"The Lark, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. The Lark is well deserving of its reputation as one of Santa Barbara’s most popular restaurants. The name comes from the train of the Southern Pacific Railroad that serviced Santa Barbara from 1910 - 1968, and the restaurant is located in the old Santa Barbara Fish Market building. Their menus are locally sourced and responsibly grown, offering seasonal and staple items. Served family-style, their dished are intended for sharing. With a full bar you can get any drink you like, though I definitely suggest trying out one of the many fun cocktails they serve! What makes The Lark special beyond the incredible food and drink, is the aesthetic of the restaurant itself. They’ve got a great balance of indoor and outdoor seating, and visually impressive decor throughout. You can make reservations (highly recommended as this place fills up quick!) and they open for dinner at 5pm. Pictured are the crispy Brussel Sprouts, made with medjool dates, garum, sesame, and lime, which should definitely be the first thing you order once you're seated!"

"The Blue Door, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Three floors of well curated vintage and modern collections, with new items added daily, this store is a visual delight. They source most of their modern wares from local Santa Barbara companies. This is a great place to come just to window shop or to find a gift for yourself or that friend that likes something a little more unique and off-beat."

"One Thousand Steps Beach, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Not quite 1000 steps, but it can sure feel like it on your way back up! This tucked away little beach makes for a great sunset walk away from the crowds of the main beaches, but still close enough that you’re not too far away from all the downtown action. Depending on what time of year you visit, you might have a smooth and sandy experience, or a rocky and tide pool visit."

"Santa Barbara Public Market, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. A gourmet food court and market with something for everyone, with a focus on local farms and artisanal ingredients. Grab a bowl of soup from Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar, fresh fish from the Fish Market, sample some olive oil at il Fustino Oils and Vinegars, pick up a bottle of wine from the Wine + Beer cellar, fuel up on coffee from Green Star, and finish off with a sweet treat from Rori’s Artisanal Creamery (some say it’s better than McConnell’s?!) or Enjoy Cupcakes."

"Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. The oldest wharf in California, Stearns Wharf is a great place to walk out onto from downtown to get a little tourist-ing in and makes for a beautiful spot to watch the sun go down. Token touristy gift shops to get yourself a magnet or t-shirt (because we all need more of those!), restaurants, ice cream shop, and the Marine Center. Free parking for the first 90 minutes, there’s no excuse to not make a quick visit out to the wharf! Easy access to the Art walk on Sundays right off the wharf, and Skater’s Point."

"State Street, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. State Street is one of America’s most pedestrian-friendly downtowns. It has a large diversity of shopping choices, whether you are looking for national brands or indie boutiques, they’ve got it all. Give yourself plenty of time to spend walking up and down the street - stop and listen to a street performer, grab a bite from one of the many restaurants there are to choose from, buy yourself a thing or two. You can’t go wrong with a visit to State Street."

"Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Established in 1786, the Santa Barbara Mission gives visitors a look into the city's origins. To this day, it is one of Santa Barbara's main cultural and historical landmarks. It’s iconic structure, signature peach color, and beautiful grounds (the rose garden is fantastic when in season!), the Mission is a must visit when in SB, whether you decided to go on the paid tour or just explore the public areas on your own."

"Mony's Tacos, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. For a quick, tasty, and affordable bite in the Funk Zone, you can’t miss Mony’s. They fly under the radar, with La Super Rica being the best known Mexican spot in town, but Mony’s definitely ranks up there. Their salsa bar is like no other, offering varieties like pistachio salsa?! (it’s good!), peanut salsa (yep), habanero salsa, and more, along with a variety of tacos in the $2 price range. As a bonus, all orders eaten in include free chips and salsa! So stay for a while, try some salsas you maybe wouldn’t have tried before (or even known that they existed) and enjoy your food at one of their several outdoor tables."

"C'est Cheese, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Cheese is not the only thing you can get from here - they also have a wide offering of jams and other treats, and have a Bakery & Cafe! If you’re looking to impress your friends at your next wine & cheese party, definitely stop by C’est Cheese and taste some samples and buy a couple wedges. Some personal favorites: The Prima Donna, an aged gouda, or the Campo De Montalban, a three milk cheese similar to a Manchego."

"Mesa Verde, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. A vegetarian restaurant, but don’t let that deter you if you aren’t a full time vegetarian. Their menu is full of aspirational plant-based dishes, is 100% organic, and the restaurant itself is casual and welcoming with a very friendly staff. There are dishes on the menu influenced by the cuisines from Spain, Sicily, North Africa and the Middle East, and each dish is beautifully presented, tasting just as good as it looks. I recommend the Rajas Tacos, made with grilled poblano and spanish onion, black beans, smoked vegetables, butternut nacho cheese, pickled carrot, cilantro, radish and avocado, Or the Falafel sandwich, made with hummus, mixed greens, cucumber, mint, red onion, pickled beet and tahini. Yum!"

