A Listing of Santa Barbara Wine Country Locales to Fulfill Your Inner Instagrammer

If you take a trip and don’t post a resulting photo stream to Insta, did that vacation really happen??? Thanks to the force of social media that is Instagram, many of us seek out perfect backdrops for documenting our adventures and experiences, wine country or otherwise. And just a couple of hours north of Los Angeles, or a handful of hours south of San Francisco, on the historically-road tripped California Central Coast, you’ll find six Santa Ynez Valley towns full of scenescapes – all ready and waiting for their close-up.

With all of this photographic content at your fingertips, you’ll need to make the Santa Ynez Valley more than just a day-trip. Book your stay to start populating that Insta feed…c’mon, do it for the gram.

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Los Alamos

In the tiny town of Los Alamos, a former stagecoach stop and depot for the Pacific Coast Railway, preserved Old West scenes mingle with mid-century structures and architecture – and nowhere are the town’s Western wiles more apparent than at the 1880 Union Hotel and Saloon, which still houses a stagecoach office within the private event space of the Hotel, a popular wedding venue. The open-to-the-public Saloon has photographic details galore, and the weathered, wood-paneled building’s frontier-town façade always offers up plenty of lens personality.

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Accommodations at boutique, cactus-adorned The Alamo Motel, come complete with Southwestern-chic décor elements and an on-property outpost of Santa Barbara County wine label, Municipal Winemakers, in the form of a photogenic wine tasting “cabin”.

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Skyview Los Alamos, an extensively-rehabbed 1950s motor lodge, still boasts the property’s original road-side signage and swimming pool, around which a lounge-y scene of craft cocktails and elevated “hotel food” has emerged (hint: don’t miss the oysters). The 1864 exterior of the Victorian Mansion Bed & Breakfast makes for a pretty picture, but the six themed suites on the inside (1950s, Gypsy, Roman, Egyptian, Pirate, French) really take the Instagram cake.

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Los Olivos

At Los Olivos garden art and home accessories shopping wonderland, J. Woeste, seat yourself in a bright red, larger-than-life Adirondack chair.

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Downtown Los Olivos’ Instagram title of “Miss Congeniality” has been decidedly bestowed upon Los Olivos Lemons, a giant, yellow citrus-shaped stand doling out gourmet lemonade, adjacent to the kid-friendly (of both the “big” and “little” varieties) Saarloos + Sons wine tasting room.

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On the culinary spectrum of things to do in Los Olivos, sits Global Gardens^®, with an olive oil tasting bar and a #gramworthy, hand-painted butterfly mural.

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Santa Ynez

Rowdy, raucous and raring to go: the Western-Victorian town of Santa Ynez is known most in nightlife circles, for The Maverick Saloon. Fabled live entertainment and dance venue, bar and now, eatery, “The Mav” has been the location of many a photo session, some clearly remembered, some slightly hazy (in the best possible way). Strike a pose with one of the many authentic, history-filled horse-drawn transports at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum’s Carriage House. A nod to the Valley’s Victorian era may be found in the opulently-renovated Santa Ynez Inn, with its rambling grounds and event spaces.

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At one of the Santa Ynez Valley’s vineyard gems, Sunstone Vineyards & Winery, the organically-farmed vineyards loll out from under the estate’s Provençal French courtyards, stone barrel-aging caves, and picturesque picnic havens.

Ballard and Solvang

The “burg” of Ballard is in and of itself, fantastically photo-ready, but its crowning jewel is the bucolic lodging and restaurant duo, Chef Budi Kazali’s Ballard Inn and The Gathering Table. Down the country road, lies agri-centric Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard, with its Instagram “influencer”-favorited 1946 farm truck. In the heart of downtown Solvang, the Danish-settled village displays numerous hints at its rich cultural past, many of which make for renowned modern photo opps. Solvang’s multiple windmills pull double-duty as businesses and backdrops: in three of the most famous, you’ll find CrossHatch Winery (436 Alisal Road), Sevtap Winery (1622 Copenhagen Drive), and Solvang Brewing Company (1547 Mission Drive).

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No visit to “Little Denmark” would be whole, without a pause for pictures in front of The Little Mermaid fountain (Mission Drive and Alisal Road). And who could resist the vivid, vast circumferences of the Danish pancakes at Paula’s Pancake House? Not anyone who would also regale the iconic pastry offerings from one of the many Solvang bakeries, or those frequently-portrayed Danish dough rounds, Aebleskiver. Shopping in Solvang is plentiful, and noticeably popular among visitors is the home of the big red clog – the famously-photographable footwear residing curbside at the Solvang Shoe Store (Copenhagen Drive and First Street). On the outskirts of Solvang, saddle up at The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort for a luxe getaway’s worth of Instagrammable activities like horseback riding, golf, spa time, BBQ dinners and campfire moments.

