Best of Santa Barbara Reader’s Poll, 2006

photos by Paul wellman •
illustrations by Joe Bluhm joebluhm.com

Superlatively speaking, isn’t this town the best? Not too big
like that megalopolis to the south, or too teeny-tiny like the host
of little villages sprinkled between Buellton and Old Cuyama.
Surprisingly cultured for a town its size, with great museums,
lively stages, and resounding music halls and clubs, it’s also a
good place for eats, which comes as a result of its part-time job
as a tourist town. We’re well-educated as well, exposed to many
smart people from two colleges and a major university. It’s a land
of parks and beaches and mountain trails and sunsets over red
sails. But beyond all these generalizations is a town full of
individuals who go to work, keep their homes nice, barbecue, and
get out in the fresh air whenever they can. From those individuals
we gleaned a list of voted-upon preferences in 225 categories of
daily life here, in maybe a not perfect but definitely best of many
possible Southern California worlds.

Butchers to Bakers, Bumper
to Bumper,
Burgers to Bistro,
Bells to Whistles, Roses
to Rings,
Highbrow to Get-Down,
Rugrats to Kittycats,
Caffeine to Cocktails, Head
to Toe, Jocks
to Rocks, Roof
to Roots, Wants
to Needs.