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Good morning Wednesday workforce, 

Listen up. It’s time for you (yes, you) to take a little break from whatever it is you work hard at all week (or weekend) long. We’re going to take a little trip. 

Go on, make the arrangements, I’ll wait.

We’re taking the 405 today and we’ll drive until we hit Santa Barbara. Wait, wait, before you catastrophize thoughts of exorbitant restaurant bills, dining at The Lark, I’ve got more of a wallet-friendly itinerary for you. It’s also a bit nature-y, so pack your hiking boots and a swimsuit. 

But why exactly should you trust me to lead you all the way up to SB? 

I, the restless author of this newsletter, became so restless during the height of the COVID-lockdown that I begged my landlord to sublet my crackerbox apartment so I could go rent a room in someone else’s crackerbox apartment in Santa Barbara, where I might’ve still been lonely, but at least there, I would have nature (no offense Long Beach, but the walk around the Colorado Lagoon was getting old day after day).

When I wasn’t working remotely, I spent my four-month-long hiatus hiking, squishing my toes into plushy beach sand, paddleboarding, surfing, soaking in natural hot springs (which I also hiked to) and more. Then, when things decided to start opening up again, I gobbled pizza at The Lucky Penny (The Lark’s cheaper neighbor) and downed pickle-tinis at the historic Pickle Room. 

Earlier this month, I took a quick jaunt back up there to cram some of my favorite places into one perfect day and I’d like to share some of those sweet spots with you, in no particular order. Let’s get going—it’s only about a two hour drive. 

We’ll begin with the nature-y, more active options before we move on to food and drink. 

Hot Springs Canyon Trail  – 1217-1229 E Mountain Drive, Montecito

Our first stop is Montecito, which you can hit on your way in or way out of Santa Barbara. Did you remember to bring your swimsuit? You’ll need it for the halfway point of this 3.5 mile loop trail hike. 

This lush and shaded trail, tucked behind a wealthy neighborhood, will lead you to multiple glistening pools that you can soak in (the real reason we’re here). But I’d recommend getting there early so you can be sure to snag an uncrowded moment in this sacred space. I’ve taken to calling this recharging spot my Fairy Fountain. It’s a nerd reference (IFKYK).

And don’t be afraid of the eggy aroma, it is a natural hot springs after all.

Pro-tip: Pack a cute picnic to bring to the tubs, but please remember to take your trash with you.

Rattlesnake Canyon – 1900-1964 Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara

Ocean views, winding trails, a babbling brook, tree tunnels and the toothy grin-guy pictured above. What more could you really want out of a hike? This canyon trek is challenging though, so make sure you’ve got your ~serious~ hiking boots on and tons of water. Also, be mindful of the weather, particularly if you make it past the third river crossing. 

Oh and the rattlers? Yes, I have seen one once, but you probably won’t. I waited patiently at a distance for the little dude to cross the trail. 

Douglas Family Preserve – 2550 Medcliff Road, Santa Barbara

Remember Romancing the Stone? How about Fatal Attraction? This huge open space was developed and made possible by actor Michael Douglas. 

If an easy, short and beautiful walk through a forest-y area overlooking the ocean is sounding better than a long and treacherous hike, the Douglas Family Preserve has your name on it. Plus, the city allows you to linger as long as you like, pack a picnic and even bring alcohol to the space. During my SB sabbatical, this was my personal favorite sunset hangout, where people often gather with their dogs, dates, drinks of choice, you name it, daily. 

Hungry after all that hiking? Here’s where you need to go: 

Tacos Pipeye – 217 N Milpas St., Santa Barbara

In a city chalked with high-heeled taco-plate prices, this affordable and cozy spot is a gem—you will order seconds. Two words: handmade tortillas (drool) and don’t even get me started on the salsa bar. One of my staples here is the champiñones (mushroom) taco or quesadilla. 

You can find them at their shop on Milpas or at their taco truck location down the street later into the evening. More info here.

The Lucky Penny – 127 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara

This pizza and beer spot is tiled with 150,000 actual pennies. Huh. Anyway, it’s a suave little outdoor space. You can get some seriously tasty wood-fired pies here in the heart of the Funk Zone, where there are plenty of bars, shops and other places surrounding the Penny.

You can’t go wrong with the Margherita, The OG, Californian and the Rosso. They will all hit the spot. 

East Beach Tacos – 226 S Milpas St., Santa Barbara

OK, I know we already covered tacos but this is an entirely different situation. East Beach Tacos is a baseball-themed outdoor joint that also has batting cages, just in case you felt like getting more exercise. 

This is also where you’ll get your cross-cultural taco fix—like this one: raw ahi tuna, napa cabbage, marinated red onion, red pepper, sesame seeds, wasabi aioli and a wonton “tortilla.” And then, The Bahni Mi offers pulled pork, shredded cabbage, pickled daikon, carrot, cucumber, jalapeno and hoisin aioli on a corn tortilla. 

Ready for a drink yet? 

Lovejoy’s Pickle Room – 122 E Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara

Fun fact: This is the only bar in California that currently operates within a state park. Originally named Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens when it opened in 1947 by Jimmy Yee Chung, this bar is one of the only icons left of Santa Barbara’s Chinatown before it became the Presidio District (El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park). 

You can read more about how this red-on-red decorated bar has been transformed into a permanent Chinatown exhibit and tribute to the locally beloved Jimmy Yee Chung here. 

I can’t speak to its authenticity, but the Pickle’s late-night fried rice dish topped with a fried egg is an absolute delight. Also, Reuben egg rolls? Check. 

On to the drinks—you must have a pickle-tini. That’s gin (or vodka), celery bitters and pickle brine. But they do have other drinks like Jimmy’s original Mai Tai. It comes in a fun glass.

You may also notice an older, gray bearded, leather-clad biker fellow at the foot of the bar by the door. His name is Dino and if you chat him up, he might invite you up to the historic Cold Springs Tavern on Sunday. But we’ll have to cover that adventure in another newsletter.