Santa Barbara's First Food & Wine Weekend

Santa Barbara is gearing up for its first Food and Wine Weekend from June 6th to the 8th — a three-day culinary extravaganza celebrating the life of its most famous resident, world-renowned chef and author Julia Child who spent her final years in the city.

Teaming up with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts and Edible Santa Barbara, the Bacara Resort and Spa will host the event that will give food-lovers an experience of the best restaurants, wines, and artisanal treats the region has to offer.

Exploring Santa Barbara County from the sea to Santa Ynez, the festival will offer visitors cooking classes, wine receptions and tastings, and a chance to get up close and personal with local food producers. A special highlight of the weekend is set to be a tribute to Child. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to benefit the Julia Child Foundation. 

The Bacara Resort is offering overnight packages for the weekend including a two-night stay at the resort, and tickets to the glitzy opening night wine reception. Tickets for the actual festival range from free to $250.

More information about the event can be found on their website.

Serusha Govender is The Daily Meal's travel editor. Follow her on Twitter @SerushaGovender