Cold Spring Tavern was established as a stagecoach stop in 1865. Originally known as the "Cold Spring Relay Station", it was a horse changeover and meals break station. The tavern is located 20 minutes north of Santa Barbara, California, in Cold Spring Canyon, which is about a mile off Highway 154 along Stagecoach Road (in the San Marcos Pass area).
The tavern serves steak, lamb, venison, duck, and rabbit.
In 1956, Cold Spring Tavern was the first restaurant to serve one Steve Henson's salad dressing. Henson had recently moved to a nearby ranch and decided to try selling his dressing in the local area. It became known as ranch dressing.
Recognition
The tavern was chosen as the BEST place for a Romantic Getaway and The Santa Barbara Independent called it "pure MAGIC!" They have been noted as one of the few (if not only) restaurants serving bear.
In 2019 it was featured in a Santa Barbara episode of the Cooking Channel's Man v. Food.