Anna's Bakery

Santa Barbara, California Print   Leave a comment

Description

Treats and Sunshine at Anna's Bakery
Anna's Bakery has delicious baked goods, is reasonably priced, and has a location that is unbeatable. The red brick terrace outside Anna's is sunny and inviting. Sit on the cast-iron chairs and look up at the white Spanish tower backed by vibrant blue sky!
Whenever I'm blue and I need a pick-me-up, the first place that comes to mind is Anna's bakery and it always does the trick. I like their oatmeal-cranberry muffins. Their donuts are excellent too, and many Goletians come to Anna's with their kids on the way to school. Breakfast burritoes and lunch sandwiches aren't yummy at Anna's- stick to the baked goods.
Bookstore and Movie Theater
Check out the Borders Bookstore next door. They have a good kids section. There is also a nice modern movie theatre here- Camino Real Theatres.
Big Circle and Ramp for Toddlers
Toddlers have a blast at this shopping center running around in the big circle in front of Starbuck's. It's slightly lower than the rest of the shopping center which makes it safe because kids can't run into the road easily. The ramp is a real hit with toddlers! Bring a mini-stroller which they can push up and down.
Kahuna Grill, Hollister Brewing Company
For dinner or lunch around here, try Kahuna Grill, two stores down from Anna's. Consistent and reasonably priced, it has a great theme inside with surf videos playing, hawaiian music, and tropical seating outside on the patio. It's fun for kids and they like to watch the tropical fish and coral in the large tank. There's a good kids menu. For adults, I recommend the chicken kebobs, which have warm cherry tomatoes and pineapple- yum! The fries are amazing and the salads are super fresh. There are plenty of high chairs to use, and baby will be entertained because there's so much to see. The outdoor seating is nice on warm days.
Hollister Brewing Company has a cool scene going on, especially on weekend nights. There are tons of TVs to keep the kids happy and beer brewed onsite to keep the grownups relaxed! The food is exceptionally good, especially the Falafel Sandwich!
Farmers Market, Star Party
On Sundays there's a popular Farmer's Market here from 10-2pm, with a balloon man, buskers (musicians), and yummy fruits and veggies!
On the third Tuesday of each month at 6:45pm the Astronomy Unit of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History sets up telescopes in the big circle in front of Starbuck's. Kids can view the moon and after dark, the stars.  
Places to Go Nearby
If you're looking for a playground, check out Girsh Park, an expansive park with a playground (not good on a windy day because it's not sheltered); or Dinosaur Park, a very pretty, fun place for kids with lots if unique play equipment.
There are some really nice beaches nearby: Coal Oil Point, makes for a gorgeous clifftop walk, and also has a hidden beach below the stairs where kids like to play in the sand. Bacara Beach, the beach below the Bacara Resort, is a wild beach where you can listen to pebbles clanging on the shore. Or you could check out the beaches at Isla Vista, the college party town.

Photo Gallery

Camino Real is an attractive, sunny shopping area.

I love the Spanish-style tower, classic lampposts, and deciduous trees at Camino Real Shopping Center!

Directions

From Highway 101, exit at Glen Annie/Storke Rd. Turn towards the ocean. Once you cross Hollister Avenue, turn right into the Camino Real Shopping Center. Anna's Bakery is on your right, after the Borders Bookstore.
There are very clean restrooms in the archway near Starbucks.
Borders Books, 7000 Market Place Dr, call (805) 968-1370
Anna's Bakery, 7018 Market Place Dr, call (805) 968-5590
Kahuna Grill, 7010 Market Place Dr, call (805) 685-3711

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Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating:

Chuck 01/01/2010 15:41	Just a note to let you know that for 2010, the Astronomical Unit will be moving Telescope Tuesday at Camino Real Marketplace to the *third* Tuesday of each month, instead of the previous first Tuesday. This is so we can have good conditions for viewing the Moon. The Astronomical Unit is Santa Barbara's local amateur astronomy club, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
Ella 11/06/2009 15:13	Anna's Bakery is my favorite place to get goodies! Try the Palmiers (Elephant Ears). The birthday cakes are the best I've tasted in a long time.
Sarah 10/01/2009 14:37	Sam's To Go. Watching the world go by.