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Buellton

The award-winning 2004 movie Sideways was filmed in numerous Santa Ynez Valley spots. But one of the film’s most famous settings is now the Sideways Inn, which also features one of the most memorable windmills in the “SYV”, outside of Solvang. Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground, Sideways Inn’s sister property which adjoins the hotel’s grounds, is an Instagram dream – from the life-size rhino guarding one of the “glamping” sections of the funtastic vacation destination, to the row of meticulously-restored vintage and Airstream travel trailers, to the variety of themed cottages and tents (Surf, Wine, Brewhaus, National Park, Safari and Tiki), to the private, gated Santa Ynez Guest Ranch and the cinematic luxury getaway that it provides. More Sideways movie nostalgia may be found at the famed Hitching Post 2 restaurant, now accompanied by next-door wine tasting location extraordinaire, for chef/restaurateur, Frank Ostini’s, and Gray Hartley’s Hitching Post Wines. Neighboring the twin Hitching Post properties, OstrichLand USA provides eponymously-opportune memories, photographic and otherwise, via its fine-feathered residents.

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Save some iPhone memory for Buellton’s picture-perfect roadside history, a grand portion of which is captured in the private collection of the family-owned Mendenhall Museum of Gasoline Pumps & Petroliana. Equally as intriguing to highway travel history buffs, is the often-posted Pea Soup Andersen’s – whose billboards up and down Highway 101 paint the way to the storied rest stop.

Let’s get to the root of the matter.

What would a Santa Barbara wine country experience be, without a visit to the vines that produce the region’s awarded wines? Best bets for essay-caliber vineyard photos may be found throughout the Santa Ynez Valley, with some newer entrants to the pictorial game – plus some classic viticulture standbys – stretching from Lompoc to Los Olivos: Melville Vineyards & Winery, Spear Vineyards & Winery, Dierberg Star Lane Vineyards, Brick Barn Wine Estate, Demetria Estate, and Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards, to name just a few.

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Below is a guide to making the most of your Christmas experience in the Santa Ynez Valley. Here you will find a list of what restaurants and wineries will be open, and which restaurants offer special holiday menus. For the best experience, we highly recommend calling the restaurants and tasting rooms ahead of time to ensure they still have seating availability.

Restaurants Open Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

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About VisitSYV.com: Visit Santa Ynez Valley provides listings of the best Santa Ynez wineries, best places to eat in Solvang, Santa Ynez hotels and inns, and things to do in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the website at www.VisitSYV.com for complete travel and visitor services. “Like” the Facebook page for ideas on planning Santa Ynez vacations. Email info@VisitSYV.com for help planning your next vacation in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Thanksgiving is here (though the weather may not always reflect it!) – and if you are thinking about letting someone else do the cooking this year, Santa Ynez Valley restaurants are eager to serve.

Below is a guide to making the most of your Thanksgiving experience in the Santa Ynez Valley. Here you will find a list of what restaurants and wineries will be open, and which restaurants offer special holiday menus. For the best experience, we highly recommend calling the restaurants and tasting rooms ahead of time to ensure they still have seating availability.

But what other things to do on Thanksgiving can you partake in, especially if you have relatives to entertain? How about a little adventure on Thanksgiving Day? Vino Vaqueros Horseback Riding will be open for rides on Thanksgiving. Call (805) 944-0493 to make your reservation.

Also, make sure to check out our Events Calendar for a complete listing of upcoming events.

Restaurants Open Thanksgiving Day 2018

Wine and Halloween go hand-in-hand, right? But if you’re looking for something craftier for the harvest season holidays – haunted, or otherwise – the Santa Ynez Valley also boasts other libations. A quick Los Angeles getaway (we’re just two hours north) or a weekend jaunt south of San Francisco, the Santa Ynez Valley’s six wine-drenched towns of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang, offer a variety of thirst-quenching experiences. And although these might speak to the 21-and-over set, activities for all ages may easily be ordered as a “back”. Here, you’ll find cocktails, beer and wine to suit nearly all tastes.

One Valley. Six Towns. Something for Everyone.

So visit our vineyards, hike our hills, dine in wine country, belly up to the bar…and get a room. With this many options for indulging, the Santa Ynez Valley is so much more than just a day trip.

Buellton

Cemented in Highway 101 road trip history, industrious Buellton businesses are still accommodating weary travelers in need of a little refreshment. At Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s Buellton Taproom & Barrelworks, suds are offered up to lucky locals and visitors as limited releases, liquid collaborations, and beer-world famous wild ales, while the on-site Taproom Restaurant provides nourishment in the form of beer-braised short rib and other gastro-pub fare.