"McConnell's Ice Cream, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams was founded in Santa Barbara in 1949. Almost 70 years later, they are still making their ice creams in small batches, from scratch, with Central Coast, grass-grazed milk & cream that they pasteurize from raw at their creamery, which is located at The Old Dairy. In addition, they source all other ingredients from local partner farms, artisans, and purveyors. The end result is a rich, perfectly creamy ice cream with all sorts of exciting flavors, such as Sea Salt Cream and Cookies, Eureka Lemon and Marionberries, Toasted Coconut Almond Chip, with more being introduced seasonally. Check out their newest location on State Street, and order yourself something fancy like the La Tortuga or Breakfast of Champions."

"Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. The SB Courthouse is a must visit, especially if you’re not having to go for legal reasons! Built in 1926, the Santa Barbara Courthouse is a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival building that occupies an entire block and still functions today as both a place for local law and visitors to walk around it’s beautiful grounds. There are several areas open to the public, including: the Mural Room, the Law Library, the sunken garden, and the observation tower (saved the best for last). The whole building is interesting to walk around, but be sure to make it up to the Observation Tower, which is perhaps the best view you’ll get in all directions of Santa Barbara, with a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. It’s free to enter, and surrounded by plenty of 2-hour free parking spaces."

"Bree'Osh, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Bree’Osh is a new French bakery located on Coast Village Road in downtown Montecito. They’re named for their signature brioches, but they’ve got a slew of other brilliant french pastries on their menu that offer just the right amount of sweetness. The owners, who relocated from Paris, picked Montecito for it’s small town charm, and because it reminded them of where they came from in France. Open from 7am to 3pm, they serve the local roaster’s coffee (Handlebar Coffee Roasters) and offer a variety of savory breakfast and lunch items to choose from in addition to their pastries."

"La Super Rica Taqueria, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Katy Perry loves it, Julia Childs loves it, so there’s a pretty good chance you’ll love it too. Definitely the most well known Mexican food joint in Santa Barbara, come here and try one of their many taco offerings or daily specials. Try and come right when they open or on a weekday, as the line can get pretty long. Also, cash only! A must-try: La Super-Rica Especial (marinated pork and cheese-stuffed pasilla chile), or the Chilaquiles, tortilla chips covered in a spicy tomato broth sauce and topped with cheese and green onions (offered on Mondays and Thursdays only)."

"Handlebar Coffee Roasters, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Handlebar’s name comes from it’s founders shared love for cycling - they spent 10+ years as professional cyclists before joining the artisanal coffee movement! They opened Handlebar in 2011, providing Santa Barbara with a quality, sustainable artisanal coffee bar in an area of town that has become a hotspot for foodies. As with most eating establishments in Santa Barbara, they have a lovely outdoor patio that you should definitely take advantage of while you enjoy your coffee."

"Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Hidden away in a residential neighborhood in the foothills, this is the oldest museum in Santa Barbara (as of 2016 it’s been open for 100 years!). Upon parking and walking up to the museum you’ll be greeted by a skeleton display of “Chad,” a blue whale, the largest animal to exist on earth. Known best for it’s fine dioramas of birds, mammals, and southern California habitats, and also has halls dedicated to marine life, geology, and Chumash Indian life. A fun 2-3 hour visit can be had here."

"Los Agaves, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. When you have a little more time, and want something a little nicer, stop by Los Agaves for Mexican food in a more classy restaurant setting. Casual but elegant, and free chips and salsa! Upon entering the restaurant, you head to the counter to place your order then seat yourself in one of their dining room areas. You will definitely want to get here before the dinner rush, this place can get packed! Highly recommend the Agaves Enchiladas, made with fresh halibut and shrimp, red pepper and onions, topped with chipotle sauce, and served with rice and salad on the side."

"Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Located on 30 acres right next to the ocean in Santa Barbara, this zoo’s claim to fame used to be Gemina, the giraffe with the crooked neck (she passed in 2008). Although she’s not there anymore, this zoo is still great! It’s a little smaller than most zoos, but that’s ok because bigger zoos can sometimes get overwhelming. Beautiful scenery, lush landscapes, this zoo is well maintained and can be a very enjoyable experience for people of all ages."

"Trim Surf Shop, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. An unassuming little surfboard shop located just off of State Street. Come here to buy your next surfboard or a gift for a surfer friend, they’ve got just the right amount of product to choose from."

"Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Located along Channel drive right by the Ritz Carlton, this beach is low key and always a good time. Parking’s never really an issue, and at low tide it’s possible to walk all the way to East Beach. If you’d rather, you can also get here via the paved bike path that runs from the Wharf and stops here, it’s a really lovely ride. Unfortunately there are no public restrooms here, so plan accordingly."

"Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. A five star resort hotel hidden away in the hills above the Mission, with great views of the town and the ocean. Come here for a quiet and serene getaway. Enjoy some time at the pool, have a spa day, walk around the gardens, or just spend the day hidden away in one of their bungalows. Take a complimentary electric bike and make the short ride away to the mission or downtown. Also, heated marble floors in the bathrooms, and pet friendly?! Yes please."

"Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. A wonderful place to come spend a morning or afternoon strolling on one of their several footpaths. The Garden’s 78 acres are made up of mostly native plants, and have an amazing view of both the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Santa Barbara Channel islands. My favorite area is the Redwoods Section, nice and shady with those big beautiful trees towering over you. If you come in the spring, there might even be water in the stream nearby."

"Civilianaire, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. I stumbled upon this store on my most recent visit to Santa Barbara while getting some pastries from Bree’Osh, and I don’t know how I hadn’t already heard of it. Started by the duo behind Lucky Brand and Jean Shop, the shop has a great selection of quality clothing that is made in LA. As far as I know, this is their only storefront, but their product is sold in other stores. They're most well known for their Japanese Denim."

"Arroyo Burro Beach, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Otherwise known as Hendry’s Beach, another great beach in Santa Barbara to enjoy the waves or have a picnic with your family and friends. They have grills, free parking, and there's a dog friendly area of beach here too. Win, win."

"Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. A family owned Craft Beer tasting room in the Funk Zone. Established in the Santa Ynez Valley in 2010, this is a great place to come hang in the funk zone, enjoy a sports game from one of the TV's on the inside, or sit out on their patio for a more mellow hang out with friends. For your first visit, we recommend trying the FMB “101” Kolsch, inspired by the famous Highway 101, this ale is fermented like and ale and cold conditioned like a lager, crisp and clean with notes of fresh cut grass, hay, and mild sweet malt flavors paired with a light to medium body. Cheers!"

"Renaud's, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Renaud’s Almond Croissants are the truth! Come here in the morning to get one while they’re hot and fresh, but really they are the best at any time of day. Located in a more laid back part of town, in the Gelson’s shopping area, and right by Chaucer’s books. Grab a book and a croissant and you’ve got your afternoon made for you."

"Backyard Bowls, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Better life through better food. Backyard Bowls opened their first doors in Santa Barbara back in 2008, and have since grown to open 4 locations, including one in LA. Backyard Bowls offers one of the best acai bowls around, using only organic, sustainable, and locally produced ingredients in all of their menu items. I recommend Diego’s Power Bowl which has a base of acai, banana, strawberry, hemp protein, and peanut butter hemp milk, topped with banana, hemp seeds, granola, and honey. It’s healthy, tasty, and filling - the regular bowl size is definitely enough to fill you up, and if you want a smaller portion, the Berry or Island Bowl in the kids size are a great option!"

"Alice Keck Memorial Garden, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Alice Keck Park, aka turtle park. Come here to enjoy a nice walk around the grounds, check out the variety of flowers and plant life, and to see some (a lot!) of turtles, ducks and the occasional heron in the pond in the middle of the park. Meander around the walkway that goes around the whole park, there are plenty of hidden little nooks and benches where you can steal away a nice quiet moment to yourself. This park also borders Alameda Park, where you can enjoy even more open space and a rather large playground for the kids."

"Auto Camp, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Throwing it back to the 50s with an updated boutique Airstream hotel experience. Only two miles away from downtown, and each trailer comes with 2 beach cruiser bikes to roam around town with. Outfitted with all the amenities you’d need, Malin + Goetz toiletries in the bathroom (a plus!), and they have a handy guide to restaurants + attractions nearby."

"The Natural Cafe, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. A solid health food spot with three locations around Santa Barbara, The Natural offers a wide variety of menu items (plenty of vegetarian and vegan options) sure to please even the pickiest eater in your group. The vibe is casual and the service is fast. Some favorite menu items include the Nachos Grande, Spiritual Spinach Salad, KB’s Grilled Cheese, and S.B. Special Smoothie."

"Municipal Winemakers, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Our favorite wine stop in the SB Funk Zone. Quirky and fun old school interior, it’s located in the old Divers Den building (the sign is still up outside!), and has quite the art wall going on to your right when you first walk in. They have goal of making wine that is both beautifully packaged and easy to drink, and they’ve definitely achieved it so far. Come here to stay a while, bring a friend, sit out on their patio, try out a wine flight and have a good time while listening to the waves crash at the beach just a few steps away."

"Yellow Belly, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. A friend told me about Yellow Belly recently and I’m glad they did. A smaller restaurant, in a cozy, rustic space, a good go to when you’re just wanting an easy night out. The full name of the restaurant is Yellow Belly Tap Sucker Bar and Restaurant, which is a word play on a real bird named the Yellow Belly Sap Sucker, which can be found adorning their menu and other restaurant elements. Try the baked mac and cheese to start, made with gruyere, jack, parmesan and sharp cheddar, hearty and delicious."

"Lucky Penny, Santa Barbara by Amanda Proudfit. Made to order wood-fired pizza from a penny covered building in the Funk Zone. Take your 'za to go, or enjoy it at one of their outdoor back patio tables. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they’ve got you covered all day long for fast, fresh, and tasty food. I recommend the Lucky Penny Classic - made with the very flavorful san marzano marinara, salami, mozzarella, fresh oregano, and chili flakes."