Front desk is the worst! More than 2x now they have scheduled follow up appointments - I put the appointment in my phone, and then they unilaterally change the date. read more

In case you can't have an appointment withDr. Joanne, rest assured her husband Tem is excellent also, thorough, helpful, had good ideas for alternatives to an eye issue. The entire staff is professional, also handy parking is in the back. Recommended highly. read more

Beware! My previous review was taken down that I posted just yesterday after speaking with VSP eye insurance, and my review was 100% factual. I have worn contact lenses for 27 years and have gone to numerous eye doctors around the country. My former eye doctor retired, so in 2024 I needed to find a new eye doctor who accepted VSP eye insurance. I found Dr. Tem Gronquist who had an appointment that same week and jumped on it. I needed an eye exam and new contacts. I will NEVER return to this eye doctor because of HOW MUCH they mark up their contact lenses prices. I regret that I did not simply take the prescription for lenses and go elsewhere to compare prices. First, similar to another review that I see from 2014, Dr. Gronquist appeared focused on marketing lens. He recommended I switch to daily lenses instead of monthly lenses and stated it was a more modern approach with a decreased chance of infection and less wear and tear on the lens. I asked him the difference in price between monthly lenses and daily lenses. He stated that it would be the difference in price for paying for Clear Care to pay for my lenses. I was happy to agree to that because I paid about $18 every 2 months to purchase Clear Care from Amazon or Costco. If it would even out, I was game. I also noticed in this appointment that Dr. Gronquist was inpatient with me with questions I asked and would interrupt me. But that didn't bother me. I did think it was interesting in 27 years of wearing contacts that this was the first eye doctor I'd been to who would not allow me to buy a 6 month supply. He stated I had to buy a year supply. I ordered the contact lenses and they arrived about a week later and I went to pay for them and was told it would be $830.00 with $270.00 covered by VSP so a total of $560.00. I have never in my life paid that much for contact lenses. I was astounded because that certainly was much more than I usually would pay. I asked instead for monthly lenses. Dr. Gronquist begrudglingly agreed and said he would have to do another exam to order monthly lenses (I now wonder if that was actually true or if he was simply billing me for a second appointment for which I paid a co-pay). I ended up paying $310.00 for those contacts lenses - again more than I have ever paid. In 2025, I needed another eye exam and more contacts, but I didn't want to return to Dr. Gronquist. I found another eye doctor just down the street who accepted VSP. I inquired about the price of a year supply of contacts - the exact same contacts I purchased from Dr. Gronquist - and was told that VSP would cover $270.00 and I would simply have to pay $40.00 total. Thus, the price was $310.00 total - versus $830.00 at Dr. Gronquist. (Your jaw should drop!) I began to wonder if perhaps they had not utilized my VSP eye insurance the previous year. As a result, I called VSP and they quoted me the same prices I paid the year before and explained that eye doctors can mark up contacts lens prices as much as they would like. Clearly, Dr. Gronquist's office SIGNIFICANTLY marks up the prices of their contact lenses. I learned the hard way - I should have asked for the exact prices during that first appointment. I could have taken the prescription elsewhere and ordered. I am responsible for what happened. However, I would never return to this eye doctor because while his front desk staff are kind, compassionate people, Dr. Gronquist is simply focused on how much he's going to make from each customer. Looking back another review from 2014, he did something similar. So beware if you are on a budget or are simply conscious about your spending. read more

Excellent, professional, knowledgeable and caring doctor I am forever grateful for. Highly recommend to anyone in the Santa Barbara community read more

I have gone in for an annual exam, contact fitting and follow-up with Joanne Gronquist in the last two months and I have to say that I am very impressed with her warmth, patience, and expertise. When she doesn't immediately have an answer for me, she works hard to find it and follow up with more details, and she was incredibly patient and helpful with a first-time contact user in getting me comfortable with the process and the right-fitting contacts. She and her staff are also more than happy to provide you a prescription that you can fill in-office or take elsewhere - I never felt like she was trying to upsell me on anything. I am so happy to have finally found an OD in Santa Barbara who doesn't make me feel like I'm buying a used car every time I go in for a yearly visit! Her staff is also extremely communicative and helpful in scheduling, and I appreciate that they send reminder emails and texts prior to each visit. read more

Dr Joanne Gronquist is so caring. One never feels rushed. Would recommend Definitely five stars

I was so impressed with the opticians at this office, Rochelle and Don. I had put off getting new glasses for over 10 years because I always spent too much money and still didn't end up with a flattering frame. Rochelle steered me right to frames I could afford, and she patiently and expertly helped me pick frames that were right for me. When the frames arrived, Don fit me in at the last minute and made sure that I was comfortable with the progressive lens, which were new to me. Such an easy, positive experience! read more

I came here after my insurance changed and I could no longer use it at my former eye doctor's office in Goleta. I was pleasantly surprised from my first call to book my appointment until my final interaction when I left my last check-up. Everyone was very polite, professional, and not rushed. This was the first time that an employee explained my insurance benefits to me without me having to ask. Multiple people explained them to me very nicely. Dr. Tem did the most thorough analysis of my eyes I've had and explained my options for contact lenses clearly. He gave me two different types to test for the week. After dilation I was given a pair of disposable shades to wear on the way out. When I came back and finalized my decision for a contact lenses eight he doctor, Jennifer helped me out at the front desk. She placed my order for my lenses at a great price, which were shipped to my house. She also gave me an extra set for the meantime in case. She was very helpful and thorough herself. read more

