Urban Optics in Santa Barbara is wonderful! I've been happily going there for years because the staff always engages with warmth and genuinely friendliness. What could have been a simple prescription update and glasses purchase always turns into such a happy and fun experience, thanks to the incredible team. A special shoutout to Anastasiia and Lianna, who went above and beyond to make me feel cute and fashionable in my new specs. Their positive energy is contagious, and you can tell they genuinely love helping people feel their best. The entire Urban Optics team works together well, creating a cheerful environment. I always look forward to my exams and leave very happy. Dr. Zucker is pretty cool too! My prescriptions are always the best. I've tried other places and came right back. Thank you all for your great service year after year! read more

Worst OD I've ever been to. ** important note: They are not an authorized Oakley dealer and one of the reason is their business practices. They will put their own lenses on the Oakley's you bring BUT they don't tell you that Oakley doesn't allow any other lenses but Oakley to be used in their frames, it nulls the warranty and no authorized Oakley reseller optometrist will touch them after those lenses are put in or they'll lose they're license to sell Oakley's. When they were confronted with this, their response was that they'll gladly put new lenses in if I came in and paid for a new eye exam and pay for new lenses. So you're telling me you messed up and you won't fix your screw up without collecting more money. Lastly, they also lie about what your insurance covers. My insurance covers the eye exam but they lied and charged hundreds for the first exam that my insurance actually would have fully covered! Santa Barbara was never a place I'd expect to be ripped off, for such a "prestigious" city. Can't wait for the city to get through with their unethical business practices! Zero stars should be an option for Yelp reviews. read more

This is an update to my review of Urban Optics three years ago. Hubby and I returned a few weeks ago with several optical projects each. Today, we returned and picked up glasses! Hubby had 3 projects. The two pairs of glasses he bought 3 years ago, and has been wearing regularly since, needed some slight adjustments and repairs. Enter Johanna, the incredibly helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and resourceful staffmember at Urban Optics. She greeted us at the counter and fixed hubby's two repairs/adjustments in lightening speed. Hubby also had some Maui Jim prescription sunglasses and wanted his new prescription put in those. Johanna sent them to Maui Jim for him. We just picked them up today and he loves his new lenses and plans to return soon to order progressives with his new prescription. I also had 3 projects. One was a pair of readers with a broken frame and a replacement frame to move the lenses into. Johanna worked her magic in moments and I had new readers! The second was the day we returned to pick up hubby's glasses and had occurred that morning. Our 6-month old puppy had turned my readers into a chew toy and popped one lens out, which I couldn't get back into the frame. Johanna took about 10 seconds to fix it and handed them right back to me. (How does she do that???) My third project was something of a tale. A few months ago, I left my vintage Maui Jim sunglasses on a plane. Since then, I found another pair on ebay. They were in great shape, but needed some adjustments for my face. The only thing was when I got to the shop, I didn't have them in my backpack. I remembered when I got out of the car, I heard something fall out of my pack and hit the ground. I had retrieved my wallet off the ground, but now I had a sinking feeling the new (vintage) sunglasses may have also fallen out of my bag. I raced back to the parking garage to see if they were there. I found them on the ground behind the car and when I pulled them out of their case, a car had obviously run over them, wrecking the frames and crushing one of the lenses. I returned to the shop, heartbroken, and furious at myself for not going through my bag to make sure I had everything before leaving the parking garage. Johanna was incredibly kind and felt confident she could fix the frames and would also call Maui Jim and see if they could provide a lens for my vintage sunglasses. Within a few days, Johanna texted to let me know that she had repaired the frames, but that Maui Jim no longer made lenses for my glasses. She offered to put non-Maui Jim lenses in the frames, but I would rather keep watching ebay and am confident that eventually, I'll find a lens there. When I picked up the sunglasses today, I was shocked at the frames. Johanna completely restored them to the point that you cannot tell they were crushed by a car. I've included a photo that shows the crushed and broken lens next to the completely restored frames. Hubby and I continue to be overwhelmed with the wonderful customer service at Urban Optics. We were especially appreciative of the service the very capable Johanna gave to us both. Thank you, Johanna. We know we were not easy customers and we so appreciate your kind care and attention to our various projects. Three years after my first 5-star review of Urban Optics, it is a pleasure to post an update and award another 5-stars to this gem at La Arcada Plaza. I asked hubby if he had anything he wanted to add to this review. His comment: "Urban Optics is the place to be if you want to be able to see like me!" read more

Urban Optics Optometric Center - My vintage Maui Jims, run over by a car. Looking for a replacement lens on ebay & amazed how Johanna fixed the frames. - Optometrists Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Very disappointing, they claim dry eye experts, didn't get any answers and they charge for every little thing, like putting drops in my eye to determine if I have dry eyes at$150.00 No thanks, plus the service was disappointing. read more

