travel and leisure santa ynez valley

The Ultimate Travel Guide to the Santa Ynez Valley

Updated February 2023

When it comes to planning a trip to California’s Santa Ynez Valley, look no further. From chic digs to call home to elevated dining, the area is laidback and refined.

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This last month I explored Santa Ynez California for 48 hours as part of a larger road trip to central California . It’s an area that has long been on my list for checking out and after doing so, I wish I would have had a few days more to explore. It’s effortlessly cool — each town is unique in offerings, small and quaint, and yet rich with a lot to enjoy.

The valley is compromised of several towns, some of which I perused through like Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Los Alamos, and the town of Solvang. The beauty of this wine region area is that all are within 15-20 minutes of each other.

So if you pick a centrally located hotel, you can easily pop into each of these spots. As far as things to do in the valley, it’s chock-full of wineries, rolling hills, and mild weather to enjoy lounging outdoors.

So if you’re looking for a classically cool wine country to enjoy, check out the guide below to plan your trip to the Santa Ynez Valley.

Good to Know Before Traveling

How Far from San Francisco : ~5 hours How Far from Los Angeles : ~2.5 hours

How many nights : Since it’s a bit of a trek from the Bay Area, I recommend staying for three to four nights so that you can visit multiple places and make time to relax. If you are coming from LA, three nights in Santa Ynez California should be plenty.

Time of Year : Though you can visit Santa Ynez year-round, spring and fall are really nice. Winter can be pretty cold and rainy, and summer can get pretty sweltering in the valley. October is definitely one of the most beautiful months to visit the central coast in general, but spring features stunning blooms and rolling green hills thanks to the winter rain.

Destinations in The Valley : The wine region is full of the most charming and adorable wine-tasting towns. Los Olivos, Solvang, and Santa Ynez are all right next to each other in the valley, making it easy to see all three within a couple of days. Los Alamos is another must-visit that is a little further north, but definitely worth checking out.

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Where to stay in the Santa Ynez Valley

Hotel Ynez is a private and charming accommodation that is perfect for those seeking a relaxing weekend in wine country. The hotel sits on two acres of stunning land, and it’s easy to lose track of time as you explore the vibrant gardens and Oak trees. Whether you’re looking to lounge by the pool or enjoy a nightcap by one of the fire pits, Hotel Ynez has everything you need for a serene stay. From $217 per night

Fess Parker Wine Country Inn

The Fess Parker Wine Country Inn is a more upscale option that is steps away from the main strip of wineries in Los Olivos. Their restaurant Nella is one of the best in the valley (more on that below), and the hotel itself offers a low-key yet luxurious stay. From $631 per night

The Landsby

The Landsby is a modern and innovative hotel that is located right in the heart of Solvang. You can easily walk to all of the best wineries and eateries in the beloved Danish town without issue, and their on-site restaurant Mad & Vin is amazing. From $238 per night

Skyview Los Alamos

Los Alamos is on the northern end of the valley, and the Skyview Motel is one of the most unique and iconic accommodations in the area. Though it’s undergone a lavish renovation, it still has that small-town, motel charm. From $209 per night

Bodega House Los Alamos

If you like to use Airbnb to book accommodations, the Bodega House is definitely one of (if not the) best rentals in the region. It shares a property with Bodega, ensuring that amazing wine is just steps away from your front door. From $389 per night

The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection (COMING SOON)

One of the most anticipated openings for luxury California hotels is right in Los Alamos. Auberge Resorts is amidst a large renovation of the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern. It’s set to open up this summer (tbd exact dates) but this will be the valley’s most luxurious hotel option. Auberge is known for spacious suites, plenty of amenities, and always a great food and beverage option onsite. Rates TBD

The Best Restaurants in the Santa Ynez Valley

Nella Kitchen & bar

Whether you’re looking for a full sit-down dinner or simple bites at the bar, Nella is a must for foodies visiting. All of their ingredients are locally sourced and seasonal, and the food never disappoints.

Industrial Eats

Located in Buellton, Industrial Eats serves up seasonal dishes in a communal dining space, creating a unique sense of community as you eat. They also have a craft butcher counter that you can browse if you’re looking to cook at home one evening.

After winning one of Santa Barbara county’s first Michelin stars, Bells in Los Alamos has become one of the biggest restaurants in the Valley. Even though it’s on the fancier side, it’s also super kid-friendly.

Lucky Hen Larder

Santa Ynez is full of picnic-worthy spots to post up, and Lucky Len Larder sells amazing sandwiches that are easy to take on the go. You can even grab some special cheeses from the artisan shop while you wait for your sandwiches to be made.

Bar le Cote

Bar le Cote is a great option for those seeking a fine dining experience during their visit. They serve upscale, European-inspired fare with a California twist in a stylish and retro space.

Peasants Feast

Located in Solvang, this is a casual spot yet incredibly adorable. Their laidback menu has everything from sandwiches to soups, making it an easy lunch to have when in town.

S.Y. Kitchen

S.Y. Kitchen brings a taste of Italy to Santa Ynez Valley. The menu is full of flavorful dishes that use local ingredients, and if you find yourself getting sick of wine, they have an amazing cocktail list to choose from.

Bobs Well Bread

Bobs Well Bread is a breakfast staple in Los Alamos. Start your day with their Egg-in-a-Jar or breakfast sandwich before snagging a loaf of their famous sesame sourdough to-go.

Solvang Bakery

The Solvang Bakery looks like something straight out of a fairytale. From the pink sign to the aromatic goodies that line the walls of this bakery, this is a must-see when visiting.

Pony Espresso

Pony Espresso in Santa Ynez is a quaint little coffee shop that is super convenient for when you need to add a little pep to your step. They also have sandwiches and bagels, along with some wine and beer if you want to make a short pit stop for lunch.

Lefty’s Coffee Co

If you want to get a real sense of just how tight-knit the community of Los Olivos is, go to Lefty’s. Visitors and locals alike love this coffee shop (and its sweet treats).

Things to Do in the Santa Ynez Valley

Shop the Local Boutiques 

There are so many amazing artisan shops to explore in Santa Ynez Valley. Santa Ynez General and Forage Florals are two must-sees when in Santa Ynez. Just be warned, it is nearly impossible to walk into either of these places without buying something. The Los Olivos General Store is another great shop that has everything from gourmet foods to jewelry.

Stroll through Los Olivos

Despite the fact that it is incredibly small, there is so much to see and do in Los Olivos. Start your day off by getting a coffee at Lefty’s to prepare for all of the wine that you’re about to drink. Some of my favorite tasting rooms include Epiphany and The Bubble Shack , both of which are at Fess Parker. Saarloos + Sons is another local gem that is a must for wine tasting. Once you’re ready to take a break, stop by the Los Olivos General Store and Global Eye Art and do some browsing.

Wine Tasting in the valley

There are world-class wineries in Santa Ynez Valley that look straight out of Italy. If you want to experience amazing wine with an even better view, visit Sunstone Winery . This is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking wineries in the valley. Brave and Maiden is another stunning spot that features a huge estate with sprawling vineyards.

Go to Bodega Los Alamos

Bodega is one of the most popular wine-tasting spots in Los Alamos. This tasting room has a farmhouse aesthetic that is both warm and inviting, making it the perfect place to post up for a tasting. As you sip your wine, be sure to walk around the property to check out the gardens, greenhouse, and shop. In addition to a bottle of wine, I also highly recommend leaving with one of their famous fruit and beeswax candles (they smell amazing).

Stroll through Solvang

Simply walking through the Danish town of Solvang is a wonderful activity in itself. The European architecture and iconic windmills truly transport you to the other side of the world, and the streets are filled with smells of freshly baked goods. Though there are several bakeries in Solvang, The Solvang Bakery is my favorite. Once you’re ready for some vino, stop by Dana V. Wines for a tasting a snag a spot around one of the fire pits out front.

Want to put together a road trip that includes the Santa Ynez Valley? Check out this Central California itinerary !

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How to Spend a Weekend in California’s Santa Ynez Valley

By Krista Simmons

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Santa Ynez Valley is most widely known as the backdrop for the cult classic film Sideways , but writing it off as a Hollywood road trip would be a great disservice. Much like the wines grown in the region, there’s a real depth and character to this historic part of the Central Coast worth exploring and revisiting often.

