Stretching across a large portion of Santa Barbara County, the Santa Ynez Valley has transformed from a sleepy ranching and wine-growing region into a premier dining and accommodation destination that's challenging Sonoma and Napa. For the previous fifteen years,
usually to take in the exceptional wine environment and see how ancillary wine tourist services, such as restaurants, hotels, and boutique stores, have caught up with its bottled offering. Such rural gentrification typically results in the erosion of a region's traditional cultural heritage and character in favor of glitter and flash—the transformation of Napa Valley by Silicon. For now, Santa Ynez Valley has maintained a firm connection to its roots, given the economy is still driven by agriculture and ranching, the equine industry, and tourism.
For years, the denizens of Los Angeles favored Santa Barbara’s beachfront Spanish Colonial vibes for weekend getaways to the interior towns of Santa Ynez Valley. Just 30 minutes from the beaches of Santa Barbara, two hours from Los Angeles and four hours from San Francisco, however, Santa Ynez Valley is easily accessible by car, sitting between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the San Rafael Mountains. The six unique towns that make up the Santa Ynez Valley each have their own culture and offerings, but a common element that unites them all is an air of the bygone era that contributes to the allure of the area.
Santa Ynez Valley has everything you could want: charming small towns, a nod to the classic California western scene, and cutting-edge eateries, pubs, and wineries. If at all possible, just try to keep it a secret. Visit the Santa Ynez Valley visitor center website to get ideas for your vacation, including information on lodging, activities, wineries, and itineraries.
Artisan Excursion offers wine tours in Solvang CA, which include a range of exquisite wines ranging from rare vintageones to new bridle ones to help you branch out and discover new, unique tastes.
Our wine tour packages also include a delicious dinner in the vine, and small group tours so you can enjoy your privacy. What makes the tour more memorable is the added advantage of the scenic views that Solvang offers.
Comments