Santa Ynez Valley Travel Guide

Where Is That?

If you’ve been to the Santa Ynez Valley, then you know. If you haven’t, add it to the top of your travel list, ASAP! About 2 hours from LA, Santa Ynez is Northeast of Santa Barbara. A magical little valley, sprinkled with quant streets, all with main streets shorter than a city block, it truly is a must visit.

Santa Ynez is a special place to us. While my family is very private, I wanted to share why this magical location is so meaningful to us. My in laws used to have a vineyard there so the early years of my relationship were spent with many magical weekends in this special place. We’ve had endless laughs, life celebrations and barrels and barrels of wine here. The last time we were here, we were with a house full of old friends and I was about 6 months pregnant with Leo.

When we began talking about 2019 travel plans, it dawned on us that we have never taken a vacation with just the four of us: My husband, me and our two kids. With both sets of parents that live in town, friends sprinkled all over the world and the wedding invites still trickling in, our travel tends to be predefined. Talking about where we wanted to go, after last summer’s travel to Nantucket {check out the kid friendly travel guide post HERE}, my husband wanted something a little closer. Dealing with flights is great to avoid with kids, when possible {read: not very often possible}. So, driving distance less than 6 hours in July narrowed it down quite a bit.

Since we know Santa Ynez Valley well, so activities with kids, knowing that nap times wouldn’t be screwed up, and evening knowing what restaurants and vineyards were kid friendly, made it an easy choice.

Where to Stay

There are endless boutique hotels:

• Santa Ynez Inn – 3627 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460•(805) 688-5588
• Fess Parker – 2860 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441•(805) 688-7788
• Landsby – 1576 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463•(805) 688-3121
• Ballard Inn – 2436 Baseline Ave, Ballard, CA 93463•(800) 638-2466

While some of these are also included below on places to eat, since I’ve only stayed in a hotel once in The Valley, and it was for a wedding, I really recommend renting a house. A home gives you a chance to feel like a local, have a full kitchen after a day of wine tasting, and get one with a pool for the kids! Here is the listing that we used for this trip.

Where to Drink

There are endless places to wine taste and drink. Thanks to the movie Sideways the Valley has gotten to have a well beaten trail of places mentioned, featured or used for filming in the movie. Some of the places are awesome {Los Olivos Cafe}, others are not included in this list {a central located winery that I did not include}.

Below are our Must Visits and that could be for numerous reasons, but normally comes back to the location and wine both being awesome.

NOTE: Most vineyards close between 4 and 5pm.

Rusack

• 1819 Ballard Canyon Road, Solvang, CA 93463 ||  805-688-1278

The drive to this vineyard from Los Olivos is so gorgeous. You can easily access it from Solvang, but I recommend coming from Los Olivos. The property is so gorgeous and there is a shaded patio with chairs and tables. They have a charcuterie board available for purchase, but don’t mind if you bring outside food.

100% kid friendly, as the tasting patio is off set from the road and the kids can play in multiple areas of the yard/patio area. I’ve never been here without seeing kids.

As with most vineyards, they will offer the tasting for free if you join their wine club. If you leave your trip joining just one wine club, I recommend this one. Their selections are amazing and not too often. Plus, they keep selections just for shipment for wine club members.

Wine Favorites : ALL. But if I had to pick, their Rose and Pinot Noir are a must.

Starlane

• 1280 Drum Canyon Rd. Sta. Rita Hills, CA 93436 || 805-697-1278

A bit of a drive from downtown Los Olivos {about 25 minutes} but it gives you an appreciation about this beautiful valley. Bring a picnic {we always have} and a blanket to sit on the grass.

100% kid friendly as, again, the tasting grass area is offset from the road and there is a little garden for the kids to explore. If you bring kids, I recommend planning on being outside. The tasting room is in a converted barn that echos, so child noises will too.

Wine Favorites : Sauvingon Blanc

Coquelicot

• 2884 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441 || 805-688-1500

Located right in the center of town of Los Olivos, you don’t want to walk around the quaintest street in America without stopping in at this tasting room. There is a traditional tasting room, with an expansive garden out back, complete with bacci and plenty and grass and hangout areas. {skip across the street to Panino and bring back a sandwich}. Try the tasting, but if you prefer to sit and enjoy, get a bottle {or three!} of their rose to sip and share in the back garden.

