Santa Barbara. Mediterranean climate, art and culture, Californian history, Spanish colonial architecture, stunning beaches, Tuscanesque views, small-town vibe, and a foodie haven... including for the gluten-free crowd.
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My husband surprised me with a weekend getaway to Santa Barbara. Dave booked a vacation rental with incredible views that transported us to Italy. He even arranged for my parents to stay with our kids. Best of all... he researched and booked all of our gluten-free meals. If you are gluten-free, I do not have to tell you what a gift that is. All I had to do was pack a bag.
Santa Barbara was magical and his food itinerary did not disappoint. Before we even left this beautiful place behind, we were already talking about a return girls' trip with my daughter (my celiac buddy).
Treat yourself and plan a getaway to this seaside college town. You will be delighted by the unique culinary experiences you can fully enjoy in Santa Barbara while staying safely gluten-free.
Best Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants
Lilac Patisserie
You cannot say gluten-free and Santa Barbara, without someone mentioning "the Lilacs"... the original Lilac Patisserie on State Street and Lilac Montecito, just 10 minutes down the 101.
We visited Lilac Patisserie for lunch and made a second stop there on our way out of town to pack up a cooler full of gluten-free goodies. The place was bustling both times and the baked goods were so perfect. I suspect many patrons have no idea everything is 100% gluten-free.
The most popular items are highlighted in grey on the menu: lilac salad, quiche Lorraine, turkey club, soup/salad/sandwich combos, avocado toast, French toast, eggs Benedict, and sparkling wines and mimosas.
According to the cashier, the biggest hits in the display case are the blueberry muffin and coffee cake. She said the orange chocolate scone was also well-loved, and her personal favorites were the brownie and the lemon bar.
There were also refrigerated display cases filled with beautiful tarts, cupcakes, and cakes, including a variety of delightful cheesecakes. Many of these same pastries are on the Lilac Montecito dessert menu but are baked here on State Street.
My teen daughter would say this place is "giving..." classy French cafe. Inside, there are white tiles everywhere, floor-to-ceiling windows, cafe tables, charming bistro chairs, and a pale tint of lilac color on the walls. For lunch, we chose a table facing the large windows to take in the view of passersby.
We opted for the soup and salad du jour: turkey meatball soup and chopped salad. Both were excellent, but the soup was masterful. It took me back to the Italian wedding soup my grandmother used to make, something I have not enjoyed since my celiac diagnosis. The dinner rolls served on the side were soft and slightly sweet.
The location on State Street Promenade, a pedestrian shopping district, is a great place to spend a few hours. We decided to eat lunch and then explore before returning to Lilac for dessert.
For our afternoon treat, we sat on the patio, enjoying cool ocean breezes in the middle of an unusual heat wave, the frequent buzz of e-bikes zooming by, and Italian music drifting over from the restaurant across the street.
Dave ordered the almond tea cookie, shortbread cookie, linzertorte, and coffee. He liked all of the cookies, which I did not try, as I am a soft cookie gal. Plus, I had my eye on the orange chocolate scone. After a couple of sips of coffee, Dave said, "I’m getting the coffee again tomorrow… it’s something special." I generally do not like coffee, but I caught myself deeply inhaling the wonderful aroma every time I stood near the coffee prep area.
One bite and I quickly found out why the orange chocolate scone was so well-loved. It has a refreshing orange flavor and a drizzle of chocolate. Its ideal, authentic scone texture iss slightly crisp on the outside, yet tender on the inside. I enjoyed it so much that two more scones made the trip home with us.
The desserts and baked goods are where Lilac Patisserie truly shines. The owner is a trained pastry chef who, after her celiac diagnosis, was determined to make excellent gluten-free pastries without compromising taste, artistry, and texture. She has succeeded, evidenced by the steady stream of customers.
Lilac Montecito
The other Lilac is Lilac Montecito. Just wow. 100% dedicated gluten-free fine dining is a rare treat. Yes, most fine dining establishments with scratch kitchens can cater to celiac disease and food allergies, but it is not the same thing as being able to eat anything on the menu.
Lilac Montecito rotates seasonal dishes while keeping fan favorites always on the menu. A few of the popular standbys are buffalo cauliflower, burrata salad, and chicken marsala. The summer menu included seasonal items like baby gem salad and poisson meuniere amandine (the fish was a tempting branzino).
All of the pasta is made in-house.
Everything is completely gluten-free, with vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options.
