From botanical bliss to MICHELIN-starred seafood, the laid-back luxury of Santa Barbara delivers a deep dive into California’s most photogenic coastal enclave

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Word of Mouth: Santa Barbara

From botanical bliss to MICHELIN-starred seafood, the laid-back luxury of Santa Barbara delivers a deep dive into California’s most photogenic coastal enclave

Emily Gerard

20 June 2025

Nothing says “vacation’s begun” like an open-air airport. Landing in Santa Barbara’s beautiful terminal to spectacular vistas of palm trees and the surrounding Santa Ynez mountains definitely does the trick. Santa Barbara, with its year-round perfect weather, idyllic beaches and thriving culture scene is a paradise for just about everyone. “In the winter, you can be underneath a palm tree at the beach or at the harbor, and look up at the mountains just behind the city and see snow. To me, that’s pretty amazing,” says antiques dealer Kat Laurain, a lifelong resident. Laurain also runs a popular Airbnb in Montecito where countless celebrities—from Oprah to Prince Harry and Gwyneth Paltrow—are neighbors. “Plus,” she adds, “every day of the week there’s a different farmer’s market, with fresh produce that’s grown within 10-20 miles. Delicious!” In such an ideal growing climate, local delicacies get top billing at Santa Barbara’s many standout restaurants. Here are some favorite ways to make the most of your visit. 

Palihouse Santa Barbara

Palisociety hotels are proudly one-of-a-kind and neighborhood-centric. Palihouse Santa Barbara epitomizes American Riviera flair with an old-school preppy twist. Think mismatched prints, bold wallpaper, vintage furniture and art, and coffee table books to flip through in the beautifully appointed common spaces. A charming Mediterranean-style courtyard dotted with millennial pink umbrellas and potted plants is a popular spot for lazy breakfasts and lunch meetings by the fountain. 24 romantic rooms offer views of a tucked-away pool, enhancing the feeling you’ve found an oasis in the middle of the historic Presidio neighborhood. 

El Encanto

Belmond hotels never disappoint, and El Encanto, perched high in the Santa Barbara hills overlooking the Pacific, is no exception. It’s a glamorous yet relaxed hideaway where Mediterranean charm meets California cool, woven into the fabric of the local social scene for over a century. Find tranquility strolling through seven acres of lush gardens filled with citrus trees, in the zero-edge outdoor pool, or sitting down for the Botanica Afternoon Tea. El Encanto partnered with Magic Hour tea to create a menu of custom-blend herbs and adaptogens designed for your sun sign. Paired with ocean views and elegant bites of beef Wellington and crab Louie, it’s been an iconic part of a visit here since 1918. 

Handlebar Coffee 

An ideal morning in town begins with cold brew at Handlebar Coffee, a beloved local shop that’s always busy. Grab a bag or two of beans at the register to take home or give as gifts. Then pop next door to Alessia Patisserie, where you can sit down for a decadent brunch of duck hash or take a colorful croissant to go. The European-style pastry case is hard to resist. 

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Next year, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Nestled in the foothills of the Mission Canyon neighborhood above Santa Barbara, it was the first botanic garden in the United States to focus exclusively on native plants. Over five miles of scenic trails take visitors through different growing zones, from desert to island and chaparral habitats, and even a peaceful redwood forest—it’s a great place to hear yourself think or ponder nature’s beauty. Spring and early summer is poppy season, when the wildflower meadow at the entrance bursts into bloom. Framed by the Santa Ynez mountain range in the background, it’s a view and a photo opp that’s certain to take your breath away. 

Santa Barbara Whale Watching Cruise 

A cruise along the gorgeous Santa Barbara coastline on the Double Dolphin, a 50-foot catamaran with a bar on board, is the perfect way to get out on the water and see some marine life. The sea lions in the harbor are likely to put on a show as the boat passes by, but if the whales don’t oblige, it’s free to come back and try your luck on a different day. 

Loquita

With remnants of its Spanish colonial era everywhere and a decidedly Mediterranean climate, no visit to Santa Barbara would be complete without a great Spanish meal. Loquita is meant to be a love letter to the city’s Spanish origins and history, showcasing top-notch tapas and special occasion-worthy paella. Start with a jamón tasting or add some to your croquetas or patatas bravas. The wine list hails almost exclusively from Spain, or choose one of many Spanish vermouths and sangria options. It’s not a surprise Loquita is in the 2025 MICHELIN guide.

The Lark

Near the waterfront, a 19th century manufacturing hub dominated by warehouses and fish processing plants has transformed into the Funk Zone arts district. Cap off a day exploring its studios and natural wine bars with a meal at The Lark. Another 2025 MICHELIN guide choice, the restaurant highlights local wineries, farms, and ocean bounty in hearty family-style portions. Executive chef Jason Paluska has a particular affinity for Southern dishes, like the exemplary hot honey fried chicken and grits, and wildly flavorful New Orleans shrimp toast with andouille sausage.

Cultured Abalone Farm 

For an inside look at the incredible effort it takes to raise the red abalone and purple urchin present on so many of Santa Barbara’s restaurant menus, sign up for an eye-opening tour at Cultured Abalone Farm. Here, abalone are raised from the spawning stage all the way through harvest, a process that can take over a decade. An elaborate tank system with sea water from the Santa Barbara channel and kelp from local coastal kelp beds, the farm is the premier domestic producer of high-quality live red abalone and a key player in the future of California’s sustainable seafood economy. The purple urchin, meanwhile, are collected from the wild by commercial divers. In their native environment, the insatiable creatures consume everything in their paths and then starve, creating ocean “deserts” when kelp doesn’t have a chance to grow back. At the farm, they feast on natural seaweeds for a few months, which makes them sweet and plump for eating.