Located in northern Santa Barbara County, the Santa Ynez Valley is just 35 miles from the beaches of Santa Barbara, 125 miles up the coast from Los Angeles and 300 miles south of San Francisco. The region is easily accessible via car, train and plain.
Tour and taste the region's acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and other varietals at over 70 world-class wineries and tasting rooms. Golf, hike, bike, fish, see wildlife, tour a horse ranch, take a horseback ride or soar over it all in a glider. You're guaranteed to bump into any of the valley's shining stars as you play and eat your though the valley. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a vineyard or waterside at Lake Cachuma. Savor delicious meals within every budget from gourmet wine country cuisine to Danish, international and classic American favorites.
Los Olivos, nestled smack dab in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County is one of six uniquely inspiring little townships, all known for old-world hospitality and friendliness, with a blend of the current in California. Known for its upscale Americana with art galleries, an art museum, boutiques, and a moratorium instituted on wine tasting rooms with some 35 to choose from, the little town offers a world class inn and many a reinacted scene on its boardwalks from the movie Sideways. While the town squares flag was recently lowered in honor of Michael Jackson's passing - an honor bestowed on local residents only - at last report we understand that Neverland won't be felled to the second coming of Graceland. And we all breath a sigh of relief.
Just down the road from Los Olivos, past the miniature pony farm and the lavendar fields, Ballard is home to a still-very-functional little red schoolhouse, two restaurants and a bed & breakfast. While ' Up Valley ', the bustling intersection of Buellton is conveniently located at US Highway 101 and State Highway 246 with "everything for the traveler". A grand prix style curly highway drive toward the sun will land you at Los Alamos with its old-time Western feel to the seven-block long main street offering an antique mall in a historic train depot, quaint shops, restaurants and parks. And yes, Brad and Angelina are known to bring the kids here for their favorite ice cream treats after a day spent at Hollister on the beach.
The turn-of-the 20th century village of Santa Ynez serves real cowboys at a historic saloon and old west history at the museum along with inns, restaurants and stores. Just next door is the world class Chumash Casino and Resort with epic concerts offered up every weekend all year long and endless opportunities to dump your coin purse into a well lit up and soundtracked box, while enjoying a stiff cocktail.
Finally, spend some time exploring the Danish-inspired city of Solvang - a popular stop for traditional bakeries featuring Danish pastries, breads and foods plus more than 200 European style shops, antique stores, museums and dozens of inns, hotels, resorts, restaurants and tasting rooms. The Danes who first settled this region of the Santa Ynez Valley, found comfort in the visual artistry they created in landing their windmills and wooden clogs smack dab on the oak studded mesas and grassy hills rolling to the Santa Ynez River. But don't be fooled - there's a hip and contemporary renaissance happening below the thatched rooves and behind the timbered facades with the additions of Bradley Ogend's new restaurant Root 246 at Corque Hotel and the renovated offerings at The Pedersberg Inn to note a few internal combustion machines mixing up the traditions.
With its museums, Mission Santa Ines, shopping, galleries, clothing boutiques, gift and antique stores, 24/7 gaming, world-class concerts and entertainment, spas, inns, lodges, luxury resorts and full-service hotels, country-western two stepping, and vibrant cultural calendar, everytime is the perfect time to discover and visit the Santa Ynez Valley.
