Delight yourself and your best girlfriends in all that Southern California has to offer -- from wine to city lights to great eats to sandy beaches and an ultra-chill vibe.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara boasts all that makes California the beautiful state that it is. With its breezy town that touches the Pacific coast and being nestled next to rolling hills, it's no wonder Santa Barbara has been dubbed America's Riviera. A drive through this town means spectacular views along the Pacific Coast Highway and through the hills toward the wine region, but it's certainly not a drive-by kind of place. For a girls' getaway it's a definite must-stop for the laid-back surfer vibe, quaint city streets, some of the best seafood you'll find and of course some fabulous California wine.
Where to stay: Canary Hotel
Unpack your bags at the chic boutique Canary Hotel located in downtown Santa Barbara. With four-poster beds, French doors, Spanish-influence furniture and a Moroccan feel this is a small hotel with a world of class. Each room comes with a yoga mat and DVD, so you'll be perfectly Zen during your stay. For more information visit canarysantabarbara.com.
What to do: A trip through wine country
You simply can't visit Santa Barbara on a girls' getaway and pass up the chance to visit some local wineries. If you've seen the movie Sideways, then you already know that this area doesn't just produce Merlot, it has a long list of great wineries (over 200 wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms) and wines from crisp Chardonnay to bold Syrah and everything in between. The area is not crowded, sophisticated, set in a beautiful landscape and absolutely not pretentious, making it perfect for wine aficionados and novices alike. It's also growing with sustainable wineries and a sustainable wine tour will show how much Californians take pride in wine. Plus, you might run into The Bachelor hottie Andrew Firestone, since his family owns a vineyard in the area. For more information visit sustainablevine.com.
Where to eat: Seagrass Restaurant
Enjoy the local cuisine at its best by dining at the lovely Seagrass Restaurant right off of State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. With fresh ingredients from the local fish and farmer's markets and the use of local wines, you get the authentic Santa Barbara food experience. For more information visit seagrassrestaurant.com.
For more information on Santa Barbara visit santabarbaraca.com.
Twitter
Facebook
Youtube
RSS
