The Wave
New Hilltop Cafe & Event Support Facility
The Santa Barbara Zoo took advantage of construction of California Trails to renovate the former barbecue area on the hilltop into a new cafe and event support facility called The Wave.
The menu at The Wave features a mix of informal Mexican-inspired dishes. Tacos and quesadillas are offered with a choice of grilled chicken, steak or shrimp and optional sides of sour cream and guacamole. Caesar and mixed green salads are served with a choice of grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon. Kids Meals are chicken and steak tacos plus cheese quesadillas. Fountain beverages and bottled water are available, plus dessert items such as ice cream sandwiches, frozen lemonade bars, and fresh fruit bars.
The new cafe’s hilltop location boasts sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez mountains - easily one of the most picturesque panoramas to be found in any accredited zoo or aquarium restaurant.
The building also houses new restrooms, a bridal changing room and a catering kitchen to accommodate the Zoo’s many special events plus more than eighty weddings and corporate events held at the Hilltop each year.
With the launch of the Wave facility, the Zoo also announced a new catering partnership: Zoo Catering Services by Rincon. Teaming up with a local company, Rincon Catering, the Zoo now caters all events at the Zoo – offering menus ranging from upscale plated dinners to delicious BBQ fare.
“We’ve hosted weddings and private events at the Zoo for decades,” comments Zoo Director Nancy McToldridge, “but we are thrilled to now be able to offer clients professional catering and all of the event support amenities that a bride and groom are looking for.”
The Wave is open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For information about private events at the Santa Barbara Zoo, contact the Zoo at (805) 962-5339.