Discovering Local Seafood Delicacies in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a coastal city in California that offers a variety of attractions for visitors, from historic landmarks and cultural sites to scenic gardens and parks. But one of the main reasons to visit Santa Barbara is its seafood. The city is blessed with abundant and diverse marine life, thanks to its location on the Pacific Ocean and its proximity to the Channel Islands National Park. Whether you are looking for a casual bite or a fine dining experience, you will find plenty of options to get the best seafood in Santa Barbara.

Here are some of the local seafood delicacies that you should not miss when you are in Santa Barbara:

Sea Urchin: Also known as uni, sea urchin is a spiny creature that lives on the ocean floor and feeds on algae and kelp. Its edible part is the orange-colored roe that has a creamy texture and a briny flavor. Sea urchin is one of the top commercial fisheries in Santa Barbara, and you can find it fresh or cooked at many restaurants and markets. A must-try place for sea urchin lovers is Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, where you can enjoy it raw on the half shell, steamed with garlic butter, or baked with cheese.

Spiny Lobster: Another local delicacy that thrives in the waters around Santa Barbara is spiny lobster, which differs from Maine lobster by having no claws and more meat in its tail. Spiny lobster season runs from October to March, and you can find it at various seafood spots in town. One of them is Broad Street Oyster Company - Santa Barbara , a popular clam bar and restaurant that serves spiny lobster grilled or boiled with drawn butter and lemon.

Spot Prawns: Spot prawns are large shrimp that have red spots on their shells and sweet flesh inside. They are seasonal delicacies that are available from May to June and from October to December. They are also highly sought-after by chefs and diners alike for their delicate flavor and texture. One of the best places to try spot prawns in Santa Barbara is Lure Fish House , where they are served grilled or sautéed with garlic butter sauce.

Rock Crab: Rock crab is a type of crab that has hard shells and meaty claws. It is available year-round in Santa Barbara, but it is especially abundant during winter months when other crabs are scarce. Rock crab meat has a mild taste that goes well with various sauces and seasonings. You can find rock crab dishes at many seafood restaurants in town, such as Bluewater Grill - Santa Barbara , where they offer rock crab cakes with remoulade sauce or rock crab Louie salad with avocado dressing.

Halibut: Halibut is a flatfish that lives on the ocean bottom and feeds on smaller fish and crustaceans. It has firm white flesh that has a mild flavor and flaky texture when cooked. Halibut is one of the year-round hauls of local fishermen in Santa Barbara, and you can find it at many seafood markets and restaurants in town. One of them is Boathouse at Hendry's Beach , where they serve halibut grilled or blackened with mango salsa or lemon caper sauce.

These are just some of the local seafood delicacies that you can discover in Santa Barbara, but there are many more to explore depending on your preferences

and budget. You can also check out some of the popular attractions such as Mission Santa Barbara, Lotusland, Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, or Santa Barbara Maritime Museum while you are there.

If you are planning to visit Santa Barbara soon, you can also browse some of the popular itineraries that suit your travel style and interests, such as Rejuvenate with your family in Santa Barbara, An epic solo trip in Santa Barbara, or Highlights of Santa Barbara. Whatever you choose to do, you will surely have an unforgettable time enjoying the beauty

and bounty of this coastal paradise.