‘Gaux-To-Santa Ynez: Our Guide To Santa Barbara’s Hidden Valley

‘Gaux-To-Santa Ynez: Our Guide To Santa Barbara’s Hidden Valley

Craving a California wine trip but don’t know where to start? Recently named 2021 Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast, Santa Barbara County is your ultimate getaway – trust us!

Located on the central coast of California, just two hours north of Los Angeles and about four hours south of the San Francisco area, Santa Barbara County is home to many ‘hidden gem’ wineries. Sitting right in the heart of Santa Barbara county is our personal favorite destination, the Santa Ynez Valley.

It’s hard to properly put into words how special this valley is. This under-the-radar region gives off just the right vibe and will provide you with the perfect combination of fun, adventure, and relaxation. It’s no wonder they’re already seeing a massive boom from tourists alike!

The Santa Ynez Valley is home to the popular local towns of Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Buellton, Solvang, and Santa Ynez. Each town has their own distinct personality and boasts a multitude of tasting rooms, wineries, breweries, shops, and restaurants that are ready to excite your palate. Many of these businesses are still family-owned and smaller in production, adding to the reasons why we love them so much!

The Bigger Picture:

North of the city of Santa Barbara and just inland from Gaviota lies the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, which contains a subset of four additional AVAs, each with their own unique climates and profiles for grape growing and winemaking.

Beginning in Lompoc, the Sta. Rita Hills AVA stretches east to the town of Buellton, producing some of Santa Barbara County’s most prized and renown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir bottlings. Ballard Canyon AVA lies just beyond the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. It borders the Los Olivos District AVA, the newest of these areas. Lastly, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA is on the most eastern border of these AVAs, and is generally the warmest site for grape-growing production.

First Things First:

Breakfast (and coffee) are the most important meals of the day. Here are some of our go-to-selections whether you have 10 minutes or 2 hours:

• God’s Country Provisions (right in the Los Olivos town) – Delicious, crafty donuts
• Bob’s Well Bread (Ballard or Los Alamos) – The most insane artisanal pastries and delights
• Queen Cup Coffee (Santa Ynez) – Alyssa would live here if she could. Try the standard coffees or seasonal lattes. You can’t go wrong.
• Lefty’s Coffee Co. (Los Olivos) – new! Pop in for a pick me up while you’re out tasting wine.
• Good Seed Coffee Boutique (Solvang) – This is a staple in Solvang. Try one of their great pastries and easy breakfast items for eating on the go!
• The Baker’s Table (Santa Ynez) – The best French toast. Trust me.
• Brekkies Restaurant (Solvang)
• Succulent Cafe (Solvang)
• Mad & Vin (Solvang) – It’s hidden within the infamous Landsby hotel, but you can’t beat the brunch here

Ready for Round Two:

Don’t skip on lunch! We promise you won’t regret taking a few extra minutes from your tasting schedule to pop into one these local favorites:

• Corner House Café (Los Olivos) – Easy, Classic, Delicious.
• Panino (Los Olivos) – You’ve maybe seen this name before. With endless sandwich creations, you can’t go wrong with anything on this menu.
• Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café (Los Olivos) – Cal-Med fare is paired with local wines
• The Lucky Hen and Larder (Santa Ynez) – Cheese board, anyone? This spot has artisan sandwiches and cut-to-order cheese.
• Peasants Feast (Solvang) – This is a staple in Solvang. Great family. Great food.
• Peasants Deli & Market (Solvang) – new! Some of the best and unique sandwiches I have ever experienced
• Nella Kitchen & Bar (Los Olivos) – They open at noon, so great apps and Pinsa’s available for to-go! Otherwise, also highly recommend for dinner as well.
• Bell’s Restaurant (Los Alamos) – Also one of our top dinner spots, but their lunch… hands down the best egg salad sandwich you’ll ever eat. A good mix of seafood, sandys, and classic French / American faire
• Full Of Life Flatbread (Los Alamos) – Creative wood-fired pizzas, locally sourced fare & craft brews
• Ramen Kotori (Solvang) – If you’re feeling a different flare, this is a Japanese ramen restaurant with fresh local ingredients and the most delicious Pork buns.

