Ever heard of a BabyMoon? In the 1990’s a ‘babymoon’ was considered to be an uninterrupted time of bonding for the parents after the birth of their baby. In the recent year, it seems that the term has changed and become more of a vacation for first-time parents before the birth of their baby.
Having a baby changes everything, so I highly recommended a getaway to do something fun for YOU, even if it’s a staycation.
When is the best time to do a BabyMoon?
You can go on a BabyMoon at any point in your pregnancy, but I would say the sweet spot is at 5-months. This is the point when it’s still safe for you to travel on a plane or long distances in a car, your energy level is at it’s best, and you aren’t in the uncomfortable stage just yet.
If plan to go later in your pregnancy, keep in mind that around 7-months is when you usually can’t fly unless a doctor approves. This is a great opportunity to explore a new location close by (under 2-hours away is ideal…the frequent bathroom stops are a real thing).
What do you do on a BabyMoon?
Relax, eat all the food, and enjoy a new level of intimacy before it’s no longer the two of you. Go on an adventure, explore the town, shop, hike, float in the pool or beach, do a spa day – the options are endless! Do the things you wouldn’t have time for once the baby arrives.
On our BabyMoon we went to Solvang, California.
I was about 25-weeks along when we went on our BabyMoon and it was a last minute decision. We realized we had so much going on leading up to the birth of our daughter, and we only had a short window of time we could take off work. We chose Solvang because it was just a few hours away and I could only take 2-hours driving in a car at that point.
What we loved about Solvang is it’s a perfect weekend getaway and once we parked our car, we didn’t have to drive anywhere because everything is a short walk away.
Where to Stay
We stayed at The Landsby Hotel, a dreamy modern Scandinavian design inside the cutest Danish architecture. This place is a 10/10 in aesthetic and gives the IKEA vibes we all want to live in.
Here’s a tour of our room…
Where to Eat
Downstairs at The Landsby is a beautiful restaurant – Mad & Vin. You can enjoy a wonderful dinning experience indoors, out on the patio, or in the courtyard by the fire pits. I recommend making a reservation for dinner to guarantee a table and it won’t take as long to be seated. The food is so delicious we ate there 2-nights in a row! We ate the BUCATINI & ROASTED MUSHROOMS pasta and it was so good that sharing wasn’t an option! Plus, they had this amazing CASTELVETRANOS & MARCONAS that is addictive – it’s basically a red pepper, tomato, parmesan dip with bread. It’s a $$ rating that is worth it with quality of food and a great ambiance.
After dinner, I recommend enjoying a mocktail (for my pregnant ladies) or glass of wine with your dessert out in the courtyard next to the fire pit as you unwind for the evening.
A great breakfast spot is Brekkies by Chomps – their breakfast burritos with the tots were top-notch! They also have a great cup of house coffee.
For lunch, we tried a couple of places – Coast Range had all the vibes at the bar if you want to stop in for a cocktail and appetizer. Peasants FEAST has a great menu showcasing locally sourced food, giving you a taste of the area as you enjoy lunch on the patio.
Coffee & Danishes
There are tons of cute danish bakeries to choose from, but we stopped for some raspberry danishes and pistachio squares at Mortensen’s.
If you know me, you know I LOVE coffee and supporting small local business while traveling. So, we found this cute little coffee shop called Good Seed Coffee and they had the sweetest baristas – good coffee & good vibes. Plus, they had beautiful wisteria flower in bloom out front.
Wine Tasting
There are so many great wine tasting rooms around Solvang that are in walking distance away from the hotel. Enjoying a glass of wine was the only thing missing for me on this trip, but being pregnant I couldn’t partake.
BUT…
for those of you who are looking to do some local wine tasting, as a guest of The Landsby, you can enjoy complimentary and 2-for-1 tastings with their Local Winery Guide – just ask at the front desk!
Here are a couple of our favorite Santa Barbara wines that have tasting rooms close by…
Solvang is the cutest little town to visit for the day or to enjoy a short weekend getaway. It’s great for the wine connoisseur, the foodie, and even the kiddos!
Have you been to Solvang? Let me know in the comments what your favorite thing you did when visiting.
Rachel Sopak 
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