Planning a weekend getaway to the beautiful Southern California dream town of Santa Barbara? Having spent many a staycation hanging out in this beach town, I’m sharing a few of my favorite places that you won’t want to miss when you visit. If you like to enjoy a town like a local, then this is the guide for you.

Where to buy a beachy outfit: Sirena Boutique. This adorable boutique has got you covered from a perfectly fitting crop top to wine tasting pantsuit to an iconic tote bag. Sirena has all the classic SoCal vibes in styles that won’t break the bank. Definitely have a glass of wine and take a look at what they have to bring home something that will remind you of Santa Barbara every time you wear it!

Where to go wine tasting: The Valley Project. Conveniently located just downstairs from Sirena, The Valley Project is the perfect spot to taste unique wines from around the region. What I love about The Valley Project is that they source wines from different vineyards so you can taste wines from different terroir around the area. They even have an amazing map painted on the wall to illustrate these zones. And if you’re looking for a fun trinket to bring home, they have adorable little wine pourers in shapes of different animals.

Where to drink a bottle of wine: Municipal Winemakers. I should first say that I don’t necessarily mean where to drink a bottle of wine to yourself (although go for it if that’s your jam), but more where to buy a whole bottle and pour some glasses to hangout. Muni is my absolute favorite spot to sip a glass of wine in style. This trendy wine room will have you feeling hip and also has the best rose you can find. Grab a bottle, play some cards, and if you can’t finish it just cork it right up and take it home.

Where to have a nice dinner: Barbareño. Hands down the best dinner you can have in SB. I know you can find a million lists and articles and people buzzing about The Lark but I’m going to go on record here stating that I think it is OVERRATED! I have given it a few chances and each time I’ve left disappointed. On the contrary, each time I go to Barbareño I leave feeling full, satisfied, and in awe of how they constantly manage to combine flavors in new and exciting ways that totally work. Barbareño has a lovely ambiance without being too full of itself and a unique and exciting menu that you will definitely enjoy.

Where to get a good cup of coffee: Dune and Low Pigeon. Ok, I fully admit to being a complete and total coffee snob. Blame it on living in Seattle I suppose. So I couldn’t pick just one - I have two favorite coffee shops. I completely ADORE Dune and have to give them a huge shoutout for the creativity during quarantine. They consistently came up with new, thoughtful ideas to serve the community during a hard time for everyone. And they have always been my go-to for a cup of coffee. However, Low Pidgeon deserves a mention too because I am OBSESSED with their hot nitro. It is creamy, it is delicious, it is unlike any other cup of coffee I’ve ever had. They also had a banging deal going on during quarantine to make sure we could all afford an amazing bag of beans.

Where to take a hike: Rattlesnake Canyon. There are plenty of iconic hikes around Santa Barbara but my personal favorite is Rattlesnake Canyon. Despite the name, I have yet to see a snake on the trail. This is one of the greenest trails in Santa Barbara, so being from the Northwest I love getting to be in a luscious environment while hiking. If you’re looking for something more strenuous and satisfying, then Cathedral Peak is definitely what you need! It is the most fun and rewarding hike in town. Do get ready for some rock scrambling, and the trail can be a tich hard to follow in some areas.

Where to go to the beach: Mesa Lane. There are many wonderful beaches in Santa Barbara and while it depends on what you are going to the beach for, Mesa Lane pretty much has it all. There is frequently good surf there, so there will most likely be some people out on the water. As long as the tide is not TOO high, it’s a great beach to walk on and you can easily make it to Leadbetter or Hendry’s if you feel like trekking on the sand. It also has some nice spots to just lay out a towel and relax.

Where to grab lunch for a picnic: South Coast Deli. There are tons of great lunch spots in Santa Barbara, but a local favorite for a quick lunch on the go is definitely South Coast Deli. Their sandwiches and salads are both delicious and huge. I can easily split a salad or sandwich with another person and be completely satisfied. My personal favorites are the Asian Greens with Chicken (salad) and the VietNomNom (sandwich). One note is that they are closed on Sundays, so if you’re trying to grab a sandwich on the way back home, you’ll have to hit up Blue Owl instead (in which case you should DEFINITELY get fried rice).

Where to eat lunch outside: Shalhoobs. The Funk Zone Patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a lunch out in the sun. Since it’s in the Funk Zone, it’s the perfect place to load up before an afternoon of wine and brews. Since it’s a butcher shop, their meat is all obviously on point but my favorite thing on their menu is the Avocado Salad. The crispy quinoa on top just takes it to a whole other level…

Where to get a cocktail: The Good Lion. Hands down, this is the best spot to get a cocktail in downtown. I especially love to come here in the early evening when it’s a bit quieter, because you can take the time to chat with the bartenders and make sure you get something amazing to sip on. They also usually have a punch bowl when they first open and will pour you a little complimentary glass to sip on while they prepare your cocktail. Amazing, I know. If you are up for a trek, I would also recommend The Imperial for a unique, speakeasy vibe (you will think you’re in the wrong place for SURE when you drive up) and impeccable drink.

Where to get a few more cocktails: Shaker Mill. So once you’ve had your fancy, crafted, delicious cocktail, it’s time to let loose a little and go somewhere you can hangout for a bit longer and get maybe more than two drinks… my favorite spot is the new collective which includes Shaker Mill for cocktails, Cubaneo for food, and Modern Times for beer. The tropical drinks at Shaker Mill are delicious and my favorite is the Porto Guava. The vibe is sure to give you a great instagram shot and on a Friday night it’s bound to be full of a young, fun crowd.