zebec

We are off to Santa Barbara for the first time this February. It will also be our first-ever travel anywhere during that month.
Our rental is near the Santa Cruz market. We area a 70-ish non-driving couple who has long self-catered as their style of travel.
Our interests include photography, nature, wild orgies with local celebrit gentle walks, massage, music and moderately-priced places to eat.

Might you have any specific tips or advice regarding local attractions, places to eat and like that? Rare photo ops are of particular interest. We are at a disadvantage regarding restaurants and cafes due to my hearing loss - we only eat out occasionally and those places must be somewhat quiet. So we tend to go right at opening time and cross our fingers. Sometimes that strategy works.
One question: which of the beaches is known for their sunrise/sunset? We are told that Butterfly Beach is great for sunset. What is your opinion?

Any tips welcome. We've already been researching for some time and now are at the cross-referencing stage.

I am done. the advisor seeking advice

AustinTraveler

Butterfly Beach is my favorite. The surrounding neighborhood is great for walking and gawking at the expensive but tasteful homes. For moderately priced dining, I really like Reunion Kitchen. It's right on the beach and we like to sit outside on the patio. The courthouse is a not to be missed attraction and of course the mission is really cool. Lotusland is a nature wonderland in the middle of all the mansions of Montecito. The zoo is small with awesome views of the ocean. Really one of my favorite zoos I've been to.

zebec

Thanks AT! We are Butterfly-bound. Seriously, Goleta's monarchs will apparently still be hanging around in February.
cheers
I am done. the SB

Nelson

zebec,

As you know I had one short-notice 10-day visit to SB, so I'm hardly knowledgeable. But here goes.

We enjoyed the Courthouse and the Presidio even more than the Mission. The Mission setting was beautiful, but it seemed like we had seen a lot of other places similar to it. The Courthouse was stunning. We visited on a Sunday when the building was open but there was no official business going on, which was nice.

Lotusland was a one-of-a-kind garden. We had a 2-hour guided tour, and were lucky to get that at short notice. Next time, I'd see if we could stay longer and do some wandering around on our own, I don't recall what the options are.

Given your moniker, you might enjoy the Maritime Museum, although I'm sure they didn't have one, or even a model of one. Still, very well done and interesting museum at nice photogenic harbor location.

The Botanic Garden was OK, but we were there in a drought period and it wasn't showing it's best side.

We walked several stretches of beaches, actually what the trip was about to some degree. Our favorite was the couple mile stretch between the Ritz-Carlton and Campus Point Beach by the University. We took Uber to the RItz, walked that stretch and either walked back to the Ritz of picked up an Uber by the University to take us back to SB. We were there in July, don't know about doing that in February. Beware of getting tar on your feet.

For dining we are obnoxiously healthy eating vegetarians so sought out those kind of places.Not sure what the SB locals think of these choices, but here are some:

The Natural Café https://thenaturalcafe.com/menu/7/
(looks like the convenient State Street location is closed)

The Green Table https://green-table.com/menu
Backyard Bowls Menu ? Backyard Bowls
Food at the Santa Cruz Market
The Oat Bakery https://oatbakery.com/bread/
Alessia Patisserie https://alessiapatisserie.com/ (across the street from Presidio I think)
Tondi Gelato - yes!!!
Himalayan Bistro - OK Indian food, but nothing to write home about.
We also hung out in a number of coffee shops. I can dig up the names if you are interested but there were lots of good ones scattered around town and the Funk District.
A wine bar at the Funk District but I don't remember which one.
I really wanted to go to Zaytoon Lebanese, but I couldn't get a reservation as I recall.
We ate at a couple of the restaurants at the Ritz since we went out there for our beach walk. Nice.

We Uber'ed or walked everywhere.
Sorry can't help with the wild orgies with local celebrit.

Hope this is of some use. Have fun planning.

zebec

Thank you Nelson for so much info here. Definitely useful. I've read about that tar, and we may bring our Speedo seashoes.
Dunno where the Ritz is, so will be checking that out - thanks again.
Tondi and McConnels just may be gaining a pair of new lifetime members.
Alessia and Jeannies seem to be peas in a pod and if quiet enough...
See, you would not know that I'm slightly hearing -impaired if we met in a regular quietish setting. Only after there'd be lotsa background noise would my auditory challenge become evident.
It seems attractive, but I am guessing that the nearby Funk Zone would never qualify as 'quiet.'

I face an additional and somewhat unusual issue, that of whether to try hooking up say, for lunch with my childhood best friend, who until very recently ran a B&B up in Paso Robles with his new wife. Its complicated coz we haven't been in touch. His ex-wife was the award-winning final singer in our band and soon after that, they both moved to Santa Monica where they immediately joined a cult.
She even changed her name, both first and last.
So, I dunno...we'll see.

Where to next yourselves, did I miss it?
I am done. The SB sonic BOOM

Nelson

zebec, good luck with your trip and hook up decision. Years ago we once met some friends who had gone of the deep end into a cult-ish like group. It was a weird meeting and we stopped contact after that. Who knows?

Re noise: Alessia was definitely quiet the couple for times we were there. Funk Zone was also plenty quiet enough but we were there for the first shift, senior hours, ending at say 8:00-8:30 or so. Can't comment after that.

Re beach tar: I had to sacrifice a pair of sneakers when we got home. The Ritz has a tar washing station but it is only moderately effective.

