Santa Barbara is one of the most enchanting destinations on the West Coast. Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, its picturesque coastline, renowned wineries, and thriving creative community offer unforgettable Santa Barbara shopping and art experiences for visitors. As a popular cruise port, Santa Barbara welcomes ships during the Fall and Winter cruise season. Ships anchor offshore, and passengers are tendered to the wharf, where an easy walk or trolley ride leads to State Street, a hub of restaurants, boutiques, and wineries, many of which are located along Santa Barbara’s renowned Urban Wine Trail. Here are my picks for the best Santa Barbara shopping spots.

Santa Barbara's Funk Zone Shopping — For art lovers and design enthusiasts, the real magic of Santa Barbara shopping happens in the Funk Zone, a trendy neighborhood and creative heartbeat filled with locally-owned boutiques where boutique shopping thrives through murals, galleries, artisan studios, and kitschy boutiques.

The Funk Zone: 4 Best Shopping Spots in of Santa Barbara’s Creative Heartbeat

The first artistic thing you’ll notice are the colorful murals that line the streets, letting you know you are in for a truly creative experience!

1. Jules By The Sea: Wearable Art Inspired by Santa Barbara’s Coastline

A must-visit in the Funk Zone Studios, Jules By The Sea is a lifestyle gallery owned by designer Jules Kramer. This charming space showcases a stunning collection of wearable art, including apparel and eclectic jewelry crafted with local sea glass, pearls, and shells. Home decor lovers will appreciate the curated selection of crystals, barware, and artisan candles. At the same time, beauty enthusiasts can explore the store’s unique soap rock gemstones that mimic the aquamarine hues of the ocean. Visitors can also watch Jules at work in her corner studio, where she handcrafts each design.

2. Jess Conti Leather Goods: Handcrafted Hides in the Heart of Santa Barbara

Right next door, Jess Conti Leather Goods is a paradise for leather lovers. Designer Jess Conti, who honed her craft as a tailor, creates exquisite handmade leather pieces in her working studio. Every piece, from totes and bags to backpacks, jewelry, belts, and clothing, is meticulously cut by hand using cow, American bison, and deer hides. Each design is unique, featuring rich textures, natural tones, and artistic embellishments that only get more distinguished and treasured with age.

3. Lancaster Wood Prints: Photography Meets Woodcraft in Santa Barbara

Across the hall, Lancaster Wood Prints presents an innovative fusion of photography and woodworking. The husband-and-wife team, Meadow and Andy, combine their artistic talents to create breathtaking, ethically-made wood-mounted photography. Meadow captures California’s landscapes and lifestyles, while Andy preps pine and fir wood panels to complement the images. The final prints allow the wood grain to show through, adding depth, texture, and natural beauty to each piece, a true testament to Santa Barbara’s artistic ingenuity.

4. Loveworn & Rodeo Gallery: Vintage Denim and Pop Art Together in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone

One of the Funk Zone’s most eclectic gems is Loveworn & Rodeo Gallery, co-owned by Jill Johnson and Wallace Piatt. This warehouse women's clothing boutique is a treasure trove of hand-painted, stenciled, and distressed vintage denim, reimagined blazers, and repurposed apparel. Each piece is individually adorned with pins, stencils, patches, paints, and pins to create stunning unique pieces of vintage couture designs found nowhere else. All designs are handmade at this awesome studio in Santa Barbara.

The Rodeo Gallery features posters and wall art created by Wallace with a stylistic emphasis on colorful pop art and social messaging. His work is available in sizes from poster to oversized wall murals. Look for the insta-famous FUNK N LOVE garage door, which is their signature brand printed in-house on tee shirts, hats and accessories.

Wine, Spirits, and Culinary Tastings in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone

No visit to the Funk Zone is complete without indulging in some of Santa Barbara’s finest flavors, a delightful complement to the Santa Barbara shopping scene. The neighborhood is home to award-winning wineries such as the Santa Barbara Wine Collective and Fess Parker.

At The Valley Wine Project, visitors can view an interactive map of the Santa Barbara wine region and take a tour of Santa Barbara’s 5 Viticultural Areas “one glass at a time” at this insightful winery.

