Best Restaurants for Spring in Santa Barbara

Spring means baseball, right? Then you should definitely go to East Beach Tacos, a small taco stand serving up one of the most inventive taco menus, with a view of the batting cages. You can get fresh tuna poke tacos served in wonton shells, Bahn mi-inspired tacos and crispy fried fish and shrimp creations. The menu here isn't limited to tacos. They have a number of other yummy snacks, including the Beach Ball, a seasoned rice ball filled with spicy tuna and sprinkled with sea salt and sesame seeds. But go for the tacos and order the triple play: three tacos of your choice for just $9.

On the next sunny day, you should absolutely enjoy a meal at a beachside burger shack that is more than 100 years old. Located just past the train tracks on Linden Avenue, mere steps from the beach, is The Spot: a trusty little shack of a restaurant that all the locals know. Serving up delicious burgers and fries since 1914, The Spot is Carpinteria's go to for a quick, savory bite. The surprisingly vast menu also includes veggie burgers, select Mexican specialties and fish n' chips. There's no dress code so come in your bikini or trunks if you please. There is seating outside OR you can just walk across the street to the park for an impromptu picnic! A can't-miss in Santa Barbara. Cash only.

Visit The Lark for remarkable dishes that change with the season, and within the season too. The chef-driven menu here celebrates Central Coast fare, from fruits and vegetables to meats and wines. Food is intended for sharing and served family-style. Cocktails are also seasonal and quite good. Chef Jason Paluska and the team here recently put out a cookbook. One look at how challenging the recipes are and how many ingredients each includes and you'll find yourself making a reservation right away. The Lark fills up quickly, but walk-ins may luck out and find a seat at the bar or the long communal table. Attached to The Lark is Les Marchands, a chic wine bar and market with select nibbles available. Valet parking on site.

Enjoy a spring lunch on a quiet courtyard shaded by 100-year old olive trees right in the middle of busy downtown. Smithy Kitchen + Bar is a completely remodeled bar and restaurant in the arts district of downtown Santa Barbara. Just across the street from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, this eatery features a bright interior with equally bright menu items. Grab a bite at one of the numbered tables or post up at the bar for a cocktail or two (they're really quite good). But the true gem here is the back courtyard, peaceful and strung with lights. Completely hidden from the street, this is one of the best private patios in Santa Barbara, ideal for a casual meal or memorable special occasion.

Enjoy a spring brunch with the best view in town... this restaurant is right on the beach. Tucked away in a quiet waterfront spot facing Hendry's Beach, this is a gorgeous place to start your day with friends and family. You might even see some dolphins while you eat! The menu is mouthwatering, ranging from smoked salmon eggs benedict to orange zest pancakes. Be sure to try the crab cakes, too. A number of breakfast cocktails are available. The Bloody Mary is unforgettable, garnished with bacon and a shrimp. Breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner served daily. Happy hour is from 3 -6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Parking is free but does get crowded.

Load up the car with your friends and family and head to this beachfront campground for a seriously good burger. Yes, the Jalama Beach Store is an actual store. It's the kind you find at any good campsite, stocked with snacks, firewood and the drugstore type items you probably forgot to pack. But it's also the home of the famous Jalama Burger! For more than 40 years now, this place has been grilling up some of the tastiest burgers anywhere, piled high with cheese, shredded iceberg, tomato, onion and pickle slices. The burgers are huge - large enough to share if you've got a less hearty appetite. Their fries are also delicious: thin, cooked perfectly and generously sprinkled with salt.

Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese tasting menu that highlights the best of the season, so this kaiseki restaurant is a must-visit in spring... and every new season. Enjoy a traditional multi-course dining experience at Yoichi's, the place to get the freshest seafood in the heart of downtown. You'll find everything from sashimi to Waygu beef to grilled crab here. You eat what the chef is serving, with a few optional choices sprinkled throughout the set menu. Sake, beer and wine are also served. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are highly recommended. This is not the kind of meal that you rush, so prepare to sit back and indulge in a fine dining experience.

Have a beer (or cocktail) and freshly grilled tri-tip sandwich while listening to live music on a spring weekend at this old stagecoach stop in Los Padres National Forest. In 1865, Cold Spring Tavern was opened as a restaurant, and it has been dishing up great meals ever since. Breakfast, lunch and dinner feature hearty fare and game meats. But the real fun happens on the weekends when live bands play in the tavern and hot tri-tip sandwiches are served until they sell out. With four fireplaces, an idyllic setting and friendly patrons, Cold Spring Tavern has earned its reputation as one of the most romantic getaway spots in California.

Do yourself and favor and hit the road this spring. Drive about 40 minutes north to Los Alamos for wine, scenic vistas and delicious eats. Bell's is a more recent addition to the already stellar dining scene in Los Alamos. The French bistro-inspired fare pairs well with the celebrated local wine scene. They call it "Franch" cuisine, and we think that's just right. Think Moules Frites, escargot, tinned sardines with housemade butter, tartines and perfectly sized plates of pasta. The clean, cool dining room is a nice aesthetic break from the more countrified decor of the other shops, tasting rooms and restaurants on Bell Street. Pro tips: don't skip dessert and be sure to take a peek at the wallpaper in the restroom. Almost everything else you want to do in Los Alamos is in easy walking distance.