Entry No. 1 — the Santa Barbara file — filed under: witchy
Paradise Found
A 'metaphysical mercantile' open since 1986 across from the library, where owner Teresa Taylor stocks what she frames as the accumulated wisdom of the ages — glow-in-the-dark saint candles, dreamcatchers, tarot decks, crystals, and aromatherapy — with astrologers and intuitives also giving readings.
The story
Half a block off State Street, directly across from the public library and Santa Barbara Museum of Art, ethereal ambient music wafts out onto East Anapamu Street before you even see the shopfront. Paradise Found has operated as a 'metaphysical mercantile' here since 1986. Owner Teresa Taylor treats the floor less like a gift shop and more like a curated repository of practical occult tools and world wisdom—stocking everything from glow-in-the-dark saint candles and aromatherapy oils to dense shelves of tarot decks, astrological texts, and raw crystal specimens.
While the rest of downtown Santa Barbara constantly rotates its storefronts, this space has maintained the same low-frequency rhythm for nearly four decades under a small lineage of owners. Keep in mind that change is on the horizon: the business was listed for sale in early 2026, making this a prime moment to visit its current incarnation before a new owner takes the helm.
What it's like
Stepping inside triggers an immediate sensory shift from the harsh California sun into an atmosphere thick with essential oils, quiet chimes, and low-lit displays. Expect to spend time sifting through raw stones in the crystal bins or browsing rare esoteric paperbacks. In the back, seasoned local intuitives host individual tarot and astrology readings—call ahead to lock in a time slot, then decompress afterward with a quiet moment in the shop's dedicated sitting nook.
The move: Split up in the crystal bins and books, then book a joint 30-minute tarot or astrology reading with one of the shop's readers (call ahead to book), finishing with tea in the shop's sitting nook.
- 📍 Downtown / Arts District, Santa Barbara
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 17 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Spiritualist Church of the Comforter — Walk three blocks south to visit a historic spiritualist church chartered in 1891, grounded in the same regional lineage of alternative faith.
- Arlington Theatre — the indoor starry ceiling — Head two blocks west afterward to catch a film beneath a painted 1931 twilight sky inside a surreal Spanish-village auditorium.
- The Pickle Room (Lovejoy's) — Debrief your tarot reading over a strong drink inside a historic Presidio neighborhood lounge hidden behind an unmarked red neon sign.
Good to know
Where is Paradise Found located?
It sits at 17 E Anapamu Street, half a block east of State Street, directly across from the Santa Barbara Public Library and the Museum of Art.
How do I book a tarot or astrology reading?
While walk-ins are sometimes possible if a reader has an opening, it is best to call the shop ahead of time to reserve a 30-minute or longer slot with one of their intuitive readers.
Is the store closing down?
The shop was listed for sale in early 2026 after nearly 40 years in business, but remains open; check ahead for current hours and operational updates before visiting.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · independent.com · downtownsb.org · edhat.com
last checked: 2026-07-20