 

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On the aptly-named “Industrial Way”, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.’s Buellton Taproom, the mothership for the California Central Coast-based craft brewery, displays a dizzying list of draft beers; accompanying eats from The Kitchen, including kid-friendly bites; and an outdoor beer garden with distractions for the minis. Next door, at Santa Barbara County’s first distillery since prohibition, Ascendant Spirits offers tours and tastings at their facility where whiskeys, vodkas and gins spring to life. Just up the street, DorWood Distillery handcrafts small-batch Vodka, Malt Whiskey, Gin and Limoncello, featuring a lounge-like area for tasting experiences.

 

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Nightcaps don’t get any better than those had at hotels, and at the Sideways Inn’s own Sideways Lounge, after-dinner / before-bed Lavender Lemondrops come crafted with care, alongside a selection of local beers and wines. The bar’s well-appointed interior spills out to open-air seating areas and an adjacent fire pit, the perfect setting to ease you into your overnight, outdoor adventure at adjoining lodging property, Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground. Additional, modern hotel mixology may be found at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott’s 555 Lounge & Bar, which also features an expansive, fire-pitted outdoor area for cozying up with those Cosmos.

Solvang

When you think “Viking”, does beer come to mind? If you’re in Solvang, it should. Solvang Brewing Company’s first taproom, co-founded by a fourth-generation, Solvang-born Danish descendant, serves up proprietary ales only available within close proximity to the Santa Ynez Valley. “Solvang Brew Co.” also holds a full bar, outdoor seating areas beneath the building’s famous windmill, and a kitchen turning out hearty pub grub.

 

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Home-brew aficionados and DIY’ers frequent home brewing boutique, Valley Brewers, which comes complete with a speakeasy craft beer bar, “The Backroom”, accessed through a “bookshelf” door. The Good Life, “a craft beer & wine cellar”, pours a deliberate list of local and Central Coast wines, but also surprises with an impressive Californian beer selection, plus a few Danish imports for good “skål”. The Landsby hotel’s Lobby Lounge beckons tipplers with house-made shrubs, revolving cocktail specials, and a daily Happy Hour favorited by locals in-the-know. Hill Haven Provisions, the restaurant/wine, and cocktail bar combo tucked away in Solvang’s Atterdag Square, sports one of the Santa Ynez Valley’s top mixologists and a curated drinks list to match. The bar at Hotel Corque’s Root 246 proves a particularly worthy spot to lounge, with a sleek cocktail menu and precise listing of wine and beer. When in wine country, do as the tikis do and head to the hidden tiki bar at the back of the Sort This Out Cellars wine tasting room. In the tiny, tropical oasis of High Roller Tiki Lounge, you’ll find thoughtfully-made tiki “wine-tails” served with a wealth of tiki history, knowledge and atmosphere. Custom-made, collectible tiki mugs cradle tiki drinks with nods to the bar’s Danish location, such as the “Solvang Siren”, “Bloody Viking” and the “Suffering Scandinavian”.

 

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Santa Ynez

One of Santa Barbara County’s premier drinks menus is housed at S.Y. Kitchen, where barkeeps stir up seasonal, market-fresh cocktails like the “Slow Drip Old Fashioned” with house-made bitters; “Barrel Aged Vieux Carré”, appropriately including absinthe; and the mescal-based “El Viejo”, with gusano powder. Get some play-time with that drink at one – or all five – of the Chumash Casino Resort’s bars and lounges, from the mid-casino floor “Center Bar”; to the chill Hotel Lobby Bar; to the high-stakes, premium spirits High Limit Bar; to the laid-back, poolside rooftop bar; to the Lounge at the Resort’s AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Willows restaurant.

 

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Los Olivos

Los Olivos’ über-luxe Fess Parker Wine Country Inn sports The Bear and Star restaurant and bar, where “refined ranch” cuisine also comes in fluid form, with ranch-to-glass cocktails served in an equally refined hardwood and leather-bound setting.

 

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At Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.’s Los Olivos’ “The Cottage”, the craft brewery’s core beers are on tap and ready “to go” in bottles. Add ample outdoor areas, a game room, live entertainment and rotating food truck appearances, and your Los Olivos visit is pretty much planned.

Los Alamos

Whiskey rules at the 1880 Union Saloon, a true bar fixture in Los Alamos’ Old West history. The once-stagecoach stop’s cocktail menu is divided into two, “Whiskey” and “Non-Whiskey”, with the 1880’s takes on classic drinks like the Sazerac (“New Orleans signature primed by a St. George Absinthe rinse, with Sazerac Rye Whiskey, organic sugar, Peychaud’s Bitters, smoked orange oils”), as well as Instagram-friendly pours like “The Sisco Kid” (“Monte Alban Mezcal, Green Chartreuse, pineapple-jalapeño shrub, fresh-pressed lime, smoked Maldon salt”). Beer, wine and the Central Coast’s famous tri-tip are also on the menu, along with other cowboy-appropriate delicacies like chicharrones.

