This Cali city is often outshone by buzzy L.A. to the south, which makes it perfect for a quieter coastal getaway. New hotels, a great restaurant scene and architecture with Mediterranean flair — you may have found your new favorite destination.
Keep reading for our guide to Santa Barbara!
Where to Stay:
New: Drift
Recently opened in downtown Santa Barbara, Drift is a 45-room boutique hotel. The minimalist design aesthetic is coastal cool with a dose of Baja sun, featuring raw materials like concrete and steel, plus organic accents in linen, wicker and jute. There are two restaurants on-site, Dawn and Dusk, and the hotel has bicycles available for guests.
524 State St.
Classic: El Encanto
This Belmond hotel is one of Southern California’s most iconic properties. Cali Craftsman and Spanish Revival architecture are on full display across 92 bungalows and suites. You’ll want to spend time enjoying the vast property, from the lush gardens to the spa to the breathtaking views — it sits above the Pacific Ocean in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
800 Alvarado Pl.
Where to Eat
New: Gala
This eclectic restaurant has a Spanish-influenced, tapas-style menu that changes daily, depending on what’s in season. Past dishes have included duck confit, fried green tomatoes and crunchy “Coca,” a spin on Catalan flatbread. Take advantage of happy hour, where the house special margarita is a favorite.
705 Anacapa St.
Classic: Loquita
A staple in the city’s Funk Zone neighborhood, Loquita has been serving up Spanish cuisine for almost a decade. Last year, chef Sergei Simonov arrived to reinvigorate the classics, including pan con tomate, pulpo and seasonal paella.
202 State St.
What to See:
New: Bellosguardo
Painter and philanthropist Huguette Clark left this stately, 1930s villa to the Bellosguardo Foundation. Finally, the restoration project is complete and the nine-hectare estate is open for tours. Booking ahead is essential; go online to get the details.
1407 East Cabrillo Blvd.
Classic: Sullivan Goss — An American Gallery
This independent gallery is especially exciting for those looking to start or expand their personal art collections. Focused on American painters and sculptors such as Holli Harmon and Nicole Strasburg, the gallery has a small team that curates about 20 exhibitions per year that are sure to inspire.
11 East Anapamu St.
Where to Shop:
New: Jenni Kayne Home
The beloved California lifestyle brand that puts the ease into easy living recently opened a new home store in Montecito. You’ll find a range of items including candles, throw pillows, vases and furniture, all in the soothing, neutral palette the brand is known for.
525 San Ysidro Rd., Suite I, Montecito, Calif.
Classic: Maison K
A fragrant garden, including lavender shrubs and olive trees, greets visitors at this elegant boutique. Owner Kimberly Phillips Hayes brings together a collection of home goods inspired by her travels — find pieces such as foldable chairs made in Morocco and shell mirrors from Syria.
1253 Coast Village Rd., Suite 205, Montecito, Calif.
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