Santa Barbara, Montecito & Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Barbara is a city on the central California coast, with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. Downtown, Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. Upscale boutiques and restaurants offering local wines and seasonal fare line State Street. On a nearby hill, Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786, houses Franciscan friars and a museum. Here is our guide to Santa Barbara, California.

STAY

BELMOND EL ENCANTO Perched on an olive tree-studded hillside overlooking the Pacific ocean, the Belmond El Encanto is more than deserving of its Forbes five-star accolades. The ninety-two-room hotel (consisting of Craftsman-style suites and freestanding bungalows) also has a full-service spa with water therapies, steam rooms, and local ingredient-inspired, seasonal treatments. Executive Chef Leo Andres Ayala takes full advantage of Santa Barbara’s bountiful produce offerings—including herbs from Ayala’s on-site herb garden and cheese made from the milk of the Belmond’s resident dairy cow, Ellie. 800 Alvarado Pl, Santa Barbara; belmond.com

ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH The hotel property dates back to 1876. There’s history here (it was formerly the storied Miramar by the Sea). Guest rooms are done up in easy-on-the-eyes shades of cream and blue, and each has a private terrace with deck chairs. 1759 S Jameson Ln, Montecito; rosewoodhotels.com

SAN YSIDRO RANCH A hotel with history— John and Jackie spent their honeymoon here and Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh tied the knot in the gardens. Set against the Santa Ynez Mountains, on an olive and lavender tree-studded estate that was originally built as a citrus farm in the 19th century, you’ll find 41 secluded bungalows. Each cottage comes equipped with a fireplace, private patio (many have outdoor hot tubs and rain showers), and wonderful extras, like heated bathroom floors. Among many other things, the ranch is famous for its $130 “Montecito Margarita” made with Don Julio Real Añejo Tequila and Grand Marnier 150th Anniversary—mixed with agave and lime. Situated in the farm’s former citrus packing house, the stone-walled restaurant offers either creek or ocean views. 900 San Ysidro Ln, Montecito; sanysidroranch.com

RITZ-CARLTON BACARA With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Santa Ynez Mountains on the other, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, is not lacking in the natural beauty department. It’s the only resort in Santa Barbara with prime waterfront real estate (seventy-eight acres of it). The hotel will arrange surf or sailing lessons, there are hiking trails to see the region’s flora and fauna firsthand, and tide pools are ready for exploration with one of the expert naturalists. 8301 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara; ritzcarlton.com

PALIHOUSE SANTA BARBARA The new Palihouse Santa Barbara is located in the heart of the historic Presidio neighborhood, perfect for a quiet, relaxing getaway with the cozy feel only a boutique property can deliver. Complete with Spanish Colonial-inspired architecture and warm textiles. Order a Palisade sangria to enjoy by the pool or head out on a Linus bicycle. 915 Garden St, Santa Barbara; palisociety.com

KIMPTON THE GOODLAND HOTEL A boutique hotel near Stearns Wharf and Goleta Beach. 5650 Calle Real, Goleta; thegoodland.com

HOTEL CALIFORNIAN On a palm tree-lined street, this upscale Spanish Colonial Revival hotel has elegant rooms with Moroccan accents, as well as a terrace cafe, and a Mediterranean restaurant with ocean views plus a pool, hot tub, and Moroccan-style spa. 36 State St, Santa Barbara; hotelcalifornian.com

FOUR SEASONS RESORT THE BILTMORE It's Located on Montecito's best beach, and made up of Spanish Colonial bungalows, and members-only Coral Casino Club, which boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool. 1260 Channel Dr, Santa Barbara; fourseasons.com

CRAFT HOUSE INN At Craft House Inn, you have the option to book one of the rooms or suites—or take over the entire house (and yard) with friends or family. It’s close enough to downtown to get anywhere quickly, but it feels totally private when you’d rather decamp from it all. When you’re not checking out Santa Barbara’s famously good food scene, the inn can stock the fridge for you or recruit chef Julian Martinez, who heads up the kitchen at Barbareño just a few blocks away, to prepare breakfast spreads, private dinners, and picnic packs, which are convenient for days of hiking and biking. 1327 Bath St., Downtown; thecrafthouseinn.com

