Cheshire Cat Inn & Cottages

To ensure guests are aware of the many fine dining options to complement their stay at the Santa Barbara bed and breakfast, Cheshire Cat Inn reviewed several Santa Barbara restaurants. The Inn wanted to make sure that any restaurant it recommends to guests has the finest food served in the most comfortable surroundings.

The selections were chosen based on a variety of cuisines, guest reviews, and concern for increasing the enjoyment of the Santa Barbara experience. These Santa Barbara restaurants are all dedicated to providing guests with the finest dining experience possible.

After thorough consideration, Cheshire Cat Inn named the following Santa Barbara Restaurants as its top five favorites: Olio e Limone Ristorante, Bouchon Restaurant, Arigato Sushi, Scarlett Begonia, and Brophy Brothers. If you are choosing a restaurant to complement your stay at a bed and breakfast in Santa Barbara, consider these five Santa Barbara restaurants.

About Cheshire Cat Inn - Cheshire Cat Inn offers the perfect combination of location, ambience and enjoyment for Santa Barbara inns. The Inn’s quaint Victorian charms, spa treatments, and special pricing make it perfect as Santa Barbara’s Great Escape. Visit the website and Facebook pageor call 805- 569-1610 for more information.

Cheshire Cat Inn is a charming Victorian Santa Barbara bed and breakfast that features Jacuzzi suites, daily breakfast and wine/hors d’oeuvres offerings, and attractive package offersthat are sure to enhance the quality of your stay in Santa Barbara.

The Santa Barbara bed & breakfast often recommends Santa Barbara restaurants that guests can enjoy after a day of biking, sailing, or family activities in Santa Barbara.

To ensure guests are aware of the many fine dining options to complement their stay at the Santa Barbara bed and breakfast, Cheshire Cat Inn reviewed several Santa Barbara restaurants. The Inn wanted to make sure that any restaurant it recommends to guests has the finest food served in the most comfortable surroundings.

The selections were chosen based on a variety of cuisines, guest reviews, and concern for increasing the enjoyment of the Santa Barbara experience. These Santa Barbara restaurants are all dedicated to providing guests with the finest dining experience possible.

After thorough consideration, Cheshire Cat Inn named the following Santa Barbara Restaurants as its top five favorites: Olio e Limone Ristorante, Bouchon Restaurant, Arigato Sushi, Scarlett Begonia, and Brophy Brothers. If you are choosing a restaurant to complement your stay at the best bed and breakfast in Santa Barbara, consider the following Santa Barbara restaurants.

Olio e Limone Ristorante has been operated by the husband-wife team of Alberto and Elaine Morello since 1999. They rely on the integrity of the ingredients and the quality of the preparation to offer Santa Barbara creative, authentic Italian cuisine served in an inviting atmosphere. Chef Alberto Morello draws inspiration from all over Italy but brings particular passion to Sicilian dishes. The extensive wine list reflects the Morellos’ passion for wine and has garnered the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2002. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-899-2699 for more information.

Bouchon Restauranthas served Santa Barbara "Wine Country Cuisine" since 1998. Ingredients use an "as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible" approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. Dinner flavors are presented in concert with the perfect local Santa Barbara wines. Visit the website and Facebook pageor call 805-730-1160 for more information.

Arigato Sushioffers the finest sushi cuisinein Santa Barbara. Guests can choose from an a la carte cold selections or opt for a tasty offering of special sashimi. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-965-6074 for more information.

Scarlett Begonia serves interesting food with the goal of providing Santa Barbara with a restaurant that couples farm to table cuisine with modern innovative cooking to be one of the most food centric restaurants around.  Visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-770-2143 for more information.

Brophy Brothers takes advantage of Santa Barbara’s seaside location with daily fresh seafood offerings. A casual seafood house that is located right on the dock in the Santa Barbara Harbor Brophy Brothers is proud to be a part of Santa Barbara's sustainable seafood efforts. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-966-4418 for more information.

Part of Cheshire Cat Inn’s commitment to excellence includes dining suggestions for a wide variety of Santa Barbara restaurants. With so many fine Santa Barbara dining options, finding a top Santa Barbara restaurant can be a challenge. This review aims to save guests of Cheshire Cat Inn from the effort of researching Santa Barbara restaurants on their own. From all of us at Cheshire Cat Inn, we would like to wish you a wonderful vacation in Santa Barbara.

