So much to love about these 10 blocks of Shopping, Wine, Beer, Coffee, Restaurants, Art, Museums and Culture, Hotels, and more Shopping. And all nestled nicely between Highway 101 and Cabrillo Blvd, and between Garden Street and State Street. Can't even start with what my favorite spots are, I find a new one each time I visit. Usually plenty of street parking on the weekdays, and on the weekends definitely need to use one of the assorted public parkling lots in the area. You'll also find Live DJ's, Karaoke, Trivia Nights, Live Music, Bingo, Happy/Hoppy Hours . . . and sometimes dancing in the streets. read more

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This is a truly funky place to explore. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants, unique shops, wineries, breweries, coffee, antiques, and more. Parking is challenging on the weekends. We've been there when it's busy and it can be festive-- pop ups in old vintage rv's or outside beer halls can appear; bands playing in several spots, etc. Experiences can be hit or miss. We visited a winery called Area 51 which sounded fun, but the wines were just okay. But Pali Wine had very good wines, a relaxing patio, and cool live music. The stores vary from very pricey threads to affordable knick knacks; succulents to vintage records to original artwork. Many spaces occupy previously owned old businesses that give it a nostalgic feeling. A few top name wineries have spaces here (i.e. Fess Parker). Definitely worth checking out in looking for a unique time in Santa Barbara. read more

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So fun!!! Took the train up from Oxnard ! Easy walk from the train station and so much to do. I'd much rather be at the funk zone than Downtown SB. Downtown has really changed since I was in college and The Funk Zone is more my scene. Real chill! Look up a few places you want to visit and just hop around with friends ! It's fun!!! read more

A lot if hype for crowds and overpriced food and drinks. Difficult parking situation. A bunch of smokers you have to walk through their smoke. They need a public restroom, enforcement of no smoking and lower the rents so the businesses don't have to charge so much for avocado toast and coffee! read more

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

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. read more

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

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. read more

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This place is a must go in Santa Barbara. Came here with some friends while visiting Santa Barbara and we had an absolute blast. Plenty of places to eat drink shop and just browse. This will be a must go place whenever we come back. read more

I have been coming here since before it was the official Funk Zone and it was always eclectic and had cool shops and little wineries etc. Little by little it's being ruined. When you see the Fess Parker's and now maybe 3 little retail stores with $180 T Shirts, you know the rents are $$$$$ and the cool, small businesses can't hang with the big dogs. It's no longer a destination. Just a couple of streets to walk through and maybe do a tasting. Beyond that? Don't plan on spending the day there. Capitalism and gentrification destroys everything read more

It's been obviously been years and years since I've been to Santa Barbara because when I was here last, there were only a few restaurants and a couple of hotels on this end of State Street, not enough for the local businesses to team and label themselves "The Funk Zone". No complaints here. This super trendy area is reminiscent of LA's Arts District with beautiful murals, fantastic new restaurants with instagrammable walls and foods and plenty of wine bars to choose from. They even have more hotels and a couple of museums now. And even an art installation right. there on State Street! Some of the best new restaurants in town can even be found here. If you're mobile, the Funk Zone is very walkable from a lot of points of interest in town like the beach, the wharf, the Public Market and the Presidio. Parking might not be the best, but like I mentioned before, it's within walking distance of a lot of places you'd be walking to/from anyway. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

The Funk Zone - Beautiful day in the zone - Vinyl Records Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The problem with The Funk Zone is that our week is made up of more than just weekends. Driving through Santa Barbara on a weekday I made some time for The Funk Zone and found it to be... missing? With several wine tasting bars and craft beer spots I could certainly surmise that this is a hopping place during the weekend but mid-week it's something else entirely. What was billed as a vibrant arts district is far from vibrant during the middle of the week. Artist studios and art galleries may exist here but I wandered into and out of, quite quickly, the only 3 open places I found. As I understand it, there's lots more art studios open on the weekends. Maybe. I can't vouch for that. I think The Funk Zone is an interesting little area to walk around in, shop a wee bit, and enjoy a cocktail/wine/beer/bite but you can do that many other places in Santa Barbara as well. I'd come back here to check out the weekend scene but if I were coming through again mid-week I'd pass on the experience as there's not much "there" there. read more