EL CAPITAN CANYON RESORT  Made up of cabins and tents (for those who are looking to "glamp" in large decked out tents with a double bed and electric lighting), El Capitan offers a rustic but luxurious way to experience the El Capitan Canyon and beach near Santa Barbara. Perfect for a family trip with kids, choose between doing your own cooking (each cabin has it's own "outdoor kitchen" with a grill/fire pit) and opting for super healthy meals at the Canyon Market and Deli. 11560 Calle Real, El Capitan Canyon; elcapitancanyon.com

THE INN AT MATTEI’S TAVERN Auberge has certainly staked a claim in wine country resorts up in Napa—it has three up there—but the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern marks their first in southern California. Here, the bright, airy farmhouse cottages are outfitted with gas fireplaces, cushy four-poster beds, and claw-foot soaking tubs. Settle in, have the concierge book you winery tours all over the Santa Ynez Valley, and let yourself take on the pace of the place: leisurely. 2350 Railway Ave., Los Olivos; aubergeresorts.com/matteistavern

DINE | DRINK

LA SUPER RICA TAQUERIA A famous taco shop with fresh, Mexican food including tacos, tostadas, and salsas. 622 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara

BETTINA A casual spot for pizza from New York transplants. Order the classic margherita pie with blistered edges and sweet-sour tomato sauce, flecks of basil, and a drizzle of grassy olive oil, and glass of Brunello. No meal at Bettina is complete without an order of the cacio e pepe arancini. 1014 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara; bettinapizzeria.com

PAN E VINO   A classic Italian spot for delicious and seasonal Italian dishes in a warm, welcoming setting. Choose between the cozy interior or the vine-covered outdoor patio for lunch or dinner. 1482 E Valley Rd, Santa Barbara; panevinosb.com

MCCONNELL'S ICE CREAM Founded in Santa Barbara by a husband and wife team more than 70 years ago, McConnell’s still uses many of the same farms and purveyors they did when they first began. You’ll find flavors ranging from sea salt cookies and cream to lemon and marionberry, as well as top-notch traditional flavors like mint chip and vanilla bean. If you can’t make it to this shop, you can find pints in many upscale grocery stores, and also at LA outposts. mcconnells.com

MERCI Before she opened Merci in the lovely Montecito Country Mart, chef and owner Elizabeth Colling studied at the Ritz Escoffier School in Paris, followed by stints at Spago and Bastide. Order the French brown-butter-soaked waffles Suzette or the breakfast brioche and runny eggs with a side of toast and a smear of herby cheese instead of butter. 1028 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara; mercimontecito.com

HONOR BAR An elevated bar with a coleslaw-topped burger, crispy chicken sandwich, and kale salad. 1255 Coast Village, Santa Barbara; honorbar.com

LUCKY PENNY Excellent, wood-fired pizza, meatball sandwiches, and salads— perfect for a group to share. 127 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara; luckypennysb.com

THE LARK Tucked inside the beloved Santa Barbara Fish Market, and named after the overnight train that serviced this part of California for the first half of the last century (which also explains the vintage train booths). As evidenced by the generous portions of comfort food staples like deviled eggs, roasted chicken, and cheese fritters, the menu is designed to encourage sharing. The herbed popcorn, which magically appears at your table the second you sit downis a welcome surprise. 131 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara; thelarksb.com

SAKANA A sushi restaurant with fresh sashimi and an extensive sake list. 1046 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara; sb.sakanahe.com

JEANNINE'S A Santa Barbara institution, which started with Jeannine’s signature scones over 30 years ago. These days, the lobster Benedict and Kahlua-soaked banana French toast keep all three locations buzzing. The currant scones and homemade cookies are as good as ever. jeannines.com

MONTECITO COFFEE SHOP & SAN YSIDRO PHARMACY This cafe shares space with an old-time pharmacy. Order the pancakes! 1498 E Valley Rd, Santa Barbara; montecitocoffeeshop.com

SAMA SAMA KITCHEN Come here for quality Indonesian food made with fresh ingredients sourced solely from local farms. Start with the garlic wings and blistered shishito peppers, followed by the Mie Goreng noodles. 1208 State St, Santa Barbara; samasamakitchen.com