For a unique tasting experience, Cutler’s Artisan Distillery offers tastings of small-batch handcrafted spirits, including bourbon, gin, whiskey, and vodka, plus specialty liqueurs. These gourmet goodies make excellent gifts for holiday shopping.

In the same garden/patio area, visitors will also find Lucky Penny, a pizzeria housed in a charming building covered in thousands of real copper pennies.

For an immersive experience, consider booking a culinary and photography walking tour with Eat This, Shoot That!, which highlights the best eats and drinks for visitors to discover.

Shopping Santa Barbara’s State Street: The Top 3 Local Art & Vintage Treasures

Beyond the Funk Zone, State Street remains the heart of Santa Barbara’s retail and dining scene, making it a top spot for Santa Barbara shopping. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the street transforms into a vibrant pedestrian promenade and local market, showcasing fresh produce, handcrafted goods from locally-owned boutiques, and artisan creations.

1. Seaside Makers: Handmade Gifts and Vinotherapy Skincare From Santa Barbara Grapes

One standout boutique is Seaside Makers, which features a curated collection of locally made gifts, artisan home goods, and an interactive scent bar. The store’s owner, Kristen, launched The Grapeseed Company, the first vinotherapy skincare line in the U.S. to utilize local wine byproducts as key ingredients. Today, the company offers over 100 skincare, haircare, and bath products as a lifestyle brand, all crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Kristen’s eco-conscious, wine-infused products are not only healthy and beautiful, but a perfect nod to Santa Barbara’s wine country roots.

2. Urban Flea Market: A Vintage Wonderland on Santa Barbara’s State Street

For retro enthusiasts, the Urban Flea Market is a nostalgic journey through time. Owner Sara Gehris curates a fascinating mix of art, home goods, and collectibles from over 25 local vendors. Each section is arranged into themed vignettes, think Tiki bars, Man Caves, and Disco corners, filled with vintage treasures like Polaroid cameras, mid-century modern furniture, turntables, vinyl records, wardrobe staples, men's apparel, and retro kitchenware from the 60s and 70s. One of the biggest hits? The collection of classic magazines, including vintage Playboys!

Be sure to check out their fragrant assortment of One Last Glass Candles which features a “Lit Lyrics” line such as “But If You Try Sometimes You Get What You Need” and “Woke Up This Morning and I Got Myself A Beer”. All hand poured in Santa Barbara, the unique soy wax candle scents include Florida Citrus with Wild Mint, Juicy Fruit with Mandarin Orange, Candy-O Lollipop with Lemon and so many more!

3. Dishing Up Comfort at Joe’s Cafe on Santa Barbara’s Historic State Street

While you’re enjoying Santa Barbara shopping on State Street and get hungry for a bite, I recommend stopping into Joe’s Café, the city’s oldest restaurant, dating back to 1928. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner they dish up an extensive menu of homemade American comfort foods, cocktails, and most importantly, delicious pies made fresh daily in house.

For even more Santa Barbara shopping adventures beyond State Street’s main stretch, explore Arlington Plaza, La Arcada Plaza, the Presidio neighborhood, and Sevilla Square. These spots offer unique finds, including a delightful children's store tucked among the charming shops and galleries.

Plan Your Santa Barbara Shopping & Art Getaway

From funky murals and artisan boutiques in Santa Barbara to luxury shopping on Coast Village Road in Montecito, this region including Goleta and Carpinteria is a dream destination for art, fashion, and design lovers. Stroll along Coast Village Road in upscale Montecito for more inspiration. Whether you’re visiting by cruise ship or planning a longer stay, this charming coastal city promises an unforgettable journey through creativity, craftsmanship, and culture.

Love the artisan items featured in this post, but can’t make the trip yourself? Visit our SHOP to discover similar handcrafted items made by local artisans, delivered straight to your door! I also share my favorite workshops, tours, and classes that turn global travel into a hands-on, unforgettable experience.

4 Best Shopping Spots in Santa Barbara: My Art Guide (Galleries, Boutiques and Funk Zone)