Extremely kid and pet friendly! A fenced in garden with lots to explore, ensures that you can have adult conversation, and beverage, without your little ones getting into trouble or the street.

Wine Favorites : Rose. Buy a case. You’ll thank me when you get home.

Gainey

• 3950 East Highway 256, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 || 805-688-0558

While this tended to always be a vineyard we would take guests and friends while in town, it wasn’t enough of a favorite to visit on this latest trip. The property is amazing and very popular for weddings. You can easily take a picture within the vines if you need it for the ‘gram.

Wine Favorites : Ask to taste their Evan’s Ranch selection. Some of the best red I’ve ever had.

Roblar

• 3010 Roblar Ave, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 || 805- 6862603

Again, another vineyard we would often take friends but not one we visited this last trip. You can’t miss it off the main highway that connect Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. They have beautiful grounds and there are many chances for perfect Instagrammable pictures. They have a great brunch with live music on Sundays.

Maverick

• 3607 Sagunto Street, Santa Ynez, CA 93460

You really can’t go to the valley and NOT go get a drink here. A classic saloon, you will be mingling with everyone from out of town wedding guests, to ranch hands to locals. They have live music all the time and even light night food.

Where to Eat

Los Olivos Wine Merchant and Cafe

• 2879 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441 || 805-688-2765
• NEED a reservation

Since this restaurant was featured in the movie Sideways, and it ahhhhh-mazing, you will need a reservation, especially if you want lunch or dinner on the patio or on the weekend. The menu is very inclusive {something for the meat eaters, something for the vegetarians, something for the kids}. I always love talking to the wait staff here as they are always locals and will give you all the scoop. From where to go to what to order.

It is also a great place to get amazing access to tons of different wines. They don’t carry a bunch of bottles of each that they carry, but everything that they have is amazing. The staff really knows their stuff and can steer you in the correct direction for any varietal, and price point, that you prefer.

Kid friendly, in ambiance and menu.

Panino

• 2900 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441 || 805-688-9304
• Call in your order and take it with you to vineyard {or Coquelicot right across the street!}

The best sandwich spot in town, with selections for everyone. I don’t know how this is my billionth trip to the valley and my first time to this spot! We went three days in a row, even calling in an order for the drive home. They have probably about 50 sandwiches, and something for everyone!

Ballard Inn

• 2436 Baseline Ave, Ballard, CA 93463 || (805) 688-7770
• NEED a reservation

The nicest restaurant in the valley, it is located in an old farm style home that has been converted into an Inn. You feel, purposefully, like you are eating in someone’s home, between the service and the menu.

I would recommend getting a sitter for this evening.

Dos Carlitos

• 3544 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
• No reservation needed!

Great for every meal of the day, I would say my favorite being lunch. Give your wine taste buds a break and drink allll the tequila. Don’t miss out on the guacamole.

Extremely kid friendly, both in menu and ambiance.

Los Olivos Grocery

• 2621 CA-154, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 || (805) 688-5115

While this seem silly to have a grocery store on this selection, I have had amazing meals here every time of the day. Their brunch, that they serve on the patio, has saved me from a death from a hangover more than once. They have great coffee and a boutique selection of groceries, but enough for you to survive on. Their deli in the back makes amazing sandwich to order.

Corner House Cafe

• 2902 San Marcos Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441 || (805) 691-9015

Great for coffee and breakfast. We went here, as it was walking distance from our home, almost every morning.

Right next to Wendy Foster, which is a MUSTvisit! The cutest boutique ever and the staff was super helpful helping me get some options for our family photo shoot.

Fess Parker

• 2860 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441 || (805) 686-1359

Right in town of Los Olivos, this is a beautiful property. The lobby restaurant has changed since our last visit, but the amazing back garden has not. Get happy hour and let the kids run in the garden! We did this on the first day, when I didn’t want to cook, needed a cocktail but wanted the kids to get their wiggles out. With, or without kids, I still recommend the back patio.

professional photos by Danielle Bacon Photography

I couldn’t recommend her enough! She is located in Southern California but will travel. I could NOT recommend her enough to get some snaps of you while you visit. The backdrop is too gorgeous and Danielle is extremely talented!

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