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Go On a Western Adventure in the Santa Ynez Valley
A last bastion of California's Wild West offers the rare opportunity to finish a 90-minute horseback ride with a wine tasting.


All photos courtesy of Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association
A group tours the beautiful hills of the Santa Ynez Valley.


Caressed by Pacific breezes and evening fog, the vineyards in the western end of Santa Ynez Valley are known for exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.”
Santa Barbara wine country is located just 35 miles north of the beaches of Santa Barbara, California in wild and wonderful Santa Ynez Valley.

It’s a glorious descent from the Santa Ynez Mountain range into the long, fertile Santa Ynez Valley. For wine tourists coming from the city of Santa Barbara, the first vista view is so stunning, they often pull off the road to take it all in. Santa Ynez Valley is Santa Barbara County’s largest AVA region covering 76,000 acres with more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms to discover.

It’s about as authentic Wild West as you’ll find these days, with lone cattle grazing on golden hills; silent, narrow country lanes; and farmers wearing cowboy hats in the fields. There’s more elbow room in Santa Ynez Valley, but don’t let the wide-open spaces fool you. In every direction, there is plenty to see and do.

Besides the rural countryside, where opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, and motorcycling abound, there are museums, galleries, theaters, a casino, spas, shops, and eateries. What’s more, around every turn there’s another winery or tasting room with wonderful new varietals and blends to discover.

You can’t possibly see and do it all in a day, or even two—so when you make your descent into Santa Ynez Valley, bring your suitcase.

Six Unique Towns Brimming with genuine hospitality, each town in Santa Ynez Valley offers delightful places to stay while you explore the others. The historic town of Ballard is home to a 120-year-old red schoolhouse and quiet streets for strolling. Buellton offers beautiful parks and two great brew houses. The main street of Los Alamos has a historic train depot with an antique mall, and quaint shops. Los Olivos offers scores of tasting rooms and art galleries. Santa Ynez offers a historic saloon, and a carriage house and museum. The Danish-influenced town of Solvang’s flower-lined streets feature shops, galleries, and tasting rooms.

LOCAL WINES
Caressed by Pacific breezes and evening fog, the vineyards in the western end of Santa Ynez Valley (Sta. Rita Hills) are known for exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A bit further from the sea in the center of the valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and other Rhone varieties thrive. And in the eastern end of the valley (Happy Canyon), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon reign supreme. The diversity and quality of wines grown in Santa Ynez Valley is amazing. To learn more, visit sbcountywines.com.

LOCAL FOODS
As with its wines, Santa Ynez Valley offers a remarkable variety of food choices. If hunger strikes along the wine trail, don’t despair. Each town in Santa Ynez Valley has at least one restaurant, and most have more. Feast on pan-seared duck breast, baked brie, linguine pasta, flatbread pizza, aebleskiver, pea soup, and beef tri-tip. There are also great local bakeries, groceries, and farm stands for picnics and quick bites along the way.


LOCAL FINDS
The longer you stay, the more you’ll find to do. Play blackjack or see a concert at Chumash Casino Resort. Take a 90-minute horseback ride with wine tasting and lunch in Los Olivos. Try beer tasting in Buellton, Los Olivos, or Solvang. Visit a lavender farm, feed ostriches, play golf, ride a mountain bike, and learn to say skal (Danish for "cheers"). Toast yourself for discovering Santa Barbara wine country, an exceptional place to tour, taste, and stay.

INSIDE SCOOP
There are more than 30 hotels, motels, inns, and resorts with a variety of amenities in Santa Ynez Valley. Look for mid-week, extended stay perks to help stretch your travel budget and make reservations at syvha.com and learn more at visitthesantaynezvalley.com.

Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.


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Over 1 million couples turn to Hitched for expert marital advice every year. Sign up now for our newsletter & get exclusive weekly content that will entertain, educate and inspire your marriage.



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