Epicurean Month

Alright, we admit it...Santa Barbara is a party town!

.....And why not? We have the geographical beauty and the climate to have a party any time of year, in any part of our community including numerous public beaches and dozens of parks.
It has been said that a person could eat at a different restaurant every day of the week in our town, and not have visited all of our restaurants. A farmer's market can be found every day of the week in a different part of our communities. A visit to our numerous galleries, (not including the Sabado Domingo Art show held on Cabrillo Boulevard each Sunday), wine-tasting venues, Santa Ynez Vinyards, spectacular landmark buildings and sites, Stearn's Wharf, East Beach (volleyball), Ledbetter Beach(surfing), Butterfly Beach (across from the Biltmore), Arroyo Burro Beach aka Hendry's Beach (body surfing, no parking fees, Boathouse Restaurant), Goleta Beach and Pier, Campus Point (real surfing), and don't forget Carpinteria's Beach Park...called the safest beach on the Pacific and many more activities would keep you quite busy for weeks on end.

And then...then there are the festivals...almost every weekend there are several competing with each other. After living here over 30 years I have still not attended all of the festivals...and goodness knows...I've tried!

Santa Barbara seems to be an amalgamation of every part of the world in food, cultures, styles, music, dancing and venues. One of the most multi-cultural corners of Paradise and it shows in our very eclectic lifestyle called Santa Barbara style!

Epicure.sb - entire month of October

The entire month of October has been designated EpicureSB! This soiree is co-presented by the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization, Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission and sponsored by the Santa Barbara Independent Newspaper; featuring Santa Barbara galleries and cultural outlets offering free access to visual and performance art with a gastronomic twist. More than 30 downtown businesses and restaurants will participate. The big kick off party was October 1, with First Thursday. For a complete schedule:

http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com/ and/or http://www.epicuresb.com/

Eat Local Challenge: All Farmers' market locations and Edible Santa Barbara Magazine are challenging participants to pledge to eat local all month long. No arm-twisting required here...a visit to any one of our fabulous farmer's markets will confirm that!

23rd Annual Avocado Festival: October 2 - 4. Free

Downtown Carpinteria on Linden Avenue, Oct 2-4. More than 30 booths featuring everything green from guacamole to avocado ice cream, with arts and crafts vendors and live entertainment. http://www.avofest.com/

October Wine Dinner Series - every Tuesday in October

Four downtown restaurants will each take one Tuesday night in October to feature a menu highlighting local produce and ingredients paired with local wines at 5:30 pm for $65/person.

Dinners are limited to 50 guests and reservations must be made with the hotels/restaurants directly.

Julienne Restaurant will partner with Palmina Winery for their dinner on October 27th; Coast Restaurant at the Canary downtown hotel; Seagrass and Bouchon Restaurants are also participating.

Harbor and Seafood Festival, Santa Barbara Harbor - October 10, 10am - 5pm. Free

This annual festival coincides with the opening of lobster season. Highlighted will be local seafood specialties and maritime education. Buy straight from the fishermen's boats. Chuck's Waterfront Grill and the Endless Summer Cafe will be featuring demos by seared ahi master John Pollock on how to sear, slice and serve ahi tuna.

Boat rides and live music are geared to making this a family friendly event. 897-1962 for more information.

Conversations with Cat Cora, October 12th at 6 pm;

The first and only Iron Chef from the hit Food Network series comes to the Founders Room inside the beautifully restored Granada Theater located at 1216 State Street for an evening of culinary conversation and book signing. Local chefs will serve a variety of Cora recipes at an Food and Wine receiption. Call the Downtown Organization at 962-2098 for more information.

18th Annual Lemon Festival - October 16-18; Free

Held at Girsh Park, 7050 Phelps Road, Goleta. This family friendly day is filled with food featuring lemons, carnival rides and live entertainment. The Goleta Fall Classic Car and Street Rod Show will be present along with the Green Business Trade Show all sponsored by the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce. More information: http://www.lemonfestival.com/

Santa Barbara Beer Festival - October 17, 12-4pm. $40/pre-paid or $50 at the gate

Ehlings Park, 1298 Las Positas Road will host dozens of local microbreweries, including some of Santa Barbara's finest like the Telegraph Brewing Co, Walker-Firestone Brewing Co and the Hollister Brewing Company. Live muusic, food and a costume contest. Must be 21 years or older to attend. http://www.sbbeerfestival.com/

Urban Wine Trail Weekend - October 24-25th

2 for 1 wine tasting will be featured all weekend by Wineries in Santa Barbara and Summerland. Featuring to highlight the handful of producers making world-class wine in the City's urban, downtown setting. Call 962-7003

What a party!

(above information gained from the following sources: SB Newspress, The Independent, Downtown Organization)