The 5 Best Wine Bars in Santa Barbara: Where I’d Go for a Glass of Wine in 2026

The wine bars in Santa Barbara are for sure one of the coolest things about the city and 100% something you should experience while you’re here. 

I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m a sommelier or anything, but I love a good glass of wine, I love visiting vineyards and wine bars, and I have to say, I had a lot of fun drinking my way through Santa Barbara.

I just got back from a trip to Santa Barbara, and the amount of wine bars all packed so close together is incredible. They’re all so different, with different wines, different vibes, and different locations, and it was just a lot of fun doing a bit of wine bar hopping.

Since there are so many wine bars in Santa Barbara, I figured I’d put together this quick list of my favorite ones that I actually visited and enjoyed. Hopefully, it gives you guys a few ideas and recommendations for where to go for a glass of wine in Santa Barbara and what you can expect when you get there.

What are the Best Wine Bars in Santa Barbara? I’ve Got the Answers

I’m sure there are at least 20 or more wine bars just in the Funk Zone and downtown area of Santa Barbara, so obviously I didn’t get around to visiting every single one. But I did manage to go to around seven different wine bars during my trip, and five of them made it onto my list here.

First things thirst, let me help you with your orientation a little bit. The Funk Zone in Santa Barbara is the name of a neighborhood, and it’s for sure one of the best areas to go out for drinks. 

It’s basically just a few blocks packed with restaurants, bars, breweries, cafes, and, of course, wine bars. It’s also my favorite part of town, and this is where you’ll find most of the wine bars, so if you want to make things easy on yourself, just come here. You can literally walk from one place to the next.

My favorite wine bar here was Pali Wine Co. When we went, they had a wine-tasting event with live music going on, so we signed up for the tasting, and it was so much fun. Another wine bar literally just around the corner that I really loved was Margerum, which has a really cool location and some super tasty charcuterie boards.

What Is the Urban Wine Trail in Santa Barbara California?

When you come to Santa Barbara and start researching wine bars, you might stumble across the term Urban Wine Trail, like I did. I had absolutely no idea what that meant at first, so let me quickly explain.

Santa Barbara is surrounded by a lot of wine country, including places like Los Olivos, Sta. Rita Hills, and Happy Canyon, and many of the vineyards and wineries in those areas have opened cellar doors and tasting rooms right here in Santa Barbara, particularly around the Funk Zone and downtown.

So, while I originally thought of these places as just wine bars, many of them are actually connected to vineyards and wineries in the surrounding wine country. I really loved that because you get to try wines from the region without having to drive all the way out to the vineyards.

That’s basically what the Urban Wine Trail is: wine bar hopping and trying different wines from the surrounding vineyards, but in an urban setting where you can walk from one tasting room to another instead of driving all through wine country.

I really loved the concept, and it was such a fun thing to do while I was in Santa Barbara. However, I have to say that I still prefer visiting an actual vineyard. There’s just something about being out in the vineyards, surrounded by the landscape and the wineries!

1. Pali Wine Co.

Opening Hours: 2pm-10pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

One of my favorite wine bars I visited while I was in Santa Barbara was definitely Pali Wine Co. We originally planned on just coming here for a glass of wine, but at the time, they had a wine-tasting event happening with live music, so we signed up for their tasting instead, and it was awesome.

I think it only cost around $35 per person, but they had around seven or eight different wines included. What I really liked was that we got them one after the other at the bar, rather than getting a whole flight of wine at once. It made the tasting feel a little more relaxed, and we could actually take our time with each wine.

We also got some cheese and meats here, and they put together a little charcuterie board for us, which was a really nice addition.

All in all, I loved the vibe here. With the live music, the people, and the whole atmosphere, it was just a really fun place to spend an afternoon.

2. Margerum Santa Barbara

Opening Hours: 11am-7pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Out of all the wine bars I visited, Margerum Santa Barbara probably has the coolest location, and it’s kind of quirky in a really fun way. They have a cool little outdoor patio and a huge bar inside that just looks really nice.

One of my friends who grew up here recommended Margerum to me, and I’m really glad they did. We tried their Sauvignon Blanc, which was great. It was pretty hot the day we were there, so I definitely wasn’t feeling a red wine. 

I do have to say, though, that the charcuterie and cheese boards here were incredible and probably the best I had in Santa Barbara. So, if you’re coming here, definitely come at least a little hungry!

3. Fess Parker Funk Zone

Opening Hours: 12pm-7pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

The first two wine bars I mentioned are definitely a little bigger, so they can get busy. Never uncomfortably busy or anything, but for sure a little crowded. Fess Parker in the Funk Zone, however, is just a really small wine bar with a small patio, and it feels a lot more modern and intimate, if that makes sense.

