A stay in California wouldn’t be complete without a road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway.
The iconic Hwy 1 continues along most of the California coast through to Oregon and Washington and can be enjoyed at any pace… whether it’s over the course of 1 day or 2 weeks.
Road trips are one of my favorite ways to travel, and of course I love my Southern California home, so I couldn’t think of a better girl’s getaway than taking this coastal road trip!
Stop 1: Los Angeles
Depending on where you start your road trip, you may want to get through LA quickly to avoid traffic during rush hours, however if you want to spend some time in the city I recommend checking outSanta Monica and Venice Beach!
With its manmade canals, strewn about with imported gondolas straight from Italy, Venice Beach evokes a classy yet laid-back vibe.
Venice is the ultimate place to chill with the “in-crowd,” whether you’re sunbathing, shopping, or sightseeing- and you’ll find everything from an amusement pier, miniature steam railroad, boutiques, coffee bars, art galleries and more.
Stop 2: Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is California’s answer to the Riviera. This is where you’ll find stylish Spanish colonial buildings and upscale boutiques set against the dramatic Santa Ynez Mountains.
Be sure to stop by Seven Bar & Kitchen, a tasty roadside bar. Early plates include succulent buttermilk fried chicken, house waffles, fresh egg scrambles, and sausage gravy-stuffed biscuits.
Afterward, the simple, level roads and coastal breezes invite you to explore the town a la bicyclette. Find a retailer on the beachfront and cycle down the Cabrillo Bike Path on the Waterfront.
You’ll find your way to historical State Street, a charming walkway in the heart of Santa Barbara with eclectic adobes and red-tiled roofs. This is the perfect place for a stroll or window-shopping with your girlfriends among unique boutiques, showrooms, souvenir places, cafés, bars, and restaurants.
Stop 3: Solvang
Solvang was settled by Danish farmers, and all of downtown has a sort of faux-Danish vibe—this means lots of cute bakeries and gift shops! Be sure to stop by Mortensen’s Danish Bakery for the freshest pastries and cookies around.
At the Old Danish Fudge Kitchen you can grab goodies to your heart’s delight—caramels, caramel apples, homemade soft pretzels, and fudge in a variety of flavors: Oreo, chocolate with pecans, rocky road, vanilla pecan, and more.
Solvang is also home to several fine wineries, such as the popular Sevtap Winery Tasting Room. Even the locals go here, so you know it’s top notch! Try a sample of merlot, chardonnay, or petit verdot—or take a few bottles home as gifts!
One of my favorite tasting rooms was Sort This Out, with its vintage, pin up theme throughout the shop and wines. Be sure to check it out and chat with the friendly winemakers!
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