Shopping - Santa Barbara, California



Shopping

The Santa Barbara shopping scene has changed considerably over the years. With high rents on State Street, many locally owned boutiques and stores have given way to chains and out-­of-­town ownership. In this section, we have highlighted our unique locally owned businesses that provide great shopping experiences. We hope you will support them.

The area also has some fabulous antiques shopping. You’ll find a concentration of stores in Summerland and Carpinteria brimming with treasures from the past.

Perhaps what best defines shopping in Santa Barbara is the experience itself. Strolling the sunny outdoor paseos amid palms and fountains, people-watching at a sidewalk cafe, and sampling luscious local fruits at our friendly farmers’ markets are all part of the Santa Barbara shopping experience. It’s a browser’s paradise.

Overview

In this chapter, we first give you an overview of the region’s main shopping areas. Then we take you on a brief tour of major shopping malls and arcades and share a list of homegrown stores that are unique to the area. Finally, we depart from our usual geographic listing format to point out a few of the most popular specialty stores by category—from bookstores to surf wear to women’s clothing. All stores are open daily unless otherwise noted.

If you’re on a mission, take this book with you to save time. Need help making a selection? Ask one of our friendly shopkeepers. Most love to chat with customers and are happy to point out one-­of-­a-kind treasures. Finally, a few words of advice before you head out: Pace yourself, make sure you take time to stop and enjoy the scenery, and buy something special so you’ll remember Santa Barbara long after you return home. Happy shopping!

Shopping - The Arts

The Santa Barbara arts scene has been hopping since the 1870s. Spurred by reports of the glorious climate and gorgeous scenery, wealthy families from the East, South, and Midwest began moving here in droves in the late 1800s and the first half of the 20th century. Rather than do without the established opera houses, museums, theaters, and orchestras to which they were accustomed, they decided to bring world-­class culture right here.

This tremendous local support continues to this day and is largely responsible for the big-­city variety and quality of arts and culture in our relatively small community. We have our own symphony, two chamber orchestras, choral groups, a professional ballet company, and several theater companies presenting everything from Shakespeare and Broadway-­style musicals to contemporary dramas and comedies. You can also explore several major art museums, a natural history museum, and a number of historical museums.

A great thing about Santa Barbara is that you don’t have to travel far to enjoy performances by world-­class artists. Instead, they come here, and they don’t seem to need much convincing. Santa Barbara is a perfect stopover on a trip to Los Angeles or San Francisco. And who wouldn’t want to hang out on the beach or stroll the streets of our beautiful town between performances?

The area’s stimulating intellectual environment has attracted both emerging artists and those whose names are already internationally renowned. Just sit for a while in a downtown cafe and look around. You’re bound to see budding photographers, screenplay writers, artists, and musicians. You might also run into one of our many resident celebrities, including film stars, directors, producers, and novelists.

Overview

While we couldn’t possibly include everything related to the arts in this chapter, we’ve tried to give you a good idea of the depth and breadth of our cultural offerings. The chapter isn’t arranged geographically because nearly all the groups and venues are in Santa Barbara.

To find out what’s happening in Santa Barbara while you’re here, we recommend you pick up any of the following publications. The Santa Barbara Independent is a free weekly newspaper that comes out every Thursday and includes a detailed events calendar for the entire week. It also has a popular arts section with reviews, information, and gallery listings. The Santa Barbara News-­Press features a daily listings calendar. The Friday issue includes a special Scene magazine with a day-­by-­day events listing for the week as well as reviews and other arts information. CASA, a weekly arts-oriented real estate tabloid, covers local theater arts, and musical events.

1. La Arcada Court

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Address: 1114 State St.

Description: You’ll know you’re at the entrance to beautiful La Arcada Court when you see a giant clock on a pedestal in front of a broad, tiled walkway about a half block from the Museum of Art. The Spanish-­Mediterranean ambience takes you back in time and makes you forget the hustle and bustle of adjacent State Street. Wander the cool paved corridors, and you’ll find art galleries, specialty shops, and coffee shops. In fact, the arcade is somewhat of a gallery in itself. Whimsical sculptures and life-­size bronzes provide fun photo opportunities, and the sounds of bubbling fountains fill the air. Visit the old-­fashioned barbershop, or browse the stores for top-­of-­the-­line children’s clothing, consigned women’s clothing, contemporary furniture, and one-­of-­a-kind gifts.


2. Paseo Nuevo

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Address: 651 State St.

3. Victoria Court

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 965-2216
Address: 1200 block of State Street

Description: Locals like the small-­scale, cozy ambience of the 2-story collection of shops and restaurants at Victoria Court. The SOhO nightclub is upstairs, and a changing panoply of boutiques are down below. At last glance, Lola, a delightful resale women’s clothing store, took residence as well as a new restaurant, Scarlett Begonia, named for the owner’s daughter.

4. Imagine

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 899-3700
Address: 11 W. Canon Perdido St.

Description: This pair of wonderfully imaginative emporiums peddles a variety of uniquely artistic items as far ranging as toys and gifts to furnishings. Find everything from clothing you won’t find elsewhere to home accessories and decorations, cool jewelry, gifts for men and under $5 knickknacks. Sale staffers are super helpful and friendly, too. Imagine’s second location is in Montecito at 1470 E. Valley Rd. (805-695-0220).