Dinner started with a choice of regular rolls or olive rosemary rolls. With a weakness for olive rosemary bread, it was an easy decision when offered a choice of regular rolls or olive rosemary. They were incredibly soft and airy, just a little bit warm, and absolutely perfect. I personally preferred the flavor to the white rolls we tried at Lilac Patisserie, but they were equal to the olive rosemary loaf we took home. As far as texture, they were all amazing!
We ordered a mix of the most loved items and seasonal foods.
The buffalo cauliflower appetizer tasted like orange chicken, so I saved a little to take home to my Chinese takeout-loving son. The burrata salad was packed with flavor from blood orange, beets, and candied walnuts.
The chicken marsala was delectable… It was easy to see why it has been a best-seller since it opened. Just writing this makes me wish I were in Santa Barbara eating chicken marsala. Dave ordered this dish. The chicken portion was generous, so thankfully, he had plenty to share with me.
The fettuccine noodles were perfect and prosciutto is always good. The portion size was light and so was the cream sauce. I generally prefer a heavier cream sauce, so I added just a little of the marsala wine sauce to the pasta. Oh, my! It was soooo good.
For dessert, Dave ordered the berry patch cake, full of whipped cream frosting and lots of berries. It was very light and wonderfully moist.
I opted for pumpkin spice cheesecake. Both Lilacs are known for cheesecake. Between the two locations, I saw pumpkin, brownie, cookies & cream, lemon, and New York cheesecake.
If you love pumpkin pie, you will love the pumpkin pie spice cheesecake! It is so light and creamy. It even has a regular pie crust on the bottom, fitting for its pumpkin pie-ness. Yet, it is still very much cheesecake. I loved it!
The display case and menu had several other desserts, tiramisu, chocolate cake, carrot cake, tarts, ice cream, sorbets, and a selection of cheesecakes.
Lilly's Taqueria
Lilly's Taqueria is an unassuming taco shop serving authentic street tacos with standard meat choices: chicken, carne asada, pork, tripas… If you don't recognize that last one, I'll let you look it up.
The best part is there is no gluten in this whole place.
I spent years living in parts of LA and Orange County enjoying the best Mexican and Central American food served in crowded, hole-in-the-wall restaurants. I miss that. While much of the food is naturally gluten-free, celiac awareness is limited and cross-contact is a high risk. Aside from my neighborhood taco shop when the right person is working, I rarely get to enjoy good street tacos. This was a treat.
We heard there are often lines out the door, but there was very little wait when we visited before noon on a Sunday morning. Our food was prepared quickly.
Lilly's also sells real Mexican Coke bottled in Tijuana and made with cane sugar, not corn syrup.
It's the simple things... real street tacos, Mexican Coke, no gluten. This was a nostalgic, feel-good stop for me.
Best Places with Gluten-Free Options
Loquita Santa Barbara
The inside of Loquita and the outside might as well be two different restaurants. Inside is a vibrant, lively restaurant. The two outdoor patios are a tranquil escape and my personal preference. Bougainvillea, music mixed with the splashes from a fountain, Edison string lights, and fire pits all set the mood.
While not dedicated gluten-free, the servers here are knowledgeable and can walk you through exactly what you can eat. Mine was able to answer cross-contact questions and created a gluten-free menu by marking up the actual menu, crossing off the things that were not gluten-free. She said the items that remained were either gluten-free as-is or could be modified.
This Spanish restaurant is the place to go for tapas and paella. The paella takes about 45 minutes to prepare, so we ordered tapas to enjoy while waiting.
We started with the crudo (raw) Aji tuna, which Dave loves. I’m not much of a raw fish fan, but I still enjoyed it, as it was flavorfully prepared.
Next, we had the pera (pear) with whipped goat cheese. It was soaked in sangria and was very refreshing.
Then came the chicken and chorizo paella. It was delicious, the kind of paella you would find served along Las Ramblas in Barcelona. I could not distinctly identify the chorizo anywhere in the pan, but the server said it was cut up into the rice, which was likely the reason that the rice was so fabulous.
It was perfect for sharing for two and we had a little left over.
They have a gluten-free basque cheesecake, that I would normally have ordered. However, I just had the pumpkin cheesecake at Lilac Montecito the night before. Something to consider if you are planning to eat at both restaurants.
I chose a rich chocolate flan to take back to our "villa" and Dave picked up McConnell's ice cream (see below) from a few blocks away.
