The family and I spent a terrific day exploring and experiencing all the fun, interactive, STEM at…read moreMOXI. We had a 4 year old and a 7 year old in our group, but I think their dad had the most fun of all! The activities were designed to be developmentally appropriate to include all the members of our group in their range of engagement. Parents interacted with their children and staff was on hand to make suggestions, monitor, and prompt us to better delve into the "science" we were playing with. They seemed well-trained on how to lead us to deeper learning without slowing our explorations. Thanks to the staff and designers who allowed us to spend such a beautiful family day!

Fun, hands-on museum in Santa Barbara, but I think it's better suited for school-aged kids than…read moretoddlers and preschoolers. We visited MOXI with our 4-year-old and under-2-year-old. The kids had fun exploring, but I personally found it a little underwhelming for their ages, especially considering the price. There are definitely some great interactive and creative spaces, but I think older kids would get much more out of the experience. One thing that was pretty disappointing was finding out after we arrived that the entire third floor was closed for a private event. We had driven about 70 miles to get there, so it would've been nice to know ahead of time, especially since admission wasn't exactly cheap. Parking was also a little confusing, although there is some street parking and public parking around downtown Santa Barbara and the transit area. There were definitely some highlights. They have a craft/building area where staff were helping kids with projects and doing little workshops. The current theme was marble runs, but kids could also draw, color, build, and make whatever they wanted. Staff were really hands-on and supervised things like glue guns and scissors, which I appreciated. I can see this being a really fun and worthwhile area for older kids who are creative and enjoy building and STEM-type activities. For younger kids, there is a small crawl/play area on the second floor, plus a quiet "cave" or calm room where kids can take a break if they get overstimulated. I thought those were nice additions, especially for families with toddlers or sensory-sensitive kids. We went on a Monday and it wasn't very busy, which made for a pretty relaxed visit. I could see the experience being much better for our family in a few years, so I wouldn't completely rule out coming back when the kids are older. If your kids are school-aged and enjoy interactive, hands-on learning, building, and STEM activities, I'd definitely say it's worth checking out. For younger toddlers/preschoolers, though, I would temper expectations--the admission price felt a little high for what we were able to do. One thing that could make it a much better value is the ASTC Travel Passport Program. MOXI participates in the program, which can provide free general admission at participating science and technology museums around the world if you have a qualifying membership. There is a 90-mile restriction, though--the museum you're visiting generally needs to be more than 90 miles away, measured "as the crow flies," from both your residence and the museum where you have your active membership. Overall, a nice museum with some genuinely fun interactive spaces. I'd recommend it at least once, but for our family, I think we'll wait until the kids are a little older before making the trip again.

We had our wedding here, and it was truly the perfect venue, especially if you're getting married…read moreat the Santa Barbara Courthouse. It's only about a five minute walk, which made everything so convenient for us and our guests. The food was absolutely amazing. Almost a year later, people are still talking about how delicious it was and how much there was. That alone says so much. On top of that, the pricing was incredibly reasonable, especially compared to other quotes we received that were honestly outrageous. The outdoor space with the fountain is such a beautiful bonus and really added to the atmosphere. The owners were wonderful to work with, even though I was planning everything from out of town. They were extremely accommodating and always responded quickly, usually within a few hours to a day, which made the entire process feel so easy and stress free. The wedding staff were also incredible, so kind, attentive, and genuinely helpful throughout the entire event. They made sure everything ran smoothly and made us feel completely taken care of. I can't recommend this place enough. Definitely check it out!

Attended a wedding and it was gorgeous. The historic…read morebuildings and grounds were so amazing.

Polished Review…read more Definitely a great place to stop! I came with a large party of around 25 people, and Skyenna went above and beyond to accommodate us. The owner, Lenny, was super cool, welcoming, and made sure we had a great experience from start to finish. The wine tasting was fantastic, the atmosphere was relaxed, and that beautiful Santa Barbara ocean breeze made the experience even better. We had an amazing time, and everyone in our group enjoyed themselves. Hands down, I'll be back! If you're in the Santa Barbara area looking for a great winery with good wine, great vibes, and a welcoming atmosphere, definitely check out Skyenna!

