Serenely tucked above Santa Barbara and a few miles inland is lush, the secreted Santa Ynez Valley, settled by the Spaniards in 1804 with a garden-set mission and in 1911 by Danish Americans who pushed out from the boundaries of Mission Santa Inez to establish the “Little Denmark” community of Solvang.
A perfect trip to the Santa Ynez Valley means just a little something different for every visitor. This is exactly what makes the wine country of California’s Central Coast such a hidden gem. Choose from morning hikes with Pacific Ocean views to lush vineyards that produce a broad array of varietals to a diverse culinary scene rooted in the farm-to-table movement. There’s something for everyone. Choose your favorite adventure or two!
For the Baby Boomer
Arrive in late afternoon at the Santa Ynez Inn or the Ballard Inn, two of the most charming and romantic wine country bed and breakfasts in California. Once settled in, head to dinner at the Ballard Inn’s The Gathering Table, where award-winning chef Budi Kazali melds Asian and French cuisine to create a truly unique dining experience.
Begin the day with an Old West exploration of the shops, museums and galleries of Santa Ynez. Then have a local wine tour operator pick you up for a day of wine tasting. First stop is The Lucky Hen Larder, where a gourmet picnic lunch will be prepared and packaged for you to enjoy at one of the many picturesque estate vineyards near Santa Ynez. Finish the day with dinner at S.Y. Kitchen, where you’ll treat yourself to fresh, modern Italian dishes that are almost entirely locally sourced.
Day Two starts with a spa treatment at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa or the The Spa at The Chumash Casino Resort. Next, move to downtown Los Olivos, enjoying lunch at the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe. Save time for the boutique shopping, art, and tasting rooms that have given Los Olivos so much character. Then cruise the estate vineyards of Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. Cap a perfect day and trip with the refined ranch cuisine of The Bear & Star.
For the Gen X family
The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott or the “glamping” experience at Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground make Buellton the perfect base for family travelers. In Buellton you’ll find a visit to Ostrichland USA will please the kids while two family-friendly breweries, Figueroa Mountain and Firestone Walker, will help adults unwind after a day of travel.
Day One begins in the storybook Danish-American town of Solvang. Enjoy a famed Aebleskiver at Solvang Restaurant, then treat the kids to a chocolate-making or cookie-decorating experience at one of Solvang’s authentic Danish bakeries. After lunch, it’s time for a group horseback ride through the vineyard with Vino Vaqueros or KAP Land & Cattle. Then relax with a family-friendly wine tasting at Buttonwood Farm and Winery. Return to Solvang for some fun at The Ultimate Escape Room or Space VR (virtual reality) and some authentic Italian at Leonardo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria.
Day Two begins at Nojoqui Falls State Park, where a relatively short, shady hike ends with a big payoff. Stop at El Rancho Marketplace for picnic supplies, then head to Lake Cachuma for a day of fishing, wildlife viewing, or water recreation. Finish the day with a casual dinner at La Tequila in Buellton.
For the Millennial
Make your basecamp in the Scandinavian chic confines of The Landsby, an urban retreat in downtown Solvang, or the themed rooms of The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos, nestled in the foodie haven of Los Alamos. Start the trip with dinner at PICO at the Los Alamos General Store, named by Wine Enthusiast as among the best wine country restaurants anywhere.
Begin the first full day with breakfast at The Baker’s Table in Santa Ynez followed by a glider ride over the Santa Ynez Valley from Cloud 9 Glider Rides, which operates out of the Santa Ynez Airport. After the ride, head to Los Olivos for a tour and tasting at Global Gardens, renowned for its estate-produced, organic olive oils. Return to Los Alamos, where tasty eats such as the moules frites at Bell’s await. Visit the urban tasting rooms such as Casa Dumetz and finish the day with dinner at Full of Life Flatbread, a pioneer of Los Alamos’ culinary scene.
Begin the second day with a scenic three-hour hike through Gaviota State Park, which includes 2,775 acres of oak-dotted trails, a natural hot spring, and views of the Pacific Ocean. After the hike, grab lunch at Industrial Eats in Buellton then explore the wineries around the area, including Standing Sun Wine, which boasts a unique combination of wine, art and music. End with dinner at First & Oak in Solvang for a truly intimate experience.
For more information or to begin planning a trip to the Santa Ynez Valley, visit visitsyv.com.
a75vk7
Keep up the excellent work, I read few articles on this web site and I think that your website is real interesting and contains sets of great information.
I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours as of late, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It¦s lovely worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the internet will probably be much more helpful than ever before.
It is in reality a nice and helpful piece of info.
I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful info with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thanks
for sharing.
Hello everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this site, and post is truly fruitful designed for
me, keep up posting these types of content.
When some one searches for his required thing, thus he/she
needs to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.
Hello! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa?
My site covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I
believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!
I read this piece of writing completely on the topic of the difference of hottest and earlier technologies, it’s remarkable article.
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for Sex Dating
Hello There. I found your weblog the usage of msn. This is a really neatly written article.
I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful info.
Thank you for the post. I will certainly comeback.
Actually when someone doesn’t understand then its up to other users
that they will assist, so here it occurs.
Great post.
You have made some really good points there.
I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will
go along with your views on this website.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to
be really something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complex and extremely broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of
it!
If you are going for finest contents like me, just go to see this web page everyday as it offers feature contents,
thanks
I always spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s articles or reviews everyday along
with a mug of coffee.
If some one wants expert view regarding blogging after
that i propose him/her to pay a quick visit this website, Keep up
the fastidious work.
I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts in this sort of
house . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site.
Studying this info So i’m happy to show that I’ve an incredibly good
uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I
needed. I so much definitely will make sure to don?t overlook this site and provides it a glance
on a continuing basis.
What i do not realize is in truth how you’re not actually a lot more neatly-preferred than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore significantly in terms of this subject, produced me in my opinion imagine it from numerous various angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated except it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. All the time handle it up!
Keep on working, great job!
Here is my blog … vpn coupon 2024
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful.
Thanks for sharing!
Take a look at my web-site; vpn special code
Very shortly this web page will be famous among all blog users, due to it’s pleasant content