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california girls trip to santa barbara: beach, shop, & wine
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items a girls' trip guide with a mountain backdrop behind the pristine beaches, wine tasting rooms, and spanish colonial aesthetic of one of socal's most idyllic coastal towns, from an ex-california girl of 6 years 🌊
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what to do in santa barbara 👙
where to eat in santa barbara 🌮
where to shop in santa barbara 🛍️
what to do in santa barbara 👙
beach, hike, shop, repeat is the daily socal itinerary all year long
an idyllic southern california beach in montecito, parallel park in a free spot along the palm-lined avenue before strolling down steps to the wide sandy beach. sea glass is abundant and the cliffside backdrop makes for the perfect bikini flick 🌞
Butterfly Beach
boulder scrambling joshua tree-style, it's a 15-minute drive on a windy, practically one-way dirt road to reach this elevated rock cluster. sneakers are a must and make sure you're sticking to the dirt path for as long as possible before scaling the ...
note: while it's not a cause for concern, a gun range is next door and shots ringing out can be heard.
note: while it's not a cause for concern, a gun range is next door and shots ringing out can be heard.
Lizard Mouth Rock
stroll along the town's landmark pier that cars can also drive on for a scenic look back at the shore. spot kayakers, fisherman, and a quaint wharf area on the end with a few restaurants and shops 🎣
Santa Barbara Pier
a pool day is practically a must in sb, and if your accommodations are lacking on this front fear not–a chair at the hilton can be booked for only $60 on resortpass 👙
two bottles of water and a towel are included in access to the heated pool and hot tub area, plus you can order fixings directly to your chair and use the locker rooms with a shower to freshen up afterwards.
two bottles of water and a towel are included in access to the heated pool and hot tub area, plus you can order fixings directly to your chair and use the locker rooms with a shower to freshen up afterwards.
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
the most luxurious property in town, the ritz-carlton bacara is a top stay if you can foot the nightly bill 🧖♀️
if not, get access to the property with a spa reservation which includes a swimming pool, redwood sauna, and eucalyptus steam room, fireside lounges, and a rooftop terrace. even better if you can secure a fitness class slot, since these are only $25!
if not, get access to the property with a spa reservation which includes a swimming pool, redwood sauna, and eucalyptus steam room, fireside lounges, and a rooftop terrace. even better if you can secure a fitness class slot, since these are only $25!
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
plenty of tasting rooms, wineries, and vineyards are scattered around the area, so you really can't go wrong with a glass of vino. we were satisfied with the only $12 sparkling glass of rosé at margerum, but i would also recommend deep sea for an oce...
Margerum Tasting Room
where to eat in santa barbara 🌮
local central californian cuisine, sourced from farmers around the area
one of the best coffee + bagel shops in town with a dedicated free parking lot, post up inside the exposed brick, industrial interior or outside under an umbrella on the patio 🥯
Handlebar Coffee Roasters
an upscale, independent kitchen cafeteria with tons of different cuisines represented from around the world. when in southern california i'm of the mindset that at least one meal must absolutely be mexican–so we got tacos from corazon cocina 🌮
Santa Barbara Public Market
any caruso establishment will not disappointment, and ama at the rosewood miramar is no exception. even if you opt out of omakase, the melt-in-your-mouth à la carte offerings are one of a kind–particularly the masunosuke king salmon crudo and nigiri ...
AMA Sushi
santa barbara's hometown original ice cream joint, you have to get a scoop of mcconnell's as the local sweet treat of choice. even when ordering one scoop, you can split the single serving to try two different flavors 🍨
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
skip the long line winding around the exterior and head inside to the express order counter to grab coffee, matcha, or chai and pastries before a beach or pool day. the strawberry mint lemonade was another favorite of mine, and the sweet staff here a...
Jeannine's Restaurant & Bakery
the ultimate comfort meal, there's nothing better than a loaded mac & cheese bread bowl–especially on a cloudy, cool day 🧀
Buddha Bowls
farm-fresh, locally sourced upscale californian that stands out as one of the best meals i've had in the state.
designed like a modern central coast farmhouse, you can't miss the: complimentary dill pickle popcorn, brown butter rosemary cornbread, line caught crudo, jidori free range fried chicken, and the cast iron medjool date cake for dessert 🐓
designed like a modern central coast farmhouse, you can't miss the: complimentary dill pickle popcorn, brown butter rosemary cornbread, line caught crudo, jidori free range fried chicken, and the cast iron medjool date cake for dessert 🐓
The Lark Santa Barbara
where to shop in santa barbara 🛍️
the best local boutiques are undoubtedly concentrated in the funk zone, which also has an abundance of breweries, cafes, and wineries if you're in need of a bev while indulging in retail therapy
one of my favorite curations of all time, i can't walk into this boutique without buying something. their jewelry selection is particularly outstanding, stocking an assortment of one-of-a-kind waxing poetic digs 💎
The Shopkeepers
floating disco ball, check. vinyls, check. retro trinkets like working arcade game key chains, check. even if you don't typically shop vintage, it's worth popping in to feast your eyes on all the unique bits and bobs scattered around this funky shop ...
Funk Zone Vintage
a 3-story antique shop with furniture, wall fixings, and retro fabrics. plenty of worthwhile trinkets inside to bring home, and even without much luggage space i snagged the coolest 1930/40s atlas pages as a historic map souvenir 🪑
The Blue Door