The Ultimate Santa Barbara Art & Shopping Guide: Best Galleries, Boutiques & Funk Zone Finds
Santa Barbara is one of the most enchanting destinations on the West Coast. With its picturesque coastline, renowned wineries, and a thriving creative community, this city offers an unforgettable experience for visitors. As a popular cruise port, Santa Barbara welcomes ships during the Fall and Winter cruise season. Ships anchor offshore, and passengers are tendered to the wharf, where an easy walk or trolley ride leads to State Street—a hub of restaurants, boutiques, and wineries, many of which are located along Santa Barbara’s renowned Urban Wine Trail.
The Port of Santa Barbara
The Funk Zone: Santa Barbara’s Creative Heartbeat
For art lovers and design enthusiasts, the real magic happens in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone—a trendy neighborhood where creativity thrives through murals, galleries, and artisan studios and kitschy boutiques.
The first artistic Thing you’ll notice in The Funk Zone is the colorful murals that line the streets, letting you know you are in for a truly creative experience!
Jules By The Sea: Wearable Art Inspired by Santa Barbara’s Coastline
A must-visit in the Funk Zone Studios, Jules By The Sea is a lifestyle gallery owned by designer Jules Kramer. This charming space showcases a stunning collection of wearable art, including apparel and contemporary jewelry crafted with local sea glass, pearls, and shells. Home decor lovers will appreciate the curated selection of crystals, barware, and artisan candles. At the same time, beauty enthusiasts can explore the store’s unique soap rock gemstones that mimic the aquamarine hues of the ocean. Visitors can also watch Jules at work in her corner studio, where she handcrafts each design.
Jess Conti Leather Goods: Handcrafted Hides in the Heart of Santa Barbara
Right next door, Jess Conti Leather Goods is a paradise for leather lovers. Designer Jess Conti, who honed her craft as a tailor, creates exquisite handmade leather accessories in her working studio. Every piece, from totes and bags to backpacks, jewelry, belts, and clothing, is meticulously cut by hand using cow, American bison, and deer hides. Each design is unique, featuring rich textures, natural tones, and artistic embellishments that only get more distinguished and treasured with age.
Lancaster Wood Prints: Photography Meets Woodcraft in Santa Barbara
Across the hall, Lancaster Wood Prints presents an innovative fusion of photography and woodworking. The husband-and-wife team, Meadow and Andy, combine their artistic talents to create breathtaking wood-mounted photography. Meadow captures California’s landscapes and lifestyles, while Andy preps pine and fir wood panels to complement the images. The final prints allow the wood grain to show through, adding depth, texture, and natural beauty to each piece—a true testament to Santa Barbara’s artistic ingenuity.
Loveworn & Rodeo Gallery: Vintage Denim and Pop Art Together in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone
One of the Funk Zone’s most eclectic gems is Loveworn & Rodeo Gallery, co-owned by Jill Johnson and Wallace Piatt. This warehouse boutique is a treasure trove of hand-painted, stenciled, and distressed vintage denim, reimagined blazers, and repurposed apparel. Each piece is individually adorned with pins, stencils, patches, paints and pins to create stunning vintage couture designs found nowhere else. All designs are handmade at this awesome studio in Santa Barbara.
The Rodeo Gallery features posters and wall art created by Wallace with a stylistic emphasis on colorful pop art and social messaging. His work is available in sizes from poster to oversized wall murals. Look for the insta-famous FUNK N LOVE garage door, which is their signature brand printed in-house on tee shirts, hats and accessories.
Wine, Spirits, and Culinary Tastings in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone
No visit to the Funk Zone is complete without indulging in some of Santa Barbara’s finest flavors. The neighborhood is home to award-winning wineries such as the Santa Barbara Wine Collective and Fess Parker.
At The Valley Wine Project, visitors can view an interactive map of the Santa Barbara wine region and take a tour of Santa Barbara’s 5 Viticultural Areas “one glass at a time” at this insightful winery.
For a unique tasting experience, Cutler’s Artisan Distillery offers tastings of small-batch handcrafted spirits, including bourbon, gin, whiskey, and vodka, plus specialty liqueurs.
In the same garden/patio area, visitors will also find Lucky Penny, a pizzeria housed in a charming building covered in thousands of real copper pennies.
For an immersive experience, consider booking a culinary and photography walking tour with Eat This, Shoot That!, which highlights the best eats and drinks for visitors to discover in the Funk Zone.
Shopping Santa Barbara’s State Street: Local Art, Vintage Treasures, and More
Beyond the Funk Zone, State Street remains the heart of Santa Barbara’s retail and dining scene. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the street transforms into a vibrant pedestrian promenade and local market, showcasing fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and artisan creations.
Seaside Makers: Handmade Gifts and Vinotherapy Skincare From Santa Barbara Grapes
One standout boutique is Seaside Makers, which features a curated collection of locally made gifts. artisanal goods and an interactive scent bar. The store’s owner, Kristen, launched The Grapeseed Company, the first vinotherapy skincare line in the U.S. to utilize local wine byproducts as key ingredients. Today, the company offers over 100 skincare, haircare, and bath products, all crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Kristen’s eco conscious, wine-infused products are not only healthy and beautiful, but a perfect nod to Santa Barbara’s wine country roots.
Urban Flea Market: A Vintage Wonderland on Santa Barbara’s State Street
For retro enthusiasts, the Urban Flea Market is a nostalgic journey through time. Owner Sara Gehris curates a fascinating mix of art, home décor, and collectibles from over 25 local vendors. Each section is arranged into themed vignettes—think Tiki bars, Man Caves, and Disco corners—filled with vintage Polaroid cameras, turntables, vinyl records, and retro kitchenware from the 60’s and 70’s. One of the biggest hits? The collection of classic magazines, including vintage Playboys!
Be sure to check out their fragrant assortment of One Last Glass Candles which features a “Lit Lyrics” line such as “But If You Try Sometimes You Get What You Need” and “Woke Up This Morning and I Got Myself A Beer”. All hand poured in Santa Barbara, the unique soy wax candle scents include Florida Citrus with Wild Mint, Juicy Fruit with Mandarin Orange, Candy-O Lollipop with Lemon and so many more!
Dishing Up Comfort at Joe’s Cafe on Santa Barbara’s Historic State Street
While you’re shopping on State Street in Santa Barbara and get hungry for a bite, I recommend stopping into Joe’s Café, the city’s oldest restaurant, dating back to 1928. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner they dish up an extensive menu of homemade American comfort foods, cocktails, and most importantly, delicious pies made fresh daily in house.
Plan Your Santa Barbara Art & Shopping Getaway
From funky murals and artisan boutiques to vintage treasures and handcrafted leather goods, Santa Barbara is a dream destination for art, fashion, and design lovers. Whether you’re visiting by cruise ship or planning a longer stay, this charming coastal city promises an unforgettable journey through creativity, craftsmanship, and culture.
Next Voyage - Join me as I embark on a Caribbean Cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s majestic Getaway. We’ll depart from New York City to the picturesque ports of Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Marten.
Till then, keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!
CHEERS!
