SANTA BARBARA LIFESTYLE
Resorts and Lodging
Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Goleta offer a variety of places to reside and enjoy your time here in the Santa Barbara area. Whether you are looking to lounge on the beach at the Four Season Biltmore, Fess Parker’s Double Tree, or enjoying the spa and golf course at the Bacara, Santa Barbara’s ocean front resorts offer amazing views, safe beaches, and the optimal place to lounge. 
If you are in the mood for something more secluded, the San Ysidro Ranch provides for the best tranquil retreat nuzzled in the hills of Montecito with lush gardens and the perfect romantic setting. The Canary Hotel is located in the heart of down town Santa Barbara and offers close proximity to State Street shopping and is the only hotel in Santa Barbara with a roof top pool. Santa Barbara also has a variety of historically classic Victorian Bed & Breakfasts, with the Upham Hotel being my personal favorite. Santa Barbara’s championship Sand Piper Golf Course was rated Golfer’s Digest top twenty-five public golf courses in the county with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains from every hole. The Sand Piper features beautiful rolling fairways and challenging greens in a seaside links style layout.
LINKS
Four Seasons Biltmore
Fess Parker’s Double Tree
San Ysidro Ranch
Bacara Resort & Spa
Montecito Inn
Canary Hotel
Upham Hotel
Sand Piper Golf Course
Arts & Entertainment
Santa Barbara has long been known as a cultural hub for the celebration of the arts. The Granada Theatre, Arlington Theatre, and Lobero Theatre provide a historical refuge to enjoy live performances and music. The Granada Theatre features the Santa Barbara Symphony while the Lobero hosts various dance performances. Santa Barbara summers always have a large lineup of musical guests at the newly remolded Santa Barbara Bowl. Concerts at the bowl are truly spectacular because every seat in the house provides an ultimate view of the stage, city, and the Pacific Ocean. 
If it is art you are looking for, Santa Barbara’s Museum of Art holds a variety of collections and pieces from all over the world annually and features different exhibitions, events, and educational programs. The Art Museum also hosts their seasonal Nights At The Museum themed martini mixers where visitors can view the Museum’s current exhibition and socialize among colleges and friends over a drink. Newly added to the art scene is Santa Barbara’s First Thursdays of the month where on every first Thursday of the month, visitors and art lovers can tour Santa Barbara’s downtown galleries and venues to view local art for free over appetizers and wine. Feel like enjoying crafts and art at the beach? Every Saturday and Sunday, local artists post up along the beach front with creative gifts and crafts on Cabrillo Boulevard’s Art Walk. Santa Barbara is also home to the Natural History Museum that showcases Santa Barbara’s native wildlife and biological history. The Santa Barbara Natural History Museum features a planetarium and is home to many researchers and scientists. Santa Barbara’s Botanical Gardens and Montecito’s Lotus Land are the city’s ideal locations to preview native and exotic plant life. The Botanical Gardens is the perfect spot to learn about the various species of plants that reside in the Santa Barbara County area and also features its’ own California Red Wood Forest. Madam Gala’s Lotus Land is one of Montecito’s finest jewels with an astonishing collection of exotic plants from all over the world and supreme estate gardens.
Here for the weekend? Santa Barbara houses a large array of festivals that take place once every year. If you happen to be visiting over Memorial Day Weekend, or just feel like getting out of the house, take a trip to the Santa Barbara Mission and enjoy the Italian street painting festival I Madonnari. Local artists and community advocates gather at the base of the Mission steps and compose large pastel works of art that will simply take your breath away. Perhaps one of the most creatively expressed days out of the year is Santa Barbara’s Summer Solstice Parade. The Parade is the largest, single-day arts event in Santa Barbara County, drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from around the world. 
There is dancing, music, drumming and drama that enthralls the spectators to State Street to watch the parade followed by the party at Alameda Park. The Alameda Park is where everyone can enjoy a wonderful eclectic collection of live world music including famous local groups, food, arts and crafts. On Saturday only is a special free children’s festival and a DJ area for dancing and enjoying techno music and a large drum circle keeps the beat going all afternoon. Interested in learning about the cultural foundation Santa Barbara was built on? Participate in the first week of August’s annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta celebration. Old Spanish Days Fiesta is a Santa Barbara tradition that has continued for over 80 years. It fosters a unique spirit among locals who participate; it is an important coming together which encourages community cooperation, collaboration, and growth. Come see opening night “Fiesta Pequeña” at the Mission, sample the foods at the Mercados (which benefit local non-profits), enjoy the music and dance at Las Noches de Ronda in the beautiful Sunken Garden of the Courthouse, revel in the spills and thrills of the Rodeo, and watch one of the largest equestrian parades in the country.
LINKS
Granda Theatre
Lobero Theatre
Arlington Theatre
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Santa Barbara Bowl
Nights at the Museum
Santa Barbara Natural History Museum
First Thursday’s Art Tour
Calendar Of Events
Santa Barbara Film Festival
Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
Madam Ganna’s Lotus Land
I Madonnari Street Painting Festival
Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Summer Solstice Parade
Food & Wine
Santa Barbara has been blessed with amazing cuisine from all over the world. The following is a compilation of my favorite restaurants and dishes. Hope you enjoy!
Asian:
Arigato Sushi– Gold Shot, which is the local sea urchin dish
1225 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-6074
China Pavilion– Duck Rolls and the Singapore Noodles
1202 Chapala St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 560-6028
http://www.china-pavilion.com/
Mexican:
La Supa Rica Taqueria- Daily Specials,
new tamles with pork, doversole, or vegetarian
622 N Milpas St
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 963-4940
Italian:
Ca Dario– Ravioli and Rotisserie Chicken
37 E Victoria St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 884-9419
http://www.cadario.net/
Olio E Limone– homemade Duck Ravioli
17 W Victoria St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 899-2699
http://www.olioelimone.com/
Via Maestra 42– Italian deli, imported Gelato
3343 State Street
Santa Barbara, Ca 93105
805-569-6522
Bar & Steaks:
Lucky’s– New York style steak house, try the Pepper Steak
1279 Coast Village Rd
Montecito, CA 93108
(805) 565-7540
Holdrens– Monday Night Ribs
512 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-3363
http://www.holdrens.com/
Santa Barbara Brewing Co.- Burgers & Beer 
501 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 730-1040
http://www.sbbrewco.com/
Cafés:
Beachside Bar Café – on the sand, oyster bar
5905 Sandspit Rd
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 964-7881
Paradise Café– Oak Grilled Seafood & Chops
702 Anacapa St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 962-4416
http://www.paradisecafe.com/
Brophy Bros At The Harbor– oyster bar, best Shrimp Cocktail
119 Harbor Way
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 966-4418
http://brophybros.com/
Montecito Café– best value
1295 Coast Village Road
Montecito, California 93108
805-969-3392
http://www.montecitocafe.com/
Indian:
Spice Avenue– Buffet Lunch
1027 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-6004
http://www.spiceavenuesb.com/
For a more extensive dining guide, please visit:
http://www.santabarbara.com/dining/