Paul & Mercedes’ Guidebook
Food scene
Great ambiance for a date or romantic dinner, specializing in Lebanese and middle-eastern cuisine.
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Zaytoon
209 E Canon Perdido StGreat ambiance for a date or romantic dinner, specializing in Lebanese and middle-eastern cuisine.
Delicious Indonesian-Fusion restaurant (downtown - upper State St.)
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Sama Sama Kitchen
1208 State StDelicious Indonesian-Fusion restaurant (downtown - upper State St.)
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
2981 Cliff DrGood food right on a beautiful beach
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StExcellent Sushi restaurant downtown
Best Italian restaurant in Goleta. Sister restaurants in Santa Barbara, and Montecito.
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Ca'Dario Cucina Italiana
250 Storke RdBest Italian restaurant in Goleta. Sister restaurants in Santa Barbara, and Montecito.
Honor Bar
1255 Coast Village RdBest friend chicken sandwich ever!
Excellent vegan restaurant on the Mesa. Very creative dishes.
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Mesa Verde Restaurant
1919 Cliff DrExcellent vegan restaurant on the Mesa. Very creative dishes.
Oliver's
1198 Coast Village RdExcellent vegan/vegetarian restaurant with beautiful patio
Bettina
1014 Coast Village RdGreat pizzas
One of the best restaurants in SB (located in the Funk Zone - downtown SB).
*Make a reservation - they often book weeks in advance.
* If they are booked you can try still try and get a seat at the bar :)
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Loquita Santa Barbara
202 State StOne of the best restaurants in SB (located in the Funk Zone - downtown SB).
*Make a reservation - they often book weeks in advance.
* If they are booked you can try still try and get a seat at the bar :)
Milk & Honey
30 W Anapamu StTapas place & great cocktails (downtown - upper State St.)
Classic SB local seafood spot - great view of the Harbor - & best Bloody Mary's in town!
*The wait time is usually 30-45 min but they have a bar downstairs where you can wait - you can also walk along the breakwater until your table is called :)
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Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor WayClassic SB local seafood spot - great view of the Harbor - & best Bloody Mary's in town!
*The wait time is usually 30-45 min but they have a bar downstairs where you can wait - you can also walk along the breakwater until your table is called :)
Jeannine's Restaurant & Bakery
Great bakery & breakfast/brunch in Goleta - other locations in SB.
PANINO Goleta
5666 Calle RealGreat sandwiches (lunch only) - locations in Goleta & SB.
TAP Thai Cuisine
Great Thai food close by ;)
Authentic Mexican food - have been going here for 35 years - so good!
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La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StAuthentic Mexican food - have been going here for 35 years - so good!
Really tasty Mexican street style Taqueria. You can only get tacos here, but they are delicious. It's inexpensive, and even though there is often a line out the door, it moves really quickly and you get your food within 2 minutes of ordering. Only 1 vegetarian option available unfortunately. I highly recommend the adobada.
Lilly's Taqueria
Really tasty Mexican street style Taqueria. You can only get tacos here, but they are delicious. It's inexpensive, and even though there is often a line out the door, it moves really quickly and you get your food within 2 minutes of ordering. Only 1 vegetarian option available unfortunately. I highly recommend the adobada.
One of our favorites. Locally sourced ingredients, really interesting flavors and dishes. Highly recommend.
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Barbareño
205 W Canon Perdido StOne of our favorites. Locally sourced ingredients, really interesting flavors and dishes. Highly recommend.
Bars/Breweries/Wineries
Popular local's spot in the Funk Zone (downtown SB). They have really good food too.
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Lama Dog Tap Room + Bottle Shop
116 Santa Barbara StPopular local's spot in the Funk Zone (downtown SB). They have really good food too.
Former stagecoach stop in the mountains behind SB. Live music & famous trip-tip sandwiches on the weekends :)
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Cold Spring Tavern
5995 Stagecoach RdFormer stagecoach stop in the mountains behind SB. Live music & famous trip-tip sandwiches on the weekends :)
BEST BAR in Goleta (& maybe SB!).
Really cool speak-easy/mid-century ambiance - fab cocktails!
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The Imperial Lounge
320 S Kellogg AveBEST BAR in Goleta (& maybe SB!).
Really cool speak-easy/mid-century ambiance - fab cocktails!
Great Goleta brewery walking distance from our house!