First of all location, location, location. Santa Barbara has a unique vibe. It is a tourist destination with a small town feel. There are so many restaurants, wine bars, breweries, clothing boutiques and art galleries to visit in the FUNK ZONE. My children attended in nearby Goleta at UC Santa Barbara and so we have been coming to the area for years. The Funk Zone is a relatively new addition to the party scene in Santa Barbara. Very fun to visit during the day or at night. It is family and dog friendly. I highly recommend!! read more

The Funk Zone is where I usually go when I visit SB. This little area is very hip and artsy with tons of eateries, shopping but most importantly lots of wineries and breweries. I never had an issue parking and I could spend the entire day here just drowning myself in booze. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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Interesting neighborhood. Different vibe than State Street (and within walking distance to same as well as to Stearn's Wharf). Wine, beer, enticing restaurants, street art, cool shops. Parking was a pain because of the time limit everywhere but we found spots w/o a time limit along Montecito Street so try that. read more

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. read more

The Funk Zone - Funk Zone wine bar - Vinyl Records Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara has certainly changed quite a bit since back when my parents used to load my sisters and I into the back seat of a '92 Previa to make the 2 hour drive up to eat shellfish on Stern's Wharf. In that day, the Funk Zone used to be all warehouses and factories, with semi-trucks and bobcat loaders instead of tasting rooms and antique shops. I feel the change has really been for the better. The waterfront is now a very fun place to visit, especially if you're into cool street art, trendy restaurants, wine tasting, and antiquing. We spent about half a day strolling around The Funk Zone, which as I learned, is more of a neighborhood, rather than an actual compound. Parking was for the most part pretty easy, we managed to find a street spot, but there are municipal lots in the area that charge by the hour. The area is very walkable, and many of the old warehouse walls are now are lined with interesting street art. You will find many, and I mean many, tasting rooms featuring wineries of the Central Coast. I would caution against trying to do all of them without ample use of the spit bucket or a DD. We stopped into the Kunin Wines tasting room, and tasted a couple flights. We also did a spirit tasting at Cutler's Artisan Spirits, which was a lot of fun with a very friendly gentleman behind the bar doing the pours. (Separate review coming for that). By far the thing I was most looking forward to was having some tiki drinks at Test Pilot, which surpassed my expectations at how good they were. If you're not into drinking, there's plenty of dining and shopping to do, as well. The Lark is a busier upscale restaurant that was well worth making a reservation in advance of a busy weekend. But I think next time, we will grab a couple slices from The Lucky Penny. We spent a good amount of time checking out cool antiques and knick knacks at The Blue Door and Antique Alley as well. Prices were pretty high, but it was fun to just peruse and enjoy the A/C. The Funk Zone has really brought a fun and interesting, albeit hipster, element to the SB Waterfront. We will definitely be back here on our next trip up to Santa Barbara! read more

The Funk Zone - Vinyl Records Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Such a cool funky area to walk around in. It's basically an area of old buildings that have been converted into cute shops, restaurants, wineries, breweries and patios all decorated with an artsy vibe. Very interesting area to explore full of painted murals on the buildings. Close to the beach. read more

Cool artsy area of Santa Barbara loads of Wineries. If you plan on tasting joking the Wine club maybe an option for you especially if you live in the Vicinity or visit frequently! read more

Really cool setting for a beer and some food. Only downside was ordering ahead of time and paying - we ordered the pizza that had sausage on it and then they brought us a pizza with just peppers, onions and undercooked bacon pieces and asked what happened to the sausage and they said they ran out of sausage. Wish they would have let us know before they cooked it because we would've ordered something different and they didn't offer us a replacement or any type of refund. Other than that the beer was good! read more

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

It's really not so funky any more and it really was pretty funky just a few years ago. Cool graffiti, street art, studios, cool shops and bars, Reds, Mermaids Chest, Surf Museum, Hot Spots and so many other places, gone Places not to miss...Mony's and lately Shalhoob's place. Weekends gets packed and feels like you're in IV. read more

