The California Coast Guide - Santa Barbara County Part One
Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton
Heyy party people! I’m back after a week break - let’s call it a research week. I spent a weekend solo roadtripping up the coast and spent the past week marinating on the boatload of information I had to share with you - should it be a fully planned itinerary? A hit list? Should I write one large master guide or zoom in and do focused articles? So anyways… I am excited to present part one of my California Coast Guide! I’ve formatted this as more of a hit list with some stories and anecdotes mixed in, as well as a few spots I missed that are on my radar for next time. We are starting in Santa Barbara County with Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton - Santa Barbara, Montecito and Ojai will have their own guide, as well as Los Olivos, Los Alamos and Lompoc coming up next (3 parts total!) Enjoy, hope this was worth the wait!
Santa Ynez
Santa Ynez very much falls within the wine country side of SB county, but also offers plenty of activities + food options that do not revolve around drinking wine. It’s quickly become one of my favorite places for a quick and easy weekend getaway!
Stay
Hotel Ynez - I could write an entire piece on this hotel (and probably will??) I loved this spot as my oasis and spent a lot of time here on my trip. My own personal hammock overlooking the courtyard? Say less
Eat
The Lucky Hen Larder - BEST best best sandwiches! You can't go wrong here, but I usually get the Turkey sandwich. I’m a sucker for brie & fig combo.
S.Y. Kitchen - Rustic Italian dinner in a very cute, quaint house-like setting
To Do
Shopping
Santa Ynez General - home goods, clothing, jewelry & gifts
Heaven Scent / Plenty - clothing boutiques
Valerie's Vintage & Supply Co - vintage
Forage Florals - home & floral shop
Activities
Santa Ynez Horseback Rides - a dreamy way to experience the Santa Ynez Valley - beautiful trail rides and fit for all riding levels!
On My Radar for Next Time
Finley Farms - a very cute, small town farm + farmers market
The Genevieve (formerly Santa Ynez Inn) - a Victorian-inspired boutique hotel
Maverick Saloon - a dive bar that always has live music blaring out of its doors when I pass by. Next time I’ll be brave enough to step inside
Solvang
Solvang is a very small community that is great for a final stop on your way out of town! This Danish-inspired town is very picturesque, filled with Instagrammable moments and quirky souvenirs to bring home!
To Do
Solvang Spice Merchant - a perfect spot for picking up gifts! Every possible spice you could ever imagine. They also sell teas and bread dips!
Ostrichland USA - a quirky type of road trip stop, proceed with caution - the ostriches are WILD and will steal your entire feed bucket
Eat/Drink
Solvang Restaurant - for Aebleskiver - Danish pancake balls!
Buellton
I don’t want to offend anyone potentially from the area, but Buellton is a bit of a pass-through town on the road trip journey. I mainly stop here for quick eats and getting back on the road!
Eat
Industrial Eats - this place has quickly become a regular road trip stop for me - I shared it in a past newsletter, but IE offers a plethora of options, ranging from mussels & frites to banh mi & brisket sandwiches. You truly cannot go wrong here, and I can’t wait to go back and try more things.
Pea Soup Andersen’s - if you tell me you haven’t seen these billboards off the side of the freeway… you’re lying!! Another cheesy road trip stop that is 100% worth it to me - not really for the pea soup, but for the charm of it all
Ticket to Sarahdise Event Digest - Week of 8/28
Every week, I’m sharing events you should be checking out in LA. Here’s this week’s download - warning - lots of epic collabs ahead!!
Cactus Plant Flea Market x Erewhon - OMG I’m promoting Erewhon in a newsletter ew. But this one is too fun to pass up. Erewhon has manipulated their logo for the first time ever for the collab, and a portion of the proceeds from the smoothie sales will go to Maui relief efforts. Anddd it’s rainbow. Available now at all locations - they are also selling a bunch of fun merch online.
Rhode Beauty x Krispy Kreme (!!!) - When I saw this I immediately googled my nearest KK location. Starting 9/1, you can grab a limited edition strawberry *glazed donut* in honor of Rhode’s new strawberry lip peptide treatment.
Good Game AAPI Art Show - On now through 10/1, head to Chunky Things in Chinatown for “Good Game” - featuring 40+ art pieces paying homage to all of your favorite games.
That’s all, folks! Come back next week for part 2 of the Santa Barbara County guide. In the meantime… I’ve been secretly loading my TikTok feed with sweet sweet coastal content. Check it!