LOS ARROYOS Mexican food that is prepared fresh daily, using tried-and-true family recipes and local ingredients. The crab enchiladas and chimichanga burrito are particularly popular, There are also eight kinds of salsa. 1280 Coast Village Rd, Montecito; losarroyos.net

LUCKY'S STEAKHOUSE Lucky's is an all American restaurant with martinis, oysters, steamed artichokes with vinaigrette, and of course, the requisite steaks and chops. It has a great old-world Rat Pack vibe and it's open late. 1279 Coast Village Rd, Montecito; luckys-steakhouse.com

FINCH & FORK Fresh, California cuisine meets American classics at Finch and Fork, where the dishes are prepared simply. There are different daily specials (i.e. burger and beer, pork and cork) and just-caught seafood on the menu. 31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara; finchandforkrestaurant.com

BACKYARD BOWLS Specializing in hot porridge, acai bowls, and every manner of smoothie, this popular spot has four locations throughout Santa Barbara. The perfect pre or post surf snack. backyardbowls.com

SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC MARKET A gourmet market comprised of artisanal vendors specializing in local and sustainably-sourced fare. This means that it's essentially set up like the perfect pantry: There’s organic produce at Foragers Pantry, the freshest loaves at Crazy Good Bread, and organic meats at Belcampo. As far as prepared foods go, Flagstone Pantry serves up lunchtime basics like soups, salads, and sandwiches while Empty Bowl serves steamy noodle bowls and handmade dumplings. 38 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara; sbpublicmarket.com

HANDLEBAR COFFEE The owners, ex-competitive cyclists Aaron Olson and Kim Andersen, took up coffee roasting (using a vintage Probat roaster, no less) after the recession put their cycling careers on hold. Fast forward a few years and their creamy capps, cold brews, and killer almond-milk lattes have made their tiny coffee shop the go-to rest stop for riding groups (the wall outside is never without a stack of bikes) and pretty much anyone looking for a quality cup of a coffee and a low-key place to enjoy it. handlebarcoffee.com

DUNE COFFEE ROASTERS A popular Santa Barbara coffee spot serving up almond milk lattes and macchiatos. dunecoffee.com

BIBI JI Contemporary Indian cuisine is offered with a wine list in a relaxed setting lined with portraits. 734 State St, Santa Barbara; bibijisb.com

LOQUITA Farm–fresh Spanish tapas & craft cocktails are served at this busy haunt with a cozy vibe & a patio. 202 State St, Santa Barbara; loquitasb.com

OLIO E LIMONE Located in downtown Santa Barbara's historic arts district, serving artisanal Italian cuisine. 11 W Victoria St Ste. 17, Santa Barbara; olioelimone.com

AMA SUSHI Inside Rosewood Miramar Beach, AMA Sushi does fantastic sashimi, nigiri, and cut rolls alongside larger plates of black cod and braised pork belly. Ask to sit on the brick patio, which is intimate and pleasant, or sit at the 13-seat omakase counter and let the chef take care of you. Finish things off with tea and dessert—houjicha ice cream and chocolate mousse or pan-roasted mochi cakes. 1759 S. Jameson Ln., Montecito; rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beach-montecito/dining/ama-sushi

ARNOLDI’S CAFE This old school (i.e., it was established in '37) Italian joint is a huge hit: You get to dig into Spaghetti Alle Vongole, grilled salmon, and a pages-long wine list on the lovely patio out back, while they can spend any downtime playing Bocce on one of the two adjacent courts. 600 Olive St., Lower State; arnoldis.com

BROAD STREET OYSTER COMPANY When Broad Street Oyster Co. debuted in a Malibu strip mall in 2019, we had a feeling the word-of-mouth phenomenon would become a common-knowledge spot. They have several locations now—this one’s on Santa Barbara’s State Street—each doing lobster rolls, seafood towers, and tuna tartare on tortilla chips just as excellently as the last. They lean into retro surfer kitsch and it feels just right. 418 State St., Lower State; broadstreetoyster.com/santa-barbara-seafood

BROPHY BROTHERS Located on the waterfront, this is an always packed, lively and fun place to come for great, fresh fish dishes with the family. The clam chowder and fish & chips are especially popular. 119 Harbor Way, Harborside; brophybros.com

