Is it just us, or have bachelorette parties become more elaborate in the last decade?

As besties jet around the country—heck, around the world—for jobs, for love, and for a big ol’ change of scenery, it’s more difficult than ever to get your group together. Physical separation has led to the “bach weekend” trend: expanding the typical itinerary to include more than just a night out at the local bars. While the concept of a full “weekend” is by no means a requirement, the trend has expanded collective bridal party creativity—producing fun, unique, and personally tailored events for the bachelorette.

Dreaming of a dynamic getaway? Santa Barbara is an ideal locale for any bride and her posse. While many consider it to be a beachy paradise (which… fair assessment), this gorgeous, historic town has more than sand & surf to offer your pals. In fact, Santa Barbara has options for every kind of bride (and every group of friends). Behold: bachelorette ideas for six types o’ brides.

 For the “I Just Want to Relax & Drink Wine with Friends” Bride:

A Wine Tour

Whether you’re looking to stroll, crawl, or somersault through some wine tastings: historic Downtown has you covered. We don’t think it’s entirely out of bounds to call Santa Barbara a mecca for wine-os, and since there are around 30 wineries within walking distance from one another… why not take full advantage? Walk the famous Urban Wine Trail (click to see the full map!) for a sophisticated, hours-long, day-drinking experience. We highly recommend stopping in and saying “hi!” to our friends at Jamie Slone Wines on your journey—and, of course, sampling some of their sparkling beverages while you’re there.

If you’re feeling particularly organized (you’re one of those people that can really hold your alcohol; good on you!) plan your experience ahead of time at Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort’s gorgeous tasting room. Along with their award-winning wines, you and your pals will receive expert sommelier guidance, as well as curated bites & cheeses: perfectly accenting your drinks.

 Photo from Santa Barbara Wine Collective

For the “Get Those Cucumbers on My Eyes & Hot Stones on My Back” Bride:

A Spa Day

While some want to get buck wild, others want to soak up every ounce of relaxation their bachelorette party can give. Enter: Float Luxury Day Spa. Beyond simply sounding like a dream (who doesn’t fantasize about ~floating?~), this full-service spa offers a picturesque Grecian aesthetic and *all* of the treatments you can imagine. Staff is über-friendly and welcoming, and with eight packages to choose from—not to mention: single massage, facial, wax, and ritual options—you’ll be able to find something that fits everyone’s’ style and budget. Psst! They specialize in spa parties.

You can also tack on a Float Luxury Day Spa gift card for the special humans in your life—give them the gift of R&R for any occasion. Even when you can’t make it to the spa, their Shop Online option allows you to get some professional-level products dropped off at your door (free delivery for our Santa Barbara locals).

 Photography courtesy of By Cherry Photography

For the “Take Me Back to the Fun of My Childhood” Bride:

A Backyard BBQ & Custom Piñata

For our brides rockin’ a Santa Barbara home (whether you’re a true local or a savvy Airbnb-er), why leave your space? You can have a fun, intimate bachelorette party in your backyard! Gather your group for a classic cookout—it’ll be like the summer parties of your childhood… but with wine. Do you have a chef (professional or amateur) amongst your friends? Ask them to take charge of food prep—but be sure it’s still an all-hands-on-deck activity. Don’t feel much like cooking? Leave it to Chef Robin and the experts at A Taste of California!

Accent the experience with a *modified* kid-friendly crafting session; grab some bespoke party supplies from Pink Elephant and Co. and get to decorating! Along with your customized décor, you can even book an in-person workshop from the shop’s effervescent owner, Brenna Alexandra—we recommend her piñata-building event (What? We like to make our fun… and smash it, too).

Photography courtesy of Kelsey Crews Photo

For the “Grab Your Heels & Dance with Me for Hours” Bride:

A Dinner, Drinks, and Dancing Event

Despite its sleepy reputation, Santa Barbara has a few choice nightlife locales. Why bar-hop (or nightclub-hop) when you can plant yourself at one location from six p.m. to… whenever y’all feel ready to pile in an Uber. Might we suggest drinks and dinner at Little Kitchen (right off State Street) followed by dancing—and, likely, more drinks—at Wildcat Lounge next door? Sip on a buttery Chardonnay or a hearty Lager as you enjoy an eclectic dinner (burgers, Swedish meatballs, and Tikka Masala? Sign us up.) before heading over to the swanky lounge for bottle service and shakin’ it to the hits of today.

Wildcat recently debuted an expansion: the Bobcat room. You and your friends will have even more space to get down and boogie… that’s what the kids say nowadays, right? Bonus: this new room earned a spot on USA Today’s 10 Best list. (During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wildcat Lounge is temporarily closed; however, Little Kitchen’s scrumptious menu is available for delivery!)

 Photography courtesy of Jocelyn & Spencer (and a cameo of A-List member DJ Darla Bea!)

For the “How Many Sights Can We See in One Day?” Bride:

A ‘Grammable Spot Hop

Lucky for you, Santa Barbara is positively brimming with gorgeous scenery. While we don’t necessarily suggest spending a full day in the car (and money on gas) solely for social media pics, a day of sight-seeing, culture-indulging, and bond-making could do everyone some good. There’s a wide variety of gorgeous architecture—perfect for brushing up on your history and taking some unforgettable photos—in Downtown Santa Barbara, including Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, the Superior Court building, and MOXI. Beyond the “bustling” (shuffling?) streets of Downtown, Santa Barbara features a seemingly endless supply of lush parks, including Alice Keck, Elings, and Rattlesnake Canyon up in the hills.

Stumped on how to structure your ‘grammable itinerary? Take a look at some of our favorite SB destinations for your wedding photoshoot to gather ideas!

 Photography courtesy of Peterson Design & Photography

For the “Let’s Never Get Up From Our Beach Towels” Bride:

A Relaxing (or Exciting) Beach Day

We had to touch on the beach, friends! It’s not Santa Barbara’s only draw, but it’s a popular one… and for good reason. If you and the squad are looking for a beach day of any sort—volleyball & boogie boarding, tanning & reading, or a little of both—then grab your sunscreen and head over to East Beach. This spacious, sandy spot is ideal a day with friends—you can stretch out and relax for hours, dipping over to the nearby shops, eateries, and even wine tasting rooms—the aforementioned Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is steps away: a great accommodation option—at your leisure.

The beach features an adjacent bike path for those looking to cruise around, volleyball courts for our sports-lovers, picnic tables for your to-go meals, and a path leading to the famous Stearn’s Wharf (and Santa Barbara’s Sea Center, one of our fave destinations). Your group will have no problems hanging at this fun-in-the-sun location all day long.

Photography courtesy of Kiel Rucker

By: Megan Simpson

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