One day, one street! Stroll down State Street in Santa Barbara, California.
Santa Barbara is often referred to as “The American Riviera” for its similarities to the famous stretch of coastline, the French Riviera, in the south of France. Both beckon visitors with a unique combination of beach bum coastal and Hollywood luxe. Nowhere is the mixture of eclectic art, coastal elegance, and old-world Mediterranean style more apparent than in the heart of downtown on State Street.
**Disclaimer**
The businesses and events highlighted are in no way a “Best Of…” list. They are simply places and activities our Savvy Cali Girl contributors have deemed worthy of a shout out. If you want us to tell our readers about your favorite place, tag us with #scgplacestogo and we’ll catch you next time we come through town!
Get Your Morning Mojo with Joe’s Cafe in Santa Barbara
www.joescafesb.com/@joescafesb
Joe’s Cafe is the oldest restaurant in the city of Santa Barbara. It’s located just blocks from the beach on south State Street. So if you park near the water you’ll have the option to either start or end your day at Joe’s Cafe.
Their hearty American style breakfast will fuel your stroll through iconic downtown Santa Barbara.
On the other hand, if you choose to end your day at Joe’s, you’ll still get a great meal and maybe even a stiff cocktail. The friendly ambiance makes Joe’s Cafe a local favorite that stands the test of time.
Eats & Treats at Lilac Patisserie
www.lilacpatisserie.com/@lilacpatisserie
If you or any close friends or relatives have celiac disease, or simply avoid gluten, make sure you don’t miss Lilac Patisserie.
This dedicated gluten-free bakery & cafe is run by a husband and wife team that knows first hand what it takes to operate a truly gluten-free facility. A rare treat in a world of gluten-filled delights, the cafe is open from 8-5 daily and till 7 pm on Saturdays.
Dairy-free or vegan? Lilac Patisserie has plenty of options for you as well. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, a light dinner, or a special dessert, the award-winning bakery will have you dancing with delight at the prospect of a worry-free occasion.
Fun In The Sun – Eat This Shoot That Walking Tour, Santa Barbara
www.EatThisShootThat.com/@etstfoodtour
Now, like many services these days, it’s easy to book online. Meet your tour guide at the south end of State Street for a 3-hour stroll through Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone.
The city’s most art-focused and eclectic neighborhood is sandwiched between State Street and the beach. You’ll eat, walk, and photograph your way through some of the most Instagram worthy spots on dry land.
Samples are plentiful enough to count for lunch, and the walk is easy and open to all ages and abilities. Tour guides will even do their very best to accommodate special dietary needs.
Commune with Nature – Cat Therapy Cafe
www.cattherapysb.com/@cattherapysb
You’ve walked and eaten, and walked and eaten some more, so it’s time to curl up with a furry friend.
Cat Therapy describes itself as an innovative social space that doubles as a cage-free cat sanctuary. Not only do you get to snuggle the adorable animals, but the small donation you make to stop by and visit helps keep 12-20 rescued cats from being euthanized. Of course, all of the cats are available to adopt, but it’s not required to visit.
Grab a specially discounted coffee or smoothie from their partner Brasil Arts Cafe (located nearby). Then you can sip and pet your way through an afternoon meditation.
Santa Barbara Mission
If you visit Santa Barbara, of course State Street is awesome. But if you’d like to step away from the food and shopping for a moment, the Santa Barbara Mission is not only beautiful but quite peaceful. On a more recent trip through the Central Coast we stopped at the mission as the sun peaked up over the mountains in the early morning. It was just one stop for our road trip blog post exploring all of the missions in California.
Rest & Recharge in Santa Barbara at Hotel Indigo
www.indigosantabarbara.com/@hotelindigosb
When you’ve eaten and shopped your way down State Street and you’re ready to rest your head, there are plenty of options for every style and budget.
We like Hotel Indigo for its European approach to modern, eco-conscious design. This boutique hotel features space-efficient micro rooms that use a small footprint. Despite their size, the rooms are surprisingly comfortable and luxurious with all of the standard amenities.
Pet-friendly, and reasonably priced for the area, Hotel Indigo is at the south end of State Street. It is walking distance to just about everything including the train station.
