Travel to Santa Barbara on a Budget

Santa Barbara is known as a haven for Hollywood A listers who’ve outgrown LA’s unbearable traffic and people. Among the most notable residents in the area are Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner, and Katy Perry.

Since I’m also not a fan of the West coast’s most renowned city, I decided to settle down in the American Riviera for a bit.  One thing about living down the street from celebrity royalty is the hefty price tag that comes along with it. Living in Santa Barbara, all I saw was dollar signs.

Stars and locals alike will pass you on the street with faces so rubbery and tight that their plastic surgeries must cost more money than I have in my savings account.  Being surrounded by such affluence, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that most restaurants drop checks on my table with a price on it that has three digits before the decimal point.

Hennnnnnnce the reason why I’ve been in search of the coolest restaurants, bars, and other spaces in Santa Barbara that won’t force me to take out a loan.  During my four month residency here, I explored the lush coast on bike, hunted in labyrinthine antique shops on State Street, sat in too many a bar corner to find one with an existent atmosphere, and worked— a lot.  Below, I’ve linked the hidden gems for all my friends balling on a budget.

EOS LOUNGE (Drink & Dance $$)

Much of State Street’s bars feel like they are full of college kids who need a break from Isla Vista and older men with wandering eyes who have nowhere else to be on Saturday Night. So it’s needless to say that, upon my arrival in downtown SB I searched tirelessly for a bar that wouldn’t play dubstep remixes of Taylor Swift songs or Miley’s Cyrus’s, “Party in the USA.”

Just off of State Street, however, is EOS Lounge on Anacapa.  And let me just say that walking into their smaller indoor bar to find a DJ playing house music— the sight made me want to cry.  With three bars, indoor dance floors, and a smoking friendly lounge outdoors, EOS has space and a vibe for anyone bored of the same sh*t.

Insider Tip: Their website has a listing of all weekend events and DJ sets.  So if you don’t feel like paying a cover, you can “buy” free tickets for each event online.  Just do so before 9pm. Upon entry, present the ticket to the bouncer and free entry for you!

They also host BAAD Sundays every third Sunday of the month where they sell art, drinks, and vintage clothes.  It makes me wonder why every bar doesn’t turn into a bazaar during the daytime.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA’S SUNSET SESSIONS (Drink & Dance $$$)

If you just so happen to travel to the American Riviera during its peak season, June through August, be sure to check out Sunset Sessions at Hotel California.  Every Sunday, Hotel Californian’s rooftop graces lower state street with a DJ set from 5pm - 9pm.  You can purchase drinks at their rooftop bar and catch one of the best views of the sunset as it dips below the mountainous horizon.

It’s important to note that guests should show up to this event earlier rather than later.  The roof tends to get pretty packed, and the line outside remains stagnant after 6:30pm on a busier night.  And like most places, the longer the line, the higher the cover. While most sets are free, covers have gotten as high as $20.

ECSTATIC DANCE SANTA BARBARA (Dance $)

If you’re walking past Chase Palm Park on Wednesday, you might run into a bunch of freaks wriggling their bodies to seemingly non existent music.  No fear! It’s just a silent disco! With local DJ’s hosting the dance each week, you’ll find tons of people embracing movement, connection, and sound.

Strongly influenced by SB’s vibrant yoga community, you can find smaller ecstatic dance sessions on Fridays too, although these tend to take place indoors at various studios downtown. Events are donation based, so ideally whatever you can afford goes.

STUDIO BAR AND SOUNDROOM (Drink & Dance $$)

Like EOS Lounge, Studio hosts great DJ’s from near and far. And it might just take the cake as the local favorite. This location plays more electronic music and tends to bring in a better crowd as a result. Lowly lit in fluorescent blues, pinks, and greens, shadows of sweaty bodies and drinks cast themselves against the walls and ceiling.

This intimate space has one drawback: it closes at 12am, whereas most other bars close at 2am. With that said, this is my favorite place to get the evening going. Located near Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, you will find plenty of breweries and wineries within a 2 minute walk away. I love to start my night at Test Pilot cocktail bar before heading over to Studio or EOS.

When the music isn’t pumping and the California sun forces us to take refuge indoors, Studio doubles as a yoga space for yogis and house rats alike. Keep an eye on their Instagram. They’ll post many of their upcoming events there.

CRAFT RAMEN (Eat $)

Craft Ramen, located on the corner of State Street and E Haley, is the perfect spot to watch tourists and locals strolling by under the palm trees.

