Engage in the rich cultural heritage and environmental preservation in the stunning seaside “American Riviera” and the rich expanse of Santa Ynez Valley’s wine country.
This immersive experience brings to life the regions’ Chumash, Spanish, and Gilded Age heritage with private Bluedot tours of storied Lotusland gardens and Bellosguardo Mansion in Montecito and their remarkable rescue and restoration. Along the journey, enjoy whale watching, Sedgwick Nature Preserve, the Chumash Museum, Rancho San Julian, Roblar Winery, and exquisite farm-to-table cuisine at top restaurants. The Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara and the welcoming Genevieve in Santa Ynez offer Bluedot Travelers comfort and luxury.
5 nights’ luxury boutique accommodations
All meals listed, including wine pairings at featured dinners
Private guides and experts
Whale watching tour
Visits to all locations, including entrance fees, guides and gratuities
All group transportation
Airfare to/from Santa Barbara
Optional spa treatments or personal shopping
Travel insurance (recommended)
Parking
A luxe hotel in the heart of downtown with Spanish-style architecture, exquisite views, wine-tasting room and barely a block from the ocean.
Stroll through the Funk Zone arts district and wine tasting rooms.
This professionally guided marine experience takes guests into the Santa Barbara Channel — a biodiversity hotspot — to view whales, dolphins, and sea lions. The boat is a quiet, Earth-friendly catamaran, perfect for scenic exploration.
The 27-room Gilded Age estate of heiress Huguette Clark is perched high above the Pacific. Her story is told in the book Empty Mansions and will soon be released as an HBO series. Preserved by a local foundation, Bluedot will have lunch in the estate greenhouse and tour the opulent halls and immaculate grounds, a window into Santa Barbara’s architectural and cultural history.
Enjoy an exclusive docent-led tour of the 37-acre botanical estate followed by a meeting with the executive director. Once home to opera singer and garden visionary Madame Ganna Walska, Lotusland’s rare collection of exotic plants and themed gardens offers an awe-inspiring immersion in sustainable horticulture and natural beauty.
Santa Barbara’s Spanish heritage district and architecture, and visit to Mission Santa Barbara.
Rancho San Julian, for 183 years under the management and ownership of one family, has participated in the political, social and agricultural history of Santa Barbara County. Today, this regenerative ranch under Jim Poett's leadership is at the forefront of regional land management and conservation. His wife, Marianne Partridge, oversees the most influential and widely read news publication in the region, covering breaking news, politics and culture.
Nestled in an oak tree-studded 21-acre vineyard, Roblar Winery reflects the spirit of the Santa Ynez Valley—rustic, authentic and bold. Roblar's philosophy is to showcase the diversity and beauty that only Santa Ynez vineyards have to offer.
Formerly the Santa Ynez Inn, The Genevieve has exceptional hospitality and impeccable service in the heart of the town of Santa Ynez. The hotel features The Victor Restaurant and Bar and a beautiful day spa.
Farm-to-table cuisine in Santa Ynez.
Western music and line dancing.
This 6,000-acre natural reserve managed by UC Santa Barbara is a sanctuary for native species and a living classroom for conservation. Guided walks introduce Bluedot guests to ecology, climate resilience research, appreciation of the landscape and the Chumash cultural heritage.
At this newly completed museum, discover the history of the Chumash people and how they lived in the beautiful natural world of this region since time immemorial. For more than 8,000 years, the Chumash have persevered and now, 350 generations later, are a thriving nation with a revitalized community.
Free time in Los Olivos, Santa Ynez shopping, or spa.
We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:
Phone: (860) 251-9504
Email: travel@bluedotliving.com
Our team is available to assist with bookings, itinerary changes, and any questions you may have. Let us help you make your Hollywood dream trip a reality!
At Bluedot Living Travel, we create immersive, sustainable and luxurious travel experiences that reconnect you with the planet — and with those working to protect it. Our trips invite you into conversation with local changemakers, offering unforgettable moments of inspiration, insight, and renewal in some of the world’s most breathtaking places.
These journeys are more than vacations. They're designed to restore your sense of wonder, deepen your environmental consciousness, and remind you that you’re not alone in caring about the future of our planet. Around dinner tables, on quiet walks, or during hands-on experiences, you’ll meet fellow travelers who are also seeking meaningful connection, learning, and joy.
Bluedot Living Travel began in the wake of personal loss. In early 2018, after fires, floods, and mudslides devastated her Santa Barbara community, founder Victoria Riskin felt the urgency of climate change firsthand. A writer, psychologist, and longtime human rights advocate, Vicki knew the power of storytelling — especially stories grounded in hope, action, and community.
She launched Bluedot Living, a media platform highlighting everyday people making sustainable change. From that, she created the Bluedot Institute, which brings youth into the climate conversation through writing workshops, speaker series, and retreats in remarkable ecological settings.
Soon, a new idea emerged: What if these powerful, place-based experiences weren’t just for students? What if adults could also gather in wild, stunning places to learn, connect, and act? That idea became Bluedot Living Travel.
We’d love for you to join us on a journey — one that leaves you inspired, connected, and ready to shape a better world.