PADARO BEACH GRILL A favorite spot for family dinners in Carpinteria (just a few miles from Santa Barbara), Padaro serves up casual food like burgers, quesadillas, nachos, and fish tacos in a beautiful setting. Order your food on arrival and then find seating on their expansive lawn outside and take in the ocean views. This is a super kid-friendly place with a big outdoor area and a sandpit. 3765 Santa Claus Ln., Carpinteria; padarobeachgrill.com

THE STONEHOUSE At San Ysidro Ranch—one of the most idyllic hotels ever—Stonehouse Restaurant is gorgeous in every way. It’s housed in a 19th-century building that was once the property’s citrus-packing house; now, it’s sought after for romantic evenings and special occasions. Executive chef Matthew Johnson sources from local farms, Santa Barbara fisheries, and the hotel’s own organic gardens. Stonehouse’s 14,000-bottle wine collection is unreal, and a reservation here is an opportunity to try something rare. (Perhaps one of the world’s most expensive and sought-after sweet wines, an 1811 Château d’Yquem, which Stonehouse acquired in 2024.) And the servers are exceptional—helpful, thoughtful, and there when you need them. 900 San Ysidro Ln., Montecito; stonehouserestaurant.com

SUSHI BY SCRATCH Sushi by Scratch is a 10-seat omakase bar where you’ll eat some of the best nigiri of your life, sip fantastic sake, and enjoy warm and thoughtful hospitality. It’s a social atmosphere that’s great with extroverted friends, for date night, or solo. 1295 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; sushibarmontecito

THE LIQUOR & WINE GROTTO It may not seem like much from the outside, but there's a dizzying array of foreign and local wines and liquors inside. Don’t know your Malbec from your Merlot? The super helpful staff are all well-versed wine pros and will even restock your home cellar or bar if needed. 1271 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; montecitovino.com

THE EDDY Locals swing by the Eddy on their way to a dinner party for nicely-packaged tinned fish, non-alcoholif spirits, and other cute and thoughtful gifts. There’s a wall of boutique magazines (like Mother Tongue, Pipette, and Emocean) and some plastic-free kitchen goods, too. 137 E. De La Guerra St., Downtown; shoptheeddy.com

JUICE RANCH Juice Ranch checks all the boxes when it comes to doing juice right. It's bottled in glass, cold-pressed, and organic, making it the go-to in Santa Barbara for great greens juices and delicious nut milk based drinks. 33 Parker Way, Lower State; juiceranch.com

MESA PRODUCE Mesa Produce is like a little farmers market you can visit any day of the week. They carry regionally-grown produce, much of it organic. You’ll find the most succulent strawberries here, the snappiest snap peas, the most carrot-y carrots, and so on. This location is in Montecito; the original is in Alta Mesa in Santa Barbara. 1030 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; mesaproduce.com

OAT BAKERY Oat Bakery prioritizes organic ingredients and inventive twists on the classics, like loaves baked with charcoal, shiitake mushrooms, sage and garlic, or almonds and dates. They give a health-conscious treatment to classic baked goods, like their crowd-favorite hygge bun: a cinnamon roll that cuts back on white sugar and butter, instead using coconut butter, dates, and hemp-seed sprinkle. Get one of those, a drip coffee (the beans come from Handlebar), and a loaf for your kitchen counter. They have another location on Magnolia Avenue in Goleta. 5 W. Haley St., Montecito; oatbakery.com

PACIFIC HEALTH FOODS This family-owned organic market has a great café counter—solid smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and wraps, plus a great wine section. 944 Linden Ave., Carpinteria; pacifichealthfoods.com

RORI’S ARTISINAL CREAMERY We love Rori’s for its ultra-creamy ice cream and fresh waffle cones, and we love it even more because they’re so passionate about organic, locally-sourced ingredients. Some of our favorite flavors include milk and cookies, super-dark dark chocolate, black pepper pistachio, and malted milk ball. 1024 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; rorisartisanalcreamery.com

SANTA BARBARA FISH MARKET Santa Barbara has the best seafood, caught right off the coast. This is the place to get huge filets of local halibut, mahi mahi, swordfish, king salmon, scallops, the most gorgeous uni you’ve ever seen, and whatever’s just come in this morning. These guys also sell a small selection of prepared and packaged foods, like seaweed salad and crab cakes, plus pantry items that bring the whole feast together. (There’s a second location in Goleta.) 117 Harbor Way, Waterfront; sbfish.com

