Santa Barbara

Funky Town indeed exists in Santa Barbara. Sandwiched between polished State Street and the sparkling Pacific, the formerly industrial Funk Zone now offers up plenty of options for a weekend infused with art, ambling and adult-style fun. In this neck of the woods, folks stroll leisurely, cruise along on two wheels, or kick back in a pedicab and let someone else do the cruising. Any way you choose to travel,

We interrupt your healthy New Year’s resolutions with this message: It’s California Restaurant Month. We know, it seems like cruel and unusual punishment (or at least a serious test of willpower) to time a month’s worth of delicious deals with fresh starts and shiny new vows to work off that holiday gut. But think of it this way: Restaurant Month doesn’t have to be about gorging, and it can even help

Leg three of my coastal California train trip has us trading in the green valleys of San Luis Obispo for beach-y environs of Santa Barbara, the gateway to SoCal—and, more importantly, to excellent Mexican food. Things to Do: 1. When you think Santa Barbara, you think beach. The good news is that, unlike in L.A., you don’t need gasoline to reach the best beaches here. If you want a bike for