Funk Zone

The Funk Zone is Santa Barbara’s unique arts, business, warehouse and industrial district sandwiched between the ocean and Highway 101. It is adjacent to the Amtrak station and resides between State St. and Garden St., and Montecito St. to Cabrillo Blvd. It is an amalgamation of historical marine structures, industrial lots, warehouses and old houses. It’s occupants that reside and work there give it a soul, supporting a mixture of creative uses. Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone has become a favorite in recent years and has enjoyed an upswell of boutique tasting rooms, eclectic shops, microbreweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and galleries that cater to Santa Barbara’s contemporary side. Converted warehouses and buildings decorated with graffiti murals and contemporary art pieces set the tone for this hip section of town. Adjacent to the Funk zone is the newly opened Hotel Californian, with its façade of the original 1925 Hotel Californian and featuring Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and modern Moorish themed interior décor from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Located just a block from the beach it offers a luxurious Turkish-inspired spa, fashion boutiques and fresh and distinctive dining options. MOXI, Santa Barbara’s newest hands-on destination for families and curious minds of all ages, is located in this area. It is a museum where visitors can ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity. The Funk Zone Art Walk is a bi-monthly event initiated to highlight the neighborhood’s vibrant artistic community where visitors and locals alike taste some of the finest wines produced in Santa Barbara County. And then there is the Urban Wine Trail - a self-guided trail of 20+ tasting rooms representing Santa Barbara County wines. Whether you’re new to Santa Barbara or returning for the hundredth time, this ever-evolving artistic neighborhood is one spot to visit again and again.