All Sorts Of Places: Montecito
Welcome back to All Sorts of Places, where we show you around all the cities Shoppe calls home (and beyond!) In case you missed it, we spent a day off in Newport Beach last week – You can find our full itinerary here.
This week, we’re taking a lil’ road trip north to the central coast town of Montecito, sharing all of the spots we hit in the area – from our fave places to eat, to our essential shopping pit stops (like our Shoppe location at The Montecito Post!) Let’s do this!
WHAT TO DO
Shoppe Amber Interiors
Address: 1809 E Cabrillo Blvd Suite 9, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 10am-6pm, Sat. 10am-6pm, & Sun. 11am-5pm
Shoppe Montecito is conveniently nestled in the middle of The Post Montecito, a charming shopping courtyard situated off the 101. It’s one of our newest locations, which opened earlier this year, and is the perfect place to explore new arrivals, get inspired, and chat with our knowledgeable on-site team for styling tips.
our fave pastimes
Godmothers Bookstore
Address: 2280 Lillie Ave, Summerland, CA 9306
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 10am-5pm
This quaint, independent bookshop opened its doors up last year and is the cutest spot to grab a beach read, a magazine, or just browse the shelves. Though it’s technically located in Summerland, Godmothers is the perfect stop on your way into town if you’re driving north from SoCal.
The Well Antiques
Address: 2350 Lillie Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93067
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10am-5:30pm, Sun. 10am-5pm
If you stopped by Godmothers or happen to be passing through Summerland otherwise, just down the street you’ll find one of the area’s true treasure troves for antiques. Incorporating vintage is at the heart of Amber’s design approach — and we’ve learned from the very best. We love exploring The Well’s thoughtful curation of timeless, one-of-a-kind pieces. This shop is owned by the same folks (and friends of ours!) running another vintage shop we love in Culver City – Big Daddies Antiques.
Butterfly Beach
Address: 1260 Channel Drive Montecito, CA 93108
There are no beaches quite like you find along the central coast! A quick 5-minute walk from Montecito’s main street, Butterfly Beach is a beautiful place to enjoy a sunrise or a sunset walk, paddleboard, or just soak up a lil’ sunshine.
Homebody Studios
Address: 1807 E Cabrillo Blvd. 1807C, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
See schedule for hours
Offering reformer pilates, heated mat pilates, and private sessions, Homebody Studios is the best local spot to get in a good sweat. With an emphasis on mindful movement, it’s the kind of place that assures exercise feels like a true act of self-love.
COFFEE SHOPS
Little King Coffee
Address: 1809 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Hours: Opening soon!
The newest addition to The Post Montecito, Little King Coffee is the best brew in town, hands down! When we opened our doors to Shoppe Montecito in February, they popped up with their coffee cart out front to celebrate with us. To relive our opening weekend and taste our favorite drinks, try their rosemary orange latte or brown sugar cardamom latte.
Image courtesy of Elisenda Farison
Image courtesy of Elisenda Farison
Go-to brews
Merci
Address: 1028 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Hours: Daily 8am-4pm
Located in the Montecito Country Mart, Merci is a Parisian-style cafe with delicious pastries and breakfast options. And the coffee?! Absolutely delicious! We recommend the Spicy Chai Latte with a shot of espresso for something both aromatic and satisfying for that sweet tooth.
Bree’osh Bakery Cafe
Address: 1150 Coast Village Rd, Montecito, CA 93108
Hours: Daily 7am-2pm
With French-born founders, Bree’osh Bakery Cafe has perfected the art of French pastry! We love stopping by this sweet spot to grab a coffee and a croissant – and it never disappoints. We love their delicious Kouign Amann paired with a black coffee for that perfect sweet-savory balance.
