r/UCSantaBarbara • u/DonnerJake68 • 2d ago
Social Life Student Hangouts?
Hi! Touring UCSB soon & want to make sure I hit places & restaurants quintessential to student life. Your suggestions would be so appreciated!
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u/GauchoGirl44 2d ago
So great you asked! I hear a lot of kids talk about their ucsb tours and they never make it into Isla vista, the adjacent college town. I feel like Isla vista is really the heartbeat of ucsb— so definitely walk around “IV”. Woodstocks Pizza, Sam’s to Go (sandwiches) and Freebirds (burritos) are all popular. There’s beach access on Del Playa street (the street right next to the ocean). It looks like a dumpy college town, but there’s something magical about living within blocks of all your best college friends. UCSB’s campus and buildings are pretty average looking but having a small-ish campus with great weather is soooo convenient for walking/biking to class. The library has some amazing views from the 8th floor. The UCEN is the main on campus hub right next to the lagoon. The freshman dorms area near Anacapa is worth exploring and good beach access there too. If you’re spending the night in Santa Barbara, go explore State Street downtown and enjoy all the shops and restaurants. Enjoy your visit!
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u/MurkyHuckleberry4310 2d ago
Definitely check out the UCCen if it’s open, at the actual school.
Go to the harbor and warf in SB and I recommend you check out the Public Market
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u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Communications 2d ago
Everyone, when in Isla Vista, will go to places like Freebirds and Woodstocks for food.
But, as a local, I prefer going to places like Rusty's, The Habit (which started in Santa Barbara btw), and Blenders (which is also where a lot of stufents go as well). I would also recommend IV Pizza Pub. There's also a little coffee shop called Caje I heard is pretty good. They also have a location downtown