I’ve been to Santa Barbara a handful of times, but only for day trips and never overnight! It’s such a beautiful city, only 2 hours up the coast from Los Angeles and so much fun to explore. Eddie and I decided to make it a weekend getaway this time, taking it slow instead of trying to pack in as much as possible in one day. Since we’ve been here before, we didn’t feel the need to revisit the usual tourist attractions, and instead spent a lot of time relaxing at our beautiful hotel, going on bike rides, and taking the most gorge walk around the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

WHERE WE STAYED

The Spanish Garden Inn is such a dream. Filled with plants and beautiful architecture, we were so well taken care of here. It was quiet and zen-like, with secret gardens sprinkled throughout the property. Exactly what we wanted for a nice relaxing weekend!

Our room was lovely! It included a fireplace as well as a nice big tub with a skylight in the bathroom, perf for a luxurious bath.

We were greeted to chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of wine waiting for us, which we promptly enjoyed out on our private balcony overlooking the greenery below.

The Inn has one of the best complimentary brekkies I’ve ever experienced. Fresh scones, biscuits, muffins, and pastries, fruit and yogurt, cereals, breakfast burritos, and an array of juices, coffee and tea all laid out for guests to help themselves to. Enjoyed outside in the courtyard surrounded by greenery and blooms. Such a wonderful start to each morning.

This pool sitch! Felt like a little jungle oasis, and the water is heated too. Yes plz!

One of my fave moments from our stay is when we sat outside at a fire pit table in the courtyard, enjoying a delish cheese platter with a bottle of wine. The happiest of happy hours!

Thank you to Spanish Garden Inn for hosting our stay. All opinions are my own - as always!

Where we ate

Right around the corner from our hotel was the magical Zaytoon, a Lebanese restaurant with the prettiest garden patio filled with twinkle lights and fountains. While the service was a bit slow here (it was pretty busy!) the ambiance made up for it. There was even a belly dancer making her way around to each table!

For lunch one day we made our way over to Green Table, a vegetarian spot that Eddie and I fell in love with. Higggghly recommend the mac & cheese and salted caramel iced matcha here - YUM! Also you know I’m a sucker for a living wall, always.

SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

By now you may know that whenever I travel somewhere, I always try and visit the local botanic garden. Funny enough, when Eddie and I planned on coming here this trip, we thought it was going to be our first time at the garden. It wasn’t until we drove up and turned into the parking lot that we both said out loud “Wait a minute….” haha! We actually had visited before many years ago, but must not have taken any photos because neither of us remembered it. I’m not sure how that’s possible as it’s an absolutely stunning place, but there you have it!