California...Knows How to Party
Best places to hang loose and soak up the sun
California isn’t for everyone — especially if you’re from the East Coast of the U.S. After spending plenty of time exploring its diverse regions, here’s our take: some places are absolutely worth visiting, while others don’t quite live up to the hype (we know, we know — hot take). From iconic spots like wine country and Montecito’s luxury ranches to beach destinations that fall short, this guide will help you cut through the noise.
Don’t get us wrong — California offers a lot: stunning coastlines, world-class surfing, scenic mountains, and vibrant cities — but it’s massive and incredibly varied. Not every destination is the sunshine-filled paradise the movies make you expect. If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to go, what to skip, and how to make the most of your visit, you’re in the right place. We’re East Coast loyalists who love California’s gems but keep it real about the traffic, fog, and those notorious “June Gloom” mornings.
Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Santa Ynez Valley
Seen Score: 10
Recommended length of stay: 5 days.
Last Seen: Summer 2024.
We’ve said it before (in our Romantic AF post), and we’ll say it again: Santa Barbara is everything. With its palm-lined streets, red-tile rooftops, and breezy coastal charm, it feels like someone dropped a Spanish-Mediterranean dream onto the California coast.
It’s just bougie enough without feeling crowded, overflowing with farm-to-table restaurants, local wines from the nearby Santa Ynez Valley (conveniently poured at countless wine tasting rooms in the Funk Zone), beach views, stylish boutiques, scenic walks, and more art and charm than should be legal in one place.
If time allows (and you should make time, trust us), take a scenic drive to Santa Ynez Valley wine country — one of the best in the U.S. — with tasting rooms tucked beneath the Santa Ynez Mountains.
And don’t skip Montecito. Walk the shoreline from Santa Barbara to Butterfly Beach, then hit Montecito Village for chic boutiques and head uphill to explore one of its many ultra-luxury ranches tucked into the hills (San Ysidro is our favorite).
This trip is a must-do — and there’s a good reason we score it a solid 10.
Napa Valley, Russian River Valley & Sonoma Valley
Seen Score: 9.4
Recommended length of stay: Long weekend.
Last Seen: Spring 2023.
If wine is your thing — don’t even think about skipping this part of the country (and the world). We mentioned it in another post (Discover Your Next Buzz), but if you're chasing that “holy shit, this wine is incredible” moment, look no further than California wine country—the U.S.'s own holy grail of wine tasting.
This pocket of Northern California is a treasure chest overflowing with world-class wineries — thousands of them — tucked into a region as lush as it is legendary. Our favorite town? Healdsburg. It blends small-town charm with low-key (but extremely high-key) luxury. Think tree-lined streets, indie boutiques, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
And even if wine tasting isn’t your thing (who hurt you?), this area is still absolutely worth a visit. The microclimate here is magic: sunshine and dry weather almost year-round. Take scenic bike rides through vineyards, float down the Russian River, or go hiking in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve. Book a spa day, or explore local gems on the Sonoma Farm Trail — think cheesemakers, olive oil tastings, and bakeries.
Wine or not, this is where to go if you want to feel a little bougie, a little unplugged, and a lot like you’ve made an excellent life choice.
Del Mar, La Jolla, & San Diego
Seen Score: 7.7
Recommended length of stay: 4-5 days.
Last Seen: Summer 2024.
If you’re chasing that classic Southern California beach vibe, Del Mar, La Jolla, and San Diego deliver in spades — sunshine, surf, and just the right amount of bougie. Start in Del Mar, where the pace slows and the beach is the star. This laid-back coastal town is perfect for long, leisurely walks along sandy shores, catching the ocean breeze, and maybe even taking surf lessons if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s the quintessential chill beach vibe — no pretension, just good waves and good times.
Head south to La Jolla for a splash of upscale charm. Here you’ll find boutique shops, art galleries, and gourmet eateries all wrapped up in stunning coastal views. Don’t miss the playful seals, sea lions, and otters that hang around La Jolla Cove, making it one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city.
For outdoor lovers, a hike at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a must. Trails wind through coastal bluffs offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and you might spot local wildlife along the way. The mix of rugged cliffs, wildflowers, and endless sunshine creates a perfect day-trip spot just north of San Diego.
Whether you’re exploring beaches, hitting boutique shops, or hiking scenic trails, this stretch of Southern California balances chill vibes with just the right dash of luxe.
Carmel-by-the-Sea & Big Sur
Seen Score: 6.9
Recommended length of stay: Weekend.
Last Seen: Summer 2025.
Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea are coastal California classics—but don’t expect predictable weather. This short stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway is packed with microclimates. Fog in Big Sur rolls in out of nowhere, and the weather can shift in seconds. That said, the drive along Highway 1—especially across the iconic Bixby Bridge—is a must on any California road trip.
Stop at Pfeiffer Beach to hunt for its rare purple sand—but brace yourself: it’s wildly windy, so bring layers unless you like eating your own hair. Unlike other California beach towns, Big Sur isn’t really a town—it’s a collection of cliffside turn-offs, rustic campsites, and a few ultra-luxury hotels like our favorite, the Alila Ventana Big Sur.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is cute and scenic, but often wrapped in fog. It doesn’t have the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture of places like Santa Barbara. Shopping here skews upscale and older—think coastal grandmother boutiques and high-end vintage stores.
Golfers, take note: you’re close to world-famous golf courses like Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay. Just 20 minutes inland, Carmel Valley has a totally different feel—sunny, warm, and mountain-backed—but don’t expect much nightlife.
Nearby Monterey feels too touristy for our taste, but grabbing a bowl of its award-winning clam chowder on the Monterey Wharf? Worth it.
For us, this area is definitely worth a stop on your California journey, but not a place you absolutely have to see above anywhere else.
Malibu
Seen Score: 6.5
Recommended length of stay: Weekend.
Last Seen: Summer 2024.
Malibu, California. Just saying it makes you feel a little richer. And sure, we stayed in a gorgeous beachfront pad with celebrity neighbors (we won’t name names, but you’d definitely recognize them). But let’s get real: Malibu isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
For starters, it’s not walkable. Like, at all. Everything is spread out along the Pacific Coast Highway, which is basically a scenic traffic jam. There’s no central hub, no charming little downtown—just clusters of shops and cafés in random strip malls. The beach itself is narrow, often crowded, and thanks to the surrounding mountains and cold Pacific temps, it’s foggy more often than not. Oh, and the Pacific Ocean here? Freezing. Not crystal clear. Definitely not tropical. Add in a bit of wind, and it’s less “paradise” and more “bring a sweater.”
But here’s the thing—Malibu still makes you feel bougie as hell. It’s fun to say you’re going. It looks great in your Instagram bio. And while you’re there, sipping overpriced smoothies and spotting the occasional celeb, you will enjoy yourself.
Just don’t compare it to the wider beaches in Southern California (or dare we say, Florida’s sugar-soft sands), because it doesn’t hold up. Malibu is overhyped, no doubt. Still, it’s worth a visit if you're in the area. You'll leave a little sun-kissed, a little windblown, and maybe wondering why on earth people are spending $30 million to live there full-time.
Yosemite
Last Seen: Summer 2018.
Sausalito
Last Seen: Summer 2018.
Santa Monica
Last Seen: Summer 2024.
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