I cannot recommend Loquita enough. It was a fantastic experience. I am in good company with that opinion. The place was packed on Saturday night. Reservations are recommended, and be sure to request the patio!
McConnell’s
We discovered this local gem, when we stayed nearby in Ojai, and Dave has been hunting down McConnell’s Ice Cream in our local grocery stores ever since. He loves it so much that we went to two shops while we were in town, one near Loquita's and the other, their flagship store on State Street. The factory is located in Santa Barbara.
There are several gluten-free options, and the employees at both locations were aware of which flavors were gluten-free and were careful with cross-contamination protocols. As soon as Dave mentioned celiac disease, they got a fresh scooper and a fresh tub from the back.
In one case, though, they did not have any fresh tubs of one of the flavors. So, just be aware that even though they are great at accommodating, it may not be possible with certain flavors when they are on the last container.
I am not the huge ice cream fan my husband is, but the salted caramel chip is excellent.
Restaurants on My Hit List for Next Time
There was simply not enough time in one weekend to make it to all of the great options in Santa Barbara. The following are not dedicated gluten-free, but were recommended to me by other celiacs and have excellent reviews. They are on my hit list for a future getaway:
- Three Monkeys (located inside the Santa Barbara Public Market)
- Local (in Montecito)
- The Lark (in the Funk Zone)
Gluten-Free Recommendations Nearby Santa Barbara
In Goleta: Elubia's Kitchen AND Santa Barbara Cider Co (Both Dedicated Gluten-Free)
When we were at Lilly‘s Taqueria, I ran into another guest with celiac disease. She had seen us the day before at one of the Lilac restaurants. We were both clearly on the same gluten-free circuit. She told me all about a phenomenal food truck parked outside a cider house in Goleta, just 15 minutes up the 101 from Santa Barbara.
Unfortunately, we were about to leave Santa Barbara and Goleta is in the opposite direction from our home. So, here's what I learned about these two gluten-free Goleta finds:
Elubia's Kitchen, the food truck is dedicated gluten-free. It specializes in Latin American Food. You'll find Salvadoran pupusas, Guatemalan enchiladas (which, the first time I ordered them in Guatemala, I was surprised to discover are more like a salad on top of a crunchy tostada), Mexican sopes, Honduran baleadas, and so much more. I cannot wait to visit Elubia's!
Check the website for days and hours, which are Thursday through Sun evenings at the time of this write-up.
Elubia's truck is parked by Santa Barbara Cider Co. which serves ciders and is also dedicated gluten-free. The owner's daughter has celiac disease. Pick up an order from Elubia's, then sit at one of Santa Barbara Cider's outdoor tables and enjoy a flight of unique, fresh ciders, like Homemade Apple Pie and Peachy Keen. It is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, but confirm online.
In Ojai: Ojai Valley Inn
If you are making your way along the California coast, a side trip from Santa Barabara to Ojai is well worth the stop. My family enjoyed a memorable getaway to Ojai, which is in a peaceful valley just outside Los Angeles.
The Ojai Valley Inn is a luxury resort that often sells out. If you are up for the splurge and able to plan ahead, it is an amazing gluten-free getaway. Read my review of our experiences beekeeping, being spoiled by the head chef, and beautiful memories of "pink moment" sunsets, picnic and pedal fun, and olive oil tasting.
Activities in Santa Barbara
With just a weekend in town, we barely scratched the surface of all there is to do in Santa Baraba. Here are few things we discovered during our short visit.
Hiking
It was red flag fire weather (read HOT) during our trip, so I searched All Trails for an easy hike close to the coast. Arroyo Burro Beach Loop was perfect with lots of ocean breezes, as it sits on a cliff over Arroyo Burro Beach, known as Hendry's Beach to locals.
The ocean vistas were Instagram-worthy and there were plenty of trees for climbing and many very happy dogs. The loop was extremely dog-friendly, and most of it allowed for off-leash dogs, which is not a thing in Orange County, where I live. The whole city, like most California coastal communities, is dog-friendly.
There are many more adventurous hikes of all levels to choose from in the All Trails app, if weather and time permit. Our host recommended trails in the San Marcos Foothills Preserve.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse Clock Tower: Observation Deck
A shop owner on State Street gave us an insider's tip. She sent us down a side street and directed us to the Santa Barbara Courthouse with instructions to stop by the chapel on the second floor and then head to the fifth-floor Observation Deck for panoramic views. I highly recommend you too follow her advice.
