Great resto with a fab former harbor pier on it! One of the most fascinating experiences in visiting the Santa Barbara area is one's ability to mix land, ocean and air in a beautiful experience. Here on Stearns Wharf at the Longboards Grill you get to enjoy yet one more thing - great seafood with a view! Whether a beautiful sunny sunset or a magnificent typical foggy morning, its wonderful. When on vacation your biggest issue is ensuring you enjoy yourself as much as you can, and having had an early afternoon meal at Longboard's was perfect. From the great view of the pier, the fascinating panorama of the Pacific and the fab seafood experienced here made that day the more enjoyable. The Fish 'n' Chips was superb along with its side of slaw were fabulous. The sweet potato fries are scrumptious - the Sangria superb! We wish we could munch here every week - it's a little far for us from Phoenix though. Highly recommended! read more

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Stopping by SB on our way down the coast, and looped by Stearn's Wharf to do the touristy thing. Ended up running into the arts & crafts market, so by the time we got to the Wharf, we were hungry. There is a restaurant on the first floor that looks much fancier and nicer. Longboard's is upstairs, outside, with a nice view of the water. We didn't know they were two restaurants. We ended up getting some clam chowder and a fish sando, and both were really good. Service was friendly too. The clam chowder came in a sourdough bread bowl, which was a well-made piece of bread - nice and crusty. We parked in a lot a block or so away from the Wharf, but the Wharf has free 90 minute parking (I think the caveat is that it gets REALLY expensive after 90 minutes -- I didn't check). Bathrooms were downstairs, multi-stalled, and gendered with a cute beach themed tile strip. read more

Old - longboards - Clam chowder and fish sando, and a salad. - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

A casual eatery on the wharf upstairs from the Harbor restaurant with an outdoor patio and an indoor area with beautiful views of the harbor and ocean. Not busy inside at 2 pm on a weekday but only one waitress made for a slow start, but the bartender happily took over and took care of us. We ordered clam chowder and sweet potato fries to share. The chowder was delicious and sweet potato fries were nice and hot and cooked just right. This place closed down for a short while to update the decor and seating inside but the menu is basically the same casual menu they have had for years. But no more peanuts to throw on the floor like back in the day. If you want a casual meal with a great view this is a great place. read more

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Unfortunately I have to say our entire experience as far as food was zero stars. Our waiter was very kind and helpful. However our food took almost an hour to come out. My husbands medium burger came out well done, with even a well done pick on it. My lobster roll was not at all as expected. Everything came out lukewarm at best. I ate maybe two bites of everything. We've given this place at least 3 chances and not one has been at all worth the price. I wish this restaurant would be as great as the servers they hire, it's them I feel sorry for. read more

Old - longboards - Blue cheese burger - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We have been here before, and we get a thrill every time we come. We had clam chowder, a wedge salad, and two Mai Tais! I highly recommend this place. They had awesome service. We enjoy sitting by the ocean, watching their waves crush onto the shore, and it's just a pleasant place to be. read more

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Love everything we've had at Longboards in the past. Hubby's sister was out from TX and wanted to take us to lunch. We had a blast on the pier and walking up state street. Parking on the pier is free for the first 90 minutes. Hubby and my sister in law, both, were thrilled with their fish n chips platters. Big generous fish fillets fried to perfection with a fluffy crisp batter. Cole slaw is creamy and crisp, served with fresh tasty tarter sauce. I tried everything, including to die for fries and loved it all. Ive enjoyed the fish tacos before but decided to try the shrimp tacos, fabulous! The handmade fresh tortillas are thick and delicious. Our server was so sweet and seemed to show up at just the right time with everything we needed with a smile! A great stop in Santa Barbara! read more

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The last few years we have come to Santa Barbara in late July for my daughter's birthday. Last year we had a great experience at Longboard's Grill, so we decided to have lunch here today. Unfortunately, the experience this year wasn't very good. My daughter is autistic and wants her hamburger plain--just meat, lettuce, and bun. That's how I ordered it, and the server repeated it back to me. Unfortunately, when they brought it out, it had cheese. She will not eat it with cheese, so we sent it back. The waiter said it would be a few minutes. I had already received my burger and fries, and our companion had received his soup, so we started eating, but I was almost done by the time her burger arrived 20 minutes later. When it did come, the burger was on top of the lettuce, which was wilted , slimy, and inedible from being under a hot, greasy burger. My companion order clam chowder. The chowder was very heavy on onions and light on clams and potatoes. He also had ordered a salad, but he had to ask for it when they brought out my daughter's burger. The waiter said that the kitchen was busy, but it doesn't take 40 minutes to make a simple Caesar's salad. Altogether we had issues with both the service and the food, so next year we will find somewhere else to eat. read more

