A Santa Barbara Excursion
- Jasper Shelmerdine
- 19 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Ava Moxley '29
Spring Family Weekend has arrived, and here are some of the places to visit with families. There’s something on this list for everybody!
Downtown Santa Barbara:
Downtown Santa Barbara is always bustling with life. Begin your day at Alessia Patisserie on Canon Perdido just off Santa Barbara Street. They offer a great selection of pastries, as well as a creative take on classic brunch and breakfast items. Afterward, pop into Jake & Jones and browse their curated fashion offerings. Right around the corner are The Eddy and The Cheese Shop, where you can pick up provisions for a picnic lunch to be enjoyed later in the day at the Old Mission Santa Barbara.
From top to bottom: Alessia Patisserie, Domecil.
Then, head north towards Anapamu Street, where you can choose between browsing at small galleries, such as 10 West Gallery and Sullivan Goss An American Gallery, or go to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Current exhibitions at the SBMA include “RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY: Internet Art,” “Remixed: Entwined Histories & New Forms,” and “By Achilles’ Tomb: Elliott Hundley and Antiquity.” On the walk over, be sure to stop by the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Gardens and check out the gorgeous landscaping and architecture. If you have a moment, definitely head up to the observation deck to take advantage of the amazing 360-degree view of Santa Barbara. Mr. Knecht states, “The clock tower in SB's historic courthouse is iconic, with amazing views of the area. It's free!” It’s the perfect place for a family photo! By now, you may be ready for lunch.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse Gardens
At the Old Mission Santa Barbara, enjoy a relaxing picnic with the delightful items you picked up earlier. You can also treat yourself and organize a catered meal courtesy of local chef Karen Grier. Chef Grier will help you create a menu and drop off a packed picnic basket and blanket. She makes amazing pot pies and steak sandwiches. The Mission is a wonderful environment to spend time in, and an iconic part of Santa Barbara culture. The Mission was founded on December 4, 1786, and is known as the “Queen of the missions,” representing both Spanish colonial architecture and the native Chumash people’s history. Adjacent to the Old Mission Santa Barbara is the Mission Rose Garden with over 1500 rose bushes, which bloom in late April! When you are ready for a break, consider grabbing a donut and coffee at Hook & Press. They have many creative donut options, ranging from the everything bagel to the malted milk chocolate pretzel to the simple browned butter. It’s a town favorite.
Walk around State Street and explore shops, including the Knit Shop, Domecil, and Idyll Mercantile. One favorite destination is the Paseo Nuevo mall. If you’re lucky, the Makers Market, featuring local makers and artisans at the Paseo Nuevo mall, might be taking place. These take place on various weekends throughout the year. To end the day, dress up and head to dinner at Gala on Anacapa Street for a delicious, Spanish-inspired menu. Consider ordering the quinoa and potato hashbrowns with salmon gravlax, or the grilled Spanish octopus. Afterward, you can attend a show at the Granada Theatre or the Santa Barbara Bowl. Charlie Puth will be performing at the Santa Barbara Bowl on April 25, so make sure to get your tickets early!
Funk Zone & Wharf:
The Funk Zone is another fun and lively Santa Barbara neighborhood! Start your day off at Helena Avenue Bakery, located in the historic Santa Barbara Fish Market building at 131 Anacapa Street. Sample their selection of freshly-made pastries, breads, and breakfast items. Favorite pastries include the tiramisu cruffin and their generously sized cinnamon roll. Afterward, head over to Candle Bar 111, where you can take a 1-hour candle-making class and create your own custom scented candle. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. If you are traveling with younger kids, be sure to plan a visit to the MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. It is a great place to engage in hands-on, interactive fun. And don't forget to check out the eclectic offering of shops in the Funk Zone, including the ShopKeepers Boutique and Tendrel for fashion and accessories, and Mid Mod and Blue Door Vintage Shops for home goods and furniture.
Left to right: Helena Avenue Bakery, ShopKeepers Boutique.
Take a lunch break at Oku for some incredible sushi and Asian inspired dishes. Be sure to get a seat on the patio for a view of the water and some people watching (dogs are welcome on the patio)! Some favorite items on their menu include the crouching tiger roll, XO grilled shrimp on garlic noodles, and the A5 Miyazaki wagyu and portobello gyoza. After a satisfying lunch, make your way to Stearns Wharf and stop by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, peruse various gift shops, and grab a sweet treat at The Great Pacific Ice Cream Company or Mother Stearns Candy.
Stearns Wharf
Want a little more of an outdoor experience? One activity to do is kayaking in the Santa Barbara Harbor at the Paddle Sports Center. You can kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or surf and go out to the buoys to see the seals and sea lions lounging. Or if you’re really feeling adventurous, maybe you will attempt the challenge of kayaking all the way out to the oil rigs! Whale watching is another popular activity. Although it takes an entire day, it's worth it! In late April, Pacific Gray whales will be migrating back from Alaska, making this a great time for whale watching.
End your day with dinner at The Lark, which offers fresh, creative, family-style dishes made with local, high-quality ingredients. Be sure to sample snacks such as the dill pickle popcorn and brown butter rosemary cornbread, or try entrees including the New Orleans shrimp toast and Jidori free-range fried chicken!
I hope you found this guide useful. Enjoy your time in Santa Barbara!
Mentioned in the Article | |
Downtown Santa Barbara: | Funk Zone/Wharf: |
Other Suggestions | |
Breakfast & Brunch: Lunch & Dinner: Sweets & Snacks:
| Coffee & Beverage: Outdoors Activities:
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*Cate Faculty & Student Favorites!
Special thanks to Mr. Cordero, Ms. Cruz Santana, Dr. Kellogg, Mr. Knecht, Ms. Mack, Ms. Newlove, Ms. Song, Ellie Daly ‘29, Malcolm Gray ‘28, Georgia MacPhail ‘29, Paloma Rudnicki ‘27, and Ian Sheshunoff ‘26 for their suggestions!
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