VISITING SANTA YNEZ

I was recently able to visit Santa Ynez for a wedding with Cupid Content Co! I had never stayed in this area but was so excited to take this little adventure. I went on a Tuesday and left Thursday morning. I didn't have very much time to sight see but I did have a great time!

I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Buellton/Santa Ynez, which was really close to Solvang, only about a 7 minute drive. I left Tuesday afternoon and hit some traffic on the way in but settled in by 4 pm.

I rest for a bit in my room and contemplated what I should do about dinner. I like to have a solo meal out and about on these trips even though ordering in is so convenient. I was walking distance to the Firestone Brewery so it felt like an easy choice.

I saved these other recommendations that I also considered:

• Giorgio's at Parkway (Italian restaurant inside a liquor store)

• peasants FEAST (New American)

  
  

The fish tacos were actually really good and filling. I will say I recommend getting them! I also got some gas, so I wouldn't need to the next morning, and wine nearby from Albertsons.

I decided I should get a local wine and so I picked the Fess Parker Chardonnay. I actually really enjoyed it! I ended the night with a face mask, Love Island episode 1, and a cold glass of wine. Perfect if you ask me!

Wedding morning I was contemplating some breakfast spots but ended up seeing what the hotel breakfast was all about. It was not great LOL... but I was full enough to not order the breakfast sandwich from Little King Coffee when I went to grab coffee for the day.

Other breakfast options:

• Ellen's Danish Pancake House

• Zaca Coffee

• Drover's Doughnuts

I got the iced dirty chai latte with oat milk and a chocolate chip cookie. It was pretty good, nothing supppppeeeer exciting but definitely good and cute inside as well. The cookie had a nice bite of flaky sea salt and was a thinner cookie.

Once I got back to the hotel I got ready for wedding day and then got some work done on my laptop for a bit.

The wedding was at La Tarantella at Grassini Family Vineyards and WOW. I was in awe of how beautiful this venue was. This random photo I have of the kitchen is about all I could sneak that wouldn't necessarily be for our couple! The interior design was gorgeous and the outdoor space was also beautiful. There was a little cottage too, like such a dream.

Dinner was what the guests had and we tucked away to enjoy it. Typically my drink of choice during vendor meal is a ginger ale but we only had sprite and that did the trick. Everything was good but that white bread.. I need to figure out how they made that, it was honestly perfect.

Post-dinner was sunset portrait photos and I ended up with the brides veil over my shoulders to hold onto lol. I also took some wedding swag, the green sunglasses, sooo perfect for summer hehe.

As I left, my view was the most gorgeous sunset. It was only about a 20 minute drive and I quickly changed into cozy clothes and decided to enjoy the fire pits outside. I uploaded content from the day and enjoyed a glass of wine. I also was so bummed to miss my nieces perform her first solo singing "Younger You" by Miley Cyrus. If you know me, you know I absolutely love my niece AND I absolutely love Miley Cyrus (I cried watching her anniversary special, it is that serious). So my mom called me so I could tell her I was proud of her and then I sat and cried by the fire listening back to the video of her!!

I knew I wanted to get an early start to the day so I could see a bit of Solvang before leaving to avoid traffic. I was told by a local vendor from the wedding that Good Seed coffee was a great spot! I order the iced maple latte with oat milk and a chocolate peanut butter cookie. For one this cookie was RIGHT up my alley, thicker and a slightly underbaked center, highly recommend. Coffee was also yummy and its located right on the main street.

I walked around a few blocks and popped into some souvenir shops, a bookstore, and the classic little mermaid statue. Which, I have visited Copenhagen and so this whole little town made me really miss it.

It looked like they were in construction to building (or rebuilding?) a little danish town with even more classic architecture. I think the main attraction is this Solvang Windmill. I also saw these stunning hydrangea bushes along my walk.

Leaving town I wanted to grab lunch from Panino's for on the road but they were still closed. Definitely a sleepy town with late opening times and early closing times.

All-in-all a very cute, quaint, and quiet town.