The area is home to the native Chumash tribe, who recognized the bounty of the land, characterized by undulating hills, gnarled oak trees, and electric fields of wildflowers. Following the arrival of Spanish and Danish colonies, ranching and generational viticulture took hold in this corner of Santa Barbara County, and over time the Valley became a vortex for creative energy in winemaking and beyond. 

Angelenos have been lured by this slower way of living, like boulanger Bob Oswaks, a Hollywood studio executive who traded in his corner office for sourdough starter, launching Bob’s Well Bread , which recently opened a second cafe in the town of Ballard. Similarly, Daisy and Greg Ryan escaped the frenzy of the New York City restaurant scene to open their critically acclaimed restaurant Bell’s in Los Alamos, gaining an army of evangelists from both wine country and further afield when they did.

There are young, minimal intervention winemakers taking a crack at it, too, and smart hoteliers creating weekender-worthy hotels. Not to mention the barbecued tri-tip for which the area is known. Is the valley calling to you, too? If not, it will be soon. Here’s how to make the most of your stay in this magical corner of California.

Solvang is recognizable for its Danish-style architecture.

Getting to and around the Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Ynez Valley encompasses six communities clustered together like the Syrah grapes the area grows in abundance: Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Los Alamos, Buellton, and Solvang, plus the emerging Ballard area. Each town has a definitive kitsch and character, and while they’re close to each other as the crow flies, we recommend getting around by car where you can. (If you want to taste wine, and you should if that's your thing, it’s better to hire a driver.)

You can also cycle through the vineyards with Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours . And if you want to dedicate an entire weekend to just one of the towns, without going anywhere else, that's doable. Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Solvang are the most developed of the bunch for getting around on foot.

Figueroa Mountain

What to Do in the Santa Ynez Valley

The obvious answer for what to do is: Try the wine. If you want to keep things centralized, spend a day sampling around the quaint town of Los Olivos, where tasting rooms like Holus Bolus , Solminer , Story of Soil , and Storm are within stumbling distance of each other. To get out to the bucolic estates along the 30-mile stretch of Foxen Canyon Wine Trail , you’ll want to hire a driver or tour operator. Be sure to call in for reservations, as regulations on tasting rooms and tastings are constantly updating, according to county guidelines and restrictions.

To get a little physical activity in, hike up to the waterfalls at Nojoqui Falls , or explore the caves at Gaviota Wind Tunnel . If you’re looking for a longer loop and want to make a day of it, check out the nine-plus miles of trails at Figueroa Mountain .

For something more relaxed, pack up a leisurely picnic of local cheeses and charcuterie from El Rancho Market in Santa Ynez, and enjoy lunch among the oaks at Hans Christian Anderson Park .

Steph Koyfman

Alex Erdekian

Laura Walsh

Jamie Spain

What to Eat in the Santa Ynez Valley

As is the case in most wine regions, there’s no shortage of excellent food in the area. If you want to get a taste of Santa Maria-style wood-fired cooking originally crafted by the vaqueros, head up to Woody's BBQ , or if you’re lucky enough to land on a weekend where Bell’s is hosting the Priedite pop-up on their back lot, good on you.

There are excellent wood fired pizzas at Industrial Eats , and while you’re in that part of Buellton, make sure to book a tasting with natural wine whiz kid Scotty Boy Wines . Then, do as the winemakers do and knock off with a pint at Figueroa Mountain Brewing .

A trip to this region wouldn’t be complete without a Sideways -style visit to Hitching Post 2 , which also has a fabulous wine tasting room. Before you leave town be sure to pick up a batch of English muffins, and anything else that looks good on the menu at Bob’s Well Bread.

In the coming months, the Bell’s crew is partnering up with Fishing With Dynamite ’s Brad Matthews to open Bar Le Cote , a seafood-centered tavern in Los Olivos sure to be one of the toughest tables to snag.

The Landsby

Where to Stay in the Santa Ynez Valley

If you’re looking to make Los Alamos your home base and spend your weekend perusing the local tasting rooms, antique shops, and restaurants, the ultra-hip Skyview —essentially the Ace Palm Springs for Central Coast wine country—is the spot.

The team behind that motel has also taken on the Hotel Ynez , a charming spot with a bocce ball court, pool, and fire pits, where each room has its own macrame hammock. Bonus: they offer Weber grills for DIY BBQ in case you can’t make it all the way up to Woody’s.

The Landsby , in the Danish town of Solvang, is also an excellent option for a modern Nordic vibe within walking distance to the area’s famous aebleskivers, the incredible, fresh baked Danish answer to the donut hole. Or, if you’re aching for a taste of the Old West (and the flapjacks that come along with it) book in at Alisal , and don’t miss out on the morning horseback riding, complete with a pancake breakfast at the end.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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The ultimate guide to the Santa Ynez Valley

We’ve put together perfect travel itineraries for Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton, Los Olivos and Los Alamos

If Santa Barbara is as far north as your weekend road trips from L.A.  take you, you’re missing out on an incredible getaway of food, wine and unexpected roadside attractions—all just a little farther up the road. Explore the Santa Ynez Valley and you’ll discover a hidden tiki bar, new wine tasting rooms, unforgettable eats, hotels both quirky and cool, antique and boutique shopping, funky museums, Old West charm and even an ostrich farm. Pack up the car and find out what you’re missing in the charming towns of Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton, Los Olivos and Los Alamos.

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Ultimate guide to the Santa Ynez Valley

Old West facades and horseshoe-embedded crosswalks hint at the cowboy charm of the Valley’s namesake. Mosey into town early for baked treats and coffee at The Baker’s Table . Then head to the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum to learn about the region’s history, including the Chumash Indians, ranchers, and see carriages on display from the old stagecoach route. Venture to nearby Sunstone Vineyards and Winery or Bridlewood Estate Winery for tastings, and take along a focaccia sandwich and provisions from Lucky Hen Larder . Side trips might include Summerset Farm for berries and jams, Rancho Olivos for local olive oil, and Quicksilver Ranch—recently up for sale—to meet the mini horses. No visit would be complete without a meal at S.Y. Kitchen , where you’ll find meticulously crafted cocktails and local wines to pair with excellent, modern spins on Italian fare showcasing local produce. Afterward, wet your whistle at the Maverick Saloon , a well-weathered country bar where you can see cows from the porch. Catch live country acts, pin dollars to the ceiling for luck and witness multiple wedding after-parties (there’s even a “Walk of Shame” drink special on Sundays).

Continue along the road to the enchanting Danish-themed town of Solvang where windmills and half-timbered, farm-style buildings are home to tasting rooms, bakeries, galleries and gift shops. At the new Good Seed Coffee Boutique , a small-batch roaster and stylishly modern coffee shop, try the unique Trifecta brew—a pour over and French press hybrid—alongside house-baked cinnamon buns and challah bread (Fridays only) plus gluten-free and vegan options. Get cultured at the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art and the Hans Christian Andersen Museum above the Book Loft , while gearheads should hit the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum. Grab lunch at the Solvang Restaurant , a long-running favorite for aebleskiver , round Danish pancakes filled with raspberry jam. At shops around town, you’ll find year-round Christmas decorations and adorable tchotchkes. For something more modern, be sure to visit The Copenhagen House to shop for all things Danish-designed, including home goods, LEGO, watches, amber jewelry, and more. Then escape to the High Roller Tiki Lounge , a tropical getaway of wine-based tiki drinks hidden inside Sort This Out Cellars’ tasting room. Make your way through homebrew supply shop Valley Brewers to The Backroom , a laidback speakeasy-style tasting room with hard-to-find craft brews. For dinner, head to First and Oak inside the enchanting Mirabelle Inn (an infinitely charming option for boutique accommodations), where you’ll savor a customizable tasting menu with creative, often locally sourced menu of seasonal hits like lamb risotto and truffle roasted cauliflower. Another top notch hotel option in town is Hotel Corque , which offers views of the surrounding valley and dining at the celebrated Root 246, which recently underwent a redesign, menu and bar upgrades and has a new chef de cuisine, Crystal DeLongpre.

