ABOUT LOUIE'S
Louie's is located in the historic Upham Hotel, the oldest continuously operating hotel in California.
An excerpt from The Santa Barbara Times from January 6, 1872:
"Mr. A. L. Lincoln is erecting a substantial frame building designed for a dwelling and private boarding house. It is located in a delightful part of the town, some two blocks above the College on dela Vena St.: the main portion is 30 x 44 feet, wing 16 x 24, all two stories high, plastered throughout, conveniently arranged with single rooms and in suites, provided with fire places, closets, a good cellar, pantry &c. The bathroom is fitted up with modern improvements. The building is enclosed with rustic boarding and finished with heavy cornice open and scroll brackets, and a corridor on all sides. The observatory is nearly finished and commands a view of the whole surrounding country. No more charming spot could be found for such a building, and best of all Mr. Lincoln knows just how to keep such a house to perfection. This will be the genteel boarding house of the place. It is a pleasant thing to be able to assure people at a distance, who wish to come to Santa Barbara, that such a house will be open to receive them."
In 1984 the Upham Hotel's Card Room and Parlor was remodeled and converted into
Louie's California Bistro, named after the owner's dog Louie.
The restaurant has changed hands several times over the years and today Louie's is open for brunch 10AM - 1PM Sunday and for dinner 5:30 - 9:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant showcases local seasonal ingredients in classic dishes. At Louie's you are surrounded by historical architectural features such as the vaulted ceilings and the extensive wrap around veranda. Juxtaposed with these aspects is the fresh California cuisine and hand selected local wine which strikes the perfect balance between old and new. Louie's California Bistro in the Upham Hotel is one of Santa Barbara's
longest running best kept secrets.
