| Santa Barbara California, with its beautiful beaches, | | | | The Breakwater Restaurant. Located in the harbor, |
| Spanish style architecture and excellent wineries, is an | | | | their food is good (I recommend ordering the Catch of |
| outstanding city to vacation in. Of course, when one is | | | | the Day) and the view of the marina from their patio is |
| on vacation, one of the most important decisions to be | | | | gorgeous. This is a popular breakfast spot, but it's also |
| made each day is this: "Where shall we eat?" | | | | a good place to go for lunch or dinner. After a |
| Fortunately, Santa Barbara has an abundant number | | | | satisfying meal, you can enjoy a stroll along the |
| and variety of restaurants to choose from. As | | | | breakwater and take in views of the marina and the |
| someone who grew up there, I recommend The | | | | Pacific Ocean. |
| following restaurants, roughly listed in descending order | | | | If your in the mood for Mexican food, La Playa Azul |
| of price. | | | | Cafe is a moderately priced restaurant with an |
| For fine French/Californian food, the best place to go is | | | | attractive patio and a varied menu of Mexican |
| Bouchon, which serves what they have dubbed "wine | | | | standards and more unusual fare such as "callo de |
| country cuisine." The Bouchon website explains that: | | | | acha con cebolla y jalapenos," which is scallops |
| "Only the freshest, high quality local ingredients find their | | | | sauteed with onions, tomatoes, tomatillos, and |
| way into the Bouchon Santa Barbara kitchen. Working | | | | jalapenos. They also make great margaritas. |
| closely with local produce growers, fishermen and | | | | Another place popular with locals is a funky little taco |
| game ranchers we have created a menu we believe | | | | stand called La Super Rica Taqueria. It is famous for |
| captures the essence of California's Central Coast." | | | | being a favorite of Julia Child's. She even mentioned it |
| Bouchon's signature dish is duck breast, and they also | | | | in an article she wrote about Santa Barbara for |
| offer rack of lamb, venison, and seafood, with an | | | | National Geographic's Traveler, in which she called La |
| extensive selection of Santa Barbara County wines. | | | | Super Rica, "one of the most authentic Mexican |
| Another dining spot of deservedly good repute is | | | | home-cooking restaurants around." |
| Louie's California Bistro. It is located on the first floor of | | | | If you visit Santa Barbara, one place you should not |
| the the beautiful Upham Hotel, which is housed in an old | | | | miss is Stearns Wharf. The best place to eat on the |
| Victorian built in 1871. At Louie's, you can enjoy | | | | wharf is the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, a crab |
| sumptuous California cuisine--paired with Santa | | | | and shellfish shop were you can get steamed crab or |
| Barbara County, Napa, or Sonoma Valley wines--on its | | | | lobster with a pint of draft beer to enjoy on a picnic |
| attractive porch or in the cozy wood-floored dining | | | | table at the end of the wharf. If you just want to grab |
| room, served up with friendly elegance. | | | | a burger, the best place to go is Char West, also |
| The Seagrass Restaurant is owned by Mitchell | | | | located on Stearns Wharf. They have tasty grilled |
| Sjerven, who is also the proprietor of Bouchon. | | | | burgers and a much better ocean view than a burger |
| Seagrass serves fresh seafood and the evening | | | | joint has a right to. |
| specials all conveniently have suggested wine pairings | | | | The best place to go for a good cup of coffee is The |
| of, for the most part, local wines. Here is a description | | | | French Press, conveniently located on State Street, |
| from the website: | | | | Santa Barbara's main drag. The French Press simply |
| "The ambience at Seagrass was designed to be | | | | makes the best cup of coffee in town. |
| incredibly easy on the eyes and ears. Beautiful | | | | One local treat you should not miss is a McConnell's |
| Seagrass wall covering, plantation shutters and white | | | | ice cream cone. If you're in the mood for something |
| wainscoting are enjoyed in luxurious chairs, while high | | | | cold, sweet and delicious, McConnell's in the place: they |
| vaulted ceilings and carpet underneath keep the noise | | | | make the best ice cream I have ever tasted |
| level to a comfortable hum." | | | | anywhere. |
| The moderately priced Italian restaurant Ca Dario was | | | | As far as nightspots go, I recommend Joe's Cafe. |
| chosen by locals as the best restaurant overall in | | | | Joe's has been a Santa Barbara institution since 1928. It |
| Santa Barbara in 2010. It has delicious Italian food and a | | | | is a massive place with great tasting, down to earth |
| great wine list offering both Californian and Italian | | | | food, a raucous atmosphere, and the stiffest drinks in |
| wines. | | | | town. |
| For ambiance at an affordable price, it's hard to beat | | | | |