Your Valley Concierge Most of my clients began their romance with the Santa Ynez Valley during a memorable visit. Leaving behind the traffic and the hectic demands of everyday life, our guests head for “The Valley” with dreams of a laid back couple of days. This often involves some fine wines, great food, a glorious ride on horseback, golf, tennis, biking, hiking, fishing, and just hangin’ out, surrounded by our beautiful mountain ranges. The Santa Ynez Valley is truly a feast for the eyes and chicken soup for the soul. Its no wonder that we “locals” call it “paradise”. So leave your fancy duds home, and join us for a “local” experience, and see if you too, don’t fall in love with this very special place. In the sections that follow, I have identified some of my favorite spots in the Santa Ynez Valley, including hotels, restaurants, wineries, golf courses, galleries, equestrian activities, fishing holes, hiking trails, biking trails and other fun and beautiful Santa Ynez Valley experiences. By no means is this list exhaustive….and the fact that some place is not included, should not be taken as a lack of endorsement. But like most things, I have my personal favorites and am sharing them with you below. Places to Stay: The Ballard Inn, Ballard www.ballardinn.com a romantic bed and breakfast, with a wonderful restaurant and wine tasting
Santa Ynez Inn, Santa Ynez www.santaynezinn.com
a wonderful, elegant European style inn with fabulous breakfasts
The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, Solvang www.alisal.com
beautiful, historical family guest ranch, with horses, golf, tennis and dining room, on about 10,000 acres
Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn, Los Olivos www.fessparker.comlocated in the heart of charming Los Olivos, with bistro and fine dining
- Petersen Village Inn, Solvang www.peterseninn.com
located in the heart of Solvang, warm and inviting atmosphere
Edison Street Inn, Santa Ynez www.edisonstreetinn.com
a new bed and breakfast in the heart of Santa Ynez, lovely Victorian
Places to Eat: Breakfast……… Ellen’s Pancake House, Buellton, great Danish pancakes
Long Horn Coffee Shop, Santa Ynez, a local, cowboy hangout closes at 1:00 p.m. - Paula's Pancake House, Solvang, and Paula's Burger Barn, Santa Ynez
Pattibakes, Buellton, some of the best cakes in the world
- Mortensen’s, Solvang, great Danish bakery
- Corner Coffee House, Los Olivos, quaint spot to hang out and read the paper or play with your computer
Roasted Bean Coffee Shop, Santa Ynez, a great spot to people watch
Lunch………… River Grill, Solvang, beautiful golf course views
Café Quackenbush, Los Alamos, great food with tables set in beautiful art gallary in the original General Store....worth the 15 minute drive
Los Olivos Grocery, Los Olivos, great deli, gourmet nibbles, fine selection of local wines; eat outside on covered porch
Patrick’s Side Street Café, Los Olivos, eat inside or out on porch or patio, creative food and wine, a delightful place for a leasurely lunch (or dinner).
The Vineyard House, Santa Ynez, one of the best outdoor patios in the heart of Santa Ynez
Los Olivos Café, Los Olivos, outdoor and indoor dining, fine selection of wines; featured in Sideways
The Chef’s Touch, Solvang, creative, delicious food; kitchen gadgets - Panino's, Los Olivos and Solvang, wonderful, designer sandwiches and salads, casual service
Dinner…………
Great steaks, fries, grilled artichokes and wine, a hugely popular steak joint with locals and wine makers….., the” Sideways” effect has made this busy restaurant even more so…..so make some reservations.. A local favorite with wonderfully prepared food and a fine selection of wine and cocktails. This is another winemaker hangout. The bar has good energy and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Reservations important. This is arguably among the most creative and beautifully presented cuisine in the Valley. A quiet, romantic spot in a lovely inn. Reservations are recommended.
Great energy and food in this busy trattoria, with chefs and owners from the motherland. This is a local favorite, and the food bar might provide opportunity for mixing and mingling. Red Barn Steak House, Santa Ynez (805) 688-4142
This is a Valley institution particularly among the cowboys and cowgirls. The bar is a fun spot to hang out with the dudes and enjoy great coctails. Patrick's Side Street Cafe, Los Olivos, www.patrickssidestreetcafe.com
Intimate dining room and patio with lovely food and wine - The Vineyard House, Santa Ynez, www.thevineyardhouse.com
Lovely patio with heaters. Try Gabe's Salmon for a special treat. Owner Jim Sobel is a good source of information on biking. - The Porch, Los Olivos, part of the Los Olivos Grocery
Located on the porch of the wonderful Los Olivos Grocery, serving a range of food from great Kobe burgers to gourmet entrees. A rustic elegant spot. Buy wine in the Grocery to drink with your meal.
Other food choices...............
Firestone’s Restaurant and Brewery, Buellton, fun spot for light meals and full dinners, beer, wine. Good for families; food bar and bar area.
Aru, Buellton, very good sushi.
Intermezzo café-bar at Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn, Los Olivos. Café food and good wine selection.