BAR LE COTE Go to Bar Le Côte to sip Spanish and Santa Barbara wines, slurp east and west coast oysters from the half shell, and dig into scallops, paella, and whole grilled fish. Once you try the saffron buns and uni butter, you’ll want to spread uni butter on everything you eat, forever. 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos; barlecote.com

BELL’S Chef Daisy Ryan and her husband Greg Ryan run Michelin-starred Bell’s, which serves à la carte lunches and prix fixe dinners, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and French techniques. The menu changes daily, depending on what’s fresh at the farmers market and what Daisy feels like making. That said, you can expect some killer seafood. The service here is warm and inviting, and the vibe is immaculately low-key—the kind of fine dining that works perfectly in Los Alamos. 406 Bell St., Los Alamos; bellsrestaurant.com

BOB’S WELL BREAD Ask anyone—Bob’s Well Bread makes the best sourdough and pastries in the Santa Ynez Valley. Get cappuccinos, eggs benedict, and more blueberry scones than you can eat today (they freeze well). Their lunch menu is great, too. There’s another location in Ballard. 550 Bell St., Los Alamos; bobswellbread.com

PRIEDITE BARBECUE On Saturdays in Los Alamos, Priedite Barbecue pops up behind Bodega, and they make a kind of magic you don’t often find west of Texas. The smoker runs for days. If you get here right at opening, you’ll arrive to a line around the block; get here early for brisket, spare ribs, and pork shoulder by the pound, plus generous sides of baked beans, potato salad, slaw, and pickles. They do burgers on Sundays and tri-tip sandwiches on Thursdays. 273 Bell St., Los Alamos; prieditebbq.com

ART | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES

LOTUSLAND A truly unique botanical garden founded by singer-turned-botanical gardener Ganna Walska. She bought the property in 1941 and over the years transformed it with the help of several world-renowned landscape designers. Today, the garden continues her work by preserving her singular designs and continually expanding the stunning collections of exotic plants from all over the world. Cold Spring Rd, Montecito; lotusland.org

SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART Established in 1941, they have everything from Chagalls and Kandinskys to Rauschenbergs and Monets, but that's just a backdrop to excellent lectures, exhibits, and events. 1130 State St, Santa Barbara; sbma.net

SANTA BARBARA BOTANICAL GARDEN For nearly a century, these gardens have been preserving and celebrating California's endemic plant life, which spans over 78 acres, thanks to numerous gifts of land over the years. It is a great place to walk and wander, though they offer plenty of more structured, docent-led tours. There's also a Japanese teahouse on-site. 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara; sbbg.org

SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Housed in Spanish Revival-style buildings on an extensive property with lush gardens, the museum is the home of an extensive collection of artifacts including a fantastic bird collection, a 72-foot Blue Whale skeleton that greets you upon entrance, and a planetarium. 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara; sbnature.org

MONARCH BUTTERFLY GROVE AT ELLWOOD MESA Hike through this protected grove to see trees covered with monarch butterflies from October- February. 7727 Hollister Ave, Goleta; cityofgoleta.org

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY COURTHOUSE Designed in the Spanish-Colonial style and completed in 1929, the fully operational Courthouse is an iconic Santa Barbara landmark with its distinctive four-faced clock tower, red tile roofs, elegant arches and verdant sunken garden and grounds. Visit the elaborate hand-painted murals inside and climb to the top of the clock tower for an incredible panoramic view of Santa Barbara and beyond. 500 E. Montecito Street; santabarbaraca.com

HIKES Inspiration Point is a relatively short hike that doesn't require a huge climb, and as its name suggests, there's pay-off for making it to the top, which include great views of the city, the ocean, and The Channel Islands. Meanwhile, Lizard's Mouth is up by Goleta, and is less of a hike and more of a place to go climb around on rocks by the ocean and take in the views.