About Cheshire Cat Inn - Cheshire Cat Inn offers the perfect combination of location, ambience and enjoyment for Santa Barbara inns. The Inn’s quaint Victorian charms, spa treatments, and special pricing make it perfect as Santa Barbara’s Great Escape. Visit the website and Facebook pageor call 805- 569-1610 for more information.

ABOUT CHESHIRE CAT INN: Cheshire Cat Inn is a romantic and elegant Victorian Inn with old oak trees, fountains and flower filled gardens. This Santa Barbara bed and breakfast offers 18 guest rooms, suites and cottages, some with in-room Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, private decks and outdoor hot tubs. The Inn is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, only four blocks from shops, restaurants, and theaters. This downtown Santa Barbara hotel has an Alice in Wonderland theme and offers Santa Barbara lodging with gracious English hospitality. Visit Cheshire Cat Inn at 36 W. Valerio St. Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, USA (805) 569-1610 by clicking on to their website, blog and facebook.

People from throughout the world will be attending a Santa Barbara event this weekend that is designed to empower women. It’s the 6^th annual Women’s Festival and it returns this Friday, February 8^th from 9am until 8pm. This full day event will be held at the Bacara Santa Barbara hotel.

The Women’s Festival will include a professional women’s exposition, an awards program and educational and enlightening discussions lead by authors, speakers, and women in leadership roles. Videos from past Women’s Festivals can be viewed on the festival’s website.

The 2013 Festival’s theme is “Health, Wealth and Soul” and the event will highlight a variety of issues facing women today including:

The Women’s Festival will also include entertainment in the expo area throughout the day. A full schedule of presentations and entertainment is available here.

To learn more about this Santa Barbara event visit WomensFestivals.org.

Santa Barbara is a great biking town with well-established bike paths that you can explore on your own or with the help of an experienced bike tour operator. Cheshire Cat Inn recommends reviewing the following three websites which offer a wealth of information on the topic of Santa Barbara bicycling.

Bike Santa Barbara County: This website has a great overview of everything that has to do with Santa Barbara bikes. It includes information on Santa Barbara bike tours, bike shops, great bike rides and information about Santa Barbara bike rentals. They even have a listing of biking events through the end of the year so you can see what is happening in town during your stay.

You’ll love bike riding in Santa Barbara. Our great year-round weather and beautiful California scenery lend themselves to some of the best biking in the U.S. In Santa Barbara bikes are almost as common as cars. Start your day on the flower-filled brick patio at our Santa Barbara bed & breakfast and enjoy samplings that might include fresh fruit, a traditional Continental breakfast, deep-dish French toast or an authentic Mexican frittata. Then head out to explore 78 miles of astonishing California coastline, mountains that rise up over 6800 feet, the Los Padres National Forest, or some of California’s finest wineries.

After an exhilarating day exploring the Santa Barbara bike paths together, come back to the best bed and breakfast in Santa Barbara for wine and hors d-oeuvres on our patio. Sample some of Santa Barbara’s best local wines and enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres that will hit the spot. Regenerate yourself in our Santa Barbara hot tub or Santa Barbara Jacuzzi, and then choose from any of Santa Barbara’s nightlife activities, all within easy access from our romantic Victorian Inn. Evening chocolate chip cookies and brownies baked fresh daily will be available for your nibbling pleasure before bed, or our 24 hour refreshment center in the Eberle House is always open for tea, coffee, hot chocolate and ice.

Do-It-Yourself Biking or Santa Barbara Bike Tours

Santa Barbara is a great biking town with well-established bike paths that you can explore on your own and tour operators who offer bike rides from Santa Barbara inns to help you get the most out of your visit. Some websites you might want to visit as part of your trip planning include:



Bike Santa Barbara County: This website has a great overview of everything that has to do with Santa Barbara bikes. It includes information on Santa Barbara bike tours, bike shops, great bike rides and information about Santa Barbara bike rentals. They even have a listing of biking events through the end of the year so you can see what is happening in town during your stay.