Field and Fort
Address: 2580 Lillie Ave. Summerland, California 93067
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Another must-visit spot for a brew and a browse is Field and Fort. Located in Summerland, we love popping by on our way up to Montecito. We recommend ordering the Vanilla Latte with a dash of cinnamon. While you wait, take a stroll through their shop and discover a curated assortment of locally sourced goodies — think small-batch salsas, artisanal bodycare, and freshly baked treats.
WHERE TO DINE
Ospi
Address: 1801 E Cabrillo Blvd STE F, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8am-9pm, Fri. 8am-10pm, Sat. 10am-10pm, Sun. 10am-9pm
No visit to The Post Montecito is complete without a meal at Ospi, an Italian restaurant located right around the corner from Shoppe Amber Interiors. You can’t go wrong with their pasta or pizza, so we always recommend getting one of each for the table! We recommend the Spicy Rigatoni and the Margherita Pizza – simple favorites that really emphasize how well they do Italian food.
Image courtesy of Ospi
Image courtesy of Ospi
Best bites
Clark’s Oyster Bar
Address: 1212 Coast Village Rd, Montecito, CA 93108
Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 11:30am – 9pm, Fri. – Sat. 11:30am – 10pm
If you’re shopping your way down Coast Village Road, we suggest stopping at Clark’s Oyster Bar for a lil’ pick-me-up. They have a rotating selection of oysters from the east & west coasts, served with a house-made cocktail sauce that we can’t get enough of! We recommend ordering at least one dressed oyster for some fresh and fun flavors that fuel the rest of your day.
Lucky’s
Address: 1279 Coast Village Rd, Montecito, CA 93108
See website for hours
Known by locals as “Montecito’s Second Living Room,” Lucky’s is a classic American steakhouse that’s as delicious as it is luxurious. Stop by for an elevated dinner while you’re in town and be sure to order the onion rings in our honor.
Honor Bar
Address:1255 Coast Village Road Santa Barbara, California 93108
Hours: Sun. – Wed. 11am–9pm, Thurs. – Sat. 11am – 10pm
Featuring an easy-on-the-eyes interior and indulgent menu, Honor Bar is a great place to sip on a bev and catch up with friends. We especially love that their wine list focuses primarily on grapes grown locally up and down the Central Coast. We recommend the Jaffurs Syrah from Santa Barbara County or the Crisp Martini.
Alma Fonda Fina
Address: 1024 Coast Village Rd Ste. A, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11am–9pm, Sat. – Sun. 8am – 9pm
Another cute spot in the Montecito Country Mart, Alma Fonda Fina is a newer restaurant serving elevated Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on ceviche. Their crudo menu can’t be beat, from which we especially recommend ordering the Ceviche Cuixmala after a long day in the sun.
Third Window Brewing
Address: 406 E Haley St #3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11:30am–10:30pm, Sat. 11am – 10pm, Sun. 10am – 10pm
A bit off the beaten path and located in Santa Barbara, we love Third Window Brewing as a casual spot to grab a beer and a burger. If you go after 4pm, you’ll also get the chance to order their irresistible wood-fired sourdough pizza. Plus, they sell Texas-style barbecue on Saturdays – Yum! There’s truly something for everyone here.
WHERE TO STAY
San Ysidro Ranch
Address: 1150 Coast Village Rd, Montecito, CA 93108
San Ysidro Ranch is more than a hotel. This place feels like a portal into a fairytale, featuring charming and romantic cottages, complete with beautifully manicured gardens to stroll through. We highly recommend getting a reservation for afternoon tea during your stay.
Like a local
El Encanto
Address: 800 Alvarado Place, Santa Barbara, California, 93103 USA
Designed in honor of Santa Barbara’s architectural heritage, El Encanto blends California Craftsman elements with Spanish Colonial influence, making this spot a designer’s dream – Amber included! With gorgeous views of the ocean, we highly recommend dining at the hotel’s restaurant for some delicious coastal cuisine.
Whether you’re a local or enjoying a vacation in Montecito, we hope this made planning your itinerary a breeze. Thanks for following along, and we’ll see you next week in Culver City!
