The best gifts from Santa Barbara are the ones you'll actually use and that still feel like this place every time you do: a Turkish beach towel stitched with "Santa Barbara," an embroidered cap, a candle that smells like a coastal evening, or a piece of jewelry picked out downtown. At The Riviera Towel Company, our gift shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St. gathers all of these under one roof, and we'll wrap them for you with a handwritten card.
Whether you're a visitor looking for a souvenir that won't end up in a drawer, or a local shopping for a friend who moved away and misses home, here's our guide to what to bring home.
Why a Santa Barbara gift should be useful
The trouble with most souvenirs is that they get looked at once. The gifts we love most are the ones that travel: to the beach, to the kitchen table, to a weekend away. A towel that goes to every swim, a cap that rides along on every hike, a candle lit on a Tuesday night. Each use is a little reminder of a day by the water.
That's the thinking behind everything in our Santa Barbara gifts collection. It's a mix of our own pieces and things from makers we admire, chosen because they're beautiful and because they hold up.
Our most-loved Santa Barbara gifts
The LOVE from Santa Barbara beach towel
If you only bring home one thing, make it this. Our LOVE from Santa Barbara Beach Towel is a Turkish cotton towel with a message that says exactly what you feel after a few days here. It's lightweight, dries quickly and folds down small enough to tuck into a suitcase, which makes it an easy gift to carry home.
It works as a beach towel, a picnic blanket, a throw for the back of the sofa or a wrap on a breezy evening. Many of our customers buy one for themselves and one for someone back home.
The Santa Barbara Embroidered Towel
For something a little more understated, the Santa Barbara Embroidered Towel carries the city's name in neat stitching on soft Turkish cotton. It's a thoughtful housewarming gift, a hostess gift for a summer dinner party, or a bath towel for a guest room that deserves a bit of Santa Barbara charm.
Santa Barbara embroidered caps
A good cap is one of the most-worn gifts you can give. Our Santa Barbara Embroidered Baseball Cap is made for sunny days on the Funk Zone patios, walks along the harbor and morning coffee runs. We also carry a denim version for anyone who prefers a softer, worn-in look. Caps are an especially easy pick for dads, brothers and friends who are hard to shop for.
A Santa Barbara candle
Scent is one of the strongest ways to remember a place. The Santa Barbara 8 oz Candle is a small, giftable way to bring a little of the coast indoors. Pair it with a towel and a card, and you have a complete gift without much effort.
More gift ideas from our Santa Barbara gift shop
Beyond our signature towels and caps, the shop is full of smaller finds that make great add-ons or stand-alone presents. A few favorites:
- Cards and stationery from local makers. A handwritten note is still one of the nicest things you can send, and our cards make it easy to say thank you, happy birthday or wish you were here.
- Jewelry. From delicate everyday necklaces to playful earrings, our jewelry collection is curated for the beach-to-dinner way of life here.
- Coastal home goods. Pillows, drinking glasses, dish towels, art prints and serving pieces that bring a relaxed, sunny feel to any home.
- Beach bags and totes. A roomy tote is a gift that gets used every week, from the farmers market to the sand.
- Gift cards. When you can't decide, a Riviera Towel gift card lets them choose their own favorite.
You can browse many of these online in The Gift Shop, our collection of curated coastal gifts.
Gift ideas by person
For the beach lover
Start with a Turkish towel, add a tote and a cap, and they're ready for a full day at Butterfly Beach or East Beach.
For the host or hostess
An embroidered towel or a set of coastal dish towels, paired with a candle, makes a gracious thank-you for a weekend stay.
For someone who misses Santa Barbara
The LOVE from Santa Barbara towel says it all. Add a handwritten card about your favorite shared memory, and it becomes a gift they'll keep for years.
For yourself
You came all this way. A piece of jewelry or a towel you'll use every summer is a far better souvenir than a keychain.
For the traveler
A Turkish towel is the ultimate travel gift: it works as a beach towel, airplane blanket and scarf, and it packs flat. Pair it with a cap for sunny sightseeing, and they're set for their next trip.
Visit our gift shop in downtown Santa Barbara
If you're in town, come see us at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in downtown Santa Barbara, just off State Street. It's an easy stop between lunch, the beach and an afternoon wandering the shops. Seeing and touching the towels in person is the best way to find your favorite colors and weaves, and our team is always happy to help you put together a gift.
Not visiting this trip? Everything you see online can be shipped, so you can send a little Santa Barbara to anyone, anywhere.
Gift wrapping with a handwritten card
We love wrapping gifts. In the shop, or online with our gift wrapping option, we'll wrap your present and include a handwritten card with your message. It's a simple touch that makes a gift feel personal, especially when you're shipping it straight to the recipient.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift to bring home from Santa Barbara?
A useful, locally inspired item makes the best Santa Barbara gift. Popular choices include a LOVE from Santa Barbara Turkish beach towel, the Santa Barbara Embroidered Towel, an embroidered Santa Barbara cap, a Santa Barbara candle, jewelry and coastal home goods.
Where is The Riviera Towel Company gift shop in Santa Barbara?
Our shop is at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in downtown Santa Barbara, just off State Street. You can reach us at 805-560-1571.
Can I buy Santa Barbara gifts online and ship them?
Yes. You can order our Santa Barbara gifts online at RivieraTowel.com and ship them anywhere. Orders over $95 ship free.
Do you offer gift wrapping?
Yes. We offer gift wrapping in the shop and online, and we include a handwritten card with your message so your gift arrives ready to give.
Are Turkish towels a good souvenir for travelers?
Yes. Turkish towels are lightweight, dry quickly and fold down small, so they pack easily in a suitcase or carry-on and are simple to bring home.
About The Riviera Towel Company. Visit our shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, or call us at 805-560-1571. We offer free shipping on orders over $95. Every year, 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean, and we've donated $75,000 so far.
