Seafood
With the sparkling Pacific at our fingertips, it's no surprise that Santa Barbara is a seafood lover's paradise. Stroll down to the Santa Barbara Harbor and take a close look - after the spectacular views of sage-green mountains sweeping down to the ocean and boat masts punctuating clear blue skies, you'll notice boats ... lots of 'em. Though the harbor at first appears tranquil, it's actually a beehive of activity, with 150 local fishermen hauling in an average of 7 million pounds of seafood each year. The Santa Barbara Channel is one of the country's richest sources of sustainable, high-quality seafood, and this is no small fry, as it translates to a $30 million industry considering its positive effect on related businesses.
The catch of the day depends on the season, but it may include spiny lobster, ridgeback shrimp, spot prawn, rock crab, white sea bass, California halibut, yellowtail, albacore, swordfish, rockfish, Pacific snapper and barracuda. Some of the other stars of the seafood show might surprise you. Red sea urchin roe, or uni, is prized by the world's sushi lovers, and some of the best is hand-harvested by divers right off our coast in the Channel Islands. And if you think squid and sea cucumber are merely the ugly ducklings of the sea, think again - sea cucumbers may look like giant warty slugs, but they are highly sought-after in Asia for use in soups and as a medicinal tonic. And Santa Barbara farms aren't all landlubbers - open ocean aquaculture farms produce delectable oysters, mussels, clams and scallops, using sustainable techniques.
So while you're here, dive into the briny bliss of spot prawns or lobster at a local restaurant, buy some fresh catch right from the boats at the Saturday Fishermen's Market, shop at the Santa Barbara Fish Market on Harbor Way, or head out to sea to reel in your own catch! In October, hit the annual Harbor & Seafood Festival to celebrate the opening of lobster season, meet the fishermen and gobble the freshest local seafood at great prices.
- 9 West Victoria Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: 805.730.1160
The original “Santa Barbara Wine Country” restaurant, bouchon santa barbara searches for the freshest, most local ingredients available. The wine list features local treasures that complement the ...MORE
- 31 W. Carrillo Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 884-0300
A taste of Shutters on the Beach has landed at Canary Hotel Santa Barbara. COAST Restaurant & Bar is THE gathering spot downtown. Savory, accessible comfort food reflecting Santa Barbara’s seaside ...MORE
- 225 State Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: 805-962-3313
For over 30 years the original Enterprise Fish Company has prided itself on offering the freshest and finest seafood around at an amazing value.We are located on State Street, only two short blocks ...MORE
- 30 East Ortega Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: 805-963-1012
Welcome to SEAGRASS! We offer a fresh Santa Barbara Coastal Cuisine fine dining experience. We believe our ‘coastal’ living experience is deserving of celebration. Our ultimate goal, is to please our ...MORE
- 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd.
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 962-1127
Single Day Island trips:Truth Aquatics offers convenient single day island excursion trips throughout the summer season aboard a spacious and comfortable fleet of excursion vessels. Kayaking, ...MORE
- 107 Harbor Way
- Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Information: (805) 965-1557
- 229 W. Montecito Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 884-4664
- 119 Harbor Way
- Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Information: 805.966.4418
- 719 Paseo Nuevo
- 719 Paseo Nuevo
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 962-4648
- 1520 North Broadway
- Santa Maria, CA 93454
- Information: 805.922.3700
- 3888 State Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Information: (805) 687-4417
- 101 E. Cabrillo Boulevard
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 966-2112
- 3313-B State Street
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: 805-687-2800
- 1260 Channel Drive
- Santa Barbara, CA 93108
- Information: (805) 969-2261
- 210 Stearns Wharf
- Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Information: 805-963-3311
- 117 Harbor Way #F
- Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Information: 805.965.9564
- at the Saturday Farmers Market,
- corner of Cota & Santa Barbara streets, ** 8:30-12:30 pm
- Information: 805-886-1283
- 230 Stearns Wharf
- Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Information: (805) 966-6676
- 35 Foster Road
- Santa Maria, CA 93455
- Information: 805.937.5144
- 7:30am - noon
- Santa Barbara, CA 93109
- Information: 805-564-5531
- 686 Linden
- Carpinteria, CA 93103
- Information: 805-684-6666
- 701 Linden Avenue
- Carpinteria, CA 93013
- Information: 805.684.3811
