Best of Santa Barbara

Each year the SB Independent puts out a "Best of" list that includes restaurants, boutiques, events, foods, and drinks. I try to vote each year, sometimes my favorites win and sometimes they don't. And since we will be leaving our beloved city of 11 years (12 for my husband) it's time for my own "Best of SB" list.

Best Beach: Ellwood Beach. No matter the day (random Saturday or holiday weekend) this beach was like a sanctuary. Never too full, we always enjoyed our own little plot of sand and sun.

Best Nachos: Rudy's. These are my favorite nachos of all time. They're simply chips topped with chicken, cheese, beans, guacamole, and sour cream. One plate feeds 2 and is under $10!
Other awesome places to eat are Rose Cafe, Edomasa, and Your Place Thai.

 

Best View: SB Courthouse Clock Tower. From up here, you can get a 360 panoramic view of all of downtown SB.

Best Ice Cream: Mc Connell's. I'm not a big ice cream person but I am a huge fan of Mc Connell's. There is just something special about freshly made ice cream and flavors like cinnamon and macadamia nut :)

 

Best Flowers: SB Mission Rose Garden

 

Best Farmers' Market: All of them! Fresh vegetables and fruit all year round, in various locations around the city everyday of the week!

 

Best Festival: Fiesta! The spirit in the city and confetti all around make the first weekend in August always a great time.

 

Best Concert Venue: SB Bowl. Nestled in the mountains, cozy and intimate, and about 1/3 the size of the Hollywood Bowl,and the SB Bowl always brings an amazing concert. And the pit provides such close proximity to the acts on stage. It's stellar. Favorite bands seen at the Bowl include Snoop Dogg, 311, No Doubt and Phoenix.

 

Best Food Festival: Avocado Festival in Carpinteria. Such good savory dishes and avocado ice cream.

 

Best School: UCSB. I had an amazing 11 years here (as a student and employee) and would not change a thing for the world. And Kobe has his summer camp here, too!

 

Best Town: Isla Vista. The best parties and the best friends existed here. It will always be part of my "home".

Best Art Installation: Chromatic Gate. A burst of color right by the Pacific Ocean.

 

Best Isla Vista Restaurant: TJ's Grill (now closed) so Bagel Cafe!! My favorite bagel was the Delux Melt with is your choice of bagel (I chose the everything bagel) topped with sun ripe tomato cream cheese, tomato, red onions, cheddar, and slices of avocado. The bagel is put through a toaster oven for a few minutes and comes out deliciously.

 

Best Winery: Firestone. We served their wines at our wedding and loved the tasting experience at the winery. 
 

 

Best Church: Santa Barbara Mission. It is grand yet understated, a parish we called home for years, and we got married here. I will always have a special place in my heart for this place.

I will surely miss this beautiful place.