On my recent road trip up highway 1 we made a quick stop in Santa Barbara for a few hours. This city deserves an entire weekend trip to be honest. On the top of your list of things to do in Santa Barbara should be visiting the Old Mission (learn more about visiting here). It is arguably the most beautiful mission in California between the pink trim and rose garden.
Speaking of the rose garden… it is the perfect spot for a picnic! I was excited to discover the super aesthetic local company – Santa Barbara Picnic Co. They offer all the fun and beauty of a picnic without the set up and planning. A lot of you asked about the details on social media, so keep reading for the full scoop!
About the Santa Barbara Picnic Co.
The company was founded in 2018 by creative Nicole Leza and focuses on boutique luxury picnics. Her team of picnic stylists also work with various local businesses to put together the catering and floral arrangements. Whether you’re having an afternoon with the girls, celebrating an anniversary, or planning a proposal; they have it covered!
How it Works
Step 1: Pick your location. A few of the popular locations include the Old Mission Rose Garden and East Beach. Check out the different options here.
Step 2: Pick your package. Depending on whether you’re planning an engagement or a romantic picnic; there’s a package for you.
Step 3: Complete the form. Here’s my favorite part. When you complete the form, you can share details on what your favorite color scheme, vision and aesthetic are. You can even attach photos of what you have in mind. I loved being able to build my dream picnic! This isn’t your generic picnic set up, they really put the “boutique” in boutique picnic company. Once you fill out the form, the team will contact you with a quote and more details.
Our Experience
STORY TIME: I planned this as an anniversary surprise for my boyfriend. The tricky part was that we needed to be at the Old Mission for our time slot and we were coming all the way from San Diego! At first I was worried about being too early. But after running into a traffic jam, going on a hunt for bathrooms, and getting gas; we were suddenly behind schedule. As we’re parking (and only 5 minutes late I might add) he notices someone trying to jump their car and wants to go help. I all but lost it and started dragging him towards the Rose Garden! He totally thought I was being crazy until we stopped in front of the picnic.
Our two hours flew by while we were munching on the cheeseboard and enjoying the sun and view. It was absolutely the highlight of our road trip!
More Highway 1 Activity Ideas:
- Northern California Road Trip Itinerary
- 11 Bay Area Day Trip Ideas
- Or, wanting a little detour? Drive through the Los Padres National Forest and stay at the adorable boutique hotel of Cuyama Buckhorn.