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Captain Fatty's Brewery
6489 Calle RealGreat Goleta brewery walking distance from our house!
SAMsARA Wine Co.
6485 Calle RealReally good wine in Goleta, walking distance from our house!
Neighborhoods
Located on lower State Street, across from the beach & pier - lots of really good restaurants, bars, wineries, shops, and art galleries. Great place to walk around and spend the day- or night ;)
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The Funk Zone
137 Anacapa StLocated on lower State Street, across from the beach & pier - lots of really good restaurants, bars, wineries, shops, and art galleries. Great place to walk around and spend the day- or night ;)
Sightseeing
Take a tour of the historic Mission or just visit the Rose Garden (right in front of the Mission).
Great place to picnic.
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Mission Rose Garden
420 Plaza RubioTake a tour of the historic Mission or just visit the Rose Garden (right in front of the Mission).
Great place to picnic.
World-famous botanic garden & estate in Montecito.
You will need to schedule a visit.
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Lotusland
Cold Spring RoadWorld-famous botanic garden & estate in Montecito.
You will need to schedule a visit.
Beautiful botanic garden in the foothills of SB.
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Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon RdBeautiful botanic garden in the foothills of SB.
Walk along the breakwater for excellent views of SB. Brophy Bros (one of our favorite restaurants & bars) is here :)
Santa Barbara Harbor, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, i-United States
Walk along the breakwater for excellent views of SB. Brophy Bros (one of our favorite restaurants & bars) is here :)
Beautiful historic building with gardens and 360 degree view of SB from the clock tower.
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Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
1100 Anacapa StBeautiful historic building with gardens and 360 degree view of SB from the clock tower.
Beautiful botanic park in downtown SB with duck pond, lawn, & walking trails.
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Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens
1500 Santa Barbara StBeautiful botanic park in downtown SB with duck pond, lawn, & walking trails.
Double Dolphin Cruises
302 W Cabrillo BlvdLovely sunset cruises, or whale watching tours!
Beaches
Beautiful beach in Montecito.
Have a cocktail at the Biltmore' Four Season's bar after (Paul & Mercedes had their first date here).
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Butterfly Beach
Beautiful beach in Montecito.
Have a cocktail at the Biltmore' Four Season's bar after (Paul & Mercedes had their first date here).
Leadbetter Beach
Popular SB beach near the bottom of State street.
Best Goleta Beach - great kayaking & beginner surfing spot. Located in Isla Vista/UCSB campus.
Nice walking trail along the bluffs too!
Devereux Beach
Slough RoadBest Goleta Beach - great kayaking & beginner surfing spot. Located in Isla Vista/UCSB campus.
Nice walking trail along the bluffs too!
Trails/Walks
Beautiful park on the Mesa with nice (short) walking trail and views of SB beaches.
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Shoreline Park
Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa PlaceBeautiful park on the Mesa with nice (short) walking trail and views of SB beaches.
Only a block from our house!
Beautiful walking trails around the lake - keep your eyes peeled for swans, bunnies, coyotes (they aren't dangerous-just give them space), and hawks!
Lake Los Carneros, Goleta, CA 93117, i-United States
Only a block from our house!
Beautiful walking trails around the lake - keep your eyes peeled for swans, bunnies, coyotes (they aren't dangerous-just give them space), and hawks!
Beautiful intermediate hike in Montecito - great views.
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Cold Spring Trailhead
811 Cold Spring TrailBeautiful intermediate hike in Montecito - great views.
Lizards Mouth Rock
Great bouldering & great views of SB & Goleta
Santa Ynez Valley Wineries & Vineyards
The Santa Ynez Valley is famous for its wine production (recently named best wine region by Wine Enthusiast). Best known for pinot noirs (the film SIDEWAYS takes place here).
Best kept secret in the SB Wine Region - you will need to make a reservation.
Beautiful drive (about 45 min from our house) through the Santa Ynez Valley.
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Demetria Winery & Vineyard
6701 Foxen Canyon RdBest kept secret in the SB Wine Region - you will need to make a reservation.
Beautiful drive (about 45 min from our house) through the Santa Ynez Valley.
Great location/views (& wine!) 5 minutes outside Los Olivos.
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Rusack Vineyards
1819 Ballard Canyon RdGreat location/views (& wine!) 5 minutes outside Los Olivos.
Carhartt Vineyard
2939 Grand AveFun, young scene (& good wine!) in Los Olivos.