This was the second wine bar we tried while we were in Santa Barbara, and we had a really great time here. We didn’t eat any of their snacks or appetizers, but we tried their tasting flight, which was only $18, and I definitely recommend it.

I personally loved their Rosé and even ended up buying a bottle to take with me. Afterwards, I looked up their vineyard location too, and it looks incredible. They even have a guesthouse where you can stay, so next time I’m in the area, I’ll definitely have to check out the winery itself too. It looks beautiful.

4. Melville Winery Tasting Room

Opening Hours: 12pm-7pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

The tasting room at Melville Winery kind of reminded me of the Fess Parker one as well. It’s a little smaller, more modern, and a bit quieter.

Where I felt like Pali Wine Co. had a really outgoing vibe and atmosphere, where I wanted to head to the next bar or pub afterwards, Melville definitely felt more relaxed and quiet.

We did get a small charcuterie board here along with a glass of their Sauvignon Blanc, which was delicious. It was a nice place to slow things down a little bit and enjoy the wine without quite as much going on around us.

5. Santa Barbara Wine Collective

Opening Hours: 12pm-6pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

Santa Barbara Wine Collective is, in my opinion, one of the most chill and casual tasting rooms in Santa Barbara, and I loved it!

When we were there, it was busy but not too busy, with a great vibe, loads of young people, and a really cool patio to sit on. It was basically the perfect summer day.

They do serve proper food here, which I didn’t try, but it looked really good from what I could tell. In terms of wine, I tried their Riesling, which was really delicious.

They also do quite a few events, like live music and even trivia nights, so you can tell this is a much more casual place. I really like that, especially because sometimes when I go to vineyards or wine bars, the atmosphere can feel a little uptight, which honestly annoys me sometimes.

FAQs on the Best Wine Bars in Santa Barbara

What is the best bar in Santa Barbara?

My favorite wine bar in Santa Barbara is definitely Pali Wine Co., but if you’re looking for a cocktail bar instead, I can also highly recommend Test Pilot!

What is the best brewery in Santa Barbara?

There are a ton of different breweries and beer houses in Santa Barbara, but my two favorites are Third Window Brewing and Topa Topa Brewing Co. Both of them are super laid-back, have good beer, and awesome patios.

Is Santa Barbara expensive?

I’d say yes. In general, Santa Barbara felt way more expensive than other places we’ve visited in California, especially when it comes to hotel prices around here.

Where should I stay in Santa Barbara?

I always tell people to make sure they stay somewhere central, ideally close to the Funk Zone. We stayed at the Franciscan Hotel, which had a great location, and I can definitely recommend it!

What is the best restaurant in Santa Barbara?

There are a bunch of good restaurants in Santa Barbara, but since I’m a huge lover of Italian food, I’d say Lucky Penny is definitely up there among my favorite places to eat. Apparently, Secret Bao is also great, but I haven’t tried it myself yet.

Final Thoughts on the Best Wine Bars in Santa Barbara

I really hope you guys are wine lovers because the wine bars in Santa Barbara are definitely one of the things that makes this city so iconic. Having all these amazing vineyards and wineries open tasting rooms right in the city, sometimes basically on the same street, is just so cool. And since I’m a big wine fan myself, it’s pretty much perfect for me.

What I also really liked is that the wine bars here all have such different vibes. You’ve got more casual places, more intimate tasting rooms, and everything in between, so there’s pretty much a wine bar for whatever kind of afternoon you’re looking for.

And even if you’re traveling with a group where not everyone is as into wine as you are, the Funk Zone has tons of other places to check out. If some of the dudes in your group would rather have a beer instead, I can highly recommend Topa Topa Brewing Co.!

I hope this guide to the best wine bars in Santa Barbara gave you a good idea of where to go and what to try. Grab a glass, explore the Funk Zone, and enjoy yourself!

Check Out My Other Guides for Santa Barbara CA

Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Best Things to Do in Santa Barbara: My 11 Favorite Activities

How Many Days in Santa Barbara: How Much Time Do You Actually Need

2 Days in Santa Barbara California: How I Spent 48 Hours Here

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara: My Top Hotels & Areas

The Best Wine Bars in Santa Barbara: Explore the Urban Wine Trail

The Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara: My Favorite Food Spots

The Best Cafes in Santa Barbara: My Go-To Coffee Shops

Is Santa Barbara Expensive to Visit? My Honest Cost Breakdown