Dr. Joanne Gronquist is very knowledgeable, cheerful and patient. She explained everything about my eye assessment, additional context, technology being used, in great details. Would totally recommend her to anyone looking to find a go to opthalmologist or looking for a change from their current one. Collection of frames isn't too diverse. Though they provide options of prescription glasses in your favorite pair of sunglasses (many optometrists don't provide that option). read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Gronquist for over eight years and she is wonderful. She is friendly and incredibly talented (catching a very difficult to diagnose problem in my family). I appreciate that she attends conferences and workshops to continue her education too. Her staff is always nice and she carries a wide variety of stylish glasses. read more

This is the Best Eye Doctor I have ever been to!!!! Dr, Joanne was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Her caring and bedside manner really made me feel at home and comfortable! I had a terrible experience with a previous doctor and she did the opposite, she was caring, considerate, informative and knowledgeable! This is something that is missing in some doctors and she made up for it as well as her caring staff!!!! Thank you Dr. Joanne and Staff! I look forward to my next visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):) read more

I have only ever gone to my hometown optometrist but my contact prescription was expired so I decided to go to them instead of my place back home. Literally such an incredible experience with this office!! Such caring and kind staff. Responded to my voicemail within an hour and scheduled me the next day! I placed an order for my contacts and literally got them in 2 days!! HIGHLY recommend and hope that the SB community takes advantage of their outstanding service!! read more

I came away from my appointment delighted and relieved that I had received the care I had been searching for. The excellent service and wonderful team were busy but ready to help. Dr. Gronquist is very knowledgeable and listened to my needs and was able to fit me with glasses that would allow me to read and see distance. Bifocals hadn't worked for me so this alternative was a godsend. The office is attractive, in a lovely location, and well organized. Hector explained the costs very thoroughly and patiently, which again, I appreciated. I know I am getting excellent eye care and feel like I've found the right place for myself and a good recommendation for my friends. read more

I can highly recommend both Dr Tem and Dr Joanne Gronquist as my family has seen both of them. They run a high quality practice with friendly staff. They both take their time to ask and answer many questions in order to give you the best vision possible for your eyes and lifestyle. read more

Just terrible!!! I went to Dr Gronquist while he had an office in Carpinteria. The whole thing felt like a sales pitch. I finally found a new optometrist that I love, and when I called Gronquist's office to have my old files sent over to my new Dr., I was told they lost my file. Some story about three boxes of files being lost in the mail after closing the Carpinteria office. Are you kidding me? And their office manager was completely rude and unhelpful. read more

Doctors Joanne and Tem are absolutely GREAT! I've been seeing them for almost 5 years now and I'm always happy. They are very caring doctors and really take pride in quality service. They have a great staff who are always polite and attentive to your needs. Most recently I had laser eye surgery, something I was very nervous about. Doctor Tem and Joanne really made this experience a great one. They recommended a world class doctor (Dr. Dougherty) who has an amazing clinic. The entire experience was absolutely amazing because I was able to use Doctors Tem and Joanne for my pre-opt and post opt appointments. I fully recommend Doctors Tem and Joanne to anyone looking for great eye doctors. read more

I recently got an eye exam by Dr. Joanne Gronquist. She was able to see me same day, and gave me the most thorough and patient explanation of my eyes health that I had ever received. I had made an appointment here based on Yelp reviews and pleased to confirm that her five star ratings were confirmed by my high quality experience. read more

I have found what makes business great is not the product they provide but the people who provide it. Never in my Optometry experience have I found people more invested in ensuring I get a great product and experience. As a new customer it only took one visit for me to realize that this is the place I will come for all future eye care and I highly recommend them to others. My glasses now actual fit my face and I have new found knowledge to keep them in good working condition. Thanks Tem and Team. read more

LensCrafters only more expensive. Beware of unnecessary tests to pay for new remodel.

My experience with optometrists have been hit or miss, but I must say, I am so happy to have found Drs. Gronquist. They have a cozy spot nestled a little off State Street, and a serene office - usually eye doctors offices are stark and bright, but this is the exact opposite. I haven't yet been in to see the Drs yet, and will update when I do, but I have dealt with the front office staff who honestly could not have been more helpful and accommodating to my different insurance issues. They also have cookies and treats for kids and age-appropriate books for them to read as well. A great find! read more

Excellent optometry care, lots of options for glasses, and a professional and kind staff! Dr. Gronquist is very friendly and gentle, and the exam was thorough. Dr. Gronquist was really good at communicating what she was doing during the exam and what to expect during procedures like dilation. I'm on a budget, and found that the Dr. and the office staff were very accommodating--there was no extra pressure applied to purchase more expensive items. I will definitely be going back to their office for future visits! read more

Don Nahallage is absolutely fantastic. He is professional, thorough, very knowledgeable, and a joy. He went the extra mile to be sure I got what I needed. I highly recommend him. read more