Santa Barbara lodging options for the film festival usually fill up months before the event.  Cheshire Cat Inn is now offering significant discounts to their normal room rates, including a Queen Room for $150 mid-week, $175 Friday and Saturday, a King Room for $175 mid-week and for $200 Friday and Saturday. Guests staying at Cheshire Cat Inn will be within walking distance from the festival, and enjoy an unforgettable holiday at one of the most unique Santa Barbara bed n breakfast hotels downtown.

The 28^th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, scheduled for January 24 through February 3, 2013, promises to be the most exciting film festival to-date. This year’s honorees include Amy Adams (Cinema Vanguard award), Ben Affleck (Modern Master Award), and Jennifer Lawrence (Outstanding Performer of the Year Award).  The Santa Barbara Film Festival schedule includes some of the most exciting films, images from last year’s events, tributes, sidebars, and other activities with broad appeal for all ages and interests.

The 28^th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, scheduled for January 24 through February 3, 2013, promises to be the most exciting film festival to-date. This year’s honorees include Amy Adams (Cinema Vanguard award), Ben Affleck (Modern Master Award), and Jennifer Lawrence (Outstanding Performer of the Year Award).  The Santa Barbara Film Festival schedule includes some of the most exciting films, images from last year’s events, tributes, sidebars, and other activities with broad appeal for all ages and interests.  Follow on Facebook Follow on Twitter

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is dedicated to the art of filmmaking, which seeks out and consequently offers a broad array of international and independent films, with a commitment to diversity. This Festival, which attracts more than 70,000 visitors each year, offers eleven days of films, tributes and symposiums, raising consciousness of film as an art form. The SBIFF presents quality American and world independent films, Latin American and Asian sidebars as well as documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara. The SBIFF continues its commitment to education through its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies and educational seminars.

Visitors to the Film Festival will find a wide array of Santa Barbara lodging options suitable for virtually any taste and pocketbook. Some of the most exciting are the many Santa Barbara bed and breakfasts that surround the downtown area.  Cheshire Cat Inn, (www.cheshirecat.com), one of the premier bed and breakfasts in Santa Barbara, signed on as a lodging sponsor for SBIF 2013.

Cheshire Cat Inn Offers Special Lodging Rates For 2013 SBIF Attendees!

Cheshire Cat Inn is offering special lodging options for attendees of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The options include significant discounts to their normal room rates, including a Queen Room for $150 mid-week, $175 Friday and Saturday, a King Room for $175 mid-week and for $200 Friday and Saturday.

Cheshire Cat is an elegant Victorian Inn with old oak trees, fountains and flower filled gardens located in downtown Santa Barbara, only four blocks from shops, restaurants and theaters. Offering 18 guest rooms, suites and cottages, some with the most luxurious hot tubs in Santa Barbara, the Inn also has in-room Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, and private decks.

If you're looking for the best jacuzzi Santa Barbara has to offer at a bed and breakfast hotel, Cheshire Cat Inn is known for their beautiful outdoor hot tub jacuzzi.  Breakfast is served daily, along with an afternoon wine hour.  

Although Santa Barbara Film Festival activities are available at many venues throughout the city, the majority are concentrated in the downtown area, making Cheshire Cat Inn an ideal choice for attendees.  For those visitors looking for a somewhat higher level of relaxation to go along with the excitement of the film Festival, The Cheshire Cat Spa offers a wide array of specialized treatments available in room for total privacy. The spa offers Swedish massage, acupressure, prenatal therapy, deep tissue therapy, facials and more.

The Santa Barbara film Festival offers a variety of passes each providing a unique experience and perspective on the festival. While the private access pass gives the holder reserve priority seating, VIP backstage access, even a personal VIP liaison, other passes such as the State Street pass, allow the holder off-peak access to all screenings throughout the festival. For those attending samara film festival on a budget, and therefore prefer not to spend the money for a pass, there are many individual ticket options which are much more affordable and still offer an exciting and enjoyable experience at the festival.

