Just 125 miles up the coast from Los Angeles, the gorgeous Santa Ynez Valley is ideal for your next adventure. With six unique communities, more than 120 wineries, and an impressive number of restaurants to discover, you’ll want to make the most of your time. This itinerary is a great start.
SIP TRIP — Two Days of Endless Possibiliites
DAY ONE
7:00 am Start your first morning with a hike and earn those afternoon wine tastings! Grass Mountain Trail is known for its beautiful wildflowers—especially in spring when orange poppies cover the mountainside—and scenery. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with commanding views of the Santa Ynez Valley.
10:00 am It’s time to sit back and let the pros take over. Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours, Grapeline Wine Tours, Breakaway Tours, and Compass Wine Tours all give fun guided wine tours in limos, jeeps, vans, and even on bicycles. Tours usually include three winery stops and a catered lunch. Rather go it on your own? Simply download the Santa Ynez Valley Tour Map at visitsyv.com and start exploring.
12:00 pm For a picnic lunch or snacks with local flavor, stop in Santa Ynez at The Lucky Hen Larder for a delicious box lunch, The Baker’s Table for something made with its mild sourdough bread, or El Rancho Market in Solvang for fresh sausage and charcuterie.
4:00 pm Take a break, check in, and freshen up. Santa Ynez Valley has 34 unique lodging options—from luxury fourdiamond properties and boutique inns to cozy cabins and safari tents—to choose from. See the options at visitsyv.com and make reservations before your trip.
6:00 pm Beautiful scenery and mild year-round temperatures make the patio a popular place to gather at the end of the day. Mingle with locals as you enjoy a dinner featuring fresh local ingredients alfresco. Because the Santa Ynez Valley is such an interesting mix of cultures, people, and traditions, there are many tempting restaurant choices. Try Succulent Café in Solvang, Dos Carlitos in Santa Ynez, Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café and The Bear and Star in Los Olivos, Plenty on Bell, and Babi’s Beer Emporium/Valle Fresh in Los Alamos—the list goes on!
8:00 pm Dozens of after-dark options, including 24/7 gaming and seasonal outdoor live music and theater, await across the valley. Check visitsyv.com/events and have a great evening.
DAY TWO
9:00 am Say good morning to Santa Ynez Valley on horseback. KAP Land & Cattle offers traditional 90-minute horseback rides for all levels of riders through the historic 714-acre Parker Family Ranch and Vineyards. Vino Vaqueros offers private horseback rides through the Estelle vineyards followed by a glass of wine at the barn. Both offer the option to add a catered gourmet picnic lunch. Go for it and make a full morning of it!
12:30 pm When you’ve bid adios to your horse, it’s time to dig into Santa Ynez Valley’s rich heritage with stops at three engaging museums. Hours of operations vary day-to-day from museum to museum, so check visitsyv.com before you hit the road.
1:00 pm Start in Santa Ynez at Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House. The museum focuses on the valley’s pioneering settlers and five early townships that formed the foundation of the region. The adjacent Carriage House is home to one of the finest collections of authentic horse-drawn vehicles in the West.
2:15 pm Arrive at Solvang’s Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, which is dedicated to Danish culture and the Danish-American experience. See Solvang’s history through photos, artifacts, and other exhibits and stroll through the spacious art gallery.
3:05 pm It’s a 10-minute walk to your third museum, and you’ll encounter many tempting tasting rooms along the way. Choose one that intrigues you, drop in, and sample the wines.
4:00 pm Arrive at Solvang’s Wildling Museum of Art & Nature and get a deeper appreciation for the conservation of wildlife and natural areas through its compelling displays of art and murals.
6:00 pm Museum- and tasting room-hopping in the Santa Ynez Valley builds an appetite, and you cannot go wrong! Head for another fabulous restaurant or—if you’ve done your homework—perhaps a vineyard under the stars. Many wineries host special outdoor events, barbecues, and concerts in late spring and summer. A full calendar is waiting for you at visitsyv.com