Hi. My name is Katie. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2004, just a few years after my brother was diagnosed. At the time, I shuddered at the thought of cooking in my college apartment kitchen, so it quickly became apparent that I needed to find gluten-free resources in Santa Barbara.
Since then, I have become comfortable dining out and traveling on a strict gluten-free diet. When I became a mom to a daughter with severe food allergies in 2014, I learned even more about reading food labels. Our house is gluten, peanut, cashew, pistachio and sesame-free. Just as we did before kids, we enjoy trying new restaurants and traveling around the world.
Since being diagnosed, I have traveled to the following countries without getting glutened: Italy, England, France, Mexico, Canada, South Africa, Seychelles, Peru, Turks & Caicos, Iceland, Japan, Switzerland, Greece, Australia, Spain. Additionally, I have traveled all over the United States. Not only is it possible to eat safely while traveling, it can be the highlight of the trip if you plan ahead.
My hope is to bring attention to the gluten-free friendly eateries in Santa Barbara as well as the areas that I travel to.
For questions, comments or just to say, “hi”, email me at glutenfreeinsb@gmail.com
Disclaimer: This site is meant to be used as a starting point for information. I can not guarantee that any particular item is gluten-free or not. Any time you eat out, you are eating at your own risk.
gluten-free in sb 
I travel up to SB all the time for work – – FINALLY a gluten-free resource! Can’t wait for your next post
Johnny
Thank you so much for this blog! I was diagnosed with celiac disease 3 weeks ago and have been having so much trouble finding places to eat out with my family. This is going to help me a lot!
I know how tough it is initially. I’m glad this can be of some help to you. If you have any questions, throw them at me!
This is such a great resource! Did you know that Simply Pies just got certified gluten free by the GFCO. I think there are only 2 eateries in town that actually have this designation.
Did they really? It is well deserved! Everything they do GF is so tasty!
Hi Katie-
I met you at a GF group at Whole Foods a few months ago. Would like to chat with you about another GF endeavor. Sorry- couldn’t find your email anywhere on here..? I’m putting my email in below.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Courtney
I am very happy to have found your page. I do tend to travel quite a bit within California, and where I usually pack my ‘safe’ supplies, it would be refreshing to go to a restaurant and not worry, like in the old days.
Katie – I don’t have a gluten problem but after viewing your photos I may adopt a gluten-free diet. Love the blog. Had dinner with ma and pa last night. Glad to hear you and “the husband” are doing well. All the best to Mike.
Hi!
Fantastic website, I will be studying abroad in Santa Barbara this upcoming quarter and was just exploring my options. Would you maybe know how easy it is to buy gf bread and food in supermarkets in Isla Vista? Or do you have to downtown for that?
Thank you very much in advance!
Hi Alissa! The Isla Vista Food Co-op is a going to be a great spot for you to pick up GF groceries. It is right in the heart of IV. Let me know if you need any help while you are here!
Thank you for this blog. My son was diagnosed when he turned 3 and 2 years ago I was told I also have Celiacs. We live in SB and are now starting to venture out to eat. Cross contamination is a constant struggle. So glad to have this resource.
Hi Manjeet. I don’t find myself having enough time to keep up with the posts on this blog these days. Some of these restaurants may have closed or changed their menus. However, if you are on Instagram, I am much more active with that, and so perhaps it would be even more helpful for you and your son. The account name is glutenfreeinsantabarbara.