Getting in the Funk Zone - the Santa Barbara Wine Trail

Then it was on to the downtown area. Located just two blocks from the beach, between Cabrillo Blvd. and Highway 101, is Santa Barbara’s unusually hip neighborhood.

Known as The Funk Zone, it was originally an industrial area taken over by artists who have turned the abandoned warehouses into studios. In addition to artist galleries you’ll find wineries, tasting rooms, farm-to-table restaurants, unique shops, a micro brewery and Santa Barbara’s first distillery.

First we hit Corks n'Crowns, voted the Best Urban Wine Trail Tasting Room - 2014. Decorated like an old weather-worn fishing shack - is that Urban chic? Like a wine bar, it offers wine "flights" of small samples, by the glass or by the bottle. A wide selection of domestic and imported wines are offered. We tried a flight of Pinots - from Santa Barbara and Burgundy. They also offer craft beer, too. Fun, enticing ... but a little expensive - watch your wallet.

Next stop: The Kunin Wines Tasting Room, just down the street.

On the Trail to Santa Barbara

While visiting friends in the area, we took a day trip to Santa Barbara. We explored a couple areas that knowing friends had recommended. What an fun, funky way to enjoy the day!

Driving up from the south, we first happened upon a sign to Montecito, a hip spot outside Santa Barbara. We remembered a recommendation of a friend. He went to school with the son of the family that owns and runs a well-known eatery. The Cava Restaurant (http://www.cavarestaurant.com/) is a Mexi-Cali themed restaurant that is a little upscale.

A cozy, yellow  interior is matched by a warm greeting and immediate offering of chips and salsa. The decor also features many original pen & ink sketches of the local motifs. The pottery decorating the walls and fireplace are also original art works. There are many interesting selections on the wine list, including many Spanish labels, especially featuring several from the Lopez de Heredia winery.

Original pen & ink drawings

A warm, corner fireplace shows off  pottery of a local artist.

A corner dedicated to the Spanish winery, Lopez de Heredia.

A great place to stop before exploring the Santa Barbara wineries of the Funk Zone!