5. Jedlicka’s Saddlery

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 687-0747, (800) 681-0747
Address: 2605 De la Vina St.

Description: Bring out the wrangler in you with Jedlicka’s, renowned for its cowboy boots and hats. Started by George (Jed) Jedlicka in 1932, this Western store provides “everything for you and your horse.” This is where real ranchers outfit themselves. You’ll have a great time looking through the authentic Western clothes, belt buckles, Stetson hats, custom-­made saddles, and riding equipment for men, women, and children. Jedlicka’s is closed Sun.

6. Lewis & Clark

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 962-6034
Address: 1116 State St.

Description: Locally owned for 30 years, Lewis & Clark is packed chockablock full of sweet treasures. Within its cottage feel (loose bricks clack quietly underfoot), are china, books, vintage linens, and inexpensive jewelry. You could while away an entire afternoon investigating every corner of this gem of a store, and it’s especially festive and appropriate for special holiday shopping such as Easter and Christmas. A second location is in Montecito at 1286 Coast Village Rd. (805-969-7177).

7. Magellan’s

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 568-5402

Description: America’s leading source for travel supplies is headquartered in Santa Barbara, and we love this showroom where you can view all the unique travel products featured in Magellan’s catalogs, from alarm clocks and luggage to rain gear and water filters. If you are a traveler, it’s hard to leave this place empty-handed. More than luggage, there’s very stylish lightweight clothing, super comfortable and lightweight shoes, teensy-weensy keychain backpacks, and more, more, more. Access the website for great web specials and travel advice.

8. Prana

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 564-1007
Address: 1200 State St.

Description: Walk in from the adjoining Santa Barbara Outfitters store and leave the busy activewear atmosphere behind. Santa Barbara Outfitters has partnered with the yoga and outdoor apparel line, PrAna, to create a relaxed and soothing shop with all the apparel, shoes, and a small amount of home accessories to add balance and peace to your life. PrAna has indoor bike racks for the environment-­conscious cruiser and offers free yoga classes every week.

9. Santa Barbara Museum of Art

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 884-6454
Address: 1130 State St.

Description: The Santa Barbara Art Museum Store sells aesthetically pleasing goods. You can find beautiful pottery, dishes, paper wares, home accessories, jewelry, goofy cameras, and more; there is even a section for children with toys and other fun stuff. You can also page through books about art and artists, purchase cards made by local artists, or just admire all the simply cool things on display. Like most art museum gift shops, this is also a good stop for purchasing beautiful postcards to send back home.

10. Santa Barbara Outfitters

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 564-1007
Address: 1200 State St.

Description: Santa Barbara Outfitters is “SB’s year-­round playground.” Locally owned and operated, it carries everything needed to get out and partake in Santa Barbara’s natural wonders. Originally better known for its adventure programs (including mountain biking, river rafting, hiking, backpacking, and trips to the Channel Islands), locals now turn to the huge store for their athletic needs. Name the sport, and you’ll find the equipment or apparel required. The store has an indoor climbing wall, which is open 7 days a week and is the perfect place to let your kids (or yourself!) test their adventurous spirit. Be sure to check out their online store.

11. Antique Alley

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 962-3944
Address: 706 State St.

Description: This antiques collective is jam-­packed with all kinds of collectibles and bric-­a-brac. The aisles resemble a giant estate sale, with antique furniture, estate jewelry, china, glassware, pottery, fine art, paintings, prints, and vintage clothes.

12. Just Folk

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 969-7118
Address: 2346 Lillie Ave.

Description: When television-­producer friends Marcy Carsey (The Cosby Show) and Susan Braewald discovered their penchant for American folk and outsider art, they joined forces to build a delightful, award-­winning, 2-story showroom in Summerland that exhibits and sells first-­rate American antiques and art. Worth a visit, even if you cannot afford the goods.

13. Mediterranee

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 695-0910
Address: 2500 Lillie Ave.

Description: South American and European antiques, fine art, and a dizzying array of garden fountains and furnishings fill the 12,000-square-­foot house-­turned-­showroom and gardens of Carolina Pierpont’s delightful gallery. Known to love a party, Carolina often hosts popular open houses complete with dancing Brazilian girls and plenty of good food and drink.

14. Michael Haskell Antiques

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 565-1121
Address: 539 San Ysidro Rd.

Description: One of Santa Barbara’s most highly respected antiques dealers, Michael Haskell is not only a Santa Barbara native, but he has a local surf spot named for him. Specializing in Spanish Colonial furnishings, art, and santos as well as 18th- and 19th-­century Italian pieces, he and his son Eric also have a fine antique reproduction line of lighting, iron, and furnishings.

15. Summerhill Antiques

City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (805) 969-3366
Address: 2280 Lillie Ave.

Description: Summerhill was established in 1977 as seaside Summerland’s first antiques store. Browse this chock-­a-block shop filled with world-­class antiques from around the globe and then wander down the block in either direction to a myriad of other fine antiques shops and boutiques.
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