As you roll into Buellton, an essential pit stop is the Mendenhall Museum , where you’ll be led on a reservation-only tour of colorful vintage gas pumps, porcelain road signs, classic vehicles and other stunning “petroliana” and auto-centric antiques. While a visit to the nearby Americana classic Pea Soup Andersen’s is tempting, consider heading over to the the new Hitching Post Winery tasting room for lunch. Adjacent to the iconic Hitching Post II of Sideways fame, here you can sip a flight of their famed pinot noirs and other vintages, chow on tender, wood-grilled artichokes, wonderfully juicy burgers and more, while taking in the bucolic rolling hills from picnic tables in the back. For a surreal detour, there’s the nearby Ostrichland where you can feed the namesake big birds and fellow emus. Next, head to the recently opened tasting room of Brick Barn Wine Estate, tucked inside a former Arabian horse barn on an historic 1,100-acre ranch, where you’ll encounter beautifully balanced pinots, aromatic whites like their Viognier and more. For dinner, you wouldn’t be wrong to head back to the Hitching Post II for steaks, or you might go for wood-fired pizzas, cured meats and other artisanal bites at Industrial Eats . For some stylish glamping in a vintage Airstream or cabin, head to the Flying Flags RV Resort, or look for the windmill of the adjacent Sideways Inn and its charmingly redesigned hotel rooms. For a nightcap without leaving the property, head to the new Sideways Lounge.

Upon arriving in Los Olivos, pull over to the cheerful, giant lemon that’s home to Los Olivos Lemons, a new stand serving fresh-squeezed lemonade with homemade syrups like blueberry, jalapeño and rose. For a small town—roughly three square miles—Los Olivos is packed with over two dozen tasting rooms tucked into quaint, clapboard storefronts you’d expect from wine country. Longstanding favorites include Carhartt Vineyards and Saarloos & Sons, but don’t miss relative newcomer Community Craft , where you can sip a range of excellent local and international vintages, as well as craft beers and ciders, in a laid-back space. Conveniently, you can order lunch from the neighboring Doggy Door, which features fully loaded gourmet spins like the pesto dog and the Reuben with vegan versions available. Nearby wineries worth a visit include Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard and pioneer Firestone Vineyards. For an exceptional dinner—not to mention lunch, brunch and happy hour—head to The Bear and Star , where you’ll find an inventive menu featuring their own wagyu beef and lamb raised on the Fess Parker Ranch, and seasonal heirloom produce also sourced from the ranch.

Tucked farther north just off the 101 freeway, Los Alamos is sometimes woefully neglected by food and wine seekers—don’t make the same mistake. A former stagecoach stop and home to the last standing Pacific Coast Railroad Station (now a sprawling antique mall and wine pub ), Los Alamos offers plenty of Old West character with the added bonus of innovative eateries and great local wine. Start the day with Bob’s Well Bread for top-notch artisanal pastries, loaves and breakfast plates. Browse vintage home decor at Sisters Gifts & Home , then unwind with local vintages and play bocce in the spacious backyard of Bodega Los Alamos . Other great tasting room options include Lo-Fi Wines for natural wines and vinyl, and Bedford Winery for syrahs and forgotten varietals. At Casa Dumetz sip well-balanced pinots and grenaches, and visit the adjoining Babi’s Beer Emporium for craft brews and ciders, paired with the colorfully creative tacos on house-made tortillas from Valle Fresh .

Relative newcomer Bell’s offers phenomenal French bistro-inspired fare from two Per Se alums, including a coveted French dip sandwich and classics like coq au vin made with rotisserie chicken. For phenomenal wood-fired flatbreads like the date and bacon or smoke-dried tomato and mushroom, plus farm-to-table fare like dried and aged persimmons with prosciutto and burrata, head to local stalwart Full of Life Flatbread —Los Alamos’ pioneering artisanal eatery helmed by Clark Staub. They’re open for dinner Thursday through Sunday and for lunch on the weekend, but they fill up fast, so get there early.

For an exceptional dinner featuring sustainable and local ingredients, alongside great cocktails and wines, stop by Pico (where they also have a burger night on Mondays). For a nightcap, there’s the historic 1880 Union saloon , which has been fixing drinks since the stagecoach days (and has the carriage chairs and ranch decor to prove it) and now serves craft cocktails and upscale bar fare. The adjoining 1880 Union is an event venue and a former, supposedly haunted hotel once used to film the Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s music video for “Say, Say, Say.” For accomodations, choose from the wonderfully quirky Victorian Mansion featuring creatively themed rooms, the Alamo Motel for stylishly cozy desert chic, and the beautifully restored Skyview Motel , which features a pool, on-site restaurant and stunning views. Possible side trips include nearby wineries like Presqu’ile and Martian Ranch .

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Santa barbara wine country: the best places to eat, stay and sip in the santa ynez valley.

The laid-back wine region is more attractive than ever as its first luxury resort, Auberge’s The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, opens and local restaurants earn Michelin guide distinctions.

By Elycia Rubin

Elycia Rubin

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Before Alexander Payne’s 2004 film Sideways shined a spotlight on the Santa Ynez Valley, it was mostly in-the-know oenophiles and moguls seeking an out-of-the-way escape who were drawn to the unassuming charm of this California wine region.

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While the area’s unpretentious ambiance persists nearly 20 years after Sideways premiered, what was a few decades earlier a sleepy clutch of ranchland towns — that also attracted the wealthy in search of space and privacy — has evolved into a celebrated wine and food mecca with a growing number of Michelin-approved restaurants, swanky shops, boutique hotels and architecturally striking wineries.

Not surprisingly, these offerings lured many Angelenos seeking to leave the city during COVID, leading to a boon for the area. “Living here feels like a permanent vacation,” says Link Entertainment talent manager Brad Stokes, who moved with his family to the area in 2021. “It’s been great for our kids, there are less distractions, and I feel more productive.”

Home to the native Chumash tribe, who own and operate the Chumash Casino Resort , the Santa Ynez Valley now has its first bona fide luxury resort to boot.

Auberge Resorts Collection has just completed a renovation and expansion of the craftsman-style The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern (rooms from $950 a night), a former stagecoach stop in the town of Los Olivos that reigned as the social hub of the Santa Ynez Valley for more than a century.

Entertainment marketing executive John Rosenberg compares the Santa Ynez Valley — located a two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest from L.A. — to another beloved wine growing destination with undulating hillsides across the Atlantic. “The topography is similar to Tuscany, and you have an incredible lifestyle with outstanding food and wine,” says Rosenberg, whose family (including his father Lee, a founder of Triad Talent Agency) has lived in Los Olivos for more than 20 years. “Between horseback riding, golf, and the arts, there’s also a bit of culture for all ages while maintaining that small town feel. Being flashy or ostentatious is rejected here.”

THR looks at more beguiling spots to visit in the valley, which encompasses six hamlets, each emanating their own distinctive flair: the Danish-inspired village of Solvang; the historic town of Santa Ynez; the tony Los Olivos (brimming with tasting rooms), the burgeoning towns of Ballard and Buellton, and Los Alamos, steeped in authentic Western heritage.

Teeming with Scandinavian architecture and mom-and-pop shops crammed with colorful tchotchkes, Solvang (meaning “sunny fields”) is a windmill-speckled village founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants searching for a plentiful region to uphold Denmark’s traditions in America. It’s situated on land bordering the Old Mission Santa Inés.

Situated in the center of the village is The Landsby (from $299 a night), a full-service, 51-room hotel decked out in Scandinavian charm. It’s home to a bustling bar scene and one of the area’s culinary delights, Mad & Vin restaurant. With its courtyard gardens (one of them overlooks Jule Hus , the town’s jubilant Christmas shop) — peppered with outdoor seating nooks, fire pits and twinkling light —  you’ll be inclined to linger in this inviting setting for hours.

Other stays include The Winston (from $305) built inside the historic Old Mill Clock Tower, where “touchless” service means guests check in solely with an access code and nary a front desk staffer in sight. Each of the 14 individually designed guest rooms, some of the more spacious in town, incorporate splashes of jewel tones and oversized headboards.