Good services, friendly, and answered questions well. Offered some services that I wasn't aware would cost as much extra as they did, but worked with me after the fact to try to resolve the misunderstanding. read more

Great experience at Urban Optometric. I took my 83 year old grandmother to have an eye assessment completed because her current glasses are not current. Dr. Zucker and his team were thorough, professional and knowledgeable. I felt my grandmother received the best attention. Additional testing for glucoma etc exam was offered and cost was disclosed and an option. We left with an updated prescription, and informed my grandmother has cataracts in one eye. We are so excited there's hope for better site. Thank you for the great attention you gave my grandmother, Dr. Zucker and team! read more

This is one of the more expensive eye exam places in town. Plus, they hit me with a *mandatory* extra fee to run one of their eye tests right in the middle of the exam. They said I couldn't proceed with seeing the doctor unless I got the test done, which was frustrating as I would have liked to know about the mandatory upsell before I was sitting in the chair. The frame selection is also pretty limited and pricey. They also quoted my order wrong. I asked for a quote on two sets of glasses and repeatedly told the receptionist I didn't need contacts. She said she would prepare the glasses quotes and email them to me. Guess what I got? Yep, a quote for contacts and no quote for the glasses. I will be taking my prescription and ordering elsewhere. 2.5** **update: After searching all of my email folders, I still did not find the glasses prescription and quotes. Also, I am fine with getting the required tests and paying for them. I was disappointed, however, with being told the tests would be a $60 up charge while in the chair and that I had to accept it or not continue with my appointment. I could see this being an issue for people on a budget and anticipating the full exam would be part of their standard copay. read more

No major complaints. Moved from the Bay Area and needed a new optics place. Dr recommended I switch from bi-weekly to daily contacts and I'm satisfied. Only downside I'd say is the cost for glasses. I skipped out on that benefit and used it towards my contacts. read more

Very happy with my new glasses, and with the exceptional quality of service provided by all the staff at Urban Optics. My frames fit perfectly, and the transitional lenses are working great. Also love their location (La Arcada Plaza), and the general atmosphere (amicable and tranquil). read more

Urban Optics Optometric Center - Optometrists Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The exam was extraordinarily thorough and detailed and I was impressed by Dr. Reynard's honest evaluation

Dr Zucker is a wonderful doctor and his staff are fantastic. Combine that with a great selection of designer frames, convenient location, and state of the art tech, and Urban Optics is an easy choice for eye care, glasses, and contacts! read more

Urban Optics Optometric Center - The Fords! - Optometrists Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I love this place so much! Everyone is super friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is great and it doesn't make me feel anxious at all. They're all very clear and transparent about what they do there and what the process is in whatever direction your eyes are going. I definitely recommend this place to be where you take care of your vision! read more

Urban Optics is by far the best experience that I have had in Santa Barbara or Goleta for an eye exam, contact fitting and eyeglass lens replacement. This was my first exam with Dr. Reynard. Dr. Zucker , also an excellent doctor, examined me last year. I appreciated Dr. Reynard's thoroughness, his kindness, his professionalism and his dry wit which made the exam friendly and easy. I felt well- cared for and will definitely return. I ordered contacts and eyeglasses. They gave me a French chocolate upon leaving. C'est bon! read more

Urban Optics Optometric Center - Optometrists Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Amazing office! Dr Z is so welcoming and knowledgeable about eyes and vision. The staff is also so knowledgeable helpful with customizing my lenses for my Lindberg frame. Crazy selection of styles for adults AND children. My new glasses are so lightweight--I love it! read more

Urban Optics Optometric Center - Never seen such nice looking kids frames anywhere else! The best in SB County! - Optometrists Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

I had a medical emergency this past Saturday and all optic places were closed except Urban Optics. Johanna at reception had a full schedule for the day but got me in Dr Reynard who was extremely professional and spent an hour with me examining and explaining. Johanna and Anastasia were kind and provided excellent service, even gave me a Dune gift card for a cup of coffee while I waited for my eyes to dilate. These are great people running a special local business. I am very thankful. read more

Urban Optics Has state of the art equipment, outstanding service, and a great selection of eyeglasses.

