“Coming here gives us a reason to eat and drink too much!” said Joy Brandeau, an interior designer from Hermosa Beach. Joy and her husband Claude Brandeau enjoy coffee and people watching at The French Press on State Street. They have been visiting Santa Barbara for the antique shopping and good food since their son came here to attend Brooks Institute a few years back.
Sage Keeler does a crossword puzzle while she and her son Liam wait for a slice outside of Gino’s pizzeria on Figueroa Street. After a bacon-and-pancake breakfast, the two spent the day gallivanting around State Street. “It’s so clean and sterile here [in Santa Barbara], it’s nice to come back home after work,” said Sage, a clothing pattern designer who spends most days in downtown L.A. Liam is a kindergartner and said he wishes Santa Barbara had more Godzilla stores.