As much as I love my solitude, I wouldn't be who I am without my girlfriends. The women who have helped shape me and who continue to be my biggest cheerleaders hold a very special place in my life, and in my travels. Each year, we make it a point to have an adventure together at least once. When planning a girlfriend weekend getaway, it can be tough to find something to satisfy everyone, particularly if you have a varied friend group like I do. If you’re the one doing the planning, there can be pressure to pick the perfect place. Naturally, you want everyone to be happy!
That’s why I love sunny California. There are multiple airports to fly into, and there’s so much variety. As a native Californian, I know all the best cities for a great girlfriend weekend getaway; all from firsthand experience.
Whether your preference is the outdoors, the beach or the city, these California gems are sure to suit your girlfriend weekend getaway desires:
Santa Barbara
My girlfriends and I are big fans of Santa Barbara, mostly because we met there during our university days.. However, even those with no sentimental connection to the city will find it easy to love its world-class beaches, incredible shopping and camping. It’s a natural choice to come back to again and again. Additionally, Santa Barbara benefits from a perpetual spring-like climate so it’s never too hot and never too cold.
For beach lovers, I recommend heading to Butterfly Beach, regularly voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S. For a chance to enjoy the sun and also some shopping, I’d recommend State Street. There’s a great mix of high-end department stores as well as smaller boutique shops. If you prefer hiking, Montecito has plenty of trails of varying lengths. I love the Cold Spring trail and Montecito Peak.
Stay: Though Santa Barbara can cost a pretty penny, it doesn’t have to! My girlfriends and I usually like to rent a house in Goleta, just a stone’s throw north of Santa Barbara and close to the airport. For the more outdoorsy types, I absolutely love the El Capitan campground. It’s on a cliff over the ocean and I see dolphins every single time I stay there. My friends and I have made many beautiful memories there.
Getting There: Santa Barbara has its own municipal airport (SBA), which is small and easy to fly into and there’s an Alamo Rent A Car location there for your convenience.