Photographs by JONAS JUNGBLUT ✷ Story by DANNY SEO
Santa Barbara, California is known for its sandy beaches, wine-tasting rooms, beautiful gardens, and celebrities (Ellen! Oprah! Meghan and Harry!). But there’s a little town close by called Summerland that, though home to just 1,000 residents, is creating something special with its perfectly curated shops full of, well, perfect treasures. If you’ve got a day to shop, hunt, sip, and see—go visit. The best part? You can park and venture through the whole town on foot. Follow along with us…
The Sacred Space
To please your inner hippie child or to snag a moment of zen, this is the place to recharge yourself and your crystals. Meander through lush walled-in gardens, also planted with crystals, treasures, Deities, and statues. There’s an overall sense of health and happiness here.
2594 Lillie Avenue; @thesacredspaceus
Summerland Winery
Santa Barbara is famous for its wines, so when locals tell you this is one of their favorite tasting rooms, you go. Summerland Winery features fine wines from the Central Coast of California and the laid-back, beachy vibe that makes wine tasting more fun and not fussy. Actress Ali Larter recently partnered with them to create Forever Gold which includes a divine Central Coast Chard.
2330 Lillie Avenue; summerlandwine.com
Porch
If you follow Oprah on Instagram, you’ve seen the magic that the Porch team conjured up for her friend Ava DuVernay’s birthday. We love their coral-encrusted cases, wreath-shaped hanging planters made of woven wood, and furniture expertly recovered in vibrant African textiles. I can just imagine Oprah walking into Porch and screaming, “I neeeeed YOU to throw me a PAAAARTY!”
2346 Lillie Avenue; @porch_summerland
Farm to Paper
It’s so much more than a card shop. Yes, you can get stationery, greeting cards, and gift wrap. But you can also get fresh baked goods from the best home cook in town. And jars of local olive oil, jams, and jellies. There are also fresh flowers, hand-woven slippers, fresh organic produce, and seed propagation classes to sign up for. As the saying goes: Expect the unexpected!
2325 Lillie Avenue; farmtopaper.org
Botanik
Remember the Smith & Hawken shops? Now imagine that with a hint of Anthropologie and, of course, a lot of Summerland individuality and cute style. That’s Botanik. You’ll uncover great finds to stow away in your carry-on, but also just a generally great celebration of all things garden chic—
including holiday decor that’s more stylish than cliché.
2329 Lillie Avenue; botanikinc.com
The Well Summerland
Shop ‘til you drop. This is where you’ll run into all the top interior designers and wealthy locals who want the most unique objects, the coolest vintage, and the rarest antiques for their home and garden. It’s also a great place to visit with helpful sales associates who encourage you to linger, wander, and marvel. They host lots of events and visiting artists, so you never know what’ll be happening when you visit.
2350 Lillie Avenue; @thewellsummerland
Field + Fort
Start with a long breakfast here. From their in-store café, Feast, order a from-scratch savory porridge or bread pudding—or tuck into the famous breakfast sandwich slathered in bacon jam. Then head into one of the best home stores in town to find the perfect something for yourself or for gift giving. Stroll through the gardens and be sure to head next door for the Instagram-worthy vintage furniture shop. Good news! They ship.
2580 Lillie Avenue; @fieldandfort