Sitting outdoors under a warmly lit canopy of lights, it’s suited for the 1st date or the 1000th. Craft Ramen caters to your Tonkotsu cravings with an extensive ramen and sushi menu that comes out in minutes no matter how busy the restaurant is.  Most items are $7.00-$18.00, and the portion sizes easily leave you with leftovers for tomorrow.

My boyfriend and I like to stop here for dinner and check out the record shop that’s next door, Paradise on State Street, before heading home.

HENDRY’S BOATHOUSE (Eat $$$)

Hendry’s Boathouse is one of the only restaurants where you can sit and enjoy your meal on the beach.  Due to zoning laws and architectural guidelines in place since the early  20th century, SB’s coastline remains untainted by building facades and parking lots.  It’s not until you get to Arroyo Burro beach, where Hendry’s is located, that you can catch a view of the sunset and eat in a beach front restaurant.

Fun fact: Santa Barbara rarely sees the  sunset over the Pacific Ocean like most of the West Coast.  If you look at a map, SB actually faces South, so not only does the sun set over the mountains, but there is also little to no surf due to the location of the city and its proximity to the Channel Islands.

Hendry’s Boathouse boasts delicious seafood and brunch on the weekends.  While it might be the most expensive location on this list, its the perfect spot to enjoy a special meal. I went for my birthday earlier this year, and they presented me with a free dessert.  Luckily, the waitstaff didn’t sing Happy Birthday and saved me from embarrassment.

SANTA BARBARA’S FARMERS MARKET (Eat & Shop $)

Open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the SB Farmers Market, is not only a great spot to purchase fresh, local produce, but it also provides a glimpse into a close knit community of Santa Barbara’s most renowned growers and consumers.

Tuesdays, the market takes place on State Street from 3pm-7pm, and has a far larger selection than its counterpart on Saturday.  The Saturday market is a quarter of the size to be quite honest.  Taking place in a parking lot just off of State, the weekend market leaves a lot to be desired. There are only about three rows of tents covering fruits and vegetables from the valley, a variety of bouquets, and balloon animals (?) for some reason.

URBAN FLEA MARKET (Shop $$)

My favorite way to learn about a city is to see what kinds of things the residents throw away. And what better place do so than a thrift store? This maze of a store stages furniture from the 70s, hordes Barbies and Polly pockets from my childhood, and boasts some of the coolest vintage clothing I’ve seen.

Plenty of items in this shop go for cheaper prices, but it’s certainly fun to ogle at the more expensive pieces too. After walking through the entrance, you’ll find yourself wandering through a series of rooms organized by category, decade, or atmosphere. Curated by vintage enthusiasts, some are staged to resemble a lounge in which everything is for sale, and others are full of clothing racks surrounded by old band posters and surf prints. The Urban Flea Market has something for everyone, even if it is just a spot to take a picture.

COLD SPRINGS TRAIL (Sightseeing FREE)

While most online blogs promote Santa Barbara hikes like Inspiration Point or Rattlesnake Canyon, the Cold Springs Trail is a true hidden gem popularized by locals. The hike to the peak is an hour 1/2 to two hours, and features stunning views that showcase the entirety of Santa Barbara.

About halfway along your hike, you will find natural cold springs that feel like an oasis after one hour walking uphill. It’s more common that people have heard of the Hot Springs Trail than its colder counterpart, but after a long hike, I find that soaking myself in hot water is far less than relieving.

DOUGLAS FAMILY PRESERVE (Sightseeing FREE)

Nearly every Santa Barbara resident walks around town with a surprisingly well trained, leashless dog in tow, so it’s no surprise that pet friendly beaches and parks are a dime a dozen. Douglas Family Preserve is my favorite dog friendly, beach side stroll with some of the best elevated views of the coastline. With multiple short trails, you can spend 30 minutes to an hour soaking in the good vibes and views. Located on the cliffside above Arroyo Burro Beach and Hendry’s, you’re lucky enough to catch the sunset here too.

SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART (Sightseeing $)

The size of Santa Barbara’s Museum of Art reflects the size of the city; it’s small. With works from Picasso, Monet, and a surprising amount of art owned by Julia Louis Dreyfus, you’ll still stumble upon plenty of beautiful pieces despite the museum’s quaintness. Entry for adults is $10, and the museum is hardly overcrowded. It’s the perfect indoor activity for a rainy day with rotating exhibitions throughout the year. I love to come here by myself, enjoy my solitude, and take in the peace and quiet.

All of the above suggestions were inspired by long walks and curious bouts of exploration. I encourage you to do the same when you find yourself in Santa Barbara or a new city in general. Not only will you learn a lot about a place, but you’ll learn a lot about yourself as well.