Living in LA and currently wearing ortho-k lenses, specialists are far and few. I stumbled upon this place through ortho-k website and saw the great Yelp reviews so I decided to make the 110 mile trek to this office. Don't get me wrong, the doctor is great, super knowledgeable and the technology is up to date. Been coming for a year almost, and for the most part they're pretty accommodating. Today's visit was an exception. My lens had cracked and so I texted the office and got an appointment. Easy. I was also due for an annual exam soon so I booked that as well. After 110 miles and 2 hours in the car, It ended up being a quick appointment that I needed to wait another 5 weeks in order to properly assess my eyes. Not sure if I'm being particular or if I was trained to look for these things at my office but Here's my problem with that situation. I work in dental, If knowing that a patient that lives far, and as a doctor knowing that it's best to "wash" out the current prescription and wait 6 weeks, I would've asked how long the patient had been without wearing them, and suggested they just schedule in 5 weeks and save them an extra drive down and do the annual exam all at the same time. Besides that everything is great at this office, the doctor is thorough in exams and besides this small problem I would still recommend this office. read more

Very happy with my practically weightless prescription glasses. Appreciate the professionalism and would recommend urban optics to friends and family. read more

Dr. Zachary Reynard is the only Dr of Opttometry I will see from now on. The care and treatment provided on a Saturday was excellent.

Great doctor and staff. Marie was especially helpful. Located in La Arcada. Easy parking and I was seen without a wait. Highly recommend.

Left questioning the validation of this center after feeling like it was a 2 hour sales pitch. I'm not validating my new prescription until I get seen by another doctor. Dr. Zucker only provided me with an "updated" prescription only for my glasses, although I also wear contacts. They would not do an updated prescription for my contacts, as I currently wear (Oxyflow RGP) and they only offered to do an exam if I agreed to pay $625.00 for one pair of RGP (Eyepace Bespoke Lens) to do the fitting. I do not feel like I was being listened to as a client and now I am going to have to go through another eye exam to understand my current prescription. I provided screenshots of my glasses prescriptions - one being valid until July 2024 and the print out from today 2.08.24. The discrepancy is too much to dismiss. read more

Urban Optics Optometric Center - For evidence showing the discrepancy between prescriptions - Optometrists Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

A+++++++++++ Very friendly and helpful! Fast and easy! Great location with super easy parking. read more

Great service and a very helpful and friendly staff. I have been to the eye doctors in many years but I felt informed about the exam every step of the way I will for sure be back. read more

amazing team, made the entire process comfortable and welcoming. quality and thorough exams and answered all my questions with care and interest. thank yall ! read more

Be aware that this optometric center is staggeringly expensive. Astonishingly, I spent well over $1,000 on a simple eye exam and three RGP lenses (one extra for which they charged me $157). The lens prescription was for a manufacturer not carried by many online contact lens dispensers and I was told it could not be converted to another manfacturer. I have spent less on full exams by ophthalmologists prior to surgery! The staff is very nice and the office seems efficient. But these charges are 3-5 times more than I have ever spent on an eye exam and simple contact lenses. read more

Ok yes. They continue to nail my prescription every time I go. And the suite is beautiful, and the staff are super friendly and accommodating. But also, can I say this? The staff include some extremely good looking people. This doesn't influence my review, but it's notable. In sum--urban optics is, guys, very easy on the eyes. read more

First class service! My compliments to the staff as well as Marie she is so professional, helpful and friendly. I had a thorough examination by doctor Reynard and I appreciate the extra time he spent on my examination. I highly recommend Dr. Renard. I have been a customer since 2015! read more

I just have to say how helpful Sam was to me, I think her name was Sam. I stopped in to get my lens put back in my glasses. She didn't even hesitate to help me and she was so kind. So thank you again, Sam, for blessing me that day. Stay beautiful! read more

This is literally the best eye appointment I've ever had. The staff was so kind and fun! I had the best time picking out glasses with Johanna. She taught me so much about glasses that I never knew I wanted to know. Owen was such a great tech and kept me at ease while doing awkward tests. Dr Z was very knowledgeable and taught me new things about my prescription. Truly an eye opening experience! read more

I was very excited to have an evaluation for NeuroLenses after finding out I have BVD after several years of awful symptoms, however I struggled heavily with their scheduling. This is not a review of the doctors or medical care of the clinic of any kind! I scheduled a phone consultation where I would be called by the clinic, but never received a call. I contacted the office and the receptionist was very kind and helped me schedule another one, but I, again, never received a call at my scheduled time and had to schedule another. During the phone consultation, we set up my evaluation appointment and I confirmed they were open to out-of-state patients, since I would be flying in specifically for this appointment. I was very appreciative that they could get me in so soon so I changed my work schedule, booked flights, and my hotel rooms as soon as I could. My appointment was scheduled for next week, but I got a reminder text today saying that I had the appointment today and not the date it was scheduled. I texted back concerned that the appointment date was wrong and they replied saying the reminder was incorrect and my appointment was indeed for next week. I then got a phone call 30 minutes after that there was a glitch in the system and the doctor was apparently never in town next week so they would have to reschedule my appointment. This left me scrambling to cancel my hotel room and eating the cost of my flights since it was so close to my departure date. I am unsure at what point they would have found my appointment glitch if I had never addressed the wrong text reminder. I decided not to make another appointment due to the frustrations with the scheduling. This is in no way a review on their medical care, and the staff that I talked to were all very kind, but I wanted to express my experience as an out-of-state client so that it does not happen to other people relying on correct scheduling due to their travel costs, in order to get the medical care they need. read more