The Presidio
The Presidio, an old Spanish military fortress, is also worth a stop. You can view most buildings from the outside or pay a small fee to the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation for more access and to support its work. The Presidio includes the oldest surviving building in the California state park system, El Cuartel (soldiers' quarters), built in 1788.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
The Old Mission Santa Barbara is part of the California mission trail that extends from San Diego to San Francisco. Ask any Californian 4th grader and they can tell you all about the 21 Spanish missions along the coast of California.
Self-guided tours of the mission are available for a fee. The Saint Barbara Parish is active at the mission, so you can also attend mass in the chapel.
Across the parking lot is Mission Park and Rose Garden where we saw several families picnicking in the grass with lovely views of the mission and roses. Speaking of parks...
Parks & Beaches
There are so many little parks around Santa Barbara. We happened across "the Whale Picnic Area" a children's play structure with a giant whale and several picnic tables. Across the street was the Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, which has a small pond with ducks and plenty of turtles.
There are quite a few lovely places to slow down and relax. I encourage you to stop by one of the many parks in town. Plan to walk and talk or sit and have a picnic, savoring the laidback pace.
Of course, there’s nothing better than a day at the beach. Butterfly Beach in Montecito is west-facing and an ideal place to watch the sunset. Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's Beach) mentioned in the Hiking section above is the best beach if you are looking to play fetch in the ocean with your pup. Leadbetter Beach is popular for water sports like surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and boogie boarding.
East Beach is the most touristy of the beaches. It extends east from Stearns Wharf, home to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center along with typical pier shops. Enjoy the beach, rent a bike from Wheel Fun Rentals, or spend time at Skater's Point Skate Park. On Sundays, you can enjoy the Arts & Crafts Show...
Arts & Crafts Show
This local Arts & Crafts Show is located along Cabrillo Boulevard, giving you constant views of East Beach as you head from booth to booth. It is held every Sunday, and occasionally on Saturdays. This craft fair is a beautiful place to meet local artists, enjoy their work, and find a unique souvenir to take home.
Shopping
State Street Promenade is the highlight of shopping in old town Santa Barbara.
There is a large strip of State Street blocked off for pedestrians and bikes. In the era of electric scooters and bikes, that last part is important. You do have to keep an eye out for zippy ebikes, as well as cars at the street crossings, but the promenade is otherwise dedicated to shoppers on foot and outdoor dining.
Lilac Patisserie is located on this walking street, along with charming local shops and familiar chains. I purchased a beautiful serving dish at an Italian pottery shop, owned by a celiac who chatted with us about her food adventures in Italy (the best place to be if you have celiac disease).
Continue shopping in the Funk Zone (where you will also find Loquita and the Urban Wine Trail) and on Coast Village Road in Montecito (home to Lilac Montecito). Eat, shop, eat should be your mantra.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Our villa was just down the road from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. We had planned to visit, but it was closed due to those red-flag warnings. If you make it, please share pics with me on Instagram or Facebook! I was sorry to miss it.
Parking
We found public parking garages and lots readily available in busy shopping, dining, and entertainment areas throughout Santa Barbara. Prices were reasonable. Typically, the first 75 minutes were free and the cost was just a few dollars per hour after that.
Where to Stay: Villa Floresco, a Charming Vacation Rental
Villa Floresco is a cozy vacation rental with stunning sunset views. We were welcomed with our names on the door of our private villa and a gift from the friendly hosts.
My husband chose this VRBO for its Italian countryside vibe, which reminded him of our travels in Italy, and for the overwhelmingly positive feedback from past guests. It lived up to the reviews.
The villa sleeps four with a comfortable king bed and a pull-out sofa. We did not use the sofa bed, so I cannot vouch for its coziness. The decor was warm and rustic with design elements out of a magazine and two French doors leading out to the private patio.
The charming kitchenette includes a microwave, oven, and fridge. One note, there is no dishwasher, which is something I would keep in mind for a longer stay, perhaps bringing disposable plates and utensils. I am not fully confident in the safety of previous guests handwashing dishes to remove gluten. This was not an issue on our weekend getaway, as we planned to spend all of our lunches and dinners trying out local restaurants. Breakfast was simple grab-and-go items we kept in the fridge.
I savored that simple breakfast each morning on the patio, gazing out at rolling hills that seemed as if they should be covered with grapevines. The location in the Mission Canyon area of Santa Barbara is close to the action, yet feels like a world away.
Villa Floresco is available for booking on VRBO.
I hope you enjoy eating your way through Santa Barbara as much as I did!
