Avi's Ultimate Guide to Santa Barbara

By Avi Becker

One of my favorite aspects of my job is getting to show off my favorite town to a wide range of people from different places, of all ages, and from diverse backgrounds. I still remember my first visit to Santa Barbara in 2012 and how I fell in love with UCSB, dreaming of attending, toes in the sand, at Goleta Beach. I didn't learn as much about SB proper until after I graduated, but living on the West Side for 2 years and then downtown for the last 6+ has really helped me find my go-to spots, even though there are still always more to discover.

Morning Movement and Caffeine:

Swell (SB Athletic Club): I'm fortunate enough to live within walking distance of Swell's downtown location, making it my go-to for a morning workout. Swell offers a day pass for $20 if you're accompanied by a member or $40 if not, though a member can occasionally score you a two-week trial. Core Power Yoga sits along the same stretch of State Street, offering drop-in classes across a range of yoga styles for those who'd rather stretch than sweat.

Handlebar Coffee: After your workout, walk, skip, or drive back to Handlebar Coffee for one of the best coffees, matchas, or chais in town. It's the perfect way to properly energize for the day ahead, and the walk down State Street is a nice bookend to the morning; quiet storefronts, morning light, and just enough people-watching to ease you into the day.

Hidden Gems Brunch:

Luna's Cafe: Tucked into 1218 Santa Barbara St., Luna's Cafe is a family-owned spot run by Federico and Nancy DeJesus alongside their kids, Kayla and Eyssy, serving traditional American breakfast fare alongside Mexican specialties like huevos rancheros, huevos a la Mexicana, and some of the best chilaquiles in town. They also run Thursday specials featuring tri-tip and seafood omelets for those in the know. Plus, the name has a sweet story behind it — it's named after the family's shih tzu, Luna.

Noe's Cafe: Noe's Cafe sits at 129 E Anapamu St., right across from the Sunken Garden in the courthouse district, occupying a space with a long lineage of Santa Barbara restaurants before it. This family-owned café serves homemade dishes built from recipes passed down through generations, with a casual, diner-style counter-service format perfect for a quick breakfast or leisurely brunch. They're currently gearing up to add a happy hour to the lineup, so you can extend your visit well past brunch.

Lunch with an Option and Vibe for Everyone:

Linden Square: A fast-casual food hall built around a tree-shaded courtyard at 700 Linden Ave., Linden Square packs the possibilities into one stop — Corazon Cocina Sur for chef-driven Guadalajaran fare, Tina's Pizza (Bettina's little sister from Montecito) for naturally leavened pies and salads, and Third Window Brewing Co. for ranch-inspired barbecue and beer, all rounded out by Dart Coffee Co. for a caffeine fix before or after. Everyone orders at the counter and finds a seat in the shared courtyard, so a group with wildly different cravings can all walk away happy — and the patio is dog-friendly, so no one has to sit this one out. Plus, the space is anchored by a mural from local artist Benjamin Anderson celebrating Carpinteria's native wildlife, so there's plenty to take in between bites.

Weekend Special - Surf & Sun:

Rincon Point: Known as the "Queen of the Coast," Rincon sits right at the Santa Barbara/Ventura county line and is one of California's most legendary pointbreaks, with three sections — Indicator, Rivermouth, and The Cove — that can connect into one long ride on a good winter swell. Access is easy off Bates Road, with parking on either side and Rincon Park County Beach across the street for a wider stretch of sand to post up on after your session. Plus, the break has deep roots in surf history, first ridden by Santa Barbara lifeguard Gates Foss in the 1930s and later shaped by Malibu legends like Bob Simmons and homegrown talent like Tom Curren.

Dinner Spots You Don't Want to Miss:

Clark's Oyster Bar (Montecito): Clark's brought its coastal American concept — born in Austin and grown through Aspen and Houston — to Coast Village Road, and the oyster program is the main event, alongside crudo, lobster rolls, and daily catch specials. Housed in a Spanish Colonial Revival building reimagined by Santa Barbara architect Jeff Shelton, it's the kind of spot where a dozen oysters and a martini turn into a whole evening. Plus, half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays make it an easy excuse to come back.

Barbareño: Barbareño sits at the corner of Canon Perdido and De La Vina — fittingly, the same spot where the first avocados in the U.S. were grown back in 1871 — and builds its menu entirely around Central Coast traditions, from Santa Maria-style barbecue to seasonal, locally sourced small plates. The heated outdoor patio wrapped around the crank-wheel BBQ station is the move, especially with the smell of red oak smoke in the air. Plus, the wine list changes almost daily, so no two visits ever feel quite the same.

Buena Onda: Buena Onda is a family-run spot on E Haley St. serving authentic, handmade Argentinian empanadas out of a wood-fired oven, built on a farm-to-table approach with grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, and local produce. It's a laid-back, unpretentious dinner that still feels like a full experience, especially with the chimi papas on the side. Plus, they occasionally host live tango nights, turning dinner into a bit of a show.

Evening Live Music:

Santa Barbara Bowl: Carved into the hillside in 1935 as a WPA project, the Santa Barbara Bowl has grown from its Old Spanish Days Fiesta roots into a 4,562-seat amphitheater that's hosted everyone from Bob Marley and Joni Mitchell to more recent sold-out nights from Olivia Rodrigo and HAIM. The venue delivers a rare combination — panoramic ocean views and sunset at the show's start, then an intimate hillside setting once the lights come up and the music kicks in. Plus, it's walkable to Milpas Street's Taco Trail beforehand, including La Super-Rica, famously Julia Child's favorite taco spot.

"The world is all gates, all opportunities" — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nowhere have I found that statement truer than in Santa Barbara's side streets, family-run cafés, and unmarked beaches. I hope you enjoy trying out my Ultimate Guide to Santa Barbara. Go make the day yours!

With Love,

Avi