And industry-frequented Alisal Ranch (from $595, inclusive of breakfast and dinner), is where Kevin Costner has vacationed. Swathing guests in a down-home rustic luxe aesthetic, the resort — located just a couple of miles from the center of town — offers horseback riding, archery, golf, family game nights, locally sourced ranch cuisine, and Yellowstone vibes galore . From March 19-23, Alisal is offering its WildWonder retreat designed to spark curiosity in inspiring new experiences such as a coffee workshop, cooking demos, intention setting, and line dancing lessons, all lead by celebrated artisans. 

Now, nearly three years later, the restaurant has been touted with a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction and they’ve expanded. Just across the street is their second establishment, Peasants Deli & Market , where visitors line up for freshly sliced Iberico ham, flawlessly roasted pastrami sandwiches, Instagram-famous caviar cones, Kobe beef carpaccio, and other gastronomical pleasures, adjoined by their newly opened 90’s inspired arcade complete with pinball machines and Pac-Man.

Juicy tomahawk steaks and truffled orzo risotto are just some of the top menu items at Sear Steakhouse , now under the command of owner and executive chef Nathan Peitso, whose family is behind Kenter Canyon Farms and Roan Mills. Leonardo’s is the go-to for elegant Italian dishes including short rib ravioli and chicken marsala. The lively Fitzpatrick’s Tavern , located right below The Winston Hotel, whips up a solid corned beef and cabbage, Cobb salad with house made dressing, and other pub fare. If you’re with the little ones, the burgers, salads and fries at Chomp always deliver (and there are one-of-a-kind finds next door at Vanderlei Vintage ).

Then there’s the vino. But first, a brief lay of the land. The Santa Ynez Valley is made up of a number of distinct AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas). There’s Happy Canyon , the warmest micro-climate and prized for Cabernet Sauvignon, among other classic Bordeaux varietals including Merlot, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc. Then there’s Los Olivos and Ballard Canyon , where Rhône (Syrah, Grenache, Viognier) and Bordeaux varietals also flourish, and Santa Rita Hills , regarded for top-drawer Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (the favorite of Miles, Paul Giamatti’s character in Sideways ) thanks to the marine layer and Pacific Ocean breezes that create an ideal microclimate for the grapes. Pro tip: most winery/vineyard visits require reservations, and tastings generally last 60 to 90 minutes.

For a deeper dive into the winemaking process and some of the most astounding views of the surrounding hills, a tasting with Gretchen Voelcker of Piazza Family Wines and her own label, Luna Hart Wines , is enlightening. Voelcker emphasizes organic fruits and unfiltered wines with minimal human interference to “enhance the aromatics,” she says, and relishes melding science and creativity with a dash of “woo-woo” in her poetic winemaking: “I rack in conjunction with the moon.” After tasting her Sauvignon Blanc and Graciano, you’ll toast to her celestial approach.

Afternoons here are made for sipping fine wines and nibbling on charcuterie amid oak-tree-sprinkled vineyards. Buttonwood Farm Winery and Vineyard, part of the Gleason Family’s portfolio, and Rusack Vineyards are two of the most tranquil spots to indulge in these pleasures. Further enticements at Buttonwood include a bites menu, available Friday to Sunday, along with a curated marketplace of sundries and freshly picked produce from the estate.

Discerning shoppers will be right at home at Santa Ynez General and vintage fashion shop Brass Tack . One can even have a bespoke hat designed at KJ Murphy’s by the chapeau master himself, Kevin Murphy.

For salads, sandwiches and baked goodies, go to The Lucky Hen Larder , The Baker’s Table or Pony Espresso . With its clapboard interiors and vast outdoor deck, The Victor , with dishes like mesquite-grilled Santa Maria tri-tip frites, is the newest entry to the town’s restaurant scene. It’s adjacent to the Santa Ynez Inn (from $399), which is undergoing a refresh and will reemerge as The Genevieve around March 15.

One of the most blissful retreats is the 22-room Hotel Ynez (from $167). Tucked away on a hilltop, this 22-room sanctuary offers an oak-tree-shrouded central courtyard with bocce ball court, cozy firepits and loungers (even more lovely in the evening with the twinkling lanterns), along with a parasol-surrounded swimming pool and guest rooms featuring designer bedding, patterned textiles, and outdoor hammocks.

Feast on traditional American cuisine such as prime rib, perfectly chilled hearts-of-romaine salad with roasted garlic dressing and baked horseradish-dill crusted salmon at the consistently enjoyable Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn . And S.Y. Kitchen , part of Toscana Restaurant Group, is another local favorite, serving modern Italian.

There’s also Happy Canyon Vineyard , home to the Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic, where executive winemaker and president Sean D. Pitts will guide visitors through a tour and tasting of their Piocho and Barrack Family Estate wines. For a full vineyard getaway, the property boasts four newly renovated guest cottages available to wine club members for bookings.

At the Tuscan-style Star Lane Vineyard , the California cabs are inky and elegant. And there’s Hollywood lore there too — the property was reportedly once a popular escape for film stars during the 1940’s.

Find other memorable tastings in Santa Ynez at Vincent Vineyards , lauded for their Bordeaux varietals enjoyed at their main bar or outdoor terrace; Brave & Maiden , where guests sip in a dramatically modern setting designed by Backen & Backen Architecture (whose clients have included Jeffrey Katzenberg); and Roblar Winery , where visitors can sit under a vine-covered pergola to enjoy their wide variety of estate grown wines and a farm bites menu.

Standouts include Dafoe Wines from Santa Barbara County native Rob Dafoe whose forte is classic, minimal-intervention vinos such as Albariño, Syrah and Grenache. Taste Grüner  Veltliner at David and Anna deLaski’s certified organic and biodynamic Solminer . Try winemaker James Sparks’ bright Chardonnays at Liquid Farm , where the boho chic space is equal parts tasting room and boutique. Actress-turned-winemaker Sunny Doench Stricker is the name behind lower-alcohol, acid-driven wines like her Rosé of Grenache (a.k.a. The Porch Pounder) at Future Perfect . Savor Ernst Storm’s knockout Gamay and Sauvignon Blancs at Storm Wines . At Grimm’s Bluff , enjoy opulent California cabs, along with one of the silkiest estate olive oils.

In the mood for a little adventure? Journey down the rural, 30-mile Foxen Canyon Wine Trail to experience some of its 16 prized wineries. Zaca Mesa is known for their estate grown Rhône varietals. And at Fess Parker Winery , founded by the star known for playing Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, cozy up by the floor-to-ceiling fireplace or on one of the many cushy outdoor sofas to savor their Rhône and Burgundian creations. “We can now showcase and share our beautiful wines accordingly,” says principal Ashley Parker Snider, Fess’ daughter, referring to the winery’s recent renovation.

The dynasty of Fess Parker (who died in 2010) extends to hospitality with the 19-room Fess Parker Wine Country Inn (from $455), which is undergoing renovations and has prime positioning in the heart of Los Olivos; it boasts a heated pool, two additional VRBO-style cabins just down the block, and one of the top reservations in town, Nella Kitchen & Bar , also part of the Toscana Group. The restaurant’s pinsas alone merit a visit. A tempting cross between pizza, flatbread and focaccia, these creations — including the Bianca, made with fior di latte, caramelized onions, scarpetta and five-hour Bolognese from chef Luca Crestanelli — are airy on the inside with a crispy exterior and wildly addictive.

Visitors coming from Solvang or Santa Ynez will pass through this small neighboring town on the way to Los Olivos. Mostly residential, Ballard is famous for its Little Red Schoolhouse , a school dating back to 1883 that looks right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

This town is also where former Sony executive Bob Oswaks runs his valley staple Bob’s Well Bread (with his first location about 20 minutes away in Los Alamos). There travelers can refuel (breakfast and lunch are served and there’s often a line) with such favorites as baguettes, croissants, Croque Monsieur, and house-made dog biscuits for furry family members.

Just across the street, The Ballard Inn (from $314) is under new ownership and recently unveiled a refreshed lobby, new restaurant, and shared spaces, with updated guest rooms expected later this year.

Just off the 101 and considered the gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton may not have the immediate charm of the valley’s other towns, especially with its fast-food restaurants, but there are treasures to uncover there.

Flying Flags RV Resort and Campground (from $75) is where visitors can glamp, kick back in a refurbished Airstream, or hook up an RV, while The Inn at Zaca Creek (from $330) offers six, stone-walled rooms, plus craft cocktails and California coastal cuisine on site at The Tavern.

