ellen (DeGeneres) Salad!
- Bouchon
Coffee:
Wine:
- Pence Vineyards & Winery
- Grassini Family Vineyards
- Fess Parker Winery
- Bridlewood Winery
- Brander Vineyard
- Margerum Wine Company
- Foxen Winery
To do:
- Sterns Warf
- Santa Barbara Harbor – book a sunset sail with The Sunset Kidd for a smooth sail (and open bar!)
- Old Mission Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Santa Barbara Zoo
- The Santa Barbara Courthouse – it might sound strange, but the courthouse is pretty incredible and worth taking a stroll by!
- The Funk Zone – Okay, this is one of my favorite parts of Santa Barbara! It’s a four-block radius of tasting rooms of local wineries. It’s genius and takes the stressful part of wine tasting out of the equation. Enjoy bopping around and experiencing all the fine Santa Barbara wines that the valley offers!
- Farmers Market – Santa Barbara has a farmers market nearly every day of the week. and because of California’s climate, they run year-round.
- Ganna Walska LotusLand – One of the top 10 private gardens in the world, this special place is rich in history and has such renowned biodiversity.
Stay:
Stay Risky,
– John
Photography by Ali Stone
