The Best Weekend Getaway from LA
Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, Solvang, Los Alamos, and Montecito in 48 hours
When your best friend comes to visit and she’s done LA a few times already - you head up the coast.
As she was desperately seeking an escape from the East Coast winter temps, I was excited to show Laura some sunny California coastal goodness. Below, you’ll find a guide to squeezing as much of Santa Barbara County as possible into a 48 hour trip - it’s a highlight reel, and certainly does not capture all of the magic in each of these cities (Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, Solvang, Los Alamos and Montecito). You can find some more in-depth CA Coast guides from me at the bottom of this post!
Santa Barbara - State St
Broad strokes, I think there are two “sides” of Santa Barbara - there’s the State St side and then there’s the Funk Zone. We stopped on the State side on our way up, and then hit Funk Zone + pier things on our way home!
Oat Bakery - the most delicious bread & pastries. Check their IG for regular pop ups
Dune Coffee - 10/10 coffee! And their shop + branding is great to boot
Drive the 154 on your way north out of SB vs the 101 freeway. It’s the most beautiful canyon road and is truly one of my favorite parts of every coastal trip
Solvang
Solvang Spice Merchant - every possible spice you could ever want or need. Great for gifts!
Antique shopping - you can find some serious gems hidden inside the antique shops of Solvang! I picked up some vintage California postcards on this most recent trip and I love them sm <3
Danish baked goods / Aebleskiver - there are loads of Danish bakeries throughout the town, you must grab a treat or two for the road!
Los Olivos
Bar Le Cote - incredible, fun takes on seafood and I cannot wait to go back and try more things. Also a beautiful space I live for the green interiors <3
Stolpman Fresh Garage - natural wines from the folks that bring you “I love you bunches” - make an appt in advance for a tasting!
Wylde West Wreckerds - cute lil’ record store
Olive & Lavender Farm - check online for the best times to visit! i.e. lavender peak season is summertime, but they still sell their products year round
Los Alamos
Bell’s - French-inspired tasting menu that will knock your socks off. Lunch and dinner are both great. Reserve in advance, $$
Skyview - the cutest motel hotel perched on a hill overlooking Los Alamos. I love a night swim in the pool under the biiig retro sign
Bob’s Well Bread - incredible pastries and breads!
Queen Cup Coffee - as much as I love Bob’s, their coffee ain’t it. Walk down the block to Queen Cup’s coffee truck for all of your caffeine needs!
Bodega / Priedite Barbecue - Bodega is a dreamy natural wine & gift shop with a beautiful patio & garden too! Priedite pops up in the backyard on weekends - check their IG for hours
Elder Flat Farm Shop - the requisite gourmet grocery store
Sisters Gifts & Home - cute antiques & gifts
Santa Barbara - Funk Zone & Pier
The Blue Door - 3 floors of secondhand furniture, clothing and home goods. It is my heaven and I stop here on every SB trip. Decent price point too IMHO!
Mollusk - a lovely curated surf shop
Brophy Bros - the best seafood & clam chowder bread bowls in the city. Plus, you sit right on the docks and get cutie views of the bay
Santa Barbara Shellfish Co - another great option for seafood on the pier
Montecito
Montecito Country Mart - Everything is perfect at the Montecito Country Mart but Mate Gallery and Clic are my fav fav forever ever
The Post - mixed feelings about this but will pay a visit next time I’m passing through town to see what’s up…
MORE ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST
The California Coast Guide - Central Coast Part One - San Luis Obispo County - Morro Bay and Baywood-Los Osos
The California Coast Guide - Central Coast Part Two - San Luis Obispo County - Cambria and San Simeon
The California Coast Guide - Santa Barbara County Part One - Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton
The California Coast Guide - Santa Barbara County Part Two - Los Olivos, Los Alamos and Lompoc
The California Coast Guide - Santa Barbara County Part Three - Santa Barbara and Montecito