BEACHES If you poll the locals, they always site Butterfly Beach and Hendry's Beach as the two favorites (which means that they're also popular). Butterfly Beach is in Montecito, directly across the road from The Biltmore: Parking spots are hard-won and there aren't a lot of amenities around, so bring a lunch and anything else you might need for the day. Hendry's on the other hand, is next to The Boathouse, which makes it ideal if you don't like to plan ahead.

OLD MISSION SANTA BARBARA A true Santa Barbara landmark, this historic building, 10-acre garden, active parish, and mausoleum, is still home to a group of Franciscan friars as it was when it was built by the Spanish in 1786. It’s a great and scenic place to take kids to learn about California’s history. 2201 Laguna St., Mission Canyon; santabarbaramission.org

VINEYARDS & BREWERIES

CORKS N’ CROWNS This popular wine and beer tasting room makes short work of tasting way too many varietals from the Santa Ynez valley—and the best part, is they only source from award-wining wineries, meaning there are no doozies in the flights. Located in The Funk Zone, it's a fun place to go before a dinner reservation—or for a longer, lazier Saturday (they open at 11). They offer beer flights, too. 32 Anacapa St., Lower State; corksandcrowns.com

FOLDED HILLS TASTING ROOM A local friend let us in on this cute tasting room in Montecito’s Lower Village, a short walk from the Miramar. We like to drop in for a glass after lunch. The family-run Folded Hills winery grows its vines—organically—in the Santa Ynez Valley. Staffers are just as charming as they are knowledgeable, and after tasting a flight or two, signing up for the Folded Hills wine club (expect two six-bottle shipments annually) seems like an entirely reasonable idea. 1294 Coast Village Rd., Montecito; foldedhills.com

STOLPMAN VINEYARDS Tucked away on an outcropping of limestone, this family-owned vineyard focuses on Syrah and Roussanne grapes, which they tend through sustainable and natural dry farming techniques. They take just as much care post harvest, using native fermentation techniques whenever possible. While they only offer private tours of the vineyard, they have tasting rooms in both Los Olivos and Lompoc. 2434 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos; stolpmanvineyards.com

THE BLACKJACK TASTING ROOM This famous (and Robert Parker approved) winery has a busy tasting room that’s open daily. Beyond their own wines, the owners have collected some of the best wines from California and all over the world for guests to try. 2205 Alamo Pintado Rd, Solvang; blackjackranch.com

SEA SMOKE Some of the best wine in the area comes from this winery in the Santa Rita Hills. Produced by a small team of six, the winery does not offer tastings, however they do recommend visiting Taste of Santa Rita Hills in nearby Lompoc to try Sea Smoke’s Pinot Noir and other hard-to-get wines of the area. seasmoke.com

THIRD WINDOW BREWING At Third Window Brewing, you’ll want to grab a few flights with friends and try as much as you can; they make their beer on site with wheat and barley grown just down the road. Gather in the taproom, which is spacious and convivial, or in the courtyard, which has great views of the hills. The food here is straightforward and really good—smashburgers smothered in cheese and onions, French fries, sourdough pizza, and white oak–smoked barbecue on Sundays. They’re dog-friendly, too. 406 E. Haley St., Lower State; thirdwindowbrewing.com

BLACKJACK RANCH VINEYARD This famous (and Robert Parker approved) winery has a busy tasting room that’s open daily. Beyond their own wines, the owners have collected some of the best wines from California and all over the world for guests to try. 2205 Alamo Pintado Rd., Solvang; blackjackranch.com

BODEGA When you’ve had your fill of formal tasting rooms and vineyard tours, pop into Bodega to buy a bottle of organic or biodynamic wine and lounge at a picnic table, in a hammock, or around a fire pit. Their wine list changes from week to week, and they never miss. And they make their own coloring books—great if you like to hang out and scribble while you sip. On Saturdays, Priedite Barbecue pops up with their famous adobo brisket tacos and spicy fennel slaw. 273 Bell St., Los Alamos; bodegalosalamos.com

SEA SMOKE Some of the best wine in the area comes from this winery in the Santa Rita Hills. Produced by a small team, the winery does not offer tastings, however they do recommend visiting Taste of Santa Rita Hills in nearby Lompoc to try Sea Smoke’s Pinot Noir and other hard-to-get wines of the area. seasmoke.com