Re next for ourselves: nothing planned, operating on spur-of-the-moment mode as my wife recovers slowly from knee surgery. When we get an urge we can decide to head out someplace for a few weeks. Always several options in mind, but the calendar is open right now. We are happy with this strategy. Thanks for asking.

MoBro

Castillo Inn is a simple motel-type place that is only a couple of blocks from the ocean. Free parking.
We stayed there and it's great for the price. A simple continental breakfast is available.
https://www.sbcastilloinn.com

I'm not sure of its name, but if you walk to the ocean from there, to the right, is a simple place to eat, right on the beach.

Paqngo

It’s been a few years since we have explored Santa Barbara. We had our grandkids with us so not a lot of eating out. We did get to explore the Public Market and there were a lot of wonderful places to get a bit to eat. We had some great tacos.

Mai Tai Tom has raved about the Spot in Carpenteria for burgers. …Go Hungry

I would love to go back and explore some of the gardens in the area. These are just two of the ones that interest me. We also went to the aquarium and enjoyed that.

Have a great time.

Food-
https://sbpublicmarket.com/

Also
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...alifornia.html

Gardens:

https://santabarbaraca.com/businesse...ra-stow-house/
And

https://santabarbaraca.com/businesses/casa-del-herrero/

macdogmom

I think he’s referring to the Bacara which is now a Ritz-Carlton. You will be within walking distance of a couple of beaches and not sure in February that is worth an Uber ride all the way to Bacara hotel. Down from your digs and walkable is the marina which is lovely to walk through and out to the end of the Jetty. There are a couple of good places to eat and linger. Dart coffee just opened a nice coffee place with views of the marina and boats and Brophy Brothers is a very popular seafood place at the marina. You can sit outside on the early side and it will be quiet. They also have a more casual place next to restaurant called On the Alley that I’ve heard good things about. There’s also an Italian restaurant called Toma that’s near you that is very popular. Funk zone has wine tasting/breweries and some good food. It will be a lot quieter in February so maybe worth a walk through. Helena Bakery is a good spot for lunch down there and again there is a dart coffee shop that has a lovely garden across the street that you can sit in and enjoy. We love the SB public market and the Mexican place, Corazon and the Thai restaurant Empty Bowl are our favorites. It’s noisy inside at times but you can eat outside also.

The Courthouse is spectacular and make sure you see the inside courtrooms and tile work and get up to the roof for views in every direction. The Historical museum on De La Guerra is really interesting and around the corner is the old presidio from when the Spaniards ran things. SB art museum on State is small and has a nice collection. Lotusland is beautiful but may be closed in February. I also love butterfly beach in Montecito just make sure when you go to walk the tide is out. Sadly, the stately Biltmore hotel across the street is still closed for renovations. Ty Warner, who owns half of SB, seems to be intent on keeping it closed for as long as possible. Down the road is the Miramar, so if you want to get a drink seaside that’s decent but very expensive. For spectacular views the El Encanto hotel up beyond the mission is lovely. And San Ysidro Ranch up in Montecito is a great splurge dinner and the spot where Jack and Jackie honeymooned long ago. February weather can be very iffy. We had a party last February for a good friend and we were sitting outside in the sun having drinks on Friday afternoon and by Sunday we had torrential rains.

zebec

A BIG thank you to all five of you. I appreciate your taking the time. Nothing like input from folks who live there/once-lived there/traveled there/went there for work.
Trusted weather sites are predicting a somewhat drier February for SB, so that's why how come we booked. My wife and I are attempting the same strategy that we used seven years ago during February on notoriously stormy Vancouver Isle - placing trust in weather site prediction.
With fingers crossed.
I am done. the grateful

clarkgriswold

Yes, cross your fingers. Santa Barbara can be a disaster when it rains, and Feb is the rainy month. Hopefully not this coming year though.

You've got a great location walkable to a lot, unfortunately the downtown-to-waterfront shuttle doesn't run in winter.
But if your rental comes with bikes, you can ride the beach strand and get over to Montecito easily, for lunch with Oprah or Archie.

Check out happy hours at The Brewhouse, Santo Mezcal and Shalhoob's, all within a few blocks walk of your rental. Brophy Bros for seafood near the shore is also walkable.

The Museum of Natural History is well worth a visit. Go on a nice day because it's an indoor/outdoor stroll.

https://www.santabarbara.com/attractions/

Iwan2go

We stay at the West Beach inn, near where you’ll be. We just returned home yesterday. So easy to walk everywhere in SB.

our favorite restaurants are:
Corazon Cucina in the SB Public Market ( if not too cold you can sit outside, and inside might be ok too in February). Amazing shrimp tacos and quesadillas.
Olio e Limone (beautiful, quiet restaurant) and Olio Pizzaria ( still fairly quiet, less expensive), both on Victoria off State street.
Love Alessia for breakfast or lunch
If you like cheese, try SB Cheese Shop, just around the corner from Alessia.

have a wonderful time!

zebec

Merci to MoBro, Paq, MacDog, CG & Iwan,
Have added all your tips to our body of info. If it rains (aka 'sky water' on a recent sarcastic reddit thread) then it rains - anything is an improvement over February in Toronto!
*We were just in Calabria/Rome this spring and then Barcelona/the Pyrenees/Paris this fall on our pair of most recent trips. Happy to offer tips in return for all your above advice.
I am done. the son of a beach