Just one week after returning from our Mexico trip, Hubby and I got to go on another mini-vacation. Our good friends, Bry and G, got hitched in wine country and this wino here couldn’t have been happier…for them, happier for them.

I visited Santa Barbara last year and never wrote about it, something I regret. So since I’m back, I figured I’d cue you in to all the bomb ass shit there is to do in this area. Also, it’s an opportunity to force my InstaHubby to do a photoshoot with me walking dreamily through a vineyard in the gown I made.

Things to Do:

Little Denmark-Solvang

We stayed at Hotel Corque in Solvang which is about 15 minutes from the wedding venue in Santa Ynez. This place is seriously the cutest area ever. I felt like we were in the Wee Britain episode of “Arrested Development.” Except, instead of Wee Britain, Solvang is Wee Denmark. They even have a mini windmill y’all. If you’re traveling here in December, you can check out Solvang’s Julefest (Yule Fest), when they get Christmassy AF. If you’re here in September, they have their Danish Days Danish Heritage Festival. Any other time of the year it’s fun to just walk around and check out all their darling boutiques and eateries. I recommend checking out the fudge shop and bakery…mostly cus I’m a fatty and never met a cupcake I didn’t instantly fall in love with. But also because the sweets in this town are legit.

Chumash Casino-Santa Ynez

We spent less than two hours in the casino before losing all of our money. But that didn’t mean that we didn’t have a really good time while we were there. The buffet was pretty decent, the tables were cheap and the parking was free. The only disappointing thing about the casino was that the drinks weren’t free while you gambled. But they were pretty damn cheap. So I’ll take it.

If you’re the more adventurous our outdoorsy type you can go hot air ballooning, whale watching, paragliding or horseback riding. If you’re outdoorsy but not adventurous like me the Santa Barbara Zoo, Ostrich Land USA (Solvang), Stearns Wharf (Santa Barbara) or The Channel Islands might be more your speed.

And if you’re more for getting some culture you can hit up the Old Mission (Santa Barbara), Carriage Museum (Santa Ynez) or Moxi Science Museum (Santa Barbara).

Nosh Time:

This area is more about the wine than the food. Not that the food isn’t amazing. But instead of finding a wine to pair with the food, you’re finding a food to pair with the wine. While there are a shit ton of American, Italian and Surf ‘n’ Turf restaurants. You can’t likely find a type of fare to match any taste. For example, there’s a Pho restaurant smack dab in the middle of Little Denmark. Also, we were traveling with a vegetarian and he had no trouble finding things to eat. Some places are small mom and pop operations, so reservations are highly recommended. Also, factor in time. Where we stayed, in Solvang, things shut down pretty early, so plan accordingly.

The Buffet (Chumash Casino)-Santa Ynez

The first thing we did after the drive up was try to hunt down some grub. As previously mentioned, Solvang shuts down early and we didn’t arrive until around 8pm. So we drove 5 minutes up the road to the Chumash Casino because casinos never close and because casinos mean buffets and well, who doesn’t love a buffet? It wasn’t the best buffet I’ve ever had. I mean, I’ve been to Vegas. But it still gets my seal of approval.

Mattei’s Tavern-Los Olivos

The day before the wedding, the bride and groom held a welcome barbeque at Mattei’s Tavern. There was a preset buffet with barbecue chicken, orzo pasta salad and other tasty goodies. We even had smores by the fire pit. This menu was strictly for the event. If you’re looking to just visit the tavern for dinner they have a pretty extensive menu filled with down home American fare.

Let Me Pour You a Drink:

There is a ridiculous number of places you can get your wine on in this area.

Sunstone Vineyard-Santa Ynez

This was the location of the wedding and therefore provided all of the wine. Let me just say that while I'm not super picky (I'll drink wine from a jug....happily). I do know the difference between good wine and shit wine. This wine was good AF.

The Funk Zone-Santa Barbara

When we visited Santa Barbara last year and heard about The Funk Zone I pictured dancing in the streets to Parliament. I was wrong. But I still had a ball hanging out here. The Funk Zone is a two by four block grid of town full of wine, food and art. There are several little galleries, a bunch of eateries, and a million and one trailer sized tasting rooms. The tastings are cheap and the pours are generous. So we went in. But don’t be like us. Because the next morning was super harsh.

You can also visit the Fess Parker Winery (Los Olivos), Demetria Estate (Los Olivos) or Larner Vineyard (Los Olivos).

I Came For The Vows. I Stayed For The Vino:

From start to finish , this wedding was perfection. I credit the ever thoughtful and insanely creative couple for that. In addition to being just filled to the brim with joy for these two, I just had a roaring good time. And I wasn’t the only one. The Sunstone Vinyard was gorgeous. There were more Insta-Opps there than I’ve ever seen in my life. I can’t stop talking about how amazing the entire experience was. I told my husband that I want a do-over for our wedding because this ish just left me feeling inadequate as fuck.

The Ceremony:

The Cocktail Hour:

The Reception:

My Photoshoot:

The After Party:

With that said, congrats to the happy couple. Thank you for honoring us with an invitation. And you’re welcome to anyone reading this who decides to visit Santa Barbara county for a vaca. You won’t regret it.

Follow us on Twitter @FlairHuxtable, Instagram @Flair.Huxtable and @HomeBrewedLove, and Facebook at @Flair Huxtable! Then buy Lo’s first book, “The Semester,” HERE!

Traveling While Black…and Fabulous: Santa Barbara County