 

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Just down the main “strip” of Bell Street, PICO at the Los Alamos General Store checks all the boxes with a serious culinary-cred chef, an award-winning restaurant wine list, a 2,000-bottle wine shop, and a so-simple-it’s-genius, streamlined cocktail menu with drinks like their “Gin & Juice” (Dogwood Union Gin, lime juice, passion fruit, caraway simple), and the secretive “Chef’s Noble Manhattan” (Medley Bros. Bourbon, Amaro, chef’s secret concoction).

Preserved in mid-century time, the iconic Skyview Los Alamos motel’s décor and finishings overhaul included a hip re-do of the property’s on-site, hilltop restaurant and bar, “Norman” – which opens to a scenester pool deck and views of the hotel’s own vineyard, sloping down from Skyview’s perch above Highway 101. Norman’s cocktail menu sections include brunch-ready “Bubbles” (e.g., the “Sunrise”, made with Root Elixirs Strawberry-Lavender, lemon, champagne); “Refresh”, with a standout sipper in “Pineapple Express” (pineapple rum, Damoiseau rhum agricole, lime, sugar, CBD oil); “Garden” (like the “Sweet Pea V & T”, with sweet pea-infused vodka, Fever-Tree Tonic, citrus); and “Classica” (bonjour, “French 75”).

 

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Experience fall in the Santa Ynez Valley. Our myriad of accommodations, personality-filled haunts – and clever craft cocktails – will warm your heart and soul, and fuel your wine country vacation memories. Book now, for your most spirited season, yet.

 

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About Visit Santa Ynez Valley: Visit Santa Ynez Valley provides listings of the best places to eat in Solvang, best Santa Ynez wineries, and lists things to do in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the website at http://www.visitsyv.com for complete visitor services. “Like” the Facebook page for ideas on planning Santa Ynez vacations.

Late-summer in the Santa Ynez Valley means long, sunny days – often spent in vineyards and wineries, on hiking trails or horseback, at pools or spas, or shopping, museum-hopping and of course, eating your way through it all. But Santa Barbara wine country activities don’t stop when night falls. Whether we’re your vacation or wedding destination, or where you call “home”, the Santa Ynez Valley offers numerous nightlife options to keep your wine country agenda – and your glass – filled to the brim.

Santa Ynez, the Late-Night Capital of the “SYV”

The Victorian-Western town of Santa Ynez, maybe surprisingly, offers the most extended late-night hours in the Santa Ynez Valley. The storied and historic Maverick Saloon hosts frequent, and lively, musical acts and equally as energetic guests with operating hours until 2am, every night. Front porch seating, a kitchen turning out a gussied-up late night menu and regular events like Honky-Tonk Thursday, Karaoke Night and 2-Step Dance Lessons, keep this wine country roadhouse, well, “country”. At the sleek, modern opposite end of the Santa Ynez nightlife spectrum, sits the Chumash Casino Resort, with a 24/7 casino and bars, the Lounge at the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Willows restaurant (open daily until 11pm), bountiful late-night dining options at The Buffet (open daily until 10pm) and The Café (open Sunday-Thursday until 12am, Friday/Saturday until 2am).

It’s Honky Tonk Thursday! Complimentary tacos at 4pm and line dancing at 6!

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Buellton, Second to None

When an award-winning movie brings fame to your delicious slice of wine country, you run with it: may we present the Sideways Lounge at Buellton’s Sideways Inn, open daily until 12am. The newly-renovated, sparkling-chic Lounge features signature cocktails with nods to its Santa Ynez Valley neighbors – “Los Olivos Lavender Lemondrop”, “Solvang Sazerac” – bottled and draft beers, and wine, natch, including requisite listings of local Pinot Noir. An adjacent firepit and al fresco seating only add to your wine country story.

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More Sideways nostalgia, with a helping of “Santa Maria Style BBQ”, may be found at The Hitching Post II Restaurant (open daily until 9:30pm). Live music fans flock to Standing Sun Wines (open until 10pm on concert nights), one of the Santa Ynez Valley’s leading live entertainment venues hosting singers/songwriters and bands from Los Angeles to Nashville, and all points in between.

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Buellton’s beer industry centers also offer evening entertainment: Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s Buellton Taproom & Barrelworks facility is open seven days until 9pm, as is Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.’s Buellton Taproom. Bonus? Both breweries include on-site restaurants with outdoor areas. The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott’s 555 Lounge & Bar, as grand as the hotel’s lodging accommodations, welcomes late-night revelers with well-appointed outdoor lounging options.

