In many ways, the idyllic Central Coast city of Santa Barbara, with its sweeping coastline, world-renowned wineries, and natural beauty, is the best representation of the California dream. It resembles the postcard many might conjure when you mention living or visiting the Golden State. The natural beauty of the city, along with its Mediterranean climate that makes outdoor activities like hiking or biking a pleasure year-round, contributes to the area’s nickname as the “American Riviera”.

Situated right on the coast, tucked between the Santa Ynez mountain range and the vineyards in nearby Los Olivos and Solvang, this city has been the ideal getaway for both San Franciscans and Angelenos for decades. For both, Santa Barbara has proven to be the best short getaway city for those looking for romance, relaxation, or letting loose.

Santa Barbara offers a variety of experiences to every kind of visitor. If it's a hike you need, this city has you covered. From dipping into the hot springs of Montecito to hiking up beachside trails with views of the ocean at sunset, there are plenty of different types of hikes for people of all fitness levels. Biking is also popular in Santa Barbara. A beachside path takes you from the popular piers to quieter and less crowded beaches. With plenty of bikeable roads available, it’s also easy to navigate the city and beaches with a bike.

Although there are plenty of Santa Barbara neighborhoods to explore, from the more residential Riviera to the nearby upscale Montecito, to the rowdier bars on State Street, there is one neighborhood that brings the fun. The so-called Funk Zone was once an industrial area. A place for fishermen or marine workers, the old warehouses that were once grain and feed stores have now been transformed by fun, bright-colored renovations and now house busy restaurants or wine tasting rooms.

Drawing millions of visitors a year, this neighborhood, with beach access and close to the city center, is made up of a mix of art galleries, breweries, wineries, boutiques, and vintage stores. But the biggest star of the district is its top-notch antique stores. A store called The Blue Door is amongst the neighborhood’s most popular picks for unique finds. Filled with original art, funky home decor from the 1960s, and rare or one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, it’s a great stop for those looking to upgrade their homes.

For mid-century lovers, the Funk Zone is home to one of the best mid-century vintage collections in the area. A modernist lovers’ dream, SBMIDMOD is a store with a highly curated shoppable collection of rare furnishings, original art, and sculptures from the mid-century era. For those who truly love the era, or anyone who is a fan of beautiful things, this store will leave you feeling inspired to design your own home.

If it's vintage clothing you’re searching for, the Funk Zone has you covered. Loveworn is a clothing, housewares, and record store situated in what was once a loading dock, now converted and covered with art. An incredible collection of denim, this is the best vintage store in the area to find the jeans you’re searching for. The store also features its own vintage-inspired clothing with original designs.

When it comes to wine, the Funk Zone is at the center of the wine tasting culture in Santa Barbara. Because the area surrounding the city features world-class vineyards, it only makes sense that the city features a variety of tasting rooms for these wineries. In order to mitigate the decision fatigue, it’s important for visitors to consider what wine tasting experience they want before settling on a specific winery.

For instance, Rhone varietal wine lovers will enjoy the bright and airy La Lieff Wines, located near the center of the Funk Zone. For those who want to enjoy sustainable wines, the unpretentious Municipal Winemakers is a great place to taste wines that were made with both love and sustainability in mind. Down the street, in a bungalow-style building, Corks n' Crowns is a local’s favorite that offers a cozy (and sometimes rowdy) bar experience, often featuring live music. Whether you want a laid-back wine tasting experience or to enjoy the sun underneath a patio umbrella while listening to live music, the Funk Zone has you covered.

There are plenty of world-class restaurants across Santa Barbara and in the nearby towns of Montecito, Goleta, and Solvang. The Funk Zone is no exception and features an array of great places to enjoy a bite between wine tastings and antique shopping. Situated in the center of the fun, The Lark’s menu can be described as a cross between classic Californian cuisine with a somewhat Southern American twist. The large outside patio and indoor-outdoor space make it a great place for dinner on a warm night.

Just down the street is the neighborhood’s most popular pizza spot, Lucky Penny. A casual atmosphere that gets very busy on the weekends, this pizza joint features wood-oven pies that are out of this world. For groups or romantic dinners, Loquita is a Spanish restaurant offering tapas and family-style meals.

The wine tasting rooms, breweries, restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries all make the Funk Zone a one-stop shop for visitors of all kinds. The colorful neighborhood, now adorned in bright colors and lovingly renovated by businesses of all kinds, is a great way to experience a side of Santa Barbara that knows how to have fun.