To hang out at one of the area’s more scenic wineries, head to Pence Vineyards and Winery — no relation to the former VP — where you’ll taste high up on property surrounded by lush foliage and resident peacocks.

For sustenance, don’t be deterred by the backdrop of Giorgio’s at Parkway , from Giorgio Curti (former head chef of Leonardo’s) and Solvang native son Dave Scoggins. Located inside of a liquor store, the restaurant serves up some for the best and most reasonably priced Italian food around.

And whether you’re with the kids or not, visiting OstrichLand to experience feeding the flocks of these dazzling flightless birds is alway a treat.

This quirky town founded in 1876 is bursting with Western heritage — most notably 1880 Union Hotel , a private event space, inn and saloon which looks ripped right out of Tarantino’s Hateful Eight .

In recent years, Los Alamos has landed on the culinary maps, thanks to Daisy and Grey Ryan’s French bistro Bell’s , which earned a one Michelin star rating in 2021. There’s another Bob’s Well Bread in Los Alamosm, and Full of Life Flatbread is beloved for its organic pizzas.

Visitors can also unwind at Bodega’s wine and beer garden amid hammocks and fire pits, and even stay the night in the spot’s bungalow rental.

And Skyview Los Alamos (from $179), a 1950’s roadside motel-turned-snappy mid-century-modern getaway, is where visitors will want to retire for the night after another enjoyable day in Santa Barbara County wine country.

For visitors who want to sample even more wine — and who also appreciate fine architecture — head to three tasting spots located in two other towns. In Lompoc, check out the ultra-modern rustic barn and silo at Ofer Shepher’s Spear Winery , designed by Jones & Jones, and Stan Kroenke’s The Barn at The Hilt Estate , designed by renowned architects Howard Backen and Syliva Nobili. In Santa Maria, the Murphy family’s Presqu’ile Winery invites visitors with a radically sleek design courtesy of Taylor Lombardo.

And if you are driving in or out of the Santa Ynez Valley via State Route 154 (which connects the valley to Santa Barbara), don’t miss Cold Spring Tavern . Not only are the barbecue tri-tip sandwiches stellar (available on Saturday and Sunday), but the historic setting and animated scene at this 1800’s former waystation for stagecoaches are also a draw.

A version of this story first appeared in the March 1 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe .

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Santa Ynez Valley elevates its profile with high-end lodging and dining

Scenic California region, already renowned for vineyards, has new horizons in store for visitors

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About 250 miles northwest of San Diego, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to quaint wine-tasting rooms, pastoral rolling hills and charming ranch towns — some seemingly pulled straight from spaghetti western sets. Yet most people driving north stop 30 miles short of it, in the posh coastal getaway of Santa Barbara.

Their oversight can be forgiven: Santa Barbara has always eclipsed the greater Santa Ynez area in terms of five-star resorts. And even though Alexander Payne’s film “Sideways” gave mainstream cred to the valley’s pinot noirs over 15 years ago, Napa and Sonoma remain an obvious lure for high-end oenophiles.

That’s changing. A handful of upscale resorts and destination restaurants are raising Santa Ynez’s profile enough to match the high standards of its characteristically savory-yet-aromatic pinots and strong, citrusy chardonnays, which have long drawn those in the know.

“Santa Ynez Valley is a hidden gem,” says Samuel Eisenman, vice president of Highway West Vacations, a company that has opened four hotels in the area since 2013. Its latest, the year-old The Winston , has 14 rooms with wood-beamed ceilings, brightly colored walls, velvet-upholstered headboards and Moroccan chests in the heart of Solvang. “The culinary scene has elevated over the past several years to reach L.A. caliber,” he says.

Except here, you can also do things like go horseback riding or soar over the vineyards in a glider, in between mingling with winemakers at local tasting rooms. The region has begun drawing inspectors from Michelin, who recognized multiple Santa Ynez spots in the latest edition of their guide.

Auberge Resorts is also on the verge of opening the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern . It’s housed in a 135-year-old, whitewashed Craftsman building that served as a stagecoach stop during the Gold Rush and a speakeasy during Prohibition. More recently, it’s functioned as a wedding backdrop for fancy Californians.

Its 6.5 acres will also include a handful of mostly new, ranch-style buildings — including several cottages and a two-story “guest house,” all designed by Santa Barbara’s DMHA architects and San Francisco’s AvroKo — that offer a combined 67 rooms. Assuming it’s anything like the company’s flagship in Auberge du Soleil, which gave Napa its first fine-dining restaurant and five-star hotel in the 1980s, the Inn stands to transform the Santa Ynez Valley into a gastrotourism mecca.

If Santa Ynez Valley has been quietly simmering for years, its growth has only been catalyzed by COVID-driven road trippers seeking outdoorsy yet sumptuous locales. Here’s a primer of the region’s sweetest towns, coolest boutique hotels, and most ambitious farm-to-table restaurants.

Getting the lay of the land

Driving from Los Angeles to the Santa Ynez Valley is easy, even by the city’s notorious traffic standards. Once you pull off the iconic 101, it’s a scenic 45-minute drive along the mountain-hugging Highway 154.

Nomenclature here can be confusing. Santa Ynez is both the valley and a town within it, and the entire winemaking region is referred to as Santa Barbara Wine Country, even though Santa Barbara is more of a gateway to the area than an actual part of it. Just as Napa is the catchall name for a series of small towns — Calistoga, Yountville, St. Helena — so too is Santa Ynez, which also contains agriculturally chic Los Olivos, quirky Buellton, Old West-style Los Alamos, and the traditional Danish village of Solvang.

And it’s not just filled with grape growers, either. You’ll also find lavender fields, horse ranches and an abundance of crops that typically get bought up by L.A. chefs and patrons of the Santa Monica farmers market.

Where to eat

L.A. chefs used to come up to Santa Ynez just to visit their esteemed growers. Now they come to eat, too.

Last September, Nella Kitchen & Bar opened in a modern farmhouse on Los Olivos’ main drag. Its staples, which include five-hour tagliatelle Bolognese and Roman pinsas (flatbreads), are Italian facsimiles made almost exclusively with local ingredients — served either in an airy indoor dining room or on the spacious patio. Its creative team has clout: Chef Luca Crestanelli and partners Kathie and Mike Gordon also own Toscana in L.A.’s Brentwood neighborhood and the Santa Ynez favorite S.Y. Kitchen, where locals go for live music and rustic, wood-fired pizzas.

Solvang has perhaps the greatest concentration of new destination spots. There’s the meat-centric Sear Steakhouse , where more than 100 varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs from the owner’s farm steal the show; Peasants Feast , a craft-sandwich shop whose patrons sometimes wait two hours for smash burgers and fish tacos made with hand-pressed tortillas; and the recently opened Coast Range & Vaquero Bar , which prominently features proteins from its sibling and namesake, the Coast Range ranch.

Things get edgier in Buellton, where the graffitied warehouse exterior of Industrial Eats gives way to a carnivore’s paradise. Inside, a restaurant and craft butcher shop peddles delicacies like thick cuts of bacon (by the pound or on gorgonzola-topped pizzas) and beef tongue (to make at home or eat in sandwiches). The year-old Tavern at Zaca Creek also prioritizes the nose-to-tail ethos, with dishes such as grilled bone marrow and barbecued pork collar with squash blossoms and nectarines. (There’s also a stellar cast-iron pizza topped with caviar.)

In recent years, the hardest reservation in the area has been the French bistro Bell’s , in Los Alamos. It’s soon opening an offshoot in Los Olivos called Bar Le Cote , set to offer a casual, seafood-centric menu.

Where to shop

The best shops tend to be clustered on the main streets of each town, oftentimes alongside quaint general stores that look retro but generally aren’t.

In Los Olivos, Global Eye is the collaboration between wabi sabi-style ceramist Kristen Cramer and black-and-white photographer Michael Robertson, who put together a polished selection of home goods from around the world.

The plush blankets by RO Smit Studio — made by artisans with mental or physical impairments — are so chic, you could wrap one around you and wear it out of the house. Look for them at the 1,000-square-foot Santa Ynez General , which also sells minimal ceramic dinnerware and leather bocce ball sets.

