What to Visit in Santa Barbara

What to Visit in Santa Barbara: Eat, Drink, and Enjoy Life Like a Local

With some 25 beaches strung along 100 miles of shoreline, the coastal town of Santa Barbara has been a favored Southern California destination since the advent of the train. Located just 90 miles north of LA, Santa Barbara is a storied urban refuge renowned for its wine region, its extraordinary beaches, its artistic community, and its food.

Liz Rodrigo knows just how lucky she is to live within a 30-minute drive of Santa Barbara. A mother of an active toddler, Liz finds herself visiting this beach town regularly for shopping, to meet friends, and of course — to eat and drink.

Liz Rodrigo Photo

A former brand marketing executive in the wine business, Liz appreciates Santa Barbara’s wine country offerings. As a newly minted cannabis CEO, whose luxury infused edibles brand CaliLily just launched in the California market, she appreciates the city’s diverse cannabis retail environment and the region’s embrace of the so-called “Cali Sober” movement as well as its legacy of excellent wine vintages.

Here are four of Liz’s favorite places to eat and drink when she is in Santa Barbara.

Lucky Penny Pizza

127 Anacapa St.

Lucky Penny Santa Barbara
Photo credit: FB @LuckyPennySB

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s “Funk Zone,” an area Liz describes as having “superb wine tasting and restaurants and cool shops just steps from the ocean and East Beach,” Lucky Penny has something for everyone—even a giant skillet cookie for dessert. Liz calls it “a terrific spot for wood-fired pizza,” adding that her favorite pie is the East Coast Pepperoni, which she always orders with the spicy addition of hot honey.

Test Pilot

211 Helena Ave.

Test Pilot Santa Barbara
Photo credit: www.testpilotcocktails.com

A tropical cocktail bar, Test Pilot is what Liz declares a “haven for amazing cocktails with a Tiki twist.” Brightly decorated with fun kitsch and featuring a comfortable lounge as well as traditional bar stool seating, Test Pilot celebrates the Tiki craze inspired by WWII veterans returning from Polynesia after the war.

Liz recommends trying the Juice Box cocktail or the Passion Fruit Mule. She adds that Test Pilot sells its fantastical glasses and mugs to customers who want to liven up their style, but, she cautions, “the drinks never seem to taste quite as good at home.”

Third Window Brewing

406 E Haley Suite #3

Third Window Brewing Santa Barbara
Photo credit: www.thirdwindowbrewing.com

Liz likes Third Window because of its ample seating, activity area replete with corn hole games, and open area that, she says, is “perfect for hanging out with friends or letting the kids run loose.” Of course, the food is excellent, too.

“Their Wagyu smashburgers are my favorite burger in Santa Barbara,” Liz declares. She laughs, “They also offer one with peanut butter and jelly but I’ve never been brave enough to try it.”

Third Window Brewing
Photo credit: www.thirdwindowbrewing.com

In addition to what Liz calls Third Window’s “awesome” beers, she suggests buying a glass or bottle of wine from the Potek Winery tasting room off the courtyard seating area. As a wine expert, it’s easy to trust Liz when she hails the Potek Bien Nacido Chardonnay as “amazing.”

McConnell’s

Various locations, including 728 State St.

McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
Photo credit: mcconnells.com

A family-run ice cream store founded in 1949 whose creamy goods are still available for delivery within Santa Barbara city limits, this brand is a “local favorite that’s also available at grocery stores,” Liz explains. And indeed, markets across the country from large chains like Safeway to small luxury markets like Erewhon and  Dean & Deluca carry McConnell’s, probably due to the brand’s obstinate insistence on real, organic, ingredients. Liz says she picked up McConnell’s habit while pregnant with her son, who is now nearly three.

“I started going there after every doctor’s appointment during my pregnancy to get a milkshake made with their PB Chip and Triple Chocolate flavors,” she says. Liz recommends visiting their State Street location as that avenue is closed to car traffic so that you can savor your ice cream while taking in the ocean air and window shopping.

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