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    Recommended Reviews - The Funk Zone

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    Shayla B.

    It's aaallll for the funk of it! As its' name states, the Funk zone is quite funky. This is a hip and swanky little area in Santa Barbara that's filled with cute tasting rooms, restaurants, and boutique shops. It's bustling, lively, and there's never a dull moment here. It's a fun area to take a stroll and explore. Although the crowd seems to be more on the hipsterish side, I wouldn't call this area completely hipster. What's nice is that there's something here for people of all ages. There's also some really nice street art around these parts. Apparently there used to be a lot more artwork but the city has toned it down. I was still able to spot some nice street art during the stroll through. There's also some quirky quotes and signage that lets you know that you're in the funk zone. Little districts like this really make me smile because it confirms that uniqueness and individuality isn't dead. It's very much alive and still embraced in these kinds of environments. I feel like this area is most known for its' wine tasting rooms. There are a TON to choose from and many of them are literally right next to each other. This makes for an ideal wine bar hopping session. And if you've had wine from Santa Barbara, you know that it's dayum delicious. I feel like you can't really miss the funk zone because it's right in middle of everything. Have some good wine, enjoy the yummy restaurants, bask in the local artwork and enjoy the funk while you're here.

    Al L.

    The Funk Zone? It's a revitalization of an approximately ten block area between State St and Garden St and Montecito St to Cabrillo Blvd by the Wharf that housed manufacturing, produce, citrus and fishing businesses into arts, culture and business area consisting of wineries, restaurants, art galleries and shops. On a Thursday, we were here around 3pm for an early dinner at a restaurant in the area so we had time to explore. After parking, we visited the State St. Visitor's Center and got a map of The Funk Zone and the surrounding area. Following the map, we walked through the area that consisted of art studios, retail shops, wineries and breweries and dining spots. I guess since it was mid-afternoon on a weekday, the area was kind of quiet. Maybe it's livelier in the evening and weekends. After walking through the area, we had time to walk down to the Stearns Wharf and into Downtown which borders the north and south sides of The Funk Zone. A hip an artsy area but glad we got to check it out. We enjoyed a great dinner at The Lark.

    Eat, Art, Stroll... fun place to check out
    Jacqueline S.

    I look for reviving areas like this... certainly a place with creativity, artistic vibe where innovation is part of the location and the visitors. This is a vibrant Area, so nice to see the antiques, Art, Vintage, up-cycled items. With so many places for small bites, a drink, some laughter and friends time. Thanks Santa Barbara- it was a great day to explore! We enjoyed the stroll through shops, friendly folks, ice cream, and quirky transportation. Good fun. Easy 90 minutes parking. Fantastic people watching. Close to the ocean, and easy exit from Highway 101.

    Beautiful day in the zone
    Douglas M.

    Funny that I have never before reviewed the Funk Zone. It's my home away from home. When I had a somewhat alcohol heavy dinner at Joe's with mayor Schneider a number of years ago I asked if I could be the Mayor of the Funk Zone... her response was "no problem, I sure as Hell don't want it!" I took that responsibility very seriously and made a point to "patrol" and monitor it several days a week. When I started going it wasn't referred to as the Funk Zone, just a forgotten part of SB. Santa Barbara Winery was the only wine for decades, Pierre LaFond was a visionary for sure. Gradually Giessenger Winery popped up, a wine collective which is now Oreana and eventually Kalyra, which was the spark that truly ignited the flame that created what we have today. As Kunin, Corks n Crowns, Municipal and others popped up the Urban Wine Trail was coined and quickly succumbed to the title Funk Zone. The appropriate name since before the expansion and high rents, that is exactly what it was. Art studios and surfboard shapers living in their work spaces, creating art and selling it, often doing potluck wine and food events to bring people to their openings. Some of the original vibe lives in places like Loveworn, Wallace's gallery, a tattoo shop and a surfboard museum. As more wine tasting rooms, restaurants and beer gardens pop up let's never lose the history or feel of what it one was.

    Jo S.

    I kept reading lately about the Funk Zone in downtown Santa Barbara, I walked by around its borders, but never had the time to explore it. On our last day trip to Santa Barbara, we made a point to check it out. Their site has a map to download, it's useful, you can find it around the Funk Zone stores, it makes it easier to explore the area. The Funk Zone is an old industrial area, nestled between State St. and Garden, toward the ocean, the Stearns Wharf. Cabrillo is your south border, Montecito the north one. A few streets in between, booming with new cool restaurants (Loquita, Nook, The Lark among them), cool art galleries, a Surf Museum opened on Sundays (but closed the Sunday I was there, it looks cool, though), vintage stores, breweries (Topa Topa, Figueroa Mountain, etc) and wineries (Les Marchands, Area 5. 1, Pali Wine, etc). It's lively, full of hip people, locals mostly, colorful with cool street art and funky places, art studios. Something interesting to look at every corner. Some art galleries were closed when we were in the area, hopefully they'll keep them opened in the future. The ones we visited were cool, had nice, diverse art on display and the people working there were nice and fun to chat with. If you're in Santa Barbara and get tired of some of the chains from State St. (the downtown is a bit depressed with many stores closed or some seedier bars, bit too commercial and loud), the Funk Zone is the place to be, lively, hip, trendy. If you're a foodie, many restaurants here are getting raving reviews, if you want to relax, enjoy some local beer or wine. And there's always art around.

    I want to fly back, Love this place.
    Vicki C.

    Elevated well beyond Hip, the Funk Zone is the embodiment what is right now in Santa Barbara. Just describing it gives me sensory overload, a combination of art, history, shopping surrounded by wineries, breweries and distilleries. Don't let the small footprint fool you, there is so much energy bursting out of this area. The Funk Zone is like a subculture of everything I want to do on my "me time". It is located just steps from the pier, harbor, beaches, train station and State Street, you can check it out any time you like and you may never leave. Spend a day or two in the Funk Zone to experience Yes to the (FUNK) degree.

    Funk Zone wine bar
    Yuri Y.

    I'm definitely the wrong demographic for this Zone. When I came of age, "funk" was a 1960's African American musical style that still moves me. This zone doesn't (least ways, in the same way). This is millennial territory, with a series of hipster heavy wine bars and cutsie graffiti-splattered store fronts that wants to be Soho and Napa and Berkeley mashed together. Interesting. The wines were good and the small plates to go with a nice way to while away the afternoon.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Duncan W.

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    4 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Great time to walking around this cute boutique restaurants and bars. Recommend a weekend there!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    A nice carve out near the coast. Was a light industrial area, transformed to shops, dining and libations. Highly recommended.

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Covid was tough in businesses soo glad this is are looking up. Thst most survived thank you.

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    7 years ago

    Love this neighborhood! What a turnaround! Truly a foodie heaven! The wine isn't Napa but who cares.

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    7 years ago

    Tasting rooms, art galleries, live music and restaurants all near the beach. Love the Funk Zone.

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    8 years ago

    Food is fresh portions are hardy atmosphere is lively love the artist market in the back and music too

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    Ask the Community - The Funk Zone

    Are kids allowed?

    Yup it's like daycare! Brass Bear and Validated Ale seem to be favorites for parents but most wineries/breweries are ok with kids especially when there's live music.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Funk Zone

    And all nestled nicely between Highway 101 and Cabrillo Blvd, and between Garden Street and State Street.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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