Bloglovin Finale: The Funk Zone!

When Bloglovin first contacted me about guest hosting and curating their shop, Santa Barbara immediately popped into my mind. Not far up the coast from Los Angeles, it’s a popular weekend destination with something for everyone. A trip to Santa Barbara isn’t complete without a visit to the funky “Funk Zone.” This artsy locale has become one of the most contemporary and fun destinations in the Santa Barbara area. Filled with art galleries, wine tastings, great restaurants, surfboard shapers and vintage shops and boutiques, it’s the perfect place for some artistic inspiration. With the coolest converted warehouses and buildings, it’s a dream for anyone with a passion for the arts and fine dining.  I reached out to a friend in Santa Barbara and she recommended that I check out The Lark, a popular restaurant located in the heart of the Funk Zone. The aesthetic is charming and welcoming with an open air front porch and outdoor firepits. With it’s rustic decor, the vibe is super relaxed yet the menu sets a very high bar with it’s unusual creations. I decided to start with The Harissa and Honey Glazed California Chicken and ordered the most delicious crispy brussel sprouts to round out the meal. It’s a delightful place to hang out and watch life pass you by.

I chose a simple sweater mini from Dolce Vita and Revolve Clothing with booties from Public Desire and Asos. The sidebody has super fun metalwork detailing and is from Coach. Around the corner from The Lark is The Guitar Bar with some cool graffiti covered walls that were the ideal background for the killer boots from Public Desire.

It was time to move on and explore the area. The Santa Barbara Winery is a big draw if you’re a lover of the grape. Quite honestly, I’m a total lightweight and rarely have more than a glass of wine every once in awhile. I usually turn to an oaky chardonnay and The Santa Barbara Winery recommended a few selections that were right up my alley. It’s a popular stop on the Urban Wine Trail which winds through Santa Barbara County and takes you on a tour of over twenty wineries, offering delicious tastings everywhere you go. I couldn’t resist this Free People mini dress as it was the perfect vibe for the funky Funk Zone. I threw on a Michael Stars hat from their fall collection. My Joie gladiators were a natural choice to finish off this Boho look. Grabbing a colorful tote from Target, and I was on my way to the next destination in the zone. The Lucky Penny is a casual restaurant that backs up to The Lark. It’s known for it’s Penny Wall, covered in shiny copper pennies glistening in the sun and welcoming anyone looking for that perfect photo shoot opportunity. Clearly, I couldn’t resist!

Moving on, right next to the Guitar Bar, is a quaint wine bar called Area 5.1. Known for it’s unusual grape combinations, it’s an absolute must for something completely different. It was one of the friendliest stops along the way, with a quick connection to the delightful bartender who quickly poured a delicious tasting for me. I pulled up a barstool and learned a bit about the history of the place. Patterned after Area 51 in Nevada with a retro vibe and a cold war interior design, it’s a super cool place to relax and chill out with an unusual tasting glass of wine. (All you Fallout players will love it!)

I highly recommend a visit to the lively Funk Zone if you’re headed to the Santa Barbara area. There are so many fun places to see along the way. And, if you’re a wine lover, The Urban Wine Trail has you covered. It’s a great way to try some delicious wines and meet some fun people along the way. Make sure and visit my Bloglovin Shop where you can find these looks and more from my weekend in Santa Barbara. I’ll have you covered in everything from leather to lace! Cheers beauties.