By combining a local, Santa Barbara lodging experience, with one of the pass options for the Santa Barbara Film Festival, visitors can not only enjoy all the festival has to offer, but can also enjoy a unique Santa Barbara experience. Adding the comfortable casual unique experience of a true Santa Barbara bed n breakfast, like Cheshire Cat Inn, can enhance the experience even further. Within walking distance to downtown Santa Barbara, guest of this unique Santa Barbara Inn, will create lasting memories of the Santa Barbara film Festival, and will surely want to return each year.

There are many other interesting and exciting entertainment options to be found in Santa Barbara during the Santa Barbara Film Festival. The many restaurants, clubs, and bars that dot the downtown Santa Barbara area, offer fine dining, casual dining, music including life performance, dancing, top local wines, and social interaction, all within walking distance from the Cheshire Cat Inn. 

Each year, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival brings some of the top stars, producers, writers, and directors to Santa Barbara, making the atmosphere electric for those truly interested in the art of filmmaking. For these true enthusiasts, visiting Santa Barbara and remaining in the downtown area throughout the festival offers the best access to all that the Santa Barbara film Festival has to offer. The 28^th annual Santa Barbara international film Festival is certain to be the best yet!

ABOUT CHESHIRE CAT INN: Cheshire Cat Inn is a romantic and elegant Victorian Inn with old oak trees, fountains and flower filled gardens. This Santa Barbara bed and breakfast offers 18 guest rooms, suites and cottages, some with in-room Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, private decks and outdoor hot tubs. The Inn is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, only four blocks from shops, restaurants, and theaters. This downtown Santa Barbara hotel has an Alice in Wonderland theme and offers Santa Barbara lodging with gracious English hospitality. Visit Cheshire Cat Inn at 36 W. Valerio St. Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, USA (805) 569-1610 by clicking on to their website, blog and facebook.

November 20, 2012, Santa Barbara, CA - Cheshire Cat Inn (www.cheshirecat.com) has identified three must visit, uniquely Santa Barbara businesses, each offering vacationers the chance to create some lasting holiday memories.  Each of these venues was selected, based on uniqueness, “can’t miss” appeal, and its connection to Santa Barbara culture. Visit the full review here.

The Painted Cabernet, located within walking distance to all downtown hotels in Santa Barbara, “speaks to the artist in all of us.” The upscale urban painting studio, located at 1229 State Street, offers a friendly, hip, and creative environment.  Instructional artists walk visitors step-by-step through the painting experience giving one-on-one instruction while affording the freedom to create. Visitors select a painting they want to reproduce, with the studio offers many choices.  Patrons paint, drink wine, and socialize in a fun, vibrant, casual atmosphere.  Visit their website Visit their Facebook Page Follow on Twitter

Hampstead Village brings a truly authentic British experience to Santa Barbara, offering a huge selection including travel books, Irish recipes, English Lily of the Valley soaps, and a wide selection of distinctly British foods, such as old fashioned chocolate biscuits.  Perfumes from Penhaligon's of London are available, along with Taylor of Old Bond Street toiletries.  The Children’s Corner offers Peter Rabbit china, memorable books, and cuddly toys to keep the kids busy while adults shop at their leisure.  Hampstead Village is located at 1100 State Street on the corner of State and Figueroa, walking distance from several exceptional Santa Barbara hotels.  Visit their website Visit their Facebook page

Cielito Restaurant offers Mexican cuisine with influences from African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean flavors, with recipes from Mexico City to Oaxaca and from Veracruz to Guadalajara. At Cielito, Chef Ramon Velazquez reveals the true flavors of traditional dishes prepared with simplicity and elegance. Each dish celebrates the essence of the ingredients and is presented to delight the eye and the palate.  Cielito Restaurant is located at 1114 State Street, within the historic La Arcada complex, a location that is ideal for visitors lodging with downtown hotels in Santa Barbara, and is the heart of the downtown shopping and entertainment corridor.

Cheshire Cat Inn (www.cheshirecat.com) has identified three must visit, uniquely Santa Barbara businesses, each offering vacationers the chance to create some lasting holiday memories.  Each of these venues was selected, based on uniqueness, “can’t miss” appeal, and its connection to Santa Barbara culture.

