Santa Barbara lost an iconic stalwart last March. David was a literal renaissance man: Surfer. Actor. Cyclist. Writer. Teacher. Ironman. Bartender. Realtor. Environmentalist. Warrior. Many in different walks of life were touched by David Brainard. Many have fond memories of and had memorable interactions with him. His way of connecting with people can only be described as that of a quintessential gentleman. But he was so smart you really had to pay attention, whether it was a joke or a comment. He cared deeply about our city and fought to keep it clean, accessible, and safe.
David Brainard matriculated to Santa Barbara in 1963 from the East Coast as a happy 8-year-old after his aerospace engineer and rocket scientist dad was transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base. He got to learn the city as he moved from Roosevelt Elementary to La Colina and then to San Marcos. Wrestling was his sport of choice in high school, as was surfing, where he quickly outperformed his brother/teacher. Cycling was another passion, and he was a king in our hills. David started college down south at UC San Diego and finished back home as a Gaucho at UCSB.
One of David’s early jobs included W.A. King, the clothier off State Street, where he learned the finer points of haberdashery that would follow him forever. He then entered the food-and-beverage industry with early stints at Arnoldi’s, El Paseo, and 1129, then later at Zelo and Blue Agave. Analysts believe that it was this early interaction with the public that launched his acting career; you have to have a little showman factor to be successful.