The Evening Doesn’t Have to End:

Whether you’re dining for one or with a large group of friends, these are a few of our treasured spots for dinner. The chefs, the food, the atmosphere… we can’t rave about each of these enough:

• S.Y. Kitchen (Santa Ynez) – Handmade pastas. I repeat, handmade pastas. Refined Italian meals that will keep you coming back every time.
• Bell’s Restaurant (Los Alamos) – Recently awarded a Michelin Star! French-inspired bistro from per se alums Daisy and Greg Ryan. They offer a set Prix Fixe menu that changes seasonally and will knock your socks off
• Nella Kitchen & Bar (Los Olivos) – Sister to S.Y Kitchen. Italian-Med influence with locally-sourced ingredients. There isn’t any wrong option on this menu
• Bar Le Cote (Los Olivos) – Seafood sister to Bell’s; Seafood tavern inspired by the daily catch of the Central Coast and the modern cuisine of Europe’s seaside capitals. Thoughtful maritime fare in a casual, social atmosphere
• Mattei’s Tavern (Los Olivos) – Brand new! Located inside the exquisite Auberge resort: The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern
• Coast Range & Vaquero Bar (Solvang) – Surf & Turf style – A multi-concept venture by award-winning chefs and industry veterans Anthony Carron, Lincoln Carson, and Steven Fretz. They also have a great bar area for a night cap!
• Industrial Eats (Buellton) – Modern counter serve with New American eats, a deli & wood-fired pizza, plus tap beer & wine
• Pico (Los Alamos) – Pico’s menu changes frequently according to what is locally available from farmers and ranchers. Great local atmosphere, hidden gem wines and cocktails

** For the home chefs: check out El Rancho Marketplace (Solvang) for all your recipe needs, as well as Finley Farms (Santa Ynez) for the best fresh local produce.

The Juice:

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you really can’t go wrong with any of the tasting rooms or wineries within the valley. Here’s what we suggest for your first few visits:

Vineyard and Winery visits:

Piazza Family Wines, Au Bon Climat, Peake Ranch, Spear, Brave and Maiden, Racines, The Hilt Estate / Jonata, Presqu’ile, Folded Hills, Foxen, Melville, Andrew Murray, Demetria, Pence, and Sanford.

Tasting Rooms (Just to name a few):

Lompoc:

• Chanin Wine Company
• Piedrasassi Wine and Bread
• Tyler Winery
• Kita Wines

Santa Maria / Los Alamos:

• Bodega Los Alamos – Beautiful, cozy, relaxing outdoor space with an ode to natural wine, beer and goods
• A Tribute to Grace (Los Alamos)
• Tatomer (Santa Maria)

Los Olivos:

• Storm Wines – Must!
• Carhartt Family Wines
• Stolpman Vineyards
• Holus Bolus and Black Sheep
• Story of Soil
• Future Perfect
• Donnachadh Family Wines
• Dreamcote
• Grimm’s Bluff
• Solminer

Wine Bars:

The Hitching Post Restaurant and Winery (Buellton) – For all of our wine geeks, if you’ve seen Sideways, this is a must visit!

Breweries:

• Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. (Buellton and Los Olivos)
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Buellton)

A Little Rest and Relaxation:

The Valley is home to many wonderful (and comfortable) places to rest your head and your feet. These are a few we frequent:

• The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern – The Valley’s newest luxury hotel by the reputable Auberge Resorts Collection. If you’re looking for a place to splurge on your well-deserved getaway weekend… look no further
• The Landsby (Solvang) – 4 star staple, warm hospitality and refined, stylish accommodations
• Skyview (Los Alamos) – An iconic roadside motel turned boutique luxury
• Hotel Ynez (Solvang) – A personal fav: relaxed, sophisticated, this property provides a respite from urban living. Private patios, a pool, bonfire pits, and a rustic outdoor pavilion for nights under the stars.
• Alamo Motel (Los Alamos) – The cutest boutique hotel conveniently located in the heart of Los Alamos downtown
• Fess Parker Wine Country Inn (Los Olivos) – In the town of Los Olivos, FP is excellent for weekend getaways, romantic retreats and destination weddings
• 11 Oaks Retreat (Ballard) – Family-owned and operated by our friends at Carhartt, Find it on AirBnB!
• The Ballard Inn (Ballard) – Another 4-star beauty with relaxed luxury

We hope you enjoy your stay in our beloved oasis that is Santa Ynez Valley. Cheers!