The Painted Cabernet, located within walking distance to all downtown hotels in Santa Barbara, “speaks to the artist in all of us.” The upscale urban studio, located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, at 1229 State Street, offers a friendly, hip, and creative environment.  Instructional artists walk visitors step-by-step through the painting experience giving one-on-one instruction while affording the freedom to create. Visitors select a painting they want to reproduce, with the studio offers many choices.  Patrons paint, drink wine, and socialize in a fun, vibrant, casual atmosphere.  A wide selection of Santa Barbara wines are available, from local favorites to some of Napa and Sonoma Valley’s best await the amateur Picasso or Renoir. Visitors to Santa Barbara this holiday season can easily walk to the Painted Cabernet from downtown hotels in Santa Barbara, or take a short drive from Santa Barbara garden hotels. Visit their website Visit their Facebook Page Follow on Twitter

Hampstead Village brings a truly authentic British experience to Santa Barbara, offering a huge selection including travel books, Irish recipes, English Lily of the Valley soaps, and a wide selection of distinctly British foods, such as old fashioned chocolate biscuits.  Perfumes from Penhaligon's of London are available, along with Taylor of Old Bond Street toiletries.  Visitors will feel a strong sense of nostalgia immediately upon entering Hampstead Village, taking them back to “the good old days” when quality was the standard. The Children’s Corner offers Peter Rabbit china, memorable books, and cuddly toys to keep the kids busy while adults shop at their leisure.  Hampstead Village is located at 1100 State Street on the corner of State and Figueroa, walking distance from several exceptional Santa Barbara hotels.  Visit their website Visit their Facebook page

Restaurant offers Mexican cuisine with influences from African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean flavors, with recipes from Mexico City to Oaxaca and from Veracruz to Guadalajara. At Cielito, Chef Ramon Velazquez reveals the true flavors of traditional dishes prepared with simplicity and elegance. Each dish celebrates the essence of the ingredients and is presented to delight the eye and the palate.  Cielito Restaurant is located at 1114 State Street, within the historic La Arcada complex, and has been a longtime favorite gathering place for dining and relaxation around the famous turtle fountain.  This location is ideal for visitors lodging with downtown hotels in Santa Barbara, and is the heart of the downtown shopping and entertainment corridor.  La Arcada offers many shops, galleries, and restaurants to delight visitors, providing the authentic experience that is so uniquely Santa Barbara.

Cielito Restaurant offers both indoor and al fresco dining on their private outdoor patio.  Private parties and eventscan be scheduled, including large functions and small, intimate gatherings on their mezzanine level. 

Cielito’s lunch menu includes Quesadillas, enchiladas, lots of taco options, salads, and even their “Heavenly Burger.”  Their vanilla bean flan has received some heavenly reviews as well!  Prices range from about $9 to $15.

The dinner menu is decidedly upscale, with antojitos (snacks), taqueria (street style cravings for sharing), soups, salads, and entrees.  Entrees include enchiladas, fish, a filet, and chicken, while desserts include Apple Empanadas, Tiramisu, Chocolate & Caramel Peanut Semi-freddo, and their signature vanilla bean flan.

Though Cielito has a decidedly Mexican flare, the menu is diverse enough to satisfy just about any palate.  Cielito also offers a full bar with many signature cocktails, wines, and craft beers.  For more information: visit their website visit their Facebook page

With so many wonderful options, visitors to Santa Barbara this holiday season are sure to find plenty to keep them busy.  The three options presented here should provide a good starting point for visitors staying in downtown hotels in Santa Barbara, or those visiting one of our extraordinary Santa Barbara bed and breakfasts.  The central location of each of these venues offers the pedestrian visitor exposure to many other exciting destinations along State Street and the many cross streets that offer additional shopping and entertainment options.  Visitors are invited to take their time, explore, shop, eat, drink, and be merry this holiday season.  Enjoy your visit and take home some uniquely Santa Barbara memories!

The Cheshire Cat Innis a romantic and elegant Victorian Inn with old oak trees, fountains and flower filled gardens. This Santa Barbara bed and breakfastoffers 18 guest rooms, suites and cottages, some having in-room Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, private decks and outdoor hot tubs. The Inn is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, only four blocks from shops, restaurants, and theaters.  This downtown Santa Barbara hotel has an Alice in Wonderland theme and offers Santa Barbara lodging with gracious English hospitality and a touch of whimsy. Visit their website Visit their blog