Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages

36 West Valerio Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101
Innkeeper(s): Christine Dunstan, Owner
  • Cheshire Cat Inn

    Cheshire Cat Inn

  • Cheshire Cat Inn

    Cheshire Cat Inn

  • The Cheshire Cat Inn's outdoor spa

    The Cheshire Cat Inn's outdoor spa

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast

  • Prestbury Cottage

    Prestbury Cottage

  • TweedleDum Jacuzzi

    TweedleDum Jacuzzi

  • Cheshire Cat Room

    Cheshire Cat Room

  • Eberle Room

    Eberle Room

 

Santa Barbara Farmers' Market 28 May 2012, 2:36 pm



 
Yeah for our local Farmers’ Market.  How lucky we are to have it twice a week and just 5 minutes by car, or a 20 minute walk from the Cheshire Cat Inn.  Such a wonderful choice of fruits, veggies, flowers and plants, especially this time of year when everything tastes so great!   Just returned from my late afternoon shop for lilies and carnations, but sadly no time to sit, sip wine and people watch.


 The Tuesday market is from 4 – 7, located on lower State Street, a section of which is closed especially for the market.  The Saturday market it is open from 8:30AM to 1:00PM on the corner of Santa Barbara St and Cota.  Both locations are located near coffee houses, restaurants and shops, so there is plenty to do after visiting the market.


Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn

New Restaurant 5 May 2012, 12:13 pm


Instead of driving or cycling to visit our favorite Taqueria – no more!!  Now we can take a 15 minute walk from the Cheshire Cat Inn to our new favorite Taqueria and Restaurant ‘Cielito’, located in La Arcada Mall which is a Spanish styled mall and is the most attractive we have in Santa Barbara.


Cielito Taqueria is located in the rear part of La Arcada Mall surrounded by a beautiful Spanish courtyard and fountain.  A truly delightful spot to sit and have lunch.  The variety of tacos is fantastic and flavors fabulous.  I had one with fresh salmon and a super tasty fruity salsa the other day, and wanted to eat more!!  Make sure you go early, gets very busy with the locals.  Open Mon-Sat 11.00am-2pm (lunch only).  Order at the counter and the food is delivered to the table.

 
Cielito – the Restaurant part is open for dinner Tues-Sun.  Indoor and outdoor dining and reservations are a must!  Food is a combination of regional Mexican and South American dishes served tapas style.  Can’t wait to go back!!!

Cielito Restaurant and Taqueria
1114 State Street
Santa Barbara CA, 93101
(805) 225-4488.


Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn

First Bloom at the Old Santa Barbara Mission 15 Apr 2012, 3:37 pm


 A beautiful Sunday afternoon in Santa Barbara after the rain, we decided to walk to the  Old Santa Barbara Mission from the Cheshire Cat Inn to visit the rose garden. The First Bloom looked absolutely gorgeous amidst the beautiful setting.  Be sure to visit Santa Barbara soon and add the Mission and gardens to your list of places to see.


Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn

Cheshire Cat Inn's New Video 9 Apr 2012, 6:01 pm


 
The Cheshire Cat Inn's new video has just been released. Let us know what you think about it. 



Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn

We Have Been Busy 10 Mar 2012, 4:06 pm

 
We are one of Santa Barbara’s best Bed and Breakfast Boutique Inns.  We have been busy adding new ihomes, sleep machines, flat-screened TV/DVD units and Molton Brownproducts. We also upgraded the Wi-Fi. Wooden floors have replaced carpets in Mad Hatter, Jean’s and Tweedledee.  New carpeting and furniture in many rooms and something we have wanted to do for 25 years is!!   Stained glass windows in Alice’s and White Rabbit!   Better late than never!

   
The refreshment center in the Eberle House that we added last year has been a huge success and guests are happy to be able to make tea/coffee/hot chocolate and have ice available 24 hours/day.

Come visit the Cheshire Cat Inn and enjoy our enhancements!

 Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn

Santa Barbara Restaurants 5 Jan 2012, 3:00 pm

Congratulations are in order for two of our favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara who are also featured in our winter packages.

Mussels and Fish from Downey's
 

Downey’s has been designated #2 for food and #1 for service in Santa Barbara by Zagat.com in 2011. They also are #2 on Trip Advisor. Fine dining at its finest.

bouchon's Patio

Bouchon’s has just been voted the best overall restaurant in 2011 by santabarbara.com, a local review website.  At present they are #4 on TripAdvisor, but I am sure they will move up soon.  California wine dining.


 
 Downey’s has been featured in the Cheshire Cat Inn’s  mid-week Great Escape package for almost 20 years now and we added bouchon to our ­ Cat’s Grin package about 10 years ago. Both restaurants are within walking distance of the Inn and their wine lists equal the dining experience.

Innkeeper
Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn
Santa Barbara, CA

Visiting Santa Barbara? 24 Nov 2011, 12:15 pm

Cheshire Cat Inn, Santa Barbara, CA
Check the Cheshire Cat Inn’s Activities and Location Pages on our web site – for your NEXT trip to Santa Barbara. The Location Page is divided into 3 sections. You need to expand a section for a list, click on your “choice” and you will get the location, address and website for more information. Also check the bottom of the map for walking/driving instructions.

There’s a lot to do – biking, hiking, sailing and of course eating and drinking. Links to all these sites on the Activities Page. Watch for our seasonal list coming SOON!!!!




Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn

First Thursday In Santa Barbara 27 Oct 2011, 2:06 pm


Try to be in Santa Barbara for the First Thursday of every month.  You will not want to miss the First Thursday Party.  An evening of Arts and Culture downtown Santa Barbara, featuring Art Openings, Live Music, Artists’ Receptions, Lectures, Wine Tastings and Hands-on activities.  Enjoy the lively atmosphere of downtown Santa Barbara.  The event is from 5.00 – 8.00pm and within a 5 minute walk from the Cheshire Cat Inn.  The next two dates are: Thursday November 3rd and Thursday December 1st.  The Innkeeper will have passports for these events.


Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn

FALL AT THE CHESHIRE CAT INN 17 Oct 2011, 2:01 pm


Gazebo InThe Back Garden

Flowers Around The Gazebo
Fall is always a beautiful time to visit Santa Barbara and walking around the garden this morning at the Cheshire Cat Inn I realized how fortunate we are to live in such a place.  Christine and Abdon are constantly looking for the perfect plants to fit our seasons and climate, and as these pictures show,  they have succeeded.   

Front Entrance To The Cheshire Cat Inn

Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn

Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail Continued 3 Oct 2011, 4:00 pm


This is our third stop on the Urban Wine Trail and just for the record, we only take in one or two wineries per week.

Kunin Wines Tasting Room
One of the Santa Barbara Rhone style wines that have always been a personal favorite of ours is Kunin Wines, so we were pleased when they opened up a tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara.  It is contemporary in style and has very knowledgeable staff to assist you in your choice of wines. The cost is $10.00 for the tasting and they also sell their wine. They are open form 11- 6 every day, giving you the opportunity to taste the wine just before you dine.

Municipal Winemakers Tasting Room
 Next door are the Municipal Winemakers. When you first walk in, you’re not sure that it is a wine tasting room.  It looks like a 1950’s office warehouse, but then you realize that this is their décor. They are open 11 – 6 Sunday thru Wednesday and 11AM – 11PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Their tastings are $10.00 and they also sell wine by the glass and/or bottle to enjoy on their patio. They also have cheese plates for $10.00 from our favorite cheese shop, C’est Cheese

Both wineries are located are lower Anacapa, one block from Stearns Wharf

Innkeeper Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast Inn