Hostess let us know that they have new owners and a complete remodel. Never having been to the area before, I have nothing to compare it to, but service was good, the view from the deck was nice and my spicy margarita was made really well. The downstairs restaurant is beautifully decorated and has a classy vibe to it. The views are very nice as well. The menu looked good and I was told they have new chefs to go with the new look and new menu. My review is just based on drinks and the friendliness of the staff. read more

Great food and the views are amazing!!! I love sitting up above the Harbor Restaurant with nothing blocking your view. You are able to see boats coming in and out. read more

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If you like seasoning on your food then don't eat here because they don't use seasoning. If you like good customer service don't at here they don't check on you are refill drinks read more

Food is really bad. I ordered a chicken wrap and came with no chicken. Sent it back and they remade with barely any chicken. My husband order a chicken roll which tasted like something they picked up at the grocery store. Premade and cold. Never will go back. read more

I was born and raised in Santa Barbara and this was actually the first time I had food from Longboards. The place is nice and casual with great views. The service was excellent. However the food was just okay, or at least my dish. My wife loved her cheeseburger, but honestly I think it's kind of hard to screw up a cheeseburger. I ordered the cioppino and I'd give it 5/6 out of 10. The soup base was not as tasty as others I've had, and the dish was completely absent of clams and mussels - as you can see in my photo. I should've sent it back, but we were enjoying our time out away from the kids. Overall, I would definitely return, but definitely not ordering the cioppino again. read more

Old - longboards - Cioppino lacked flavor in the broth and the clams and mussels were completely absent. - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Did you guys change ownership or something? As a local I crave Longboards' chicken tenders with the panko breading. I guess it's been a while since I came cause today it was like cafeteria style chicken strips. Really disappointing. Please do let me know if you return to the old menu! Not worth the price. However, 5 stars to our server! He was the bartender and the only one in the restaurant besides the kitchen staff. He was great and I made sure to leave a nearly 40% tip cause he deserved it. Really just wish business owners would stop cutting corners and delivering mediocre food. I live in sb, I'll gladly pay tourist pricing for decent food. That just left me sad. Ambiance always great, miss the peanuts. read more

Old - longboards - They used to do delicious panko breading on the chicken strips not anymore. Cafeteria style. Not good. Overpriced. - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

DO NOT COME FOR HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE this year they charged $60 plus auto tip per person and the food was a bunch of reheated Costco crap. Seriously the greed was GREEDY read more

Whenever we come visit Santa Barbara this place is our go to after a long walk from the zoo or just around and about. Food is great, fresh and tasty. Service at the time of visit is not busy so we are served well. Great view and clean surroundings. Music is enough to hear your party talking. Definitely a good spot. read more

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I left pretty disappointed. "Award winning clam chowder" they say. Nah, 3 stars at best. But what really got me was the clam chowder bread bowl. Typical bread bowls are usually pretty deep with a decent portion of chowder. Not this one, 3 spoon fulls before I hit bottom. Sincerely, disappointed AF :( read more

Went with a small group (7) and sat on the patio. When we arrived, the restaurant was not busy and we were seated right away. The server got our drink and food order pretty quickly. I ordered the Mean Tai first. The drink had very little flavor other than booze. One of group members ordered chips and guacamole. I then ordered the Fish & Chips and the "award winning" New England Clam Chowder. The chips and guacamole were fair. The salsa was more like pico de gallo, but the guacamole was the delicious. Unfortunately, we were only given a few chips with which to dip the generous amount of guacamole. Even though the restaurant claims their Clam Chowder is "award winning," I found it was really watery and not as good as I've had on the wharfs in Monterey and San Francisco. The server only stopped by a couple times. At one point, we were all done and waited for about 15 minutes before the server showed up on the patio again to bring us the bill. The only redeeming quality was the Fish & Chips. The red snapper was coated in a delicious beer batter and the French fries were crispy with just the right seasoning. I will probably choose another place to eat dinner next time I visit the pier in Santa Barbara. read more

Awesome views, great service and the pina colada and Santa Barbara Paloma were amazing! The food was great too!

