3-Day Weekend Getaway to California’s Central Coast

For true California road trip vibes, take PCH (Highway 1) heading north out of LA, starting in Santa Monica. Stop at the Malibu Pier for an excellent brunch at Malibu Farm and watch the surfers before continuing up the coast. (Tip: Leave mid-morning to avoid the worst traffic. If you're not into the drive, you can opt for the 101 over PCH to save time.)

After about a 1.5-2-hour drive, your next stop is the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara. Spend some time shopping at unique boutiques like Loveworn, Blue Door and The Shopkeepers. After stretching your legs, stop for lunch at one of the many delicious Funk Zone spots. Shalhoob Meat Co. and Lucky Penny are great options!

After lunch, head inland from Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez wine country for some wine tasting. My personal favorites are Foxen for pinot noir, Firestone for cabernet sauvignon, Lincourt for chardonnay and Andrew Murray for larger groups. These wineries have tasting rooms adjacent to their production facilities and vineyards, offering great views and a relaxing vibe. If you want to hit up multiple tasting rooms easily, the town of Los Olivos is a great option. I love Saarloos + Sons for their famous cupcake pairings!

When you've had your fill of wine, drive up to San Luis Obispo. I love staying in SLO because of its central location between the Santa Ynez and Paso Robles wine regions and its proximity to the coast, while being a little less sleepy than other Central Coast towns. Check into your hotel and enjoy some downtime before dinner.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at Mistura, a fantastic restaurant serving elevated Peruvian food and drinks. Make sure to try some Peruvian sushi and enjoy one of their Pisco-based cocktails as the perfect nightcap before turning in for the night.

After breakfast at the hotel, head to the coast for an easy yet breathtaking hike. Harmony Headlands and Estero Bluffs State Parks both offer trails with amazing coastal views that require minimal effort.

Next, head inland for a well-deserved lunch and wine tasting at Opolo Vineyards in Paso Robles wine country. Opolo is a personal favorite for its delicious food, exceptional service and fantastic wines (they're known for their Zinfandel). If you're up for more wine tasting, there are numerous options nearby, and I can provide recommendations based on your preferences!

For dinner tonight, visit what might be SLO’s most popular restaurant, Firestone Grill, and try the tri-tip that the Central Coast is famous for.

If you’re heading back to the LA area, don’t wait too long to start your drive. Traffic between Santa Barbara and LA can be horrendous in the mid- to late-afternoon, especially on Sunday.

If you enjoy waking up early, squeeze in another hike this morning! More Mesa just north of Santa Barbara is a good spot along the way. Otherwise, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before checking out and starting your drive. I recommend stopping for lunch at Padaro Beach Grill just south of Santa Barbara to enjoy one last meal by the ocean. After lunch, complete your drive home before the traffic gets too gnarly!