Funk Zone Santa Barbara

One of my favorite neighborhoods in Santa Barbara is the cool and quirky Funk Zone.

I love how this former industrial area has been re-imagined as a trendy cultural hub, with restaurants, wine bars, art galleries and boutiques. The old warehouses have been brought back to life with these thriving businesses.

I also appreciate the fact that it's easy to walk to Funk Zone from downtown Santa Barbara. To get to Funk Zone I just followed Yanonali Street from downtown Santa Barbara, then spent an afternoon exploring the 10-block district.

Everything feels different here compared to the Spanish Colonial architecture that defines the rest of Santa Barbara. It soon becomes clear that this is a haven for the arts. In-fact in the 1980s and 1990s this is where a bustling artistic community resided, in search of cheap rent. 

I can't get enough of Funk Zone, because there's something unique to discover around every corner. It seems like each new building oozes character and atmosphere, and there's something fun to explore. 

10 best things to do at Funk Zone Santa Barbara

1. Santa Barbara Wine Collective

I highly recommend you visit The Santa Barbara Wine Collective at Funk Zone. An old warehouse has been re-purposed as a super cool wine bar, with comfy sofas, bar stools, and a pretty patio area. I'm in awe of how they took a former warehouse and infused it with industrial chic. I sampled some of the wines from local producers, and spent a few hours relaxing here.

I thought the patio was so pretty, full of gorgeous pots of flowers.

I ordered a wine flight at the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, then hung out on the sofas.

This beautiful display caught my eye!

One of the best bakeries in Santa Barbara, Helena Avenue Bakery, also happens to share the same space with the Santa Barbara Wine Collective. I indulged in scrumptious baked goods and delicious coffee. 

2. Pearl Social Cocktail Club.

After spending some time at the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, I wandered next door to the Pearl Social Cocktail Club. This was a really eye-catching, sophisticated space, and the perfect setting for some cocktails. I admired its sumptuous interior, with velvet sofas, wallpaper, antique prints and mirrors. It all integrates beautifully with the existing industrial elements, like the exposed beams of the old warehouse, and the industrial light chandeliers. 

I can only imagine how stunning this place looks at night!  As an added bonus, they also serve oysters and cheeseboards in the evening.

3. Dart Coffee Company.

I visited the Dart Coffee Company each morning for a latte and pastry, and enjoyed the light, breezy interior. It felt good knowing that the cafe donates some of its profits to local artists' studios in the Funk Zone. The cafe also shares a space with Tamar eatery, serving casual mediterranean meals.

The first time I visited Dart Coffee Company, I missed its gorgeous garden directly across the road. I discovered the garden by accident when I was walking back to my car, and enjoyed my coffee at one of the tables beneath the magnificent oak tree. I could've hung out here all day in this enchanting spot!

4. Lucky Penny Pizza.

My favorite place for pizza in the Funk Zone is Lucky Penny Pizza. It struck me that this is a real community hub, where everyone comes together to enjoy pizza or salads, with a beer or wine. The only seating is out on the patio, where I was surrounded by bright flower pots in a garden-like setting. The most distinctive feature of this pizzeria is the shimmering wall of 150,000 pennies.

I started exploring more of Lucky Penny Pizza, and found a bright mural tucked away around the corner with some tables beneath it.

5. Validation Ale.

I love that so many Funk Zone businesses are promoting a sense of community. Another of my favorite places is Validation Ale, which is super fun. There's a social calendar full of pub quizzes, beer dinners, and singles socials.  I chowed down on chicken wings and a burger, and ordered a beer. I discovered the most ordered beer here, known as the "Validated Beer", by looking up at the electronic board. 

After enjoying my meal, I hung out outside to play lawn games like cornhole.

6. Lama Dog Taproom.

I discovered another fun place in the Funk Zone, at the Lama Dog Taproom. I could choose from up to 20 craft beers on tap, and sit out on the shaded alley while enjoying tacos, a burger and fries.

Dogs on a leash can sit on the Lama Dog Taproom patio.

7. Shalhoob's Brewing Company.

One of the most memorable meals I had at the Funk Zone, was at Shalhoob's Brewing Company. This place is known for its tasty meats, and it didn't disappoint. My tacos were incredible!! There were also other menu options like burgers and sandwiches. There's only outdoor dining on the patio, where I purchased a margarita and beer.

8. La Lieff Wines.

One of the things I noticed about the Funk Zone is that there are a lot of wine tasting rooms. I found the neighborhood very walkable, so I spent an afternoon visiting multiple tasting rooms. One of my favorite options was La Lieff Wines, which has an elegant, modern interior, and plenty of seating on the patio. They serve Rhone Varietals from the California Central Coast.

9. Sea Vees California.

It seems like there's something fun to discover around every corner at the Funk Zone. One of my cool discoveries was the retail store for Sea Vees. I found a lot of casual gear here, like sneakers, footwear and clothing, all with a quintessential California look.

This brand actually has an interesting backstory. It was launched in 1964, sold to Converse in 1969, then shut down in 1971. Something remarkable happened when founder Steven Tiller found a vintage pair of Sea Vees in Tokyo, then relaunched the brand in 2008, forty years later.

I really felt like the Sea Vees store in Funk Town had the vibe of a retro 1960s surfshop. 

10. Dylan Star boutique.

I was walking along a street in Funk Zone, and noticed a store with a huge cacti out front, and geometric patterns on the facade. Of course I had to go look inside, and discovered a store chock full of clothing in bold prints, cool hats, toiletries and jewelry. There was just so much stuff here! Dylan Star is the type of boutique where you'll always find something completely unique to wear.

11. Elvn boutique.

I appreciate well made, classic fashion, and was delighted to stumble across Elvn boutique in the Funk Zone.  The store is in a minimalist space, full of timeless pieces that you will keep forever.

12. Loveworn boutique.

I'm a big advocate for recycled fashions, and loved the incredible selection of vintage denim at Loveworn in the Funk Zone. All the classics are here from the 70s and 80s, and there's even some cool tees. The store connects with the Rodeo Gallery next door.

13. Rodeo Gallery.

I thought the art in the Rodeo Gallery had a bit of an Andy Warhol/ Pop Art feel to it. Artist, Wallace Piatt, draws on contemporary subjects and celebrities for inspiration.

14. The Shopkeepers boutique.

One of my favorite clothing shops in the Funk Zone was The Shopkeepers boutique. Everything is super trendy here, including the beautifully curated selection of clothing, jewelry, scents and footwear.

15. Channel Islands Surfboards.

I discovered a section of the Funk Zone that was only one block from the beach. Of course this is the perfect place for a surf shop!  Channel Islands Surfboards has a lot of history, and is the flagship store for this worldwide brand. The surf shop was founded by Al and Terry Merrick in 1969, shaping surfboards from the garage of their family home in Carpenteria. Check out the vintage surfboards from surfing greats like Tom Curren and Kelly Slater, or the amazing selection of surfboards, fins, wetsuits, clothing, towels and hats.