First movie night of the summer was a success! Our guests had a great time and so did we! Thank you for coming out and enjoying this beautiful Santa Ynez Valley evening with us! #visitbuellton #summernights #skipthebigcities #teammarriott #gooniesneversaydie #visitsyv

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Solvang. #livelikeaviking #andpartylikeonetoo

Solvang’s sidewalks do NOT roll up at “5”. Case(s) in point: Solvang Brewing Company’s famous windmill welcomes late-night eaters and drinkers seven days, until what the brewery, bar and restaurant simply refers to as “Late” hours. Outdoor seating with prime people-watching fronts the venue.

The Good Life, “a craft beer & wine cellar”, regularly features live music and special events, also with sidewalk-adjacent outdoor seating (open Sunday-Wednesday until 9pm; Friday/Saturday until 11pm). The hip, Nordic design aesthetic of The Landsby hotel’s Lobby Lounge (open Sunday-Thursday until 9pm; Friday/Saturday until 10pm) sets the scene for cleverly-crafted cocktails and elevated bar nibbles, like “Salumi Grilled Cheese” (fontina, hot salami, prosciutto, pesto, local sourdough). Sort This Out Cellars’ wine tasting room hides a posterior secret: High Roller Tiki Lounge, an atmospheric and singular wine country tiki bar serving up “wine-tails” with a healthy dose of tiki culture and décor. Both venues rock with live music most Friday and Saturday nights (open Sunday-Thursday until 7pm; Friday/Saturday until 10pm).

Give our Solvang Siren a spin when visiting Solvang’s ONLY tiki bar. Open late. (Solvang late). . #solvangsiren #tikifarm #mermaid #tikimug #tiki #tikiaf #tikibarsolvang #solvang #wine #mermaidmug #cocktails #winetails #thor

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During Santa Ynez Valley’s summer months, theatergoers delight in the open-air Solvang Festival Theater’s “PCPA” (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) residency and the varied performances that it brings. Next up, “Mamma Mia!” (July 27-August 26) and Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia” (August 30-September 9). During Solvang’s annual Danish heritage and food & wine festival, Solvang Danish Days (September 14-16), the event’s Viking Beer & Wine Garden stays open until 10pm, Friday and Saturday evenings.

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Linger in Los Olivos (and Ballard)

The Bear and Star at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn offers a Bar Menu until 9:45pm, Fridays and Saturdays, while the restaurant serves dinner daily, until 9pm. The Los Olivos outpost of Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. is open daily until 9pm, with plentiful outdoor seating, a live music schedule, occasional food trucks and foodie pop-ups. The Gathering Table restaurant at the quaint Ballard Inn, has dinner seating Wednesday through Sunday until 9pm.

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Los Alamos, Santa Ynez Valley’s Last Late-Night Frontier

Ready those cameras: Los Alamos night spots are an Instagrammers dream. Near the western end of the town’s main “strip”, Bell Street, stands the history-laden 1880 Union Saloon. The once-stagecoach station bar swings its doors open until 11pm daily (except Tuesdays), with a Western antiquity-filled space, chef-driven bar bites (including regional “delicacies” like a tri-tip sandwich and chicharrones). Split into two sections, “Whiskey” and “Non-Whiskey”, the Saloon’s cocktail menu features some of the most spirited drinks in the SYV (Barrel-Aged Negroni, anyone?).

Who is down for a game of pool? Open today 11a-11p #1880unionsaloon

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PICO at the Los Alamos General Store’s (open until 9pm, Sundays and Tuesday-Thursday; until 10pm, Friday/Saturday) award-winning restaurant wine list is rivaled only by their equally-curated cocktail menu, with drinks like the “Bing Bong” (Bourbon, lemon, Bing cherry juice), “Highland Honey” (Scotch, honey vinegar, lemon, absynthe), and the simplistic “Fast y Nasty” (Mezcal, pickled jalapeño, lemon juice). PICO’s “backyard” has garden-laced seating areas and a rustic fire pit, while the restaurant/ bar/ wine shop mash-up holds a 2,000-bottle retail selection for wines “to go”. Weary road trippers, you have arrived: vistas and vibes rule at iconic mid-century motel, Skyview Los Alamos, recently reopened post-jaw-dropping remodel. With a fitting on-site eatery and bar, Norman – and proprietary vineyard – dinner and drinks are served daily to both hotel guests and “non” until 9pm, with a bar that opens up to outdoor seating on two sides, a perfectly-restored pool area, and an expertly-mixed “drink list that highlights some of the best winemakers and local ingredients” in these parts.

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When you’ve had your fill of Santa Ynez Valley nightlife, we have over 30 hotel options for a restoring night’s sleep. You’ll need your energy for the next day’s – and night’s – wine country adventure.

About Visit Santa Ynez Valley: Visit Santa Ynez Valley provides listings of the best places to eat in Solvang, best Santa Ynez wineries, and lists things to do in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the website at http://www.visitsyv.com for complete visitor services. “Like” the Facebook page for ideas on planning Santa Ynez vacations.

