p987yow

Will be travelling to Sanata Barbara for an extended weekend vacation. Looking for suggetions on hotels (have stayed at the Canary), gourmet restaurants and local favorites. TIA

seapar

Of course there is the Biltmore. But we recently stayed at the holiday inn expression Haley downtown. Great location. Former historic hotel.

mattyf

I agree the Biltmore is very nice. It's a great place... but for hotels, I really like El Encanto. It's not your typical place, kind of up the hill and secluded... but very magical. Kennedy's used to take vacay there back in the day. Also the restaurant quite good.

Citronelle was the best place to eat, but sadly it's now closed.

SBPORSCHE

Hard to beat the restaurants out on the pier.....for dinner looking back at the moutains...or drive 30 minutes to cold springs tavern and eat up on the mountains

SBPORSCHE

Most of the hotels along cabrillo are really nice....like the double tree...
Dont miss cars and coffee in montecito on coast village road every sun from 8-10

Spyerx

Where do you want to stay? In the city area proper or near by? San Ysidro ranch is very nice, Montage, the biltmore. For food, the biltmore restaurant is OK, Bouchon is good, Wine Cask has been there a long time.

We tend to stay in the valley though, closer to the wine. We like fess parkers, ballard inn, sometimes the marriott if for a quick weekend trip. Ballard Inn restaurant, mattei's tavern. There are a few in the valley that are good. Make sure to get a tri-tip at Cold Springs Tavern (hidden gem). Only on weekends!

911 Crazy

Santa Barbara Inn. Right across the street from the beach and Fess Parker's. Nice rooms and views. Stayed for a week there last year. Jealous!

Giacomo007

Having lived there for almost 4 years and having to go back for business quite often, I recommend the Canary Hotel. As a back up, the Oceana is pretty nice and located right across from the beach.

Lucky's in Montecito for steak
Trattoria Victoria for Italian.
Hungry Cat and Millk & Honey for contemporary
Sakana in Montecito for sushi
Arigato in downtown for sushi
Jeanine's, Tupelo Junction, or Lucky's for breakfast
Oh.. Olio Pizzeria is great. Though, not as good as Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix....

Coming from Chicago and spending a huge amount of time eating and drinking a various places, I consider myself a pretty good judge of quality.

Hope that helped

p987yow

Thanks for the suggestions!

late67

I also lived in Santa Barbara for a few years and here are my recommendations:

Favorite Restaurant:
Julienne - http://restaurantjulienne.com/

Classic Santa Barbara:
Brophy Brothers - http://www.brophybros.com/

Favorite Italian:
Ca Dario - www.cadario.net/

Best Breakfast:
Tupelo Junction - http://www.tupelojunction.com/

Best Breakfast Burrito (in the world):
the Cantina (about 15 minutes north in Isla Vista/UCSB)
http://www.cantinaiv.com/

Best Fast Food:
SilverGreens - http://www.silvergreens.com/
Habit Burger - http://www.habitburger.com/

Best Cocktails:
The Hungry Cat - http://www.thehungrycat.com/
Food is also very good.

Strongest Cocktails:
Joe's Cafe - http://www.joescafesb.com/

Giacomo007

Join Date: May 2004
Location: socal
Posts: 1

Talk about a lurker.... great suggestions, btw.

late67

Thanks Giacomo. I agree with your selections as well. Santa Barbara is a very charming and unique place, my wife and I really enjoyed our time there. As it is a small town I wonder how many times we may have crossed paths.

Edgy01

Do NOT eat at the restaurants on the pier. Avoid at all costs.

Go nearby to the FishHouse restaurant on Cabrillo Blvd.

Call me when you hit town and I can clue you in depending upon your tastes.

Been here for about 45 years so I know what to avoid. If you like steak, the Tee Off is the place. For fish, the FisHouse or Enterprise Fish Company.

Recommend the Canary Hotel as well on Chapala/Carillo.

Best out of town (a bit) is Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos.

805 452 5797

stumil

Dining outdoors at The Stonehouse restaurant at San Ysidro Ranch is one of my favorite places on earth. Beautiful views of the Pacific at sunset. Very nice on a cool summer evening when they crank up the outdoor heated stone floor and standing space heaters. Well trained staff. Great wine list. Not inexpensive however.

http://www.sanysidroranch.com/san_dining.cfm