DINING
MCCONNELL'S ICE CREAM
While you may have tasted it before (they sell it in the freezer aisle most places) McConnell's is from Santa Barbara and one of our favorite treats. They have all the usual flavors, some fun ones and even soft serve. The original location is now called "Mission Street Ice Cream" but they also have a regular McConnell's on state street.
JEANNINE'S
The best breakfast and lunch spot in Santa Barbara hands down. The Montecito location is our favorite for its whimsical garden vibes but all of their locations have great food. The "Jeannine's by the shore" location is right near the pier/beach. They don't take reservations so sometimes the line can be really long - but trust us it's long because it's SO GOOD. You can always order online if you'd rather pick up food/drinks instead.
A few stand outs we love are: Mango Iced Tea, Cinnamon rolls, BLTA sandwich, BBQ chicken salad, Chinese chicken salad, and their chorizo frittata.
PIERRE LAFOND
An amazing deli in Montecito, and the perfect place to grab sandwiches and salads for a picnic on the beach or to grab some fantastic coffee for a stroll around town. They have baked goods and salads and it's just a lovely place to stop by for food and drink.
MOLLIE'S
We love Italian food and the best is from Mollie's. And while her restaurant in Santa Barbara is no longer around, she did open up a cafe style place in Carpinteria called Mollie's. The best thing on the menu is the Bolognese. But anything Mollie makes is great. We took a cooking class with her for their 5 year anniversary and had a blast learning all of her tips and tricks.
HONOR BAR
Great cocktails and wine. Great burgers and salads. And they have a to-go area if you'd rather pick up a pizza and some wine to eat on the beach or back at your hotel.
ACTIVITIES
RENT BIKES & SURREYS AT WHEEL FUN
One of our favorite ways to stroll along the coastal path. We once went "off roading" with our surrey and went to a nearby grocery store. We got a lot of looks pulling up in the parking lot but we had a blast and picked out some great snacks. Overall, it's a fun way to spend time down by the beach taking in the scenery.
PICKLEBALL AT THE REC CENTER
It's relatively easy to sign up for an account and reserve a court for a small fee.
WINE TASTING
Explore one of Santa Barbara's local tasting rooms along State Street and the pier, or visit Santa Ynez wine region nearby as a great day trip.
TAKE A BEACH STROLL
Our favorite beach right now is Hammonds/Miramar beach. It's in front of the Miramar hotel and a fun place to stroll in the sand.
East beach is best for strolling, surreying, or biking along the path.
Butterfly beach (when the tide is low) is fun to walk on the sand but the tide comes up pretty high so it's not as great for laying out. There are some beautiful walking paths nearby Butterfly beach though.
We love Hendry's beach. It's super dog friendly, easy to walk or sit and relax. And there's a restaurant nearby called Boathouse for when you get hungry.
VISIT LOTUS LAND
This requires booking a tour time slot in advance, but if you love seeing exotic plants then booking a tour is totally worth it. They have everything from tropical to a cactus garden, rich history of the woman who created the expansive gardens.