It’s all about food shopping in Solvang, a town defined by its Scandinavian heritage. Founded by Danes in 1911, it even has a copy of Copenhagen’s famed Little Mermaid statue.

Pop into any of the pastry shops on and around Mission Drive for flodeboller cream puffs or aebleskivers, which are tennis-ball-shape fritters. Then hit up Cailloux Cheese Shop for an overwhelming array of locally made cheeses, olive oils, jams and chocolates — the perfect gifts to bring back home.

Where to drink

Wineries here have intimate tasting rooms and require reservations, best made over email with a few weeks’ notice. Demetria is one of the most progressive: While most of the region’s higher-end producers lean toward traditional methods, this 46-acre outfit has focused on biodynamic Rhone wines like the citrusy sparkling “Papou” (a proprietary grenache blanc blend) since its founding in 2005. It also serves award-winning pinot noirs in a whole-cluster fermentation style that tamps down sweetness.

Tucked into a canyon surrounded by rolling hills in Buellton is Alma Rosa , whose winemaker, Samra Morris, earned her pedigree at St. Supery and the Michael Mondavi Family Estate. It showcases what this region does best: minerally chardonnays, fruit-forward rosés and spice-laden pinot noirs.

The easiest one-two punch starts at Santa Ynez’s Crown Point , esteemed for its warm cabernet sauvignon, and wraps up at the award-winning Bordeaux-centric Happy Canyon Vineyard next door. Not far away, on the north side of town, is The Hilt , whose new tasting room, designed by Howard Backen, serves excellent chardonnays and pinot noirs with what may be the most idyllic view of all.

Where to stay

The aforementioned Winston may be the latest and most luxurious of Highway West’s hotels in the area, but it has good company in its sibling, the Vinland , which is appropriately Scandinavian given its central Solvang setting.

Ditto the Landsby , an independently owned boutique hotel, also in the Dutch town, whose style is all clean lines and soothing monochrome.

Also new and noteworthy is Hotel Ynez , which opened in March with 18 cozy rooms —they have fireplaces, mini Smeg fridges, and Mascioni linens — midway between Solvang and Santa Ynez. Its highlight is a central courtyard with hammocks and roaring fire pits.

“Things haven’t even peaked yet,” says Kimberly Walker, who owns both Hotel Ynez and the nearby Skyview motel in Los Alamos.

“There’s a genuine sense of hospitality, and people who would normally visit Sonoma or Napa are realizing that and coming here instead.”

Brooks is a freelance writer. This article appeared in Bloomberg. Copyright: (c) 2021, Bloomberg

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How to Plan a Trip to Santa Ynez, Jenni Kayne-Style

Jenni Kayne and her team share their top spots in the valley.

In recent years the Santa Ynez Valley has become the not-so-secret perfect California Central Coastal getaway thanks to its rolling hills, low-key top-shelf wineries, and burgeoning culinary scene. So it’s no surprise that designer Jenni Kayne bought a sprawling ranch there and tricked it out in her signature minimalist organic style. In the years she and her staff spent time at the ranch hosting events and creating content for her brand, they fell in love with the restaurants and shops of the region. Here’s a short list of Jenni and team’s favorite spots, from a Michelin-starred neo bistro to shops that are stocked with goods that channel those ranch-y coastal chic vibes. 

Hugh Garvey

Make sure to book this Michelin-starred Los Alamos bistro at least a month in advance to enjoy its French-meets-ranch dishes (including the legendary uni crêpe; splurge on the caviar option) and a wine list full of local bottlings.

Bar Le Côte

Thomas J. Story

This is the Spanish-influenced, seafood-centric sister restaurant from the folks behind Bell’s. The dining room is high-energy; the shellfish tower and roasted fish are must-orders.

Bob’s Well Bread

Expect long, totally-worth-it waits for the exceptional breads and pastries that rival those of the best bakeries in the West. Visit the original location in Los Alamos to see where it all started, or the new sleek spot in Ballard.

Bodega Los Alamos

Scott O’Malley

With a shop stocked with all the beautiful little things you want (natural wine, tinned fish , artisanal oils, jams, and pickles) in front, and a charming vacation rental in back, you just might want to move in.

Santa Ynez General Store

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SANTA YNEZ GENERAL (@santaynezgeneral)

This well-curated shop selling housewares, accessories, and home apparel brings a dose of style to Santa Ynez’s sleepy main street.

S.Y. Kitchen

Dave Lauridsen

With chefs from Verona in the kitchen and local meats and produce on the menu, this restaurant has set the bar for culinary excellence in the area. Think Wagyu meatballs, little gem Caesar, wood-roasted meats, and exquisite pastas. 

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Los Olivos, California, 'Is Like Napa 50 Years Ago' — and It Just Got a Gorgeous New Hotel That Dates Back to the 1800s

The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, offers a glimpse of Santa Ynez Valley culture and proximity to downtown Los Olivos.

Maya Kachroo-Levine/Travel + Leisure 

Nothing thrills Angelenos more than picking a spot within driving distance and making that destination their entire personality. There are the Palm Springs loyalists, who worship in the midcentury modern church of pastel colors; the Santa Barbara crowd, who come home with a new, distressed-wood decor piece from a local boutique after every visit; and, of course, their more spiritual neighbors, the Ojai faithfuls, who love nothing more than a canyon hike. Recently, Los Angeles road trippers have fallen hard for Los Olivos, an adorable town in the Santa Ynez Valley , about 30 miles north and inland of Santa Barbara. It’s home to wineries with a cult following — like the beloved Stolpman Vineyards , a.k.a. the producer of Love You Bunches; a new restaurant from the chef behind Los Alamos gem (and Michelin-starred) Bell’s ; and a brand-new Auberge Resorts Collection hotel. It is, in other words, the California destination upon which I will now base my entire personality. And I largely blame Inn at Mattei’s Tavern , the new Auberge property, which I visited this past spring, shortly after its February 2023 opening.

Inn at Mattei’s Tavern

• The property, built in the 1880s, has several original buildings, including four cottages built in the 1910s.
• The gorgeous lawn, next to the water tower and a green house, is a perfect spot to drink wine by the fire pit.
• The Inn is within walking distance from the main drag of Los Olivos, home to popular central California wineries and tasting rooms, like Stolpman Vineyards Fresh Garage.
• The resort offers a collection of tours and experiences you can take both on- and off-property, including winery tours and knife-making classes.

The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern looks a bit like a Wes Anderson movie in that it is pristine, enchantingly symmetrical, and exudes a retro vibe (in this case, because the property was built in the 1880s). The guest houses are coated in a gleaming layer of white paint, with a red-shingled water tower sitting in the middle of the property. Next to that is a petite herb and flower garden and a wrought-iron greenhouse. In front of the water tower: a lush lawn speckled with Adirondack chairs, corn hole, and a fire pit, creating one of those vignettes that reminds you that summer never really ends in California. 

Maya Kachroo-Levine/Travel + Leisure 

On my first evening at Mattei’s, I crossed the lawn to The Tavern restaurant, my best friend and my dog by my side, sporting Los Olivos’ hottest accessory: a wool blanket neatly rolled, belted, and affixed to a leather shoulder strap that I carried on my arm in lieu of a purse. After a round of martinis and just-out-of-the-oven focaccia, we devoured clams served in a garlicky broth with a very enticing slab of pork belly. Then, we slipped down the hall to The Bar, where sommelier Ermoni Best poured a spicy, Santa Rita hills–sourced red blend. “They say this place is like Napa 50 years ago,” she told us as we paired the wine with chocolate soufflé doused in caramel sauce. “But it can’t be,” she added. “The wine is much lower intervention.”

The sun had set, the wine had set in, and the energy of Mattei’s started to unfold. We were sitting, by flickering tea candles, in the original tavern Felix Mattei opened in 1886, because the Pacific Coast Railroad would steam into town the following year . His wife, Lucy, was the chef, and there were seven rooms for rent upstairs. Mattei's Tavern was called the Central Hotel back then, but it had the same rich, chestnut wood paneling lining the bar walls. The leather chairs we sat on as we sipped and soufflé’d are new, but the adjacent welcome area — with a roaring fireplace and vases filled with dried flowers and eucalyptus — is the original stage office where Felix and Lucy checked in guests. It’s always been housed in a white building with columns and tangles of blooming wisteria. I’d like to think it's always had the slight whiff of mystery I felt that night, too.

