We just got back from a fabulous Santa Barbara weekend getaway, Baby Moon, and we had the best time!
Before I got pregnant, I originally had lofty goals of wanting to do our baby moon somewhere abroad. But the timing of my second trimester put me in February, which isn’t an ideal time to go to Europe. We could have gone somewhere in the Caribbean for tropical vibes, but I also wanted to avoid anywhere that had Zika outbreaks in the past.
Plus, to be totally honest, I’ve been way more exhausted during my pregnancy than I expected.
So we settled on staying in California and doing a Santa Barbara weekend getaway, and it was honestly the perfect spot for us.
Shop my maternity outfits from this trip:
When you think of SB, the first thing that might come to mind is the old Mission Santa Barbara (especially if that was your Mission for your elementary school Mission project), but there’s so much more to do in Santa Barbara County.
Whether you’re planning a baby moon or just heading to beautiful Santa Barbara for a fun weekend, I’m sharing the ultimate Santa Barbara itinerary!
Click below to book can’t-miss Santa Barbara activities through GetYourGuide:
Getting to Santa Barbara
We decided to drive to Santa Barbara from Napa, and it took us about 7 hours, with stops for lunch and to charge our Tesla. It was a pretty easy drive (but also Omied did all the driving so that’s easy for me to say ;)). If you’re driving down from NorCal, San Luis Obispo would be a great spot to stop for lunch.
If you’re looking to fly, I’ve flown into Santa Barbara airport on past trips. It’s a small airport and a great option if you can find a flight that works for you.
Another option is to fly to LAX or BUR and rent a car, which would be about a two-hour drive, depending on traffic.
Where to Stay in Santa Barbara
For somewhere centrally located and gorgeous, check out Hotel Californian. For a more affordable price point, try the Hilton Santa Barbara.
For a luxurious stay that’s just a 15-minute drive from downtown, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara is IT. I’m going to write up a whole separate blog post about The Ritz and its amenities because it was that good, but in the meantime suffice it to say that if you’re looking for luxury, comfort, and amazing views, book The Ritz.
Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway Itinerary
Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway: Day 1
Dinner at Rare Society
Since we made it to Santa Barbara in the evening, we really only had time for dinner. We ate at Rare Society, and it was absolutely delicious. This spot is really vibey, and they’re an awesome steakhouse.
Definitely do not miss the wood-fired artichokes—our server told us people often say their artichokes are the best they’d ever had. With those rave reviews we thought we’d better give them a try, and we weren’t disappointed. They were def the best artichokes we’d ever had!
Omied and I were also super excited to see that Rare Society has meats from one of my all-time favorite farms, Snake River. You can’t go wrong with any of their amazing meats!
Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway: Day 2
Head to the Beach
In the morning we grabbed a coffee from Dune Coffee Roasters and then went for a beautiful stroll along the beach. We were visiting during the winter so we weren’t looking to go for a swim, but Arroyo Burro or Butterfly Beach are really popular, beautiful spots if you’re looking to actually hang out on the beach for a while.
If you’d rather go for a bike ride along the beach instead of a walk, rent a bike through Wheel Fun Rentals on State Street and cycle along the water.
Lunch at Bettina
We headed to Bettina for lunch, which is apparently Meghan and Harry’s favorite spot. While we didn’t see them there, we absolutely loved the food!
Their pizzas are made with their hand-stretched mozzarella and homemade dough. We did the creamed leek pizza, and it was so delicious. Definitely recommend this spot for a bite when you’re headed to the Montecito area.
Tour of Casa del Herrero or Lotus Land
I was dying to visit Lotus Land because it looks so beautiful, but it’s closed during the winter (we missed its opening by just a few days).
Instead, we did a tour of Casa del Herrero and its gardens.
The house was formerly a private estate of industrialist George Fox Steedman and his family and is now a historic house, museum, and garden. Designed by George Washington Smith, it’s known for being an example of Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture in America.
The tour is led by a docent who shared a lot of interesting facts with us as we wandered the rooms and admired all of the finery and art brought over from Europe. While you’re not allowed to take photos inside, you can take pics outside, and the gardens are really beautiful.
Tours are hosted on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 am and 2 pm, and you must reserve tickets in advance online.
Massages at Float Luxury Spa
We did a couple’s massage at Float Luxury Spa, and it was absolutely lovely. It was my first time getting a prenatal massage, and they did such a great job—my therapist really rubbed out my lower back pain and pregnancy carpal tunnel!
Afterward, be sure to relax outside in their beautiful patio garden and sip some tea.
Sunset Cruise or Beach Stroll
We made our way back to downtown Santa Barbara and ended up walking down Stearns Wharf to watch the sunset. You’ll find lots of people enjoying the beautiful views of the ocean and pink skies here.
Alternatively, book a sunset cruise to get out on the water and enjoy the cotton candy skies!
Dinner at The Lark
The Lark is one of our favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara, and it’s clearly popular with both locals and tourists. We first went years ago and always come back when we’re in town, and the food never disappoints!
We love the Brussel sprouts and pappardelle pasta, so be sure to try those. It’s centrally located in The Funk Zone so there are plenty of bars within walking distance for a nightcap.
Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway: Day 3
Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
For our last day in Santa Barbara, we visited the Botanic Gardens. It’s so beautiful and peaceful there and such a pleasant way to spend an hour or two. The trails and native plants there showcase the state’s diversity, and if you have little ones, they’d love the Backcountry section of the garden designed for kids.
We strolled around and did some forest bathing, then made our way to their lookout across the street with views of the Channel Islands.
Also, if you’re looking for cute maternity clothes, I’m wearing a set from Pink Blush Maternity in these pics. I love how comfortable it is and how it flatters the bump!
Lunch at La Paloma
Afterward, we headed to La Paloma for lunch. This is such a cute spot! I had their chilaquiles and added brisket, and it was great. Don’t forget to order a margarita or horchata—mmm!
Wine Tasting
While we didn’t do any wine tasting, if you’re traveling to SB you might want to. With its proximity to the Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara has plenty of fabulous wine tasting rooms right in The Funk Zone. You can check out their Urban Wine Trail for some ideas on where to visit.
Or, do a day trip into the Santa Ynez Valley itself—it’s only about a 40-minute drive outside of the city. You can check out my Santa Ynez guide for some ideas on wineries to visit.
Dinner at Loquita
Loquita is The Lark’s sister restaurant, so of course it’s going to be delicious! They’re an authentic Spanish restaurant specializing in paella Whether you’re vegetarian, looking for seafood, or want other meats in your paella, they have you covered!
That’s my Santa Barbara baby moon weekend getaway itinerary! Whether you’re pregnant or just planning a fun weekend trip, SB really has so much to offer.
Thank you to Visit Santa Barbara for hosting us on our trip!
Don’t forget to check out my other Santa Barbara travel content.
The Best Santa Barbara Airbnbs
Santa Ynez Wine Tasting Travel Guide
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
