Santa Barbara Girls’ Weekend Getaway

There’s nothing like a weekend escape with good friends, great food, and a beautiful coastal view. My girlfriends and I recently took a trip to Santa Barbara to celebrate a birthday, and it was the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and amazing eats. Here’s a full rundown of everything we did!

First Stop: Harucake in Los Angeles

Before heading to Santa Barbara waiting for traffic to get better, we made a pit stop at Harucake in LA. I’d been wanting to visit, and it did not disappoint! The green grape yogurt cake and mugwort injeolmi cake were as delicious as they were aesthetically pleasing.

Where We Stayed: MarMonte Hotel

We checked into the MarMonte Hotel, located right in front of the beach. The room was already unpacked by the time I filmed, but I had to highlight the gorgeous patterned tiles that gave the space a true Santa Barbara feel.

Coffee, Yoga & Seafood Bliss

Our first full day started with Handlebar Coffee Roasters—easily my favorite coffee spot of the trip. After fueling up, we went for a rejuvenating beach yoga session. The weather was a bit gloomy at first, but the sun peeked through, making for the perfect setting.

Lunch was at the famous Brophy Bros., known for its fresh seafood and waterfront views. The clam chowder was a must, and we also indulged in oysters, ceviche, and seafood pasta—all so good!

A Spontaneous Candle-Making Workshop

One of the highlights of the trip was our unplanned visit to CandleBar 111, where we each made our own custom-scented candles. Choosing a scent was the hardest part! I finally settled on grapefruit and gardenia, and I love how it turned out.

Evening Stroll & Tapas at Loquita

Santa Barbara’s downtown was filled with charming vintage shops, live music, and wine-tasting spots. For dinner, we went to Loquita, where we ordered a spread of Spanish tapas—Crudo, Pera, Gambas Al Ajillo, and the best Pulpo a la Gallega (octopus) I’ve had in a long time. We ended the night with churros because, of course, we had to.

Final Morning: More Coffee & Pastries

Before heading home, we grabbed coffee at Dune Coffee Roasters and pastries from Helena Bakery—both fantastic! Once back home, I unboxed my candle and got back to crafting, working on a rattan basket pattern using my Silhouette machine. Watch my full vlog below!

This trip was the perfect mix of food, relaxation, and spontaneous fun. I can’t wait for the next adventure! Don’t forget to like and subscribe to my Youtube Channel and find the full vlog here- https://youtu.be/GHSnn2BR368

📌 Pin this post for your next Santa Barbara getaway!

-Sara Kim