These aren’t the only straight-from-the-1800s spaces on property. There are four historic cottages at the edge of the hotel’s grounds that Felix built in the 1910s. “We preserved their original wooden floors and front porches, while adding in luxurious features like spacious bathrooms and clawfoot tubs,” says Dave Elcon, general manager of The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, about the work his team and design firm AvroKO did to “sensitively reimagine” the 110-year-old structures.

Those cottages are right on Nojoqui Avenue, a block-and-a-half from the main drag of Los Olivos. This isn’t a town where you have to drive hours to the wineries — the tasting rooms are within stumbling distance of Mattei’s 64 accommodations. One morning, we stopped in at the on-site Felix Feed & Coffee for breakfast burritos and cortados, enjoyed leisurely in the attached Wicker Room. After a sun-drenched brunch in the solarium-y space — which is elegantly decked out in wicker furniture, because that’s how Felix and Lucy decorated when they built this addition — we walked two short blocks to Stolpman Vineyards Fresh Garage and Dragonette Cellars ’ tasting room. (Pro tip: hit the former for Stolpman’s new skin-contact releases, and the latter to stock up on Dragonette’s addictive coastal chardonnay.)

While you can live a very happy central California dream sequence within a two-block radius of the hotel, Mattei’s has a collection of tours to take you out into the neighboring Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Rita Hills. We tried the Meet the Maker tour, which the hotel curates exclusively with Coastal Concierge , to visit not tasting rooms, but gorgeous nearby vineyards with the winemakers and proprietors of some of the region’s most coveted wineries. We hung with John Dragonette, walking through his chardonnay vines in the Santa Rita Hills and tasting his entire pinot noir portfolio in the adjacent barn, with a spread of local cheeses. We sampled LaBarge Winery's crisp albariño with Pierre LaBarge as he explained why the Spain- and Portugal-favored grape does so well in the central Californian terroir.

If you can’t snag a Meet the Maker tour while visiting, Elcon has a few other favorite experiences on offer. “I love our Art of Uni class, which connects guests with a Santa Barbara uni diver to learn how to harvest, clean, open, and prepare uni. And, of course, Girls Gone Wine , which highlights some of the top female winemakers in the region,” he says.

One tempting approach to your Mattei's Tavern getaway, of course, is to not leave the property at all. Even the stumbling-distance tasting rooms feel far away when lazing at the pool, where The Shed serves light bites and refreshing iced tea. Similarly, when seated at the alfresco Gin’s Bar — named for Gin Lung Gin, the head chef at Mattei’s in the 1910s — noshing on duck wontons and grilled shiitakes and local wine on tap, it’s hard to will yourself to walk the 100 steps to Nojoqui Avenue.

Really, you can come to The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern and have a completely different experience from the person staying in the room next door. One of you could stay on property, do yoga in the morning, swim laps and sunbathe at the pool, have lunch at Gin’s, and spend the afternoon reading in the Wicker Room. The other might grab coffee at Felix Feed and spend the day hopping between tasting rooms in Los Olivos. For a resort that’s 6.5 acres, and a town that’s only 2.5 square miles, you can live a different life on any given day. You might even say this is the perfect place on which to stake your entire personality. Rooms at The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, start at $950 a night, and you can book at aubergeresorts.com .

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Things to do in Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley

The Santa Ynez Valley, just north of Santa Barbara , is a wonderful weekend destination from Southern California. It is an area filled with farms and vineyards, a couple of beaches, a rugged coast, the occasional rocket launch, some windmills, old Spanish missions, aebleskiver, ostriches, and lots and lots of wine.

Santa Ynez Valley viewed from Old Mission Santa In̩s РSolvang , California

Aebleskiver

Solvang festival theatre, restaurants, pea soup andersens, ostrichland usa, nojoqui falls park, mendenhall’s museum of gasoline pumps & petroliana, chumash highway, accommodations.

For many, it was the Academy Award-winning 2004 movie Sideways that put the Santa Ynez Valley of California on their map as a wine-growing region and tourism destination, but this area has been attracting tourists for many years. I have been coming to the Santa Ynez Valley since the 1960s because of its signature destination Solvang the self-styled “Danish Capital of America”. With a name like Christensen, it might not surprise you to find that I had numerous relatives in town.

There are 5 different towns in the Santa Ynez Valley area which are quite different from one another and provide a good framework to talk about some of the region’s attractions. The towns are from west to east: Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez.

What can you say about Solvang, California? It is a town that is made to look like a little bit of Europe inserted into the Santa Ynez Valley. It has a few different windmills, but none of them are real. It has half-timbered houses, restaurants, and colorful shops. It is touristy. To some, it will seem quaint and it others it will seem kitschy. I have a soft spot for the town because I have had the chance to see behind the facade and meet some of the residents over the years.  There really are a lot of Andersens, Mortensens, and Christensens in this town. It may be touristy but its Danish roots are real.

While so many Danes and other Scandinavians settled in the Midwest because it reminded them so much of home, at least one group of Danes remembered that one of the reasons that they left home in the first place was the tough winters. In 1911 a group of Danes moved west and bought nearly 9,000 acres of the Rancho San Carlos de Jonata, one of the original Spanish land grants, to create the town.

You can still see some of that Danish history if you visit Bethania Evangelical Lutheran Church which was built in 1928. It has hand-carved woodwork on the altar and pulpit and has a sailing ship hanging from the ceiling which was a Danish tradition. My home church was also originally a Danish Lutheran church and also has a ship hanging from the ceiling.

There is more to shop for in Solvang than “I love Solvang” or “Proud to be Danish” t-shirts. You can find Antique stores, Christmas shops like Jule Hus (Christmas house), at least one charming bookstore (Book Loft), candy shops, art galleries, and lots of gift and specialty shops. There are also way more wine-tasting rooms in Solvang than there were when I visited as a kid. But many of the stores like Rasmussen’s or Mortenson’s Bakery have been fixtures in Solvang for many years.

A nice change to the town from the Covid pandemic is that Copenhagen Drive has been closed to cars so that more outdoor dining could be set up. The town council is considering making the change permanent. I think they should as it is a great improvement.

Solvang is rich in bakeries where, as they say at Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe, “Smells are Free”. The baked goods are terrific for everyone I have tried if not always particularly Danish.

One popular treat in Solvang is Danish pancake balls called aebleskiver. You can get them for around $4 for 3 served with syrup and powdered sugar. I don’t get them when I am in Solvang because I have an aebleskiver pan at home. We make them for special occasions.

Solvang has a wonderful 700-seat outdoor theatre, the Solvang Festival Theatre . In the summer (in non-COVID years) the theatre holds plays produced by the Pacific Conservatory Theatre. I spent a lovely cool summer evening watching A Midsummer Night’s Dream with friends and relatives at the theatre many years ago. The theatre also holds musical performances throughout the year.

Old Mission Santa Inés

Solvang has one of the 21 original California Missions , Old Mission Santa Inés which can be found on Mission Ave. Unlike nearby La Purisima Mission State Historic Park in Lompoc, this Mission is still an active Roman Catholic parish.

Solvang has a great number of restaurants because of the number of tourists it gets. On my most recent trip, I ate at the outdoor Copenhagen Sausage Garden, because I can never resist a good Brat.

Solvang has a couple of museums that may interest you. The Hans Christian Andersen Museum at the Book Loft Bookstore remembers the Danish children’s author who wrote The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

For something different visit the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum which has an emphasis on racing motorcycles.

If you access the Santa Ynez Valley from Highway 101 you will drive through Buellton and for many people that will be their entire experience with this town. This area was also part of the original Spanish land grant but was purchased by the Buell brothers in 1865.

Pea Soup Andersens restaurant advertises hundreds of miles away on Highway 101 which passes through town. There used to be more of these restaurants in California but now there are just two, including this original one. It has been in existence since 1924 when it was originally named Andersen’s Electric Cafe. Electricity had finally come to the valley in 1924 and Anton Andersen had a new-fangled electric stove. It was Juliette Andersen, Anton’s wife, who contributed her pea soup recipe that the restaurant would become known for. You can purchase her recipe and a bag of split peas in the gift shop if you want to make your own soup at home.