American Flatbread Pizza Company, Los Alamos, creative pizza in fun atmosphere; only open Friday and Saturday nights. 805 344-4400
The New Danish Inn, Solvang, the real Danish deal, complete with smorgasbord.
Take out and wine picnic foods………
Los Olivos Grocery, Los Olivos, all manner of wine related and gourmet foods and fabulous cheese. Great selection of wines. A treat just to browse the aisles.
El Rancho Marketplace, Santa Ynez, another great deli and local market.
Our Country Market, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez, sandwiches, sodas, ice cream
Things to Do:
Wineries and wine tasting…… The Santa Ynez Valley has become a premier wine producing region in California. With warm days and cool nights, our climate is perfect for growing grapes. There are many tasting rooms concentrated in the town of Los Olivos and scattered throughout Solvang. Tasting rooms have also opened in Los Alamos. Also, there are fine local selections of wines for purchase at Los Olivos Grocery and Nielsen’s market (Solvang). For abundant information on our wineries, we suggest you go to
Some wineries that we enjoy: - Foxen Vineyards.....all around great wine in rustic tasting room
- Rusack Vineyards.....located on magical Ballard Canyon, this is a lovely winery and one of the best spots to picnic with a fine bottle of wine (see vineyard photo on home page taken at Rusack Vineyards).
- Andrew Murray.....is one of our Rhone Rangers and produces some of the finest Rhone varietals. Tasting room in Los Olivos, next to our office
- Sunstone Winery...a beautiful winery in the Tuscan style well known for its Merlot; a beautiful spot for a wedding.
- Gainey Winery....another beautiful winery which offers great concerts throughout the summer; check on schedule.
- Lucas and Lewellyn....lovely tasting room in Solvang....ask for Andy and tell him we sent you.
- Melville Winery.....a gorgeous newcomer in the latest appellation....Santa Rita....which is producing amazing Rhone varietals.
- Firestone Vineyards ....another lovely spot offering winery tours...a good spot to learn something about the art and craft of wine making.
Wine tasting rooms abound in both Los Olivos and Solvang. We recommend that you pace yourself. There are a couple of wine tasting spots that offer a selection of wines by smaller wineries. There are: - Los Olivos Tasting Room...wide range of great wines
- The Ballard Inn....offers a lovely selection from a number of premier local wineries. You might try this before dinner.
- Los Olivos Cafe....offers a fine selection of wine by the glass...they may do tastings
Bicycling……… The Santa Ynez Valley is a true biker’s destination. With rolling, country roads, hills and beautiful mountains, there are rides for all levels of riders. The Valley is a training site for US Olympic bicycling team, and hosts the annual Century Ride for bikers throughout the country. For information on biking and bike tours:
For the more serious types, FasTrack Bicycles in Santa Barbara might have some tempting equipment www.fastrackbicycles.com. Horseback riding and equestrian activities…… Horse breeding, training and riding is a core passion in the Santa Ynez Valley. The County allows one horse or hoofed animals per half acre, and it is not unusual to find horses on properties throughout the Valley.
The Little BIG Riding School (Los Olivos) offers lessons for both children and adults, contact Cindy McClellan (805) 686-8704.
Alisal Guest Ranch offers rides and lessons to guests.
Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program offers lessons to persons with disabilities, contact (805) 686-6739.
For more information on Arabian Horses, contact the Santa Ynez Valley Arabian Horse Association www.syvaha.com Golf…….. The Valley is a wonderful spot for golfing, with excellent weather and beautiful scenery. There are three courses nearby: River Course at the Alisal (public) www.rivercourse.com Course at the Alisal Guest Ranch (private, for hotel guests; check with them for reciprocity). www.alisal.com Rancho San Marco Golf Course www.rsm1804.com La Purisima www.lapurisimagolf.com Fishing and boating …. One of the most breathtaking sites in the Santa Ynez Valley is Lake Cachuma, which is visable and accessed from the San Marcos Pass (scenic hwy 154). Contact the Cachuma Lake Nature Center for details on boating, fishing, camping and other activities at (805) 686-5050. Art Galleries….. For information on the arts in the Santa Ynez Valley, contact Arts Outreach at (805) 688-5933 Selected galleries, featuring local artists include: Judith Hale Gallery (Los Olivos) www.judithalegallery.com Cody Gallery (Solvang) Gallery Los Olivos Morley Bryant & Co. (Los Alamos) also lovely casual restaurant Casino……… The Chumash Casino Resort & Spa is located on Hwy 246 near the town of Santa Ynez. For information on the casino, resort, spa, restaurants, concerts www.chumashcasino.com FOR VISITOR INFORMATION, WE SUGGEST YOU CONTACT: Santa Ynez Valley Visitor’s Association www.syvva.com Solvang Conference & Visitors’ Bureau www.solvangusa.com For a personalized local itinerary, contact Doris Banchik through the contact form at at top of this page.
Come and Enjoy the Beautiful Santa Ynez Valley |
