A Day Trip from LA to Montecito
This post has been sponsored by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
We’ve been making a serious effort to check off places on our California bucket list, with the latest place being Montecito.
This dreamy exclusive spot isn’t all that far from LA (making it perfect for a day trip) but when you arrive, it feels like you’ve been transported somewhere much farther than a mere 91 miles away.
Of course, whenever we are heading out on a road trip, outside of planning our route to our destination, the list of snacks or beverages we need for our journey is just as important as figuring out what to do and where to eat once we arrive. I knew that, with a day full of adventure in front of us, staying hydrated would be key. So, at the top of our list of things to pick up at our local Pavilions on our way out of town was some Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water. We have long been fans of their water because of its smooth taste from its special mineral balance and natural alkalinity (with a pH of 8.0 or higher), which is exactly what we need to keep us going throughout a day of exploring. We also like to grab the Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water 1 Liter Plastic Bottles (which can be found in the water/drink aisle at Pavilions) as we don’t have to worry about them breaking or getting tossed around while we’re on the move. Plus, we don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to refill a reusable bottle (which we’re all about, but it is rather hard to do when traveling or on a road trip). Of course, just be sure to recycle the bottles when you’re done with them.
So now that we’re well hydrated, let’s get “driving” shall we…
4:30pm Quick outfit change and grab our Pavilions bag of snacks and Acqua Panna® before heading to Miramar Beach to enjoy some time in the sun and sand
7:30pm Sunset is not to be missed, especially from this infamous spot on the beach
8:00pm Indulging in one last treat before heading home with ice cream at Rori’s (their peanut butter chocolate and passion fruit flavors are not to be missed!)
A few other spots that we didn’t get to this trip but are on the list for next time include Butterfly Beach, a drink at the infamous Biltmore, lunch at The Honor Bar or Tre Lune, Lotusland, and dinner at San Ysidro Ranch.
THE PLAN
8:00am Scope out the route we want to take and check out the current deals at Pavilions on their mobile app so we can stop and scoop up some snacks and beverages for the drive. (Have you used it yet? So convenient for seeing what is on sale! Try today and save at your local Pavilions!)
8:30am Leave our house
8:45am Stop at Pavilions to grab road trip provisions, including Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water, crackers, a local California kalamata olive goat cheese and some fresh figs
9:00am Start driving north on PCH {Got to take the scenic route so you can enjoy those epic ocean views!}
10:30am Arrive into Montecito + make our way to Merci for for one of their infamous cinnamon rolls as a breakfast treat {their carrot cake, pictured here, is also pretty epic—and don’t forget to grab some of their homemade chocolate caramels for the drive back home!}
11:00am Explore the Montecito Country Mart and around town, Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water in hand at all times {got to stay hydrated in the heat}, and pop into some of the shops around town. A few favorites included:
Jenni Kayne // a must-stop for all the classic California pieces {for both your closet + home} that you could ever need
Cos Bar // for all your beauty needs
Hudson Grace // chic home goods, kitchen wares, coffee table books and candles
Maison K // a mix of lifestyle items including home, accessories, and fashion—sourced from around the world
Kendall Conrad // minimal yet chic jewelry and handbags {Kendall is also a Montecito local}
Coco Cabana // resort wear and accessories that will have you wanting to book to a trip to Hawaii ASAP
Mate Gallery // a little shop filled with nautical goods and antique treasures that will have you feeling like you’re stepping out of California and into New England
William Laman // dreamy interior pieces, home goods and dining ware
Baske // a well-curated collection of clothing and accessories from lots of local brands, including the owner’s own show line—aptly named Baske
1:30pm Grab lunch at Bettina; the pepperoni pizza does not disappoint and don’t forget to order the arinicini balls! They’re kind of life changing and you’ll totally regret it if you don’t get them! Pro tip: order extra/pack up the leftovers to take to the beach later.
2:30pm Made our way to Rosewood Miramar {a good place to stay if you’re looking to spend the weekend in Montecito}
3:00pm Sip on a cocktail at the Beach Bar while taking in the epic Pacific Ocean views {Pro tip: don’t miss out on their complimentary bar snacks…the olives are, quite possibly, some of the best I’ve ever had!}