Welcome to Santa Barbara! Whether you live here or you're on vacation, you've no doubt heard about the Funk Zone, a bustling area not far from the beach that's known for great wines and gourmet eats.

With the recent arrival of The Blue Door, the Funk Zone can now add shopping to its list of reasons to visit. 

You never know what treasures you'll find behind The Blue Door in Santa Barbara — Photo courtesy of The Blue Door

This multi-story shop houses the vintage and modern wares of more than 20 independent dealers under one roof. Goods range from furniture and housewares to clothing and accessories.

They also have a great collection of art, as well as vintage maps and flags.

Each vendor arranges their wares in charming vignettes throughout the shop. You might stop by one booth and feel like you've been transported to a 1950s living room and then pop into the next and find yourself in an old Hollywood wardrobe trailer.

There are new (and old) and interesting things to see every which way you look!

If you're pressed for time, you can preview The Blue Door's inventory on their website, but be warned: only a fraction of what's available appears online (and no prices are given). But it will help you come up with a short list if you're hunting for something specific.

You can then email the helpful staff for more details or walk in and get help finding exactly the piece you want. 

Of course, sometimes you're not looking for anything specific. You just want to see what catches your eye. The constantly changing inventory at The Blue Door will definitely scratch that itch.

Shopping till you drop is a very real and serious condition. If you experience a sudden drop in blood sugar after perusing the booths at The Blue Door, rush over to Les Marchands to be revived by a chilled glass of rose and some tasty nibbles. It's just steps away.

For a larger meal, pop into The Lark to experience one of Santa Barbara's best restaurants. Or, for a more casual refresher, visit Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. for locally crafted beer (and beer floats!).

The Blue Door is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are five parking spots to the rear of the building.

If those spaces are full, you can park on the street for a limited time or in the nearby city lot, located at the train station.