Summerland has been called many things. From its perch on Ortega Hill, residents and guests often linger over a near-perfect snapshot of the Pacific. The city was founded in 1889 by Henry Lafayette Williams and named for the Spiritualist community he led. Less than a decade later, the town’s interest turned to oil when natural gas was discovered and the first offshore oil field was built. Eventually, it become a comfort food spot peppered with home and design stores.
For locals, the Big Yellow House Restaurant gave the small strip adjacent to Highway 101 its calling card. Originally the home of Williams, it was purchased by John and June Young in the ‘70s and painted its signature yellow. These days, the Big Yellow House Restaurant is a whitewashed pearl shade and a floor covering store.
That color shift, from iconic canary to minimal modern, signals a greater change in this small community. Long-time residents are torn between welcoming newcomers while embracing the familiar. Visiting Summerland today is a way to celebrate the old and the new of our neighboring seaside town.
The Sacred Space offers a tranquil garden escape and retail shop on Lillie Ave. Opened in 2005, longtime customer Amy Cooper took over the hybrid indoor-outdoor space in April 2023. In addition to selling local, handmade goods and daily complimentary Magic Hour tea, The Sacred Space offers workshops like guided meditation, sound baths, and tarot card readings throughout the year.
2594 Lillie Ave. | thesacredspace.com
Elevated home and garden Field + Fort features brands like Flamingo Estate and Fieldbar. Formerly Cantwell’s Market, the space serves as an anchor to Lillie Ave. and has everything from gardening tools to monogrammed emergency bags. A favorite of Anine Bing and Gwyneth Paltrow, the space celebrated six years in November. Feast, the brand’s dining partner, offers homemade pastries, coffee, and full breakfast and lunch.
2580 Lillie Ave. | fieldandfort.com
A mainstay of Lillie Avenue since 2016, Red Kettle Coffee owner Megan Tingstrom operates her coffee shop and retail store in the same building as her father (who is is Tinker of Tinkers Burgers). The gnome-themed space offers coffee, pastries, smoothies, and specialty drinks alongside a wonderful collection of curated and local goods. The space hosts local artist popups featuring handmade jewelry, cards, and artwork year round.
Ortega Hill Rd. | redkettlecoffee.com
A “cherished Summerland institution,” according to its website, The Nugget Bar & Grill has been serving burgers, fries, and chili since 1970. Iconic as much for its fried food as its decor, the Western theme—wagon wheels, exposed wood, year-round twinkle lights, taxidermy mounts, and framed photos of everything from celebrities to historical scenes–makes this place unique. The drinks are strong,g and the vibe is friendly. It's one of the few remaining places open to eat evenings on Lillie Avenue, so expect a wait.
2318 Lillie Ave. | nuggetbarandgrill.com
There is no better spot to brunch in Summerland than at Summerland Beach Cafe, one of the longest-standing restaurants operating in the area since 1981. Serving breakfast all day and a menu that includes a reminder on table etiquette (“drink sparingly while eating”; “when rising from your chair, leave it where it stands”), this is the early-morning place to see and be seen. Cozy nooks abound in the Victorian house built in 1893, with menu items like waffles, thick-cut bacon, eggs Benedict, and omelettes.
2294 Lillie Ave. | summerlandbeachcafe.com
A classic diner offering burgers, curly fries, milkshakes, and fountain soda, Tinker Burger is a no-frills spot perfect for the whole family. Dine inside, with decor of colorful license plates and fish mounted on the wall, or enjoy picnic tables outside, with a side of freeway hum. Opened in 1987, Richard Tinker spent two decades in the offshore oil industry before opening the restaurant modeled after a 1950s diner.
2275 Ortega Hill Road | tinkerburger.com
These days, the Big Yellow House Restaurant is a whitewashed pearl shade and a floor covering store. That color shift, from iconic canary to minimal modern, signals a greater change in this small community.