Cant Recommend Dr David enough! It was absolutely amazing from basic eye care to healing my chronic eye irritation through low light therapy. read more

Dr Z is very diligent and thorough. He listens and shares information easily. Highly skilled and identified my concerns with solutions. Office has up to date equipment that provides accuracy. Staff is helpful, kind and efficient. Highly recommend urban optics and the entire staff. read more

Though it took a while for me to circle back, after an exam/prescription writeup with Dr. Zucker; several months later, I decided to pop back in and talk with Johanna about deciding on a pair of frames. She had such a great sense of what I was looking for, offering several options that we would eventually narrow down. Unafraid to ask others opinions but also confident in what we narrowed down to, she really made the process straightforward and easy. Our combined sense of humor really helped the entire experience with such a wonderful family atmosphere between the others. Thank you! read more

Dr. Z's office is incredible and I can't recommend them highly enough. Everyone there obviously cares deeply about taking care of their clients. Jessica, Susan, Johanna, Cody, Ben and Kyle are all such a pleasure to deal with. But it was Marie who truly went above and beyond to take care of us multiple times. I would give Marie a job right now if I could. She deserves a promotion and a raise, and I mean that. I don't think we've ever been quite so well looked after with such perfect follow though every time. We spent quite a bit of money on our lenses and frames, and we couldn't be happier. Thank you all, especially Marie! read more

This is a business first and medical office last. They're in the business of selling prism progressives. You'll be moved thru the sales funnel, told about the magic proprietary process and the magic lenses that will cure all, and sold glasses you may not need (but you will after your vision becomes used to them). I followed up with a convergence specialist UCLA Jules Stein Centre because I couldn't use the Urban Optics glasses at all. They specifically tested for the conditions the UO doc said I had and confirmed that I don't need prisms. These folks not only sold me $1500 lenses I didn't need, they also returned my $700 frames damaged THEN proceeded to blame and bully me for not only the damage but the meltdown caused by misogynistic and ableist customer service. I mean who blames and harasses disabled people? These folks, that's who. On the plus side, they had one customer support person who was skilled in providing accessible support but last I heard, they'd left. I'm posting this a year after because the trauma of the interactions with the doctor and staff are still with me as is the huge bill for useless glasses. I've just now been able to fill my Jules Stein prescription after all that. No one should go through that kind of sustained harmful interaction so I hope this helps someone out there. Find yourself a reputable, kind, diversity-friendly service that puts you, the patient, first. Update: There it is in print. The owner/doctor has commented here (below) still demanding apologies for being disabled, still shaming, still centering himself and his bullying staff as victims. This is no longer acceptable in 2022. We will not stay hidden away for anyone's comfort. We will not apologize for existing. The harm people like these perpetuate, whether out of ignorance, willfulness or other, will not be endured in silence any longer. Take your tears and my $1500 and enroll in diversity training. read more

Unprofessional service. They lost my frames and would not refund full worth of cost. I was told to find replacement frames and they would create the glasses but would not pay for the frames in the long run. Had to take a huge loss of time and money. Will not be returning ever. read more

OMG, best front office staff, and back office the same, provider was so gentle and knowledgeable. Totally recommend it. Glasses frames a little expensive, but I found d something that was so light and cute, I couldn't say no to obtain. Love their service and professionalism read more

Really felt like nothing was explained and I was rushed through they put on a bunch of machines and unexplained nothing. Exam prices were high and not discussed.they then tried to push me out the door without my contacts I had worn in..blind. I had to ask. No samples or trial or communication. Then I was unable to order contacts through the provided 3rd party ordering service provided due to no prescription entry. I called and was only given a price for a year worth even though I said in advance I couldn't do that at this time. Really disappointed read more

First class staff and optometrist. Easy selection of the latest in eyewear as well as the most up to date medical technology. Heartily recommended. read more

Urban Optics has a great selection of style and they are nicest people you will ever meet. They are all so kind, helpful and extremely sweet. Dr Z is by far the best eye doctor I've ever had. He is genuine, easy going and his friendly relaxed good nature always puts you at ease. Dr. Z always goes out of his way to make you feel as comfortable as possible, no matter how anxious you feel for whatever reason it may be, he makes sure you leave cared for and with a smile on your face. The ladies up front are just as amazing, they are so caring, kind and helpful, they all truly care about your well-being and I couldn't recommend them more! - Chelsea R. read more