Solvang, CA
Welcome to our Santa Barbara Getaways blog series! Every week for 4 weeks, we will highlight a different getaway trip idea for Santa Barbara locals and visitors. We’ll give you an inside look at some of our favorite towns near Santa Barbara, and what makes them perfect for a day or weekend trip. This week’s getaway is Santa Ynez Valley, California!
Set between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the San Rafael Mountains, the Santa Ynez Valley is a scenic area full of rolling hills, farmland, and vineyards. Santa Ynez is a central point of Santa Barbara’s renowned wine country, boasting the highest concentration of vineyards in the county. The Valley is made up of six small towns, most within three miles of each other, all offering their own distinct dining, boutiques, and activities.
Sunstone Winery, Santa Ynez, CA
Distance from Santa Barbara: 47 minutes
Coffee: Queen Cup Coffee in Santa Ynez offers a diverse coffee and drink menu as well as a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Get Outside: There are so many ways to get active in the valley! Take a relaxing stroll by Lake Cachuma, a hike at Nojoqui Falls Park, or take a vineyard and wine tour on horseback at Vinos Vaqueros.
Restaurants: SY Kitchen in Santa Ynez offers Italian fine dining and a wide selection of local wine. Or try Bob’s Well Bread Bakery, located in both Ballard and Los Alamos, for a wholesome breakfast or lunch meal.
Shopping: Shop curated wellness products, accessories, and local goods at Los Olivos General Store. And don’t forget to grab a good book at The Book Loft in Solvang, which also houses the Hans Christian Andersen museum upstairs.
DK Group recommended activity: Stop by Solvang, a historic village in Santa Ynez, famous for its Danish bakeries, architecture, and windmills. Offering plenty of shopping and wineries, Solvang is a unique slice of Europe in the heart of California.
Our favorite SYV fact: The town of Buellton in Santa Ynez Valley is home to over 100 ostriches and emus, giant birds native to Africa and Australia. You can see, feed, and even purchase a giant ostrich egg, all at OstrichLand USA.
OstrichLand USA, Buellton, CA
Want to hear about more fun getaway ideas? Click the links below to read the other posts in our series!