STOLPMAN VINEYARDS Tucked away on an outcropping of limestone, this family-owned vineyard focuses on Syrah and Roussanne grapes, which they tend through sustainable and natural dry farming techniques. They take just as much care post harvest, using native fermentation techniques whenever possible. While they only offer private tours of the vineyard, they have a tasting room in Los Olivos. 2434 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos; stolpmanvineyards.com

SHOP

THE WEBSTER The Webster opened its first permanent hotel boutique in the Rosewood Miramar Beach, offering unique jewelry and designer brands. 1759 S Jameson Ln, Montecito; thewebster.us

GARDE The understated craft feel that permeates this Shaker-style 1920s barn is pure California. Garde is speckled with local ceramics and minimalist furniture by German and Belgian designers, like Hanns-Peter Krafft, alongside exquisite rugs by Faye Toogood. 2280 Lillie Ave, Summerland; gardeshop.com

UPSTAIRS AT PIERRE LAFOND Downstairs at Pierre Lafond you'll find a pint-size grocery store with a takeaway counter and basic coffee; upstairs, you'll find a rambling warren of rooms devoted to everything from coffee table books, to Mini Rodini onesies, to Il Bisonte wallets and Paul Smith socks. 516 San Ysidro Rd, Montecito; shopupstairs.com

HUDSON GRACE The original Hudson Grace is in San Francisco: There, Monelle Totah (Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic) and Gary McNatton (Gap), turn out a very specific, pristine, and simple sensibility, evidenced by clean-lined pitchers, sturdy cutting boards, and a house line of linen napkins. They are now three boutiques strong in California—including one in the Montecito Country Mart—where you'll find the same mix, including Cire Trudon candles, white lacquer salt mills, and Laguoile corkscrews. Country Mart, 1014 Coast Village Road Suite F Montecito, Santa Barbara; hudsongracesf.com

MAISON K A fragrant outdoor garden of lavender, agave, and olive trees, planted by owner Kimberly Phillips Hayes. Inside you’ll find a considered, travel-inspired collection of home goods like Astier de Villatte candles, airy embroidered dresses, straw hats, Italian leather woven bags, and other imports. 1253 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara; maisonkstyle.com

MICHAEL HASKEL ANTIQUES A quaint Montecito-based antique shop. 539 San Ysidro Rd, Montecito

MATE GALLERY Styled like an old-world ship cabin—complete with wood paneled walls, rope-wrapped surf boards, paintings of light houses, and vintage anchors in the Montecito Country Mart. 1024 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara; mategallery.com

DIANI Diani has been a Santa Barbara mainstay for years, though despite its longevity, it's lost none of its edge: Isabel Marant, Mother, and Tome indicate the type of designers you'll find on the racks, which are airy and perfectly curated. There's a Diani shoe boutique in the same complex as well as the new, Diani Living, which is devoted to really beautiful place settings, linens, and treasures from around the world (the owner, Caroline Diani, was born in Kenya and raised in England, which explains the global slant). 1324 State St, Santa Barbara; dianiboutique.com

JENNI KAYNE There are actually two Jenni Kayne's in Montecito—one houses the women's collection, and the other two-story spot is part home goods shop and part kids boutique. 525 San Ysidro Rd Ste H, Montecito; jennikayne.com

TECOLOTE BOOK SHOP A Santa Barbara classic, this bookstore has been around for almost 100 years and is a local gem. They carry all the standards, and if you’re on the lookout for a book that’s out of print, Tecolote is happy try and find it for you. 1470 E Valley Rd #52, Santa Barbara; https://www.tecolotebookshop.com/

KYLE IRWIN Kyle Irwin is responsible for the interiors of some of Santa Barbara’s most elegant homes. With a great mix of antiques and contemporary finds. kyleirwindesign.com

C'EST CHEESE A cheese store and gourmet market with delicious homemade bread as well as Belgian waffles and a decadent Truffle grilled cheese. 827 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara; cheeseshopsb.com

THE BLUE DOOR An antique store with mid-century tableware to modern paintings. 4 E Yanonali St, Santa Barbara; thebluedoorsb.com

MONTECITO COUNTRY MART A boutique carrying George, Malia Mills, Calypso, and Space N.K. Apothecary. 1016 Coast Village Rd, Montecito; montecitocountrymart.com

