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How To Winter In Santa Barbara

Winters sure are rough in our neck of the woods! Sunny 70 degree days. Perfect beach weather and peak surf. Stunning sunsets. And, of course, incredible foodie experiences around every corner!

If you want our advice on things to do in Santa Barbara during the winter, take a look at the list below of upcoming events that are all centered around pleasing your taste buds. And get ready to Instabrag to all your friends.

Stuffed quail from Bear and Star in Los Olivos

Chef’s Table Dinner Featuring 71 Above at Bear and Star, Jan 16 @ 6:30 & 7:30pm

The Bear and Star will be welcoming Los Angeles acclaimed 71 Above for Chef’s Table Dinner for a collaborative six-course tasting menu staged in the Chef’s Room. If we haven’t bragged about our amazing dinner we had when they first opened last year, let us do it one more time. The food here is uh-mazing and should not be missed!

Bonus: Chef Abgaryan, a native Angeleno, was formally trained at Le Cordon Bleu, mentoring at the iconic André Soltner restaurant, Lutèce and debuted the new, world-class dining destination on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower in 2015. So basically, you’ll be dining on creations from a kitchen genius.

Cost: $79 per guest with an optional $50 wine pairing.

To make reservations and see the menu visit the Bear and Star website or call 805-686-1359.

 

7th Annual Wine Classic, Jan 27

Cheers to a new year at The Fess Parker Resort where California’s ultra-elite winemaking masters will assemble for the 7th annual “Winter Wine Classic”. Treat yourself to a VIP pass that gets you in the door at 6pm or practice your patience with a general admission ticket that will have you sniffing and sipping with the best by 7pm.

Cost: $45-110, all ticket prices includes commemorative crystal tasting glass, all wine, and appetizers.

To purchase tickets, visit the California Wine Festival website.

scallops paired with wine

Photo courtesy of SB Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week, Feb 23-Mar 4

Restaurant Week is a week-long feast fest! Our local restaurants will be offering a prix-fixe menu at a reduced price for lunch and dinner.  The 3-course prix fixe menu during dinner time will likely be the best bang for your buck as you’ll be able to feast for less than the usual menu price and you’ll have the chance to pick from three options for each course including your appetizer, entrée and dessert.

Get ready to Instagram the stuffing out of these decadent dishes! And if you need a little crash course on how to take great food photos, be sure to hop on our Funk Zone Food & Photo Tour first where we’ll teach you how to take those foodie photos to the next level.

Cost: Menus will be priced at $25, $35 and $45

To make reservations at participating restaurants, visit the SB Restaurant Week website.

Jamie Slone Wines wine glass

Wine Tasting & Chocolate Pairing w. Kym Slone

Every Friday 3-4pm, Saturday 1-2pm, Sunday 5-6pm

If you’ve been on our wine tour then you know how tasty the wines are at Jamie Slone Wines. Can’t get enough of these guys? Now you can have a little one-on-one wine tasting time with Kym Slone where you’ll pair their portfolio of French and Spanish style wines with chocolates from our local French Chocolatier Jean-Michel of Chocolates Du CaliBressan.

Cost: $35 per person or $20 for wine club members

To make reservations, call (805) 560-6555 or email [email protected].

 

Fishermen’s Market

Every Saturday from 6-11am, join the early birds for a stroll through the Santa Barbara harbor where you’ll find the freshest seafood at the best prices direct from the fishermen themselves! After that, head over to the Saturday morning Farmer’s Market on Cota and Santa Barbara Streets to find fresh fruits and veggies to pair with your nautical feast.

Entrance to Hotel Santa Barbara on State Street

Photo courtesy of Hotel Santa Barbara

Wondering where to stay in Santa Barbara this winter? We highly recommend Hotel Santa Barbara, in the heart of downtown on State Street. This boutique hotel is offering $10 off per night when you book your stay from now until Jan 30, 2018. Just mention the “Eat and Shoot Tour” when booking your stay to receive the discount!

Call 805-957-9300 to reserve your room and make this a winter to remember.