This was our first time at Skyenna, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish…read more Mickey took the time to share the history of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley wine region, which made the tasting feel much more meaningful and immersive. We sampled a variety of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Anastasia Red Blend, Grenache, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay--each one was excellent. Mickey is also a sommelier, and his knowledge really shows. He not only educated us on the wines but also highlighted and supported other local businesses. He truly feels like an ambassador for Santa Barbara. Hands down one of the best wine tasting experiences we've ever had. Highly recommend! Ian Lantz

We honestly don't have enough words to express how incredible our experience was at Villa + Vine!…read moreFrom the moment we first visited, we knew it was special--but they truly exceeded every expectation and gave us a wedding day more magical than we ever imagined. The staff was nothing short of amazing--professional, warm, organized, and genuinely invested in making sure everything was perfect. They anticipated our needs before we even thought of them and made the entire planning process feel effortless and fun. On the day of the wedding, everything ran flawlessly, and we were able to completely relax and soak in every moment. The venue itself is absolutely stunning-- the outdoor courtyard, cozy fireplace, magical string lights and more. So many of our guests told us it was the most beautiful wedding (and fun!) they've ever attended, and we couldn't agree more If you're looking for a venue that will go above and beyond to make your day unforgettable, this is it. We truly couldn't have asked for a better experience and are endlessly thankful to the entire team at Villa + Vine for giving us memories we'll treasure forever.

Went to a wedding here and it was so perfect. It is a smaller venue and was perfect for the size…read more Loved everything about this place, the location, the staff was awesome, the food was so delicious . I was only a guest so I do not know who did the florals or DJ but it was a very fun and memorable night. Would recommend

A class act. A Christian in the truest sense of the word. A person with the utmost integrity.read more

The Las Palmas property in the kathy ireland Weddings & Resorts portfolio is as stunning as it is…read moreconvenient and expansive. Attending weddings, concerts, fundraising dinners and more here is always an exceptional experience. With multiple levels, gorgeous gardens and a luxurious pool & spa area, the entire property provides everything we could need and fantastic accommodations. Can't wait to return.

I love the whimsical architecture and furnishings. That wasn't just the lodging- it was like living…read morein a museum. One wakes up experiencing fun and wishes to host one's nearest and direst for a gourmet dinner and overall creative experience.

From the owner: EL Zapato is a delightful fun indoor/outdoor hotel/ vacation rental and event venue. It is…read more designed by Jeff Shelton and has won many architectural awards -often described as Gaudi meets Dr Seuss. The whole house rents with 5 baths and 4 bedrooms ,two kitchens, numerous outdoor decks and living spaces, spectacular views of the mountains and the city. Or each floor rents separately -The third floor features a penthouse great-room and rooftop deck/living room with 360 degree views. The second floor has a one bedroom apartment and huge outside view deck. There is also a very private courtyard with two bedrooms and a shared bath. There is free parking and the house is handicap accessible. (ADA Bath /one elevator)

Came to Santa Barbara for the first time and this was the first stop my friend and I made. Holyyyyy…read moreeverything was so good! Great way to kick off the trip. We ordered the nachos with pulled pork, Mac and cheese with brisket, and two burgers. We underestimated how much food was coming out . Not only was it huge portions, everything also tasted so good. The people taking our orders were also super sweet.