GOOP MIRAMAR Tucked inside the historic and fantastically renovated Rosewood Miramar Beach, goop Miramar carries everything you could ever want for the dreamiest weekend: an A-plus lineup of meticulously curated clean beauty products (the Ursa Major sunscreen and goop Beauty Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub shampoo are staff favorites), workout clothes, swimsuits and breezy cover-ups, sunglasses, Janesssa Leone hats, and tote bags to hold all that loot. And since you’re on vacation, we also have a special area for those things that never seem make it into your luggage—we’re talking underwear, socks, charcoal toothbrushes, and the rest of the stuff you may have forgotten at home. Find the “goops I forgot” section and stock up. 1759 S Jameson Ln, Montecito; goop.com

FIELD & FORT Most of the time, you’ll go to Field + Fort for a latte and something to eat—they serve really good scones at breakfast and sandwiches and salads at lunch. But when you’re done, you’ll probably end up in their immaculately curated home and garden boutique. It’s filled with Flamingo Estate candles, tabletop tic-tac-toe sets, and special little antiques. 2580 Lillie Ave., Summerland; fieldandfort.com

GODMOTHERS Godmothers is the baby of beauty entrepreneur Victoria Jackson and book agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who’s represented Oprah, Brené Brown, Sheryl Sandberg, and some of the biggest novelists of the past few decades. It’s a bookstore first—well-curated and well-stocked, with a stacked event calendar. Expect visits from big-name authors and new voices, plus a roster of workshops, retreats, and storytime circles. There’s a café on site helmed by chef Miles Robbins, who’s cooked at Carbone, Jon & Vinny’s, Nashville’s HUSK, and London’s Ikoyi. 2280 Lillie Ave., Summerland; godmothers.com

JAKE & JONES We always find something to obsess over at Jake & Jones, which carries clothes from emerging brands, pre-owned pieces from big-name designers, and a curated collection of home and beauty products. Perhaps you’ll leave with a bag of Lemaire’s perfectly-made basics, Paracia’s work boot–inspired loafers, Pleats Please pants, and a carved-wood body-massage tool from A.OK. 136 East Canon Perdido St; jakeandjones.com

MOLLUSK SURF SHOP This is the coolest spot for hand-shaped surfboards, swimwear, wet suits, and beach staples. If you’re walking through the Funk Zone on the weekend, you might catch art installations, live music, food pop-ups, and movie screenings here, too. 208 Gray Ave., The Funk Zone; mollusksurfshop.com

THE WELL No one does antique farmhouse style better than home and garden store The Well. They go heavy on wood and rough-hewn stone, patinated terra cotta urns, and the kind of plush garden furniture that balances the whole picture. (Plus bedside tables, minimalist art, and lush linens for the rest of the house.) You’re sure to find something completely one-of-a-kind to take home—like a 400-plus year old pot recovered from a shipwreck. This location is the original shop in Summerland; there’s another in Montecito. (Their LA warehouse, Big Daddy’s Antiques, is similarly full of gems.) 2350 Lillie Ave., Summerland;

BRASS TACK A boutique with a great selection of vintage Levi’s. 3553 Sagunto Street, Santa Ynez

SANTA YNEZ GENERAL Pearson McGee and his husband Spencer Turnbull founded Santa Ynez General in 2019 with the vision of creating a luxury design destination in the Santa Ynez Valley. After years in an industry of transitory styles and ever faster fashion, they were drawn to the permanence of quality homewares and found fulfillment in creating beautiful spaces to bring people together. 3630 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez; santaynezgeneral.com

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

B BOUTIQUE The B Boutique is known for organic spray tans and bikini waxes, but the facials (which they don’t advertise) are great. 5370 Hollister Ave., Goleta; waxingsb.com

SALT These subterranean caves are lined in Himalayan salt, which, according to Salt's website, contain the 94 "natural minerals and trace elements that are found in the human body." All that fun stuff aside, a 45-minute session sounds pretty great: You relax in a zero gravity chair while they play music and you breathe in mineral-rich air. They also offer more traditional treatments, like scrubs and massages. 740 State St., Downtown; saltcavesb.com

Photo: Slim Aarons, ©Getty Images