Need a short vacation to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Follow my itinerary and I’m certain you’ll have the time of your life for a couple days like I did!
Ok, so my travel buddies helped make my birthday trip one of the best. So be sure to pack your bags and follow my lead (with your favorite loved ones, of course)!
Driving up from Los Angeles, it took about an hour and a half to reach Downtown Santa Barbara. We arrived at 11:00 AM where we ate a quick lunch at Kyle’s Kitchen. There was outdoor seating and our dog was able to join us. I highly recommend the Seared Ahi Salad and California Club Burger there. Be sure to take a peaceful stroll on the adjacent streets as there is much to see such as vintage shops and a local theater.
Since we had to check-in to our Airbnb, we drove a little further up into the mountains. If you’re looking to book a private house with a 1 bedroom, this one’s for you. It’s a magical retreat on 11 acres of land. The interior was bright and full of life and the exterior had all the amenities you can ask for. There was a separate bathroom outside, but we didn’t need to use it since there was a spacious one inside. If you’re a musician or writer, this is definitely a place to work on your craft and concentrate without any distractions.
My travel buddy and I made sure to play some piano together in the bedroom and use the hot tub and man-made pool outside. Birdie didn’t mind exploring as well. If you’re interested in this Airbnb, I’ve included the link in the description box for you.
It was summer time when we went so, in the day, it was warm. But the house kept us pretty cool with fans on the ceiling. We went to the market and made our own dinner and breakfast so that saved us some money.
Overall, this Airbnb was one of my favorites and I’d definitely love to go again. Thank you to our wonderful host, Jennifer. We had an amazing well-rested stress free experience.
The next day, we made our way to the Mesa Lane Steps, a free off-leash dog beach. Parking is abundant near residential areas. As you enter, you will find lots of stairs that lead you down to the sand. It was a gorgeous day and Birdie learned that getting into the ocean wasn’t so bad after all. She made lots of new friends and got her exercise in. If you’re not familiar with Australian Cattle Dogs, they have a lot of energy. So having her run and fetch the ball for several minutes was much needed.
After getting her tired, we headed back up the stairs and jumped back into the car where we made our way to Solvang. We parked near the Solvang Elementary School, which was free and we walked over to get lunch at Copenhagen Sausage Garden. Yes, dogs are also allowed to sit with you since seating was outside. Our sausages were savory and delicious. Be sure to try all their dipping sauces. There are lots of flavors to choose from! As we devoured our food, the staff was very accommodating and made sure we had a great experience.
Nearby, there is a lot of Danish-style architecture to see including some popular wineries. Be sure to check out the Elver-høj Museum of History & Art, The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, and The Old Mission Santa Inés church if you have time. It’s a great place to walk around for a couple hours and find yourself in another culture.
Next, we made sure to stop by Ostrichland and you should too! You can self-feed the ostriches for only a few bucks! It’s a fun activity that doesn’t take up too much time. I have never seen so many ostriches in my life! It was quite windy when I went, so be sure to wear some sunglasses. Oh! And watch your fingers. These birds are super hungry so they will not notice where their long sharp beaks peck at. Make sure your bowl of pellets are the only thing they reach for.
Next stop, Memory Park in Pismo Beach. My travel buddy and I needed to fill up our gas tank, so this beautiful scenic area was a great place to take a break and go down to see the tidepools. It was secluded and in a way a hidden gem that not many people know about except the locals.
Back to the car, we drove on and had to see the famous Madonna Inn. If you’re into hot pink gaudy couture, this tourist attraction is probably for you as well. Lots of television shows and probably movies have been shot here. I’ve also heard rumors that it’s been haunted. Each suite has its own theme. When I went to take a quick look, it definitely had lots of character and people were hanging out at the pool having a great time. If you ever stay here, let me know what you think!
My travel buddy decided on a whim to extend our travels since we had an extra day to spare. This time, we wanted to try our first glamping experience. So we booked another Airbnb last minute on a private farm called Rocky Canyon Ranch in Atascadero, CA.
When we arrived, it was early afternoon and since we were more inland, it was around 90 degrees. So, not going to lie, it was hot during the summer that we came. It definitely got cooler and more comfortable at night. The studio cabin itself was clean and had most of the things we needed like wifi, a ceiling fan, outlets, and a refrigerator. There was an outdoor bathhouse with portable toilets and showers for two people if they wanted to go at the same time. The sink was outside as well.
Anyway, because it was hot during the day, we decided to go back 30 minutes down to the coast of Morro Bay where we enjoyed the contrasting ocean breeze and the beautiful sunset as we ate at House of Juju by the bay. The Dragon Lady burger and Shrimp Tacos were to die for. I definitely recommend it.
Back at the ranch, we were greeted by a large Ridgeback dog named Charlie, who was about the same size as me. He actually poked his head in the car when I opened the door and I screamed and he shook as well. We both spooked each other unintentionally. This gentle giant was just saying hello. It was a funny moment and I’m sure you’ll meet him as well along with many other furry friends such as alpacas, a pig, duck, goat, and horse if you book the same Airbnb as ours. And oh! Surprisingly, the bed was so comfortable that we slept well through the night without any interruptions. So thank you, Kelly and her family, for making our stay a wonderful time.
The next morning, we headed back but wanted to visit Ojai for a quick lunch. My friend, Krista, recommended the Ojai Tortilla House, a small restaurant that is all about the grab-and-go takeout experience. I ordered the chicken quesadilla and it was made with just the right amount of veggies, meat, cheese, and sauce. The tortilla was perfectly crispy and I finished it in minutes. Make sure you have cash on hand since that is the only form of payment that they’ll accept.
We also checked out The Nest, another restaurant just a few blocks over. My travel buddy ordered the Korean Wings and Ahi Poke Bowl, which was fresh and a healthy selection. Birdie was eyeing those wings non-stop.
We didn’t have the chance to check out any wineries, but I hear they are fun. If you do hang around Ojai and explore that activity, I’d love to hear about your recommendations. We decided to head home early to beat the L.A. traffic, but alas, L.A. traffic ended up beating us… and it took about 2 hours to get back.
Overall, this road trip was a nice short getaway that I’m sure you’ll enjoy as well. I hope you have a fabulous time and create some beautiful memories! Your support means a lot. Thank you and have a great day!
Looking to travel to Europe on a budget? Check out my London and Paris trip under $1,500 by clicking here!