It doesn't get any fresher (or greener!) than this — no preservatives or artificial flavors are permitted within the County lines (we wish!). In all seriousness, Santa Barbara is uniquely self-sustaining when it comes to food and offers a truly regional culinary experience.
Fresh, seasonal produce is readily available at daily farmers’ markets and local grocery stores. Fresh catch from the Santa Barbara Channel is served up in local eateries and you can even buy seafood right off the boat at the Santa Barbara Harbor. Local chefs work their magic with the bounty of ingredients at their fingertips and create seasonal dishes that highlight scrumptious specialty ingredients like mission figs, Meyer lemons and Santa Barbara spot prawns. Did we forget to mention the stellar local wines and brews?
Learn how to eat like a locavore while tasting your way through Santa Barbara. Visit the farms, waters, vineyards, markets and restaurants that create, cultivate and celebrate our regional flavors. Get hands-on by picking berries at a turn-of-the-century Solvang landmark. Tour a local farm to learn about sustainable agriculture and global environmental issues such as biodiversity, soil erosion and pesticide use. Dive for lobster and crab in the Santa Barbara Channel under the guidance of local experts. Sample the fruits of our vines at one of 60 plus wine tasting facilities in the Lompoc, Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valleys. Or take a cooking class and bring some new skillz home with you!
LOCAVORE LINKS
***What is a locavore?
***Research farm-to-table (a.k.a. "green cuisine"), natural food and fresh catch restaurants.
***Visit www.santabarbarafresh.com for a complete directory of culinary attractions and activities.
***Visit www.slowfoodsantabarbara.org for Slow Food Santa Barbara resources and the local chapter's events and information.
***Eco-friendly wine tasting!
Photo Credits (left to right): photographer Greg Peterson; photo courtesy of Fairview Gardens; photographer Greg Peterson.