The Funk Zone is definitely worth a look if you like wine, beer & a lively atmosphere. Only about 8 minute walk from our hotel, Casa Del Mar on Bath Street. It gets crazy busy on weekends around 6pm. Mostly the younger college crowd but saw older folks too. And very dog friendly, dogs everywhere! read more

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Do you like wine bars? What about wine bars that have a hipster Chuck-E-Cheese vibe? The funk zone is the place for you. This joint has no signage but if you see a house with tin exterior & bubbles blowing out you came to the right spot. Very chill vibes with delicious local wines. This place makes wine fun and accessible. They promote silly straws in a full bottle of wine. My kinda spot!! Also there's a food truck that changes daily I believe. 10/10 would come again read more

The Quick: so fun! A beautiful block full of great wine tasting rooms. It's not a vineyard but it's a fun experience if you're in town or looking to get classy drunk. Super close to sterns wharf! read more

Super fun Sunday morning stop for coffee and a muffin. Have to say, the Best Gluten Free blueberry muffin in the history of Gluten Free. Great atmosphere and outdoor patio dining. Fun browsing and people watching. A new favorite stop that is nice walking distance to the Santa Barbara Pier! read more

Off of the main strip, State Street. The Funk Zone used to be less of a touristy feel. Had a locals vibe for a while back when rent was affordable. The property has changed hands and investor money has come in. It's become slightly more tourist oriented. There's more wine bars here than most of Santa Barbara. It makes for an incredible location to shoot couple's engagement photos read more

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Fun, diverse local area of sights and snacks walking distance to the pier. Wanna see interesting eclectic art while stopping by and having some local drinks and grub... This is a must see, but you must be open to walking and appreciate art as well as a thirst! Cute and interesting art to see everywhere! Awesome unique breweries, wineries or snack shops. We basically just parked and walked all around the streets and kept running into cool scenes and stops :) check out the Llama dog and fish hook restaurant. Fun things to do that allow exercise and some good drinks! Make sure to take comfy shoes, sunscreen and an empty stomach. read more

The Funk Zone is an area in downtown Santa Barbara that is only about 12 blocks square, so you can easily walk to wherever you want to go. Almost every business as you are walking along is either an art studio, wine tasting room, a restaurant, or a bar. I did a little research before we went so we had an idea of where we wanted to go on our self-guided wine tasting tour. I like whites, my husband likes reds, so we wanted to make sure they had both. Also, I wanted a sparkling wine. (Riverbench hit the mark there.) But if you just a pick a street and walk down it, you are sure to pass tasting rooms. There are plenty of restaurants of every type, so when you are ready for a bite, just pick a type of food and put it into Yelp - there's bound to be someplace nearby. And in between eating and drinking, stop in at the art studios and wander around looking. They have some really interesting stuff. It was a tad touristy, and a tad pricey, but we were on vacation and that's to be expected. read more

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

A fun place to day drink for people 21-70 A variety of beer and wine places Pretty packed and at capacity for some places. Has its own decor and vibe. You walk from place to place, all places have some sort of food as in small plates. Who you go with depends a lot on how fun it will be. So bring someone who's awesome:) read more

This is a cute little neighborhood that you must visit during your Santa Barbara day trip! Especially if you're a wine enthusiast, this area is for you! There are a line of bungalows where various wineries and shops have set up. There are restaurants and bars on every block--just choosing where to settle is the hardest decision. There are cute vintage shops to visit (such as the Blur Door and the Shop-bile) and interesting wall art to admire! stop by any of the stores to pick up a free map of the funk zone. There's a bit of construction going around the beach front and by the railroad tracks but don't let it stop your wandering spirit. The area is also right by the pier/waterfront so this isn't an area that you'd want to miss! It reminds me a bit of the artsy areas of Temescal in Oakland and the arts district of Los Angeles. It's definitely not too big but worth a visit. read more

The Funk Zone is the best place for a walking wine or beer tours. Tons of wine tasting rooms, breweries, and restaurants all in a very small area. Forget the wine bus and simply take an Uber downtown! read more

Cool little spot in downtown Santa Barbara. Some interesting bars shops museums artwork wineries and Figueroa mountain brewery and a small distillery.Definitely come and check it out plus your two blocks from the beach. read more

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

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