Going to Santa Barbara

[zondo]

I'll be heading off for a couple of days to Santa Barbara, CA with my wife.

Any recommendations for restaurants, entertainment, things to do, etc.?

[xero28]

Pretty much beaches and stuff. State Street is pretty good, a lot of shops and stuff. I live about an hour and a half north in San Luis Obispo. They have a pretty good Zoo if you're in to that, though the giraffe with the crooked neck died a couple of years ago. There are tons of wineries in the hills and stuff, so wine tasting is always an option. I'm pretty sure they have companies that drive you around to the various wineries so you can drink as much as you want and always have a DD. It's a great place, if you have a chance to drive up the coast a little bit, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, they're all great places to enjoy.

-X

[skyless]

I live in Santa Barbara, Pretty much what xero28 said is right on. I recommend picking up an Independent, its the local paper for "whats going on". Also if you do any hiking seriously watch out for poison oak, its everwhere, even dogs can get covered in the oils while hiking so dont pet them. Its nasty stuff and can make you unhappy for weeks. List some interests and it would be easier to point you in a direction. Have fun its been really nice lately, where are you coming from?

[zondo]

I live in Santa Barbara, Pretty much what xero28 said is right on. I recommend picking up an Independent, its the local paper for "whats going on". Also if you do any hiking seriously watch out for poison oak, its everwhere, even dogs can get covered in the oils while hiking so dont pet them. Its nasty stuff and can make you unhappy for weeks. List some interests and it would be easier to point you in a direction. Have fun its been really nice lately, where are you coming from?

We're coming up from San Diego and leaving the kids, so we're pretty much looking at relaxing. Definitely hitting the beach during the day, but I have no idea where to eat for dinner. I'd like to hit one swanky restaurant, but we're usually casual diners. Also I would like to find a nice pub to have a couple of pints. Wine tasting would definitely be on the table.

[xero28]

I know that there's a Ruth's Chris in SB, but I'm sure there's one down your way too in SD. I've yet to go there, but as I understand it, it has some of the best steak around. May be overrated, but a friend of mine who supplies restaurants with high end food items said that that's where to go.