With kid-friendly attractions, family-friendly wineries, and much to explore, the Santa Ynez Valley makes for a surprising family getaway 

The terms “wine country” and “family friendly” don’t often go hand in hand. But the Santa Ynez Valley is no ordinary wine country destination — a rare place that is as appealing to families as it is to foodies and wine-lovers.

Now is often the time when parents begin to plan for a summer spent with the kids and search for an experience that meets the needs of everyone in the family: children, parents, and even grandparents included. Just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, a scenic four-hour jaunt from San Francisco, and 30 minutes from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, the six distinct communities of the Santa Ynez Valley are such a place.

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With more than 100 wineries, the Santa Ynez Valley is undeniably a playground for oenophiles both for its wines as well as the opportunity to taste them in a setting far less crowded than other similarly world-class wine destinations. And with wine inevitably comes food, and imaginative local chefs and the region’s deep agricultural roots combine to create a culinary scene steeped in the farm-to-table movement.
Beyond food and wine, the Santa Ynez Valley combines a fascinating and diverse history to explore, rolling hills that call to outdoor adventurists, and one-of-a kind attractions to offer a unique destination that is both educational and adventurous.

Below are just a few of the attractions that make the Santa Ynez Valley a surprisingly family-friendly destination:

Nature to explore: Hike rolling hills and take in the breathtaking vistas offered along hundreds of miles of Santa Ynez Valley trails, or visit an 80-foot waterfall at Nojoqui Falls Park. View native bald eagles, osprey, and hawks, or learn about the region’s cultural history, with boating and nature tours of Cachuma Lake.

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The Valley by horseback: This is horse country, and there’s no better way to tap into Santa Ynez Valley’s Old West roots than with a horseback ride. With Vino Vaqueros, KAP Land & Cattle, Rancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables — just to name a few — SYV offers no shortage of opportunity to create a memory that everyone in the family will be sure to cherish.

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Dive into history: Founded in 1804, Old Mission Santa Inés has a rich history to unearth. And with its traditional Danish architecture and authentic bakeries, downtown Solvang itself is a testament to the Northern European roots of its early settlers. The Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Elverhoj Museum of History and Art are among the many museums that will both enlighten and entertain.

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Something a bit offbeat: Ever feed an ostrich? It’s possible, along with Emus at Ostrichland USA, one of the many one-of-a-kind attractions in the Santa Ynez Valley. Spend time at Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch, introduce the kids to the works of Hans Christian Andersen, or rev things up at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum.

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Fun in the food we eat: Farm tours offer a window into what makes the Santa Ynez Valley the breadbasket of California’s Central Coast. Visit an olive farm such as Global Gardens and taste some of the most sought-after olive oils anywhere. Many of the Santa Ynez Valley’s wineries are more than just vineyards, too. Some, like Buttonwood Farms Winery & Vineyards are working farms meant to be enjoyed by guests of all ages. Or visit Clairmont Farms, an entirely organic lavender farm, for an altogether different experience.

Sometimes the fun is where you stay: Whether interested in a dude ranch experience at the Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, a casual stay at the King Frederik Inn, “glamping” in a safari tent or vintage Airstream trailer at Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground, or something in between, the Santa Ynez Valley has family-friendly lodging options to fit an array of budgets and interests.

A post shared by Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort (@alisalguestranch) on Jul 12, 2017 at 10:45am PDT

Planning a trip to the Santa Ynez Valley is simple at visitsyv.com, where families can research events and attractions, book lodging and activities, and create a custom travel itinerary.

About the Santa Ynez Valley:

Barely two hours from Los Angeles, a scenic four-hour drive from San Francisco, and just 30 minutes from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, the Santa Ynez Valley still feels a world apart. With six distinct communities encompassing everything from classic California wine country to Northern European traditions to the very best of the Old West, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to endless possibilities. Here in and around the towns of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang visitors will find more than 100 wineries, incredible food, special events and a unique, rich heritage. For more information, including a complete listing of wedding venues, restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms and events, go to VisitSYV.com.

There are plenty of fun may events in Santa Ynez Valley all month long, to be sure, but don’t miss these special May, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day activities in the Santa Ynez Valley:

Here are some events coming up in our community that may be of interest to you and your family.

Santa Ynez Valley Food and Drink Events

Holiday Wine and Beer Walk: Saturday and Sunday December 9th and 10th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm is Solvang’s Holiday Wine and Beer Walk. For just $45 per person you will get a 2-day passport that will allow you to stroll the beautiful village of Solvang, sip local wines and sample local beers. There are over 12 different wine and beer tastings rooms and wine bars included in the tour. This event is sure to help you get in the holiday spirit and you will even get a souvenir wine glass with your ticket purchase.