Funk in Public…read more Family-owned and operated local chain of restaurants and butcher shops that's been serving the Santa Barbara community for over fifty years (ca. 1973). This location is in Santa Barbara's "Funk Zone" district, which was formerly an industrial area that's turned into a wine and art district full of interesting places to gander. The Good: * Huge dog-friendly covered outdoor seating * Full lineup of their signature Shalhoob craft beers. They also have fermented grapes and liquor, if beer isn't your jam. * Service was friendly and welcoming. * Street Parking and City-owned lots, as well. The lots are your best bet, and they're free for a short while. * Prices are very reasonable for a BBQ place. * The Street Corn app might be the best thing we ate here as the corn was super fresh right off the cob, and the Chipotle aioli was superb. * BBQ Beans was more of a bean soup, but it was decent. * Mac & Cheese was also pretty good. Carrots enjoyed it more than I did, but I might've been grumpy from the shitty meats (more on that in a minute). The Meh: * Tritip was completely dry and tasted like it was cooked in the oven and then finished on the grill. But, I will say, at least it was edible unlike the ribs... The Ugly: * Maybe the worst ribs I've ever had. They were just completely hammered with salt and completely blew out my palate within two bites, which is a shame because they were tender and cooked well, but jfc, no amount of sauce or anything is going to save something this salty. Conclusion: Maybe we just caught them on a bad day because a place doesn't survive for over fifty years serving up meat like this. I'd be willing to give them another try someday, but I need my tongue to recover first.

The Mill has come a long way over COVID. The Winery and Brewery now feel cohesive. You can order…read morefood at both spots and drink what you like in the courtyard! Love it! The atmosphere and vibe is fun and chill!

One of the neatest reclaimed spaces I've ever seen…read more The Mill may appear as new construction, but the main building has actually been present for many decades to my knowledge. It was recently beautifully refurbished into an oasis of an artisan strip mall and offers surprises both inside and out. The venue is wonderfully landscaped and offers great curb appeal, with ambient lighting and drought tolerant vegetation. The parking area is small but there are reserved spaces in a lot across the street where Low Pigeon Coffee is located. The exterior retains its original "mill" charm with natural wood siding and large industrial windows. You'd have no idea it housed several businesses from the front and that is what I appreciate. The facade was kept to look like how it always has, so it remains in tune with the neighborhood rather than sticking out like a sore thumb. You'll find the coolest courtyard just beyond the entrance which is shared by all businesses. It is well lit and offers ample seating and a few clean restrooms. I've been when there is live music and it's the ideal place to enjoy a beverage under the evening sky. There are a handful of small businesses occupying The Mill. I love the vibe of Potek Wine, the interior is intimate and the exposed barrels make for a nice backdrop. I'd say the star of the show is the Third Window Brewing which offers a large main room along with a secondary private patio and a rotating restaurant which varies from their in-house menu to nightly popup dining. A great vibe overall.

The Narrative loft is such an incredible event space! A while back I had my wedding rehearsal…read moredinner there and it was perfect. I had about 20 people and it was a great size for our group. The decor in the Narrative Loft is so beautiful and thoughtful, I did not bring in much and it looked gorgeous. Also the staff was great to work with from the start of planning and during the event everything went so well. I was able to fully enjoy myself and not worry about anything. I feel so lucky I was able to find this amazing event space right in Santa Barbara, I highly recommend having your next event here!

Really great space to hold events. It's decorated well, cool space and lots of options for how to…read moreuse the space. Well maintained, good service.

Serra Hall is owed, operated and maintained by the Order of Franciscan Minor, (OFM)…read more It is aBeautiful, Historical Old building. The OFMs allow the Knights of Columbus to meet there on Special occasions, i.e, Awards, and Scholarship Dinners.

This venue is great for a small to mid size event! I coordinated a wedding for about 125 guests and…read moreit was absolutely perfect. Jason, the hall coordinator, is excellent to work with. He answered the many questions I had and was flexible in providing times to do a walkthrough. The possibilities are endless with this space and architecture is all the decoration you will need! The rain prevented us from using the outdoor patio, but it would have been great for lawn games, a few cocktail tables, and the bar. Lorenzo, our day of manager, was also great to work with. He made sure all was well and periodically checked in throughout the day, which was greatly appreciated. I can't wait to coordinate another event here!