Santa Barbara Public Market is a hip indoor space with cafes. The decor is attractive and modern, with an ivy-covered divider in one spot. For ice cream, you can't beat getting an itty bitty cone at Rori's Artisanal Creamery. Enjoy the fresh made waffle cone and a tiny scoop of gourmet ice cream, without the guilt! Milk Chocolate Chunk is the best flavor. Corazon Cocina has very fresh, healthy, and delicious tacos, especially the shrimp ones. Empty Bowl has amazing summer rolls and Thai noodles! You can eat outside, admiring the Spanish architecture all around.
Across the street from SB Public Market is the quaint architecture of Victoria Court. There are some tables in a shady courtyard, a pleasant place to sit. Upstairs is Soho, a classy bar with live music and an outdoor deck. On Victoria Street is the Ensemble Theatre Company, a theater in a former church with light blue trim.
San Marcos Courtyard is an exquisite walled courtyard on upper State Street. Its historical embellished friezes with busts at intervals enclose a Spanish fountain. Morning and noon is the best time to come because the courtyard catches sunlight- in the afternoon it can be chilly. Enjoy an empanada and coffee in the courtyard beside the ivy at the seating for Mosaic Locale.
Next to San Marcos Courtyard, on Anapamu, is the small Karpeles Manuscript Library, where you can browse famous manuscripts for free. There is music notation by Beethoven, plus some paintings and sculptures. There are several of these libraries around the country.
Across the street from San Marcos Courtyard lies La Arcada, a Spanish paseo filled with historical details, fountains, sculptures, flags, flowerpots, and cute cafes. At night it comes alive with lights adorning everything! Santa Barbara Museum of Art, with great temporary exhibits and wonderful 19th century European paintings, is just steps away.
For more exquisite architecture, walk one block to the 1300 block of State Street and explore the entrance to the Arlington Theater. Wow! Creamy yellow columns and archways, colorful tilework, beauty everywhere. If you get a chance to go inside, you will be mesmerized by the little Spanish village within.
Other Spanish paseos and courtyards on State Street include El Paseo at the 800 block, a hidden paseo with Spanish arches, flags, and fruit vines growing up the whitewashed walls, and Paseo Nuevo at the 700 and 800 block, an outdoor mall with layer upon layer of lovely Spanish architecture and gorgeous blue-green tile floors. It has many cafes- sit out at the beer garden in the center and enjoy!
Within walking distance from Victoria Court are two gorgeous parks. Tall regal trees and lush green lawns beckon you to stay a while. Check out Alameda Park with its castle playground called Kidsworld, and Alice Keck Park, where you'll find an abundance of flowering trees, plus a large pond with turtles, ducks, and koi.
Santa Barbara Public Market is located at 38 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. There is parking in the Victoria Court parking lot, called "Lot 5" on google maps, entered at 1230 Chapala Street.
San Marcos Courtyard is on the 1100 block of State St.
You can walk into Victoria Court from the 1200 block of State St.
Soho's Restaurant and Music Club, 1221 State St, call (805) 962-7776.
Ensemble Theatre Company, 33 W. Victoria Street, call (805) 965-5400.
Rori's Artisanal Creamery, 38 W. Victoria St, call (805) 845-2223.
Corazon Cocina, 38 W. Victoria St, call (805) 845-0282.
Karpeles Manuscript Library, 21 W. Anapamu St, Santa Barbara CA 93101, call (805) 962-5322. Open Tues-Sun 12-4. Entrance is free.
Abeline
Wed, 14 Oct 2009
The courtyard behind Peets Coffee is great- quiet, good place for a chat with friends.
Lane
Wed, 14 Oct 2009
Peets has a sick mocha freddo- try it!
Lefort
Tue, 28 Apr 2020
It's a good pic spot.
Robin
Tue, 06 Oct 2009
I so wish I could be there! AMs before work...
Paul L.
Fri, 21 Apr 2017
Warm weather. Enjoying this small town life...Have fun
Steve
Fri, 06 Nov 2009
oh the old plaza
Last Updated: Wed, 07 Aug 2024 22:05:15 GMT
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