Food is a hit or miss really. Drinks suck. They used to be known for stiff drinks. They call their mean tais mean. I don't know about mean. Most expensive drink on their menu but yet a wine cooler is stiffer. Service was horrible a couple of months ago, it's not the best but has not better. Overall maybe go there for appetizers but don't spend $40 on 2 drinks. read more

Was greeted by the venerable bartender Nelson at Longboard's Santa Barbara which led to a 2 hr lunch. Cioppino was good, view was epic. Arturo was on point helping our party. Can't wait for summer and this place! read more

Old - longboards - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We sat at the bar ordered two drinks that were fine and some Ceviche .the Ceviche was a no go

The best Mia Tia is no longer on the menu so sad. They have no dark rum. RIP to the "Mean Tia" hopefully it comes back

Service was not good. Waited for over 15 min for a server to come take our order. All we ordered was clam chowder, garlic bread and basic drinks. Soup came out before the drinks. Soup was only warm. Had to ask for utensils and napkins. read more

This review is only because I always come to long boards for my favorite chicken strips - panko style and delicious the best ones around. I went a couple weeks ago and was so devastated to find that they changed their menu and they don't have the same chicken strips anymore, heart broken. Please bring the old chicken strips back! read more

Everything about this place is GREAT! Yummy food, great view, good service, kid friendly- the works! All of the young folks working here are working their butts off; this place seems to get packed around dinner time so if you want to ensure quick service and a less crowded dining experience, come eat at 430/500 (which, if you have small children, you will likely do any way lol) Thanks, Longboard's Santa Barbara! Love, an LA Mama read more

Waste of my dollars . Beer was warm food was real bad they need to change their oil before they fry the fish and chips or shrimp. The only good thing was the view. S reception was good service bad all the waiter and waitresses looked upset for some reason , not going back. read more

Old - longboards - Receipt - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

All I can say is....it has the name "Longboards". Decor, food and service are not the Longboards I remember. I had hyped up how great the Cookie Monster dessert was to my kids....nothing like the original. Fried food is ok, beer was good. Prices were high for what we got.. $22 for a special manhattan. Great views! read more

We were greeted right away and our server was very attentive. The outside seating over looking the ocean was perfect for watching the sunset. Our drinks were spot on. The chef prepared yummy gf chicken grilled tacos. Our dog Boomer loved it as well! read more

Came into to see Nelly and Scotty. Had the seafood pasta for lunch. Couple of local drafts. Service from Maria on the deck was on point. Also, absolutely spectacular view! Breath taking to say the least. Lady got a nice buzz from the frozé. Check it out soon read more

If the rumors are true that Longboards has closed, that is excellent news, as it has been one of my favorite places to eat when I visit Santa Barbara. I was recommended to this place back in the 1990s by a Santa Barbara native, so after not going to Longboards since 2018/2019, my wife and I went. I decided to go there for lunch back on May 30, 2025. This was one of my worst dining experiences. The restaurant is never empty on a Friday afternoon. Still, it was on this day, and the service was horrible. The people working there were somewhere else rather than being there. The food quality and quantity were worse. I had to ask for Silverware, Napkins, and ranch dressing, Etc. We only saw our server once that is when we asked him for the check and when he took our order never came back and ask can I get you anything not even to refill waters I had to ask for a water refill as if I was an inconvenience to them, please let the excuse for this is there was an ownership change. Things have gone downhill ever since. Note to anyone reading this: do not visit this place; save your money! read more

Shout out to Nelson he's a great bartender and had great service here. Seating was amazing and overall loved the experience.

Love the food! Their costumer service is the best. The interior is very clean and nice. Workers and respectful and hard working. Honestly the best spot on the pier. I would 10/10 recommend coming here for lunch. From now on, this is my favorite restaurant on the pier. read more

This is the best spot on the pier!!! The view was great. We got greeted and the door by the host when we walk in. We decided to eat at longboards for the outdoor patio. The manger greeted us and got us seated. We got a pineapple mojito and a beer and the drinks were awesome. The food was also amazing and will definitely be coming back. read more

Service is slow and not attentive. The food quality is not great for the cost either. The entrees all came out at different times and as I type this, I still haven't received my entree. Boo read more