I get asked for weekend getaway ideas constantly. And my answer almost always starts in the same two places: Santa Barbara and Lake Tahoe. These are the destinations I know best, return to most often, and feel most confident recommending. They’re different in almost every way — one is coastal, sun-drenched, and Mediterranean-spirited; the other is alpine, dramatic, and seasonal. But both offer something rare: that feeling of arriving somewhere and immediately exhaling. Here are some of my favorite ways to spend a weekend in each.
The Classic Santa Barbara Weekend
Arrive Friday evening and head straight to dinner at The Lark in the Funk Zone. Saturday morning: coffee at Pierre Lafond, a walk through the Saturday farmers market, then browse State Street or head down to the beach. Afternoon wine tasting along the Urban Wine Trail. Dinner at Bouchon. Sunday: a slow morning at your hotel, brunch at the Kimpton Canary rooftop, then a drive up to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden before heading home. Simple, beautiful, completely satisfying.
The Elevated Montecito Weekend
For something more luxurious, stay at Belmond El Encanto and spend your days entirely in Montecito. Morning coffee at Honor Bar, lunch at Tre Lune, an afternoon browsing Coast Village Road, and dinner at The Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch. This version of the Santa Barbara weekend feels more like a retreat — slower, quieter, and focused on quality over activity. It’s the version I recommend for anniversaries, milestone birthdays, and anyone who just needs to completely disconnect.
The Summer Lake Tahoe Weekend
Arrive Friday to Incline Village and grab dinner at The Coffee Bar or something casual in the village. Saturday: coffee from Tahoe Mountain Roasting, a morning at Sand Harbor Beach (arrive early — it fills up fast), an afternoon kayak on the lake, and dinner at Gar Woods for the full deck experience. Sunday morning: hike up to Marlette Lake or drive the scenic Emerald Bay overlook before heading home. Summer Tahoe is one of the most underrated seasonal experiences in California.
The Winter Ski Weekend at Tahoe
Stay at Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn or Northstar’s Ritz-Carlton, ski Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) or Northstar on Saturday and Sunday, and take your après-ski at the Lodge Deck with a Hot Toddy while the sun sets over the mountains. Book dinner in advance — the best spots fill up on winter weekends. If you want a day off the slopes, Truckee is a 15-minute drive and offers great shopping, Tahoe Mountain Roasting, and several worthwhile restaurant stops. This is the version of Tahoe that people fall in love with and come back to every year.
A Note From Kristina
Weekend getaways are one of my favorite things to help people plan — they’re short enough to feel manageable but meaningful enough to actually reset. If you’re looking for help putting together a weekend in Santa Barbara or Lake Tahoe, or if you want to know where to stay, what to book in advance, and what to prioritize, I’m always happy to talk through it. As a Fora travel advisor, I can often get you better rates and perks at the properties I recommend — making the trip a little more special without necessarily spending more. Reach out and let’s plan something good.
