Make sure to have a full tank of gas before tackling the San Marcos Pass. This twisty stretch of Route 154 rises north of Santa Barbara and delivers you to Cold Spring Tavern, a former stagecoach stop that’s been serving food since 1865. The restaurant remains popular with bikers and wine country tourists thanks to a Western setting that includes wagon wheels and picnic tables, and dishes like buffalo burgers, venison steak sandwiches, and wild game black bean chili. Saturdays and Sundays are the best time to visit for grilled tri-tip.

Dune Coffee Roasters Downtown location added a cozy parklet/seating area last summer. It’s a colorful spot to grab coffee while walking through the pedestrian section of State Street. Opt for Dune’s chico iced americano and a sticky cinnamon roll. They pair perfectly.

Modern Indian spot Bibi Ji has found its way with the locals and tourists who traverse State Street. The eclectic menu moves from street food snacks to curries and more composed plates from the grill with lots of local wines to match.

Alessia isn’t just one of these “good for Santa Barbara” shops. This French cafe turns out worthy croissants, breakfast items, and coffee that could hold their own just about anywhere, so be sure to swing by for a morning bite.

The ACME Hospitality team (the Lark, Loquita, etc.) has returned La Paloma to its 1940s-era glory, turning up the breezy, artsy vibes and expanding the ample patio. Stop by for margaritas in the setting sun, but don’t forget a carnitas plate wagyu tri-tip dinner, either.

Lower State Street’s Loquita is all about Spanish influences, from the colorful tiles to the tapas menu and the stand-up bar tucked into the back. Step through the front door on any given weekend night for the scents and sounds of paella coming fresh from the kitchen, or plate after plate of croquettes winding its way to the sunny back patio. A great place to spend a warm Santa Barbara evening.

Blackbird is perhaps Santa Barbara’s most composed restaurant. Wrapped in luxurious touches and with a powerful sense of design, it’s a destination for solid drinks, finer dining elements, and a sense of special occasion.

La Super-Rica is by far Santa Barbara’s most famous restaurant, a family-run operation that Isidoro Gonzalez founded in 1980. People still flock to the aqua building with covered patio for Mexican comfort food and thick, pressed-to-order corn tortillas that made Julia Child a regular. The alambre is a great play on the popular Mexico City stir-fry involving grilled tri-tip, bell peppers, onions, and bacon. Lomito suizo is a mulita starring grilled marinated pork and molten cheese sandwiched between two tortillas.

It’s hard to imagine better pizza than what’s being made at Bettina in Santa Barbara, right near the edge of Montecito. The wood-fired pies are blistered to a glorious freckle, while the rest of the menu relies on local wines and vegetables to round out a cozy, casual meal.

Head to this Hillstone Restaurant Group spot for casual bites and thoughtful drinks. Sit at the wooden bar, a cozy booth, or better yet, outside on the patio, while sipping cocktails, beer, or wine, and nibbling on deviled eggs or seafood cocktail.

History, heritage, and fine dining collide at Stonehouse, the impeccable upscale restaurant at San Ysidro Ranch. Long a haven for the wealthy, the famous, and willing to spend money to hide away, this is the daytime lunch destination that’s worth splurging for. Be sure to take a walk around the property after lunch too, and order a bottle of wine from the world-class cellar.