A DAY IN THE FUNK ZONE
The Funk Zone, a beloved neighborhood located between lower State and the Waterfront, is an eclectic collection of restaurants, wine tasting rooms, breweries, boutiques, creative collectives, galleries, hotels and more. It spans 13 walkable blocks and promises a day well spent discovering Santa Barbara’s contemporary, lively side.
EATERIES
Begin by fueling your day at one of the many cafes or restaurants the Funk Zone has to offer. For coffee and baked goods, try Dart Coffee Co., where they pay careful attention to the source of their organic coffee beans and offer a picturesque garden for you to sip your coffee in. Or stop by Helena Avenue Bakery where you will find an assortment of pastries, baked goods, coffees, and gourmet breakfast and lunch options made to order. This bakery + kitchen is well-known for its locally sourced homemade specialties that feature the highest quality of ingredients. Another plus is that Helena Avenue shares a space with Santa Barbara Wine Collective so you can grab a bottle of your favorite local wine for the perfect pairing.
Besides just cafes or breakfast spots, there are plenty of restaurants in the Funk Zone that are worth a visit. Lucky Penny serves up delicious pizza, while Shalhoob’s Funk Zone Patio features a well-rounded menu of snacks, sliders, salads, sandwiches and BBQ. The Lark, Loquita, and Rare Society are all fantastic 5-star dinner destinations, cooking up Californian cuisine, Spanish dishes, and wood-fired meats and seafood respectively.
WINERIES AND BREWERIES
You could spend hours on end trying out the 20+ wineries in the neighborhood, just use the Urban Wine Trail, a self-guided trail of tasting rooms representing Santa Barbara County wines, as your guide. We recommend checking out Melville Winery Tasting Room, Margerum Tasting Room, Pali Wine Co., and Paradise Springs Winery. As for breweries, a short walk in the neighborhood reveals plenty of options. Enjoy craft brews from Figueroa Mountain Brewery Co. or Topa Topa Brewing Co. If something stronger is your drink of choice, try Cutler’s Artisan Spirits or Test Pilot.
SHOPS AND GALLERIES
The Funk Zone is known as Santa Barbara’s most vibrant hot-spot for all things artisan and original. Naturally, it’s no stranger to unique boutiques locally owned and cultivated. Loveworn is where you can find vintage clothing and original graphic tees, and The Shopkeepers features a collection of vintage clothes, shoes, accessories, and home goods. Discover the works of local artisans and makers at Seaside Makers Collective, find the best local and up-and-coming artists at Helena Mason Art Gallery, or find your new favorite accessories at Jules By The Sea, a boutique that sells artisan made jewelry.
Explore Some of Our Rentals Near The Funk Zone
Villa Portofino
6 Guests / 3 beds / 2.5 baths
0.5 miles from The Funk Zone
Classic Cottage Downtown
6 Guests / 3 beds / 2 baths
2 miles from The Funk Zone
Santa Barbara Retreat
5 Guests / 3 beds / 2 baths
2.8 miles from The Funk Zone
Mesa Beach Escape
6 Guests / 4 beds / 2 baths
3.5 miles from The Funk Zone