Beauty Behind The (Big) Bottle: Take a walk through the barrel room at Zaca Mesa Winery on Saturday December 9th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and experience an exclusive tasting of large-format Syrahs and find out what makes these amazing wines so unique. The wines will be expertly paired with gourmet cheeses from Cailloux Cheese Shop in Solvang. This event always sells out quickly, so make sure to make your reservations right away. Tickets are $40 for Zaca Mesa club members and $50 for non-members. Call Dianna at (805) 688-9339 ext. 306 for more information.

Solvang Farmer’s Market: The Solvang Farmer’s Market is held on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 6:00 pm on First Street between Mission and Copenhagen Drive, and is a fun, free, family-friendly event. Local farmers gather together in the marketplace to sell their seasonal, colorful agricultural products. There are tons of organic options to choose from, and the event goes on rain or shine! This is a great opportunity to shop and socialize.

Solvang 3rd Wednesday Restaurant Deal: On Wednesday December 20th from 4 to 7 pm select restaurants in Solvang will feature a 3-course “3rd Wednesday” menu for just $25 per person. This event will tie in with the Solvang Farmers Market as well, since the menu will include ingredients straight from the Farmers Market.

Santa Ynez Valley Holiday Events

Olde Fashioned Christmas: Los Olivos is hosting their annual Olde Fashioned Christmas on Saturday December 2nd from 4 to 8 pm. This fun event gives you the chance to experience warm, friendly, small-town fun and start the holiday season off right! There will be an artisan boutique in the Grange from 1 to 8 pm where you can get a start on your Christmas shopping, Santa Claus will be in St. Mark’s parlor, a train ride for kids their parents, live Christmas music, food trucks, live decorated Christmas trees at participating businesses, an Official Lighting of the Christmas Tree and much more!

Julefest Parade: Downtown Solvang is having their annual Julefest Parade on Saturday December 2nd from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. There will be over 400 participants and over 50 entries in the parade. The parade will go down Mission Drive, Copenhagen Drive and adjacent streets. After the parade, there will be free visits with Santa in Solvang Park. For more information call (805) 688-6144.

Gingerbread Wonderland: Gingerbread Wonderland is coming to St. Mark’s in Los Olivos on Saturday December 2nd from 4 to 8 pm. Beautiful gingerbread houses decorated by locals, and you can enter a gingerbread house of your own if you want. There will also be a Christmas cookie sale, live music, holiday crafts for the children, food and drinks and photos with Santa. Proceeds from this event will benefit Arts Outreach and St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Preschool, both of which serve children of our Santa Ynez Valley.

Julefest Tree Lighting: To kick off their annual Julefest, the city of Solvang will be having a tree lighting in Solvang Park (First Street and Mission Drive) on Friday December 1st from 5 to 6:30 pm. Come see Solvang sparkle as the tree is lit, watch dancing ballerinas, bands and caroling and see Santa Claus’ arrival in Solvang. This is a free, family friendly event.

Buellton Winter Fest: Buellton will be having their Annual Winter Fest on Sunday December 3rd. Start the day off right by bringing the whole family for a breakfast with Santa, and then continue the day by enjoying the 20 tons of snow, vendors, light parade, tree lighting, wine, beer and food. This is a fun day for the whole family. Call (805) 688-7829.

Los Alamos Christmas Tree Lighting: On December 8th, starting at 6pm at Ferrini Park (corner of Bell and Centennial Streets) in downtown Los Alamos, all are invited to enjoy a traditional tree lighting, carolers, luminaries and fun for the whole family. Call 805-344-3500 for more details.

Nativity Pageant: The Solvang Festival Theater (420 Second Street, Solvang, CA) is having a free nativity pageant, also known as the “Christmas Story”, on Saturday December 9th. The show is free, and there are two showings: one at 5:00 pm and one at 7:00 pm. There will be a choir, actors wearing traditional nativity costumes and live animals on stage. Although the performances are free, there is limited space so seats will be given on a first come, first entertained basis.

8 Days {an Edible Hanukkah Collaboration}: Tuesday, December 12 through Tuesday, December 19, 2017, Santa Ynez Valley locals and visitors will be treated to an exclusive holiday food happening as Chef Drew Terp, Chef/Co-Owner of PICO at The Los Alamos General Store (www.losalamosgeneralstore.com), and Chef Brooke Stockwell, Executive Chef for K’Syrah Catering & Events (www.kscateringandevents.com), team up for a collaborative eight-day Hanukkah food fest: “8 Days {an Edible Hanukkah Collaboration}”.

