Boy, is summer ever moving fast! We are basically half way through with July wrapping next week!  How did that happen? A few weeks ago Troy and I had a great opportunity to travel to a destination of our choice to experience the Lincoln Continental vehicle. We wanted to stay closer to home, and California is one of our favourite places to visit. After hearing so many great things about Santa Barbara, we jumped at the chance to go!

And we’re so happy we did. The second we arrived, Santa Barbara won us over with its charm. It’s undeniable! We drove up from LA and the moment you hit Santa Barbara, you notice something different. The incredible coastline. The gorgeous views. The rustic ranches and wineries. I was ready to move in…

Driving through the country and seeing all of the ranches was unbelievable. I loved it as much as I love being at the beach and looking out over the ocean. Santa Barbara definitely does not disappoint!

While we were there, Troy and I got to take part in different activities and adventures. We drove to Sunstone Winery for a quick wine tasting. Oh my word, the rosé was that best I’ve ever had! It has a beautiful setting and atmosphere. It was simply breathtaking, romantic and country rustic all at the same time. Might be one of my favourite wineries I’ve visited. We not only brought back a few bottles of wine but I also bought two bottles of olive oil.  It takes us back every time I see it on my kitchen counter. Just delicious!

One evening we went sailing at the Santa Barbara Sailing Center. Savouring the sunset with a glass of wine from a sailboat was magical. We instantly felt relaxed while out on the water. And now I’m ready to buy a boat.

Another highlight was enjoying dinner at The Storehouse at San Ysidro Ranch. It’s an unbelievably stunning property. Excellent food. Everything is farm-to-table and they have an organic garden on site. (If you keep an eye on my Instagram stories, you may have seen video from the evening.) I highly recommend it if you’re in Santa Barbara!

Taking in the sights and getting from place to place was an enjoyable part of the trip, too. The Lincoln Continental has reclining massage chairs with heating and cooling options – talk about luxurious! Once you get a taste for that, it’s hard to go back!

Both Troy and I were impressed by the safety features too. While driving up to San Ysidro Ranch, Troy kept trying to swerve into the next lane but it wouldn’t. And if it senses you’re starting to fall asleep, the Continental’s steering wheel will vibrate to keep you awake. How cool, right?

When we weren’t on the road, we enjoyed the opportunity to relax at our hotel. We stayed at the Four Seasons and made the most of our kid-less getaway by soaking up afternoons at their beautiful pool and enjoying slow leisurely meals. It was a treat!

Santa Barbara is the perfect destination for a getaway with your spouse or a girls’ trip. Gorgeous landscapes, super relaxing atmosphere. Plenty of markets to explore and terracotta tile to admire. Palm trees, ocean breeze – what more could you want?! I can’t wait to go back!

Few of our other must see spots and stops in Santa Barbara: 
Food: The Lark, Somerset, Ca Dario (Italian), Arigato (Sushi), Laquita & The Palace Grill
The Public Market for quick food places. Empty Bowl!
Cafés: Lilac Pâtisserie- Try the gluten free lemon lavender cake!
Day trip to Ojai if you have time. We didn’t make it out there but apparently the lavender fields are unreal!

This post was sponsored by Lincoln Continental. Thanks for the opportunity, Lincoln! As always, these opinions are all mine.