Staff Picks Series: Ashley’s Santa Barbara Recommendations
Here at Hotel Santa Barbara we take pride in our Santa Barbara recommendations. Knowing the best spots in town for our guests to get an authentic Santa Barbara experience is an important part of our job.
Being conveniently located in the heart of Downtown means our guests have easy access to a wealth of great restaurants, sights, activities and cultural attractions. But that means our staff does too! So we went straight to the source and interviewed our staff to get their insider scoop of what to do, taste and see here in SB.
From Right to Left: Ashley with colleague Jennie out sailing.
Ashley, Sales Manager
Years at Hotel Santa Barbara: 2.5
What is your favorite part about working at a hotel in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara?
There is never a dull moment; something is always going on. I love having the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers’ Market right outside the front doors on Tuesday evenings and there are so many delicious restaurants and cafes within walking distance.
What is your ideal restaurant in Santa Barbara for nice dinner out?
Hands down, Opal. They have a fresh, local menu and excellent service. Opal is a Santa Barbara staple. You can take a leisurely stroll from the Hotel or take the downtown shuttle up State Street. And as a side note, Hotel SB guests can receive 20% off entrees when the front desk staff books a reservation for them.
What do you recommend for a fun sightseeing tour or recreational tour of Santa Barbara?
If you want to catch a beautiful glimpse of Santa Barbara from the water, I highly recommend Santa Barbara Sailing’s Coastal Cruise and/or Harbor Cruise. While enjoying the sights of the harbor and marine life you get to see breathtaking views of Santa Barbara and the surrounding mountains.
What is your favorite SB shop?
I love the Blue Door in the Funk Zone. It’s has the perfect mix of antiques and current trends.
What’s your favorite building in SB?
It is so hard to pick just one; I love architecture and history! I narrowed it down to two. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is stunning with its Spanish Colonial architecture as well as its 360 degree view clock tower and sunken garden. I also absolutely love the Mission. It is a historical marvel with its double bell tower and historical cemetery that is over 200 years old.
How would you describe Santa Barbara in one word?
Red-letter: of special importance; memorable.
Check back every couple of weeks as we feature a different staff member and their favorite SB spots. Have questions about our Santa Barbara recommendations? Call 1-800-549-9869.