Elverhøj Museum’s Christmas Party: On the first Sunday in December (December 3rd), Elverhøj Museum is hosting their annual Christmas Party. There will be a 12-foot tall tree decorated with hand-made Danish ornaments, demonstrations of Danish Christmas crafts, bobbin lace making, live music, dancing around the Christmas tree and more fun activities. There will be traditional Danish open face sandwiches, Danish Christmas cookies and chocolates and all-around Danish Christmas cheer. Santa will also stop by to visit the kids, and he usually brings treats too! For more information call the Museum at (805) 686-1211

Holiday Concert: On Saturday December 16th at 7:30 pm and on Sunday December 17th at 3:00 pm the Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale and Orchestra will perform their holiday concert, entitled “The Festival Of Carols”. The Youth Choir will be joining them in singing and performing holiday-themed music, including traditional caroling songs. The concerts will take place at The Solvang Vets Hall (1745 Mission Drive in Solvang, CA 93463).

Danish Family Christmas Dinner: The Danish Sisterhood is hosting their annual Traditional Family Danish Christmas Dinner on Sunday December 10th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Bethania Lutheran Church (621 Atterdag Rd). There will be a delicious dinner, dancing around the Christmas tree and a special visit from Santa. This event is open to everyone, so bring your friends and family. Call (805) 705-2118 for more information.

About VisitSYV.com: Visit Santa Ynez Valley provides listings of the best Santa Ynez wineries, best places to eat in Solvang, Santa Ynez hotels and inns, and things to do in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the website at www.VisitSYV.com for complete travel and visitor services. “Like” the Facebook page for ideas on planning Santa Ynez vacations. Email info@VisitSYV.com for help planning your next vacation in the Santa Ynez Valley.

As we close the door on the summer season, fall ushers in many beloved Santa Ynez Valley events. Help us celebrate the harvest season with the below events during the months of September and October.

September Events 

Solvang Danish Days
September 15 – 17 Admission to Solvang Danish Days is free! Danish Days includes three parades, Danish folk dancers and musicians performing around town, plus other feature events like the Aebleskiver Breakfasts, Viking Encampment, free Saturday evening rock concert line-up, and much more!

71st Annual Los Alamos Valley Old Days
September 22 – 24
The Los Alamos Old Days Celebration is held each year to honor, preserve and celebrate the town’s authentic Western heritage. Highlights of the weekend celebration include free entertainment, two-day Peddlers Mart, and Sunday morning’s Greatest Little Small Town Parade!

Figtoberfest 2017
September 23
Celebrate Oktoberfest at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company’s FigtoberFest featuring their FigtoberFest lager, stein specials, German food, music, contests and more. Local Figueroa Mountain Brewing taprooms can be found in Los Olivos and Buellton.

Santa Barbara Vintners Celebration of Harvest
September 29 – October 2
Celebration of Harvest is a four day wine harvest celebration in Santa Barbara Wine Country featuring wine dinners, vineyard excursions, winery open houses, and the Harvest Experience Passport.

October Events

Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest
October 1 – 31
Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley welcome harvest season in true fall style, as we kick off the 8th Annual Scarecrow Fest and Contest on Sunday, October 1, coinciding with Santa Barbara Wine Country’s “Celebration of Harvest” weekend event. During the month-long Scarecrow Fest, valley businesses and organizations will participate in the contest by featuring a scarecrow of their own creation, posted at their location.

 The Great Grape Stomp at Kalyra Winery
October 14
Voted one of the Central Coast’s best wine events, Kalyra’s Grape Stomp event is fun for the entire family – and yes, you get to stomp grapes right in the vat! Join them for a variety of food truck options or bring your own picnic (no outside alcohol), Grape stomping (costumes encouraged), music all day by The Molly Ringwald Project, games, raffles and of course wine!

Los Olivos Day in the Country
October 21
Join us come rain or shine, for Los Olivos’ most highly acclaimed festival of the year, the popular Day in the Country. This special day is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy country living the way it used to be in simpler times. And best of all, attendance is free!

 
24th Annual Solvang Halloween Haunted House and Street Fest
October 30 – 31
On Monday and Tuesday, October 30 and 31, 2017, City of Solvang Parks and Recreation and City of Buellton Recreation will host the 24th Annual “Halloween Haunted House” and the associated “Halloween Street Fest”, which will thrill visitors with food, fun and spirits. The Haunted House and Street Fest, to be held at, and in front of, the Solvang Festival Theater (420 2nd Street), will run from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM both nights, with a kid-friendlier version of the Haunted House presented both evenings from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Haunted House entry fees are $9.00 per child (13 and under), and $11.00 per adult.

Solvang Annual Haunted House and Street Fest photo by Tenley Fohl Photography

Still looking for more fun? Check out our Events Calendar for a complete listing of upcoming special events, and take a look at our recurring monthly events as well. 

About VisitSYV.com: Visit Santa Ynez Valley provides listings of the best Santa Ynez wineries, best places to eat in Solvang, Santa Ynez hotels and inns, and things to do in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the website at www.VisitSYV.com for complete travel and visitor services. “Like” the Facebook page for ideas on planning Santa Ynez vacations. Email info@VisitSYV.com for help planning your next vacation in the Santa Ynez Valley.