Visit Cold Spring Tavern

Travel back 100 years in time and experience the real tavern!

Last updated: Jan 2024

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Free to visit
145 Miles from you
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Description

Cold Spring Tavern is a former stagecoach stop dating back to 1886 that has been in the Ovington- Wilson family since 1941. It is located between Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez in the beautiful mountains on the San Marcos Pass off Highway 154. Here you can appreciate the true history of the old stagecoach days. They serve traditional American fare made with fresh local ingredients accompanied by the famous home-baked molasses bread. The dinners feature game inspired entrees, steaks, and ribs and are enjoyed by the glimmer of gas lanterns. Weekends at the Cold Spring Tavern are special. It starts with entertainment in the Log Cabin Bar on Friday evenings. Come and enjoy the great music of local bands, food, drink, and fresh air. It is a weekly tradition for many!

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For two

For groups

For families with kids

For parents and grownups

Outdoorsy

Chill

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Location

5995 Stagecoach Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

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4.7 ● Google reviews

Made a pit stop here for a quick bite to eat, and this place is just the cutest mini mountain town. It feels like you're on a western set. My husband and I couldn't believe how good the tri tip sandwich was and honestly the best I've had, and that's hard to say since I've been to Texas many times. The lunch special was also fantastic, my steak was cooked to perfection. This place is definitely booked marked if I'm ever forced to go up north again. Tho I would pass on the apple crumble, it was OK.

The place is much fun! We explored the jailhouse that fit 11 people (small space). Checked for seating & wait for about 20min while waiting we went to a bar, ordered drinks while enjoying live band. We ordered the famous beer batter onion rings, brisket sandwich & French onion soup. Really enjoyed the place. I’d advice take the first parking spot on the side of street when you get there (if driving a car) as the place is packed quickly. There’s motorcycles parking if you’re riding motorcycle. Enjoy & have fun!

My wife and I visited this place on a Saturday, the first time there, we loved it! The food was good (you have to try the tri-tip sandwich), the people who I think are in charge are super friendly and welcoming, but the surroundings is what makes the visit so enjoyable! We were there the 2nd weekend of November, and it was great weather to visit. There was a guy playing music outside one of the buildings, which was a great mood setting. We'll definitely be back. P.S. they are only open part of the day, so make sure to check their hours before you make plans to go. And parking is limited, you have to park curbside either uphill or downhill.

This place has always delivered excellence. I really enjoy the vibe here. This place is historical and fun. Stopped by for the tri-tip sandwiches and beer. There were two guy making the sandwiches. One taller older man with a beard and wearing a beanie was very rude and should not work around customers. That's really a shame no one has addressed this issue in such a cool place. He is the only reason I gave the service a two, everyone else was very pleasant.

Staying in the Santa Barbara area? This is the perfect quaint little stop for a good meal. Nestled on the side of a mountain road, the main old stage coach restaurant is open until 4PM and serves amazing wild game chili. Outdoors they also serve the best BBQ tri tip sandwiches. I highly recommend topping the sandwiches with their horseradish sauce. Service was very good and kind, I also thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance with a live band playing outside the bar while we were eating.

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