After WWII, their son Robert renamed the restaurant to its current name and introduced the characters of Hap-Pea and Pea-Wee. Ever since then, parents like mine encouraged their kids to finish their soup to see the picture of Hap-Pea and Pea-Wee at the bottom of the bowl.

For a more instagramable stop in Buellton visit the Ostrichland USA where you can feed one of the ostriches or emus. Ostrichland made a cameo appearance in the movie Sideways and the Simpsons. In the summer you may spot an ostrich chick or in late winter and early spring an emu chick. You may also spot an emo chick doing a selfie, but that’s another story.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for kids with a bowl of food for the ostriches for an additional $1.

If you are driving north on Highway 101 to reach the Santa Ynez Valley then a great stop just north of the Gaviota Tunnel is Nojoqui Falls Park. The name of this unpronounceable park comes from the native Chumash people and means “honeymoon place”. Despite its spelling, Nojequi is pronounced NAH-ho-wee.

You can take a short easy hiking trail a third of a mile from the parking lot to the 160-foot-tall Nojoqui Falls. In September, when we visited the falls are a mere trickle so the best time to see the falls is late spring. When we were there, the end of the trail to the falls was inconveniently closed but was not marked until you got there.

Just off Highway 101 on the way to Nojoqui Falls Park, you will pass by the lovely Folded Hills Winery Ranch Farmstead which would make a great stop for wine tasting.

For car lovers, Buellton has the rather eclectic Mendenhall’s Museum of Gasoline Pumps & Petroliana. You may not have known that the world had… or even needed… a museum of gas pumps.

Los Olivos may be my new favorite town in the Santa Ynez Valley. This small town has a main street, Grand Ave, that is all of 3 blocks long but the town is filled with wine-tasting rooms, lovely inns, and wine gardens.

One particular notable inn in Los Olivos is the Fess Parker Inn. Fess Parker was an actor who played Davy Crockett in the 1950s and Daniel Boone in the 1960s. When there were apparently no more characters to play wearing a coon-skin cap, he devoted the later years of his life to the 1,500 acres of the Fess Parker Winery in Los Olivos.

A number of the local wineries have positioned their wine tasting rooms in the town. Some are veteran operations like Fess Parker but others are quite new. My wife and I tried one of the newer wineries but I can’t recommend it. Suffice it to say that if the winery is featuring red wines from only 2 years ago, perhaps you should give it a few more years before sitting down and trying their wine.

Remember that long before it was known for Danish baking or winemaking, this area was a ranch and the ranching culture is still alive and well in the Santa Ynez Valley or at least in the hills around it. Santa Ynez is the town in the valley where you are most likely to see someone, un-ironically, wearing a cowboy hat or driving a pickup with a bale or two of hay in the back. Note the horseshoes in the crosswalk in front of the Outpost Trading Company.

Santa Ynez is, in non-COVID-19 years, the home for the Wine Country Rodeo. It is this ranching tradition that has given the Santa Ynez Valley the style of BBQ that it is known for which is usually named for the next town north on Highway 101 as Santa Maria-style barbecue. The signature dish is beef tri-tip grilled over wood coals from live oak (or sometimes mesquite).

If you come into the Santa Ynez Valley from Santa Barbara the quickest route is over Highway 154, the Chumash Highway. Santa Ynez will be the first town you will come to with its 2 blocks long main street.

You will get some lovely views of the valley coming in on Highway 154 and will also pass the Chumash Reservoir which has campsites if you are so inclined. For beach camping, consider Jalama Beach County Park outside of Lompoc.

La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, Lompoc

Lompoc is just past the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley, in the Lompoc Valley. If you want to add on a visit to the beach, another Spanish mission (dare I even say a more interesting one), 40+ downtown murals, a rocket launch, or fields of fresh flowers then you should consider adding Lompoc to your visit. See more about Lompoc at Things to do in Lompoc, California .

Surf Beach, Lompoc

The Santa Ynez Valley area is small enough that you can really stay in any of these towns and see the area. Solvang and Los Olivos are going to have Inns or Motels with a bit more character but Buellton or Lompoc may get you a less expensive place to stay. As with the rest of California, prices go up on the weekends and in the summer.

With thanks to the folks at the Lompoc Red Roof Inn who sponsored (paid for) my accommodations on my most recent trip to the Santa Ynez Valley area.

Related posts:

• Things to do in Lompoc, California
• Drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway
• Missions of California (with Map) – All 21 California Missions from South to North
• Top 7 Dog-Friendly Wineries In Temecula, California

by Chris Christensen

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Santa Ynez Valley named one of ’50 Best Places to Travel’ next year

SOLVANG, Calif. – The Santa Ynez Valley was just named to Travel and Leisure's prestigious list of the world's 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022 .

The Valley – which consists of Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos and Ballard – comes in at number 38 on the list. The tight-knit community in Santa Barbara County wine country comes ahead of São Paulo, Brazil and just below Queensland, Australia.

The article says the arrival of newer tasting rooms, restaurants and hotels in recent years has firmly put the area on travelers' radars.

The ranking comes following a well-known travel blogger's two trips to the Santa Ynez Valley in 2021.

And although not technically part of the Valley itself, Lompoc is also mentioned as a worthwhile detour for wine lovers.

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Updated April 27th, 2024 at 9:59 am

TRAVEL + LEISURE, World’s 50 Best Places To Travel In 2022

The santa ynez valley –.

If you’ve visited the Santa Ynez Valley before, or are fortunate enough to call it home, you know what a truly special place this slice of California’s Central Coast really is. Now, one of the world’s leading authorities on travel – Travel + Leisure magazine – has published its highly anticipated list of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022 and we’re thrilled to see the Santa Ynez Valley among the “who’s who” of global destinations featured.

The Santa Ynez Valley has the distinction of being one of only two California destination on the 2022 list, appearing at #38 alphabetically.

Just appearing on the list is an honor in and of itself, but when you consider the destinations the Santa Ynez Valley is mentioned alongside – from the Maldives and Galapagos Islands to Burgundy, St. Moritz, and everywhere in between – you begin to realize the true magnitude of the achievement.

Best Places to Travel

In the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022 feature, Travel + Leisure contributor Tanvi Chheda described the Santa Ynez Valley as “rural, unassuming, and coming into its own.” She went on to tout the fact that, “The arrival of newer tasting rooms, restaurants, and hotels in recent years has firmly put the area on oenophiles’ and travelers’ radars.”

In addition to the praise showered on the valley as a whole, the Travel + Leisure list included individual mentions of Global Gardens , Tin City Cider , Full of Life Flatbread , A Tribute to Grace , Casa Dumetz , Firestone Walker , Ballard Inn’s Gathering Table , The Hilt Estate in nearby Lompoc, and The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern .

As we look forward to travel’s continued recovery in 2022 and beyond, being recognized as one of Travel + Leisure’s 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022 further validates our own beliefs, strengthens the credibility we have worked hard to achieve, and hopefully encourages others to make the Santa Ynez Valley part of their travel plans in the months and years ahead.

Ballard | Buellton | Los Alamos | Los Olivos | Santa Ynez | Solvang

May – Mother’s Day and Memorial Day

May Events & Mother’s Day May Activities In Santa Ynez Valley –  There are so many reasons to spend the … Continue reading May – Mother’s Day and Memorial Day →

Top 5 Things To Do in Buellton

One of six distinct communities in the Santa Ynez Valley, there is far more to Buellton than what first meets … Continue reading Top 5 Things To Do in Buellton →

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2393 Janin Place, Solvang, California 93463

One of the most magical properties you will see awaits you in desirable Janin Acres in Solvang, CA. You will find this French Country custom home with separate guest quarters, pool with outdoor BBQ and fireplace, pond, RV storage, solar, a forest of trees, a 488sf bonus room above the garage, and inviting entertaining areas inside and out. Soaring ceilings and a spiral staircase welcome you to the living room with fireplace which opens to the patio. The dining room and custom kitchen are a chef’s dream for cooking while the family room with a home theater is like being at the movies or a concert. With two master bedrooms, six fireplaces, and many other amenities too numerous to describe here, this home is a must see for the buyer looking for quality, beauty, and one of a kind living.

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