It’s easy for girlfriends to get away and get together in Santa Barbara. The American Riviera® is very accessible—whether you’re flying, driving or taking the train. The charming Santa Barbara Airport offers direct flights from major hubs and is super chill to fly in and out of thanks to its compact size. Our close proximity to Los Angeles opens options for flying into both LAX and Hollywood Burbank Airports—the latter of which has an Amtrak pick-up if you’re planning to be car-free while the former is conveniently connected via the Santa Barbara Airbus. On the railways, Santa Barbara is serviced by the Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight routes and Amtrak stops right in the heart of downtown. If a road trip is calling, Santa Barbara sits along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway and is a 1.5-hour drive from Los Angeles or a five-hour drive from San Francisco with spectacular scenery from both north and south.
Day 1
Whatever means of transportation your group opts for, once you arrive and get checked into your accommodations, you can dive right into your touring and tasting agenda. With more than 30 wineries on Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail, you can easily pair wine tasting with shopping, dining, pampering and other adventures and diversions. Change into your finest athleisure attire, grab bikes from your hotel (or rent from Wheel Fun Rentals or BCycle Santa Barbara) and take a spin along the Cabrillo bike path to feel those refreshing ocean breezes in your hair. Cruise out to Stearns Wharf for a tasting with a panoramic view at Deep Sea Tasting Room and then board a sunset cruise from the Santa Barbara Harbor. After your sail—and some epic photo ops—return the bikes and refresh for a late dinner at The Chase Restaurant and Lounge and night on the town.
Day 2
After breakfast at The Boathouse, which offers stunning beachfront views, head to the spa for a serious pampering session with your pals. Spa experiences range from seaside resorts to contemporary downtown retreats. Destination spas where you can get the full experience with steam, sauna, poolside lounging and gourmet food service include: The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara in Goleta, El Encanto—a Belmond Hotel on the Riviera—and Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito. Float Luxury Spa is a local favorite that’s well suited to smaller groups with its charming outdoor patio and cozy relaxation lounge. For a truly unique experience, venture into Salt Cave Santa Barbara on State Street where you can revel in the healing powers of Himalayan salts and remarkable serenity options.
In the afternoon, you’ll be feeling fresh and ready for some wine tasting and shopping. Wander into the shops and boutiques along State Street, meandering into the inviting, bougainvillea-draped paseos like Paseo Nuevo, La Arcada and El Paseo (where Jamie Slone Wines and Grassini Family Vineyards offer divine chocolate pairing experiences). The Mill is a cool Haley Corridor destination to check out with a winery (Potek Winery), brewery (Third Window Brewing) and restaurant (Third Window Kitchen) set in one artsy cooperative complex that’s also home to an interiors store and Catherine Gee’s ready-to-wear showroom. If you’re in that ‘hood, we recommend a stop at Carr Winery or make an appointment for a one-of-a-kind wine tasting paired to music at Sanguis.
After your sipping and shopping extravaganza, drop the shopping bags off and regroup at the hotel. Book a dinner in the Funk Zone, where you can squeeze in another tasting or two thanks to the later operating hours in this lively district that’s packed with wine tasting rooms, breweries, galleries, surf shops and some excellent restaurants. For a pre-dinner treat, try a pre-supper sparkling wine flight at Riverbench Winery and take home one of their glitter-dipped bottles for the ultimate souvenir.
DAY 3
Start your last full day with a yoga class followed by a decadent brunch. Then, head to Montecito for a guided tour of Lotusland or Casa Del Herrero—both are stunningly beautiful estates and gardens that require reservations as they are in residential neighborhoods. After stepping back in time and getting a taste of the luxe life, hit the shops on Coast Village Road and in the Upper Village as you make your way towards Summerland for antiquing and wine tasting at Summerland Winery. Contact Los Padres Outfitters to secure a late-afternoon horseback ride on the sand with your lady gang. If you don’t have to part ways until the following morning, that means you have one more night for dinner paired with delicious Santa Barbara County wines.
And if you have an extra day to work with, consider booking a guided tour to head over the hill to wine country where the grapes are grown. Several reputable companies offer a diverse range of guided tours complete with a designated driver. Choose from classic tastings at a few wineries with a picnic lunch, tours that emphasize themes like sustainable winemaking and “Sideways” film locations or tours that integrate activities like biking, horseback riding and cupcake tasting. If you’re a creative bunch we’ve got you covered with these additional unique ways to wine in Santa Barbara.
Whether it’s a bachelorette party or a much-needed getaway to the dreamy California sunshine, girlfriends undoubtedly agree that Santa Barbara is a prime destination to get away, gather and relax—American Riviera® style.