The Concierge Edit

A first hint of summer... longer days, coastal air, and the season just beginning to unfold. 

May feels like the quiet preview of summer.

The light is lingering a little longer, evenings soften, and there’s a subtle shift toward spontaneity. Last-minute plans that turn into something memorable, a glass of wine that stretches into sunset, a weekend that feels just slightly more open.

It’s not quite summer yet, but you can feel it approaching. 

🗓️ Important Date Reminders

Sunday, May 10 Mother's Day

Monday, May 25 Memorial Day

🥂 Upcoming Events & Highlights

Roar & Pour 

Saturday, May 2 at the Santa Barbara Zoo
This signature wine tasting event offers a slightly more spirited take on the traditional format. Expect dozens of local varietals, the zoo open after hours, and the chance to wander the grounds with a glass in hand. Sun setting over the Pacific, music in the background, and animal habitats just steps away. A little less formal, a little more fun, and a distinctly Santa Barbara kind of evening.

Opening Day of Polo Season 

Sunday, May 3 at the Santa Barbara Polo Club
The season begins and marks one of the most iconic returns to the Riviera calendar. Afternoons here are as much about the scene as the sport. Champagne flowing, well-appointed picnics along the sidelines, and a social energy that carries from the first match through golden hour. Whether you’re following the game or simply taking it all in, it’s a beloved Santa Barbara tradition that signals the season has officially arrived.

Bowl Concerts 

Wednesday, May 6  James Taylor
Thursday, May 7  Flight of the Conchords

I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival 

Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 at the Old Mission Santa Barbara
Set against the backdrop of the Old Mission, this annual tradition transforms the grounds into a collection of large-scale chalk murals. It’s best experienced slowly, as an easy morning or afternoon wandering through the artwork as it comes to life.

The Highlight: Santa Barbara Culinary Experience 

Monday, May 11 through Sunday, May 17 
The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience returns with a full calendar of food and wine events across Santa Barbara, each one rooted in the region’s deep culinary identity.

Presented in partnership with the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, the experience draws inspiration from Julia Child’s long-standing love of Santa Barbara, with events hosted at many of her favorite places throughout town.

For a few days, the city becomes something of a culinary playground,  equal parts refined and relaxed.

The Main Event: The Grand Wine Tasting, Saturday May 16
Dozens of top wineries, chefs, and culinary partners come together for an afternoon of tastings, small bites, and conversation in a beautifully set coastal environment. It’s lively, social, and expansive without losing the sense of quality and curation that defines the experience.

What Else to Expect Throughout the Week
Beyond the Grand Tasting, the week unfolds across a series of smaller, more intimate events:

• Vineyard tastings and golden hour gatherings in the Santa Ynez Valley, often paired with small bites and winemaker conversations
• Farm tours and seasonal lunches, where the setting is just as memorable as the menu
• Chef-led dinners hosted at beloved local restaurants, offering multi-course experiences with thoughtful wine pairings
• Hands-on workshops and tastings—from wine education to culinary demonstrations

You’ll also see events tied to some of Santa Barbara’s most iconic culinary spaces, places that have long defined the region’s food culture and, in many cases, were part of Julia Child’s own orbit.

💐 Hosting & Entertaining

May doesn’t ask for much, just a good setting and a little intention. Think:

•     Sunset aperitivo 
•     A simple table with fresh market flowers
•     Something chilled to drink and nowhere to rush off to

This is the time of year where less planning often results in something better.

🧳 Travel Desk

If you still have a few open days in your summer calendar, but Mediterranean travel time is too much, I'll suggest Las Ventanas al Paraíso as an easy pop down to paradise.

Eagle eyes may have spotted Jon Hamm in this familiar setting on AppleTV's current season of Your Friends & Neighbors. For me, it was the tree by the pool, and I knew immediately. It really is one of the most stunning resorts in the world, elevated even further by its level of service, and all just a short flight away.

Yes, you should treat yourself to the Ty Mansion.
No, it won’t be my money.
And yes, an oceanfront villa will also make for an incredible stay.

Through my Rosewood Elite partnership, enhanced amenities and privileges are always extended, along with a level of VIP service that ensures your stay is even better than you imagine.

💌 I'd Love to Hear From You

Are you easing into the season locally, or letting it pull you somewhere new?

Whether it’s a reservation, a weekend plan, or shaping a trip already in motion, I’m always happy to step in where it’s helpful.

Best,
Harrison
Your private, trusted resource on the American Riviera & Beyond

Harrison Lifestyle Concierge
📞 +1 805 245 7007
📧 harrison@harrisonlifestyleconcierge.com
🌐 www.harrisonlifestyleconcierge.com