It'd be a perfect weekend to go up to Santa Barbara.

But if you didn't exactly make plans, no worries.

It's basically always a perfect weekend to go up to Santa Barbara.

A fitting primer for Hotel Californian, a splendid coastal retreat clad in the city's distinctive Spanish style, now soft-open near where State Street meets the sea.

It's a lovely place. Such a lovely face. Yes, we had to. Oh, and it has beautiful Moroccan detailing from the lobby to the spa. And so you know, you'll be staying in the Alcazar suite, aka the one with the fully stocked cocktail cart. You'll also be enjoying:

The rooftop pool that looks out on the ocean and mountains.
Suffice it to say, it's nice.

Breakfast from Goat Tree.
That's the cafe. With smoked pork hand pies. Yes, Goat Tree.

Wine and beer tastings in the "Funk Zone."
Correction: the tragically named "Funk Zone."

Being massaged with shea butter in your room or in the spa.
You've never not enjoyed that.

Dinner and drinks at Blackbird. 
Cocktail. Rabbit confit. Wine. Petrale sole. Wine. Holstein ribeye.

Necessarily in that order.