Beach Grill @ Padaro
A favorite of Sam Bradley
“You can eat outside there, and they have a giant sandpit for kids to play in, etc. This is a good day outing; go to the beach/have lunch at BGP.”
Destination: California: Santa Barbara
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Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach
Perched on the dunes above Arroyo Burro Beach (also known as Dog Beach), the Brown Pelican had one of the prettiest views on the coast until it shuttered last fall after a fire in the kitchen (it has just reopened). Like the Brown Pelican, there will almost always be a wait for a table, but put your name down and enjoy the view of surfers, hang gliders and people and their dogs basking in the California sun and surf. The best tables are outside under big umbrellas. Open for lunch and dinner.
Cold Spring Tavern
A favorite of Lisa Wolf
“Totally worth the drive is a trip out to the old West: Cold Spring Tavern on the pass on the way to the Santa Ynez Valley. It was one of the stagecoach stops from the turn of the 20th century, and the food and bar are outstanding.”
East Beach Grill
Picture the kitchen of an old-fashioned burger joint with grizzled men in paper chef’s hats flipping pancakes for breakfast and burgers throughout the day, add a huge expanse of beach, and you have an idea of East Beach Grill. You stand in line to place your order, and when your number’s called, a server brings it to your table. It’s less than fancy, but the food, especially the pancakes and burgers, are excellent, and the kids can play on the beach in view and then hit the nearby playground in the sand. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Palace Grill
A tip from Sam Bradley:
““This is supposed to be a great place for adults and kids alike…no ressies.”
Editors’ note: They don’t take reservations, except after 5:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tea Room at Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum & Library
Consider the Tea Room at the Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum and you can combine an activity with a light meal.
Via Vai
Nestled at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Via Vai (owned by Pietro Bernardi of Pane e Vino) is decidedly more low-key and a great place for a family dinner at outdoor tables. The food is nothing fancy, but you come for the atmosphere and the delicious thin-crust pizza and pastas. Open for lunch and dinner.
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