One of Santa Barbara’s most exciting emerging pocket neighborhoods, the Haley Corridor* has earned solid credibility as a culinary destination thanks to its eclectic collection of wineries, eateries and breweries. Equal parts artsy and industrial, it’s a hub of makers and innovators that span several trades beyond food and beverage. From technology and art to culinary and surf, Haley Corridor’s diverse business community shares an ethos of thinking outside the box. Our “Like a Local” insider, surfboard shaper Ryan Lovelace, is one such creative force helping to put Santa Barbara on the map. He’s the highest-producing hand shaper in the world and has earned a loyal following of surfers around the globe who seek out his custom boards.
See where Ryan works his magic while getting immersed in the Haley Corridor culture like a true local. Read on to see where else you can shop, eat and play.
*The neighborhood is made up of the blocks between Cota and Montecito Streets between Milpas and State Streets.
THINGS TO DO:
Your palate should be ready to play when you come to the Haley Corridor. By day, try the unique coffee cocktail concoctions served by Caje Café. At night, the coffee house transforms into Lab Social, a speakeasy-style den of drinks. If you want to try refined wines in a chilled-out setting, pop into Potek Winery for a tasting flight of the single-vineyard wines in view of where the wines are actually made. Craft beer drinkers will appreciate the tasting opportunities at Third Window Brewing Co.
You can continue to sip the fruits of Santa Barbara wine country at Carr Vineyards & Winery, Jaffurs Wine Cellars and Renegade Wines.
For a to-do that doesn’t involve consumption, check out the Art From Scrap Eco Art Gallery or sign up for a hands-on workshop.
WHERE TO EAT:
All of those delicious libations require their culinary complement. Hit Buena Onda Empanadas for a choice of eight different iterations of the Argentinian specialty.
In The Mill, The Kitchen is Third Window Brewing Co.’s sister eatery, also offering a menu of quality bites that includes out-of-this-world Smashburgers and a weekly pop-up of Central Coast Shawarma brought to you by Tamar Santa Barbara. On that same block, Rose Café is Santa Barbara’s original Mexican restaurant. Over on Olive Street, Arnoldi’s Café is a longtime local institution for cozy Italian fare. And Ah Juice Organic Café is the neighborhood’s go-to for super clean, healthy eats.
SPOTS TO SHOP:
Stock up on chocolate bars, truffles, bonbons and more at “Like a Local” insider Mike Orlando’s Twenty-Four Blackbirds chocolate shop. The entrepreneurial chocolatier exemplifies the groundbreaking spirit of the ‘hood—whether he’s charting new territory in California’s artisan chocolate movement or working with local restaurants, breweries and coffee roasters on mash-up collaborations. While you’re visiting, take the self-guided tour to learn about the bean-to-bar process of making single origin dark chocolate by hand from scratch.
In the market for some wheels? Ooty’s Scooters carries a large selection of scooters that are perfect for stylish commuters.
Keefrider Custom Furniture welcomes potential customers to visit by appointment to browse and buy handcrafted, custom furnature. Continue your home décor shopping at Steve Handleman Studios on Milpas which specializes in wrought iron lighting, décor and hardware.
