A hidden gem located in Santa Barbara County, California, Santa Ynez Valley lies between its namesake mountains to the south and the San Rafael Mountains to the north. 

Just 30 min from Santa Barbara but worlds away offering world class wineries, first class restaurants and eclectic shopping. This guide will give ideas for a wonderful weekend, including food options, wine farms and activities.   If you find it useful, you are welcome to leave a tip to show your appreciation and keep the creative juices flowing. 

The Foreign Zebra:  The ultimate guide to Santa Ynez Valley 

Bob’s Well Bread is an institution in the valley. It’s original outpost in Los Alamos has a cult following but the newer location in Ballard offers a more sophisticated experience. Offering artisan breads and pastries, it was named by Travel & Leisure as one of 15 amazing small-town bakeries!

Bell’s is a family-run, French inspired bistro from Per Se alums Daisy and Greg Ryan (Food & Wine best new chef and one of Esquires best new restaurants). The creative menu rotates weekly but the steak frites are a constant staple and for good reason. 

S.Y. Kitchen attracts a buzzing crowd daily and serves thoughtfully sources, refined Italian meals in a simple, stylish space with a porch & patio seating. 

Sunstone vinyards, winery and villa is an organic vineyard retreat modeled on a French villa with a lavender filled courtyard & wine caves. Enjoy the sunshine, music and electric atmosphere while enjoying wine tasting at their outdoor venue. 

Campover offers a variety of modern essentials that make your cabin feel like a home and your home feel like a cabin.

The most innovative boutique Solvang hotel in the Santa Ynez Valley. This stunning 51-room hotel offers warm hospitality and refined, stylish accommodations. The Landsby features a clean contemporary design, with a hint of traditional Scandinavian aesthetic. Relax by the fire pits or enjoy a meal at the trendy in house restaurant Mad & Vin. 

Hotel Ynez is nestled on two private acres with extensive gardens, a heated 21 and over pool, bonfire pits, and a rustic outdoor pavilion for nights under the stars. Relaxed yet sophisticated, the property provides a respite from urban living. A place where modern travelers can lounge amongst the Oak trees, on private patios, or poolside, while nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. 

Imagine a place where the streets are lined with Danish windmills and the hills are carved with winding horse trails. There are delightful pastry displays. And decadent local chardonnays. And a decidedly enchanting ostrich refuge where you can feed the birds by hand. Now imagine that place isn’t imaginary at all. 

Offering appointment-based wine tasting at their sustainably farmed vineyard estate in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara Wine Country, this elegant estate brings a modern Scandinavian vibe to the desert wine lands. 

Pearson McGee and his husband Spencer Turnbull founded Santa Ynez General in 2019 with the vision of creating a luxury design destination in the Santa Ynez Valley. Pearson, who built his career working at luxury fashion brands, including executive positions with Neiman Marcus and Giorgio Armani, and Spencer, an accomplished attorney who practiced in Washington DC and Los Angeles, each pivoted away from their corporate career paths to seize their dream of building their own brand grounded in the bucolic Santa Ynez Valley. 

A hop, skip and short drive from Santa Barbara, the Santa Ynez Valley has been a purveyor of dreams for decades.

Who’da thunk you could find a charming, upscale, European-style cheese shop with some of the finest cheeses from around the world in downtown Solvang, the Danish capital of America?

(Hey, they’ve got a lot of wine ‘round there too… and you know how lovely the dance of cheese and wine is!) 

Sourcing from the finest dairies and producers throughout the United States and Europe, their case is stocked with cheese to suit every taste. And their shelves are lined with all the goodies that enhance each cheese experience. On top of that? They have got warm bites for you to eat in shop or al fresco straight from their micro kitchen.

Bodega is a place to call home. Where strangers become friends and an afternoon tucked beneath California live oaks blends into a cozy evening around the fire. The mood is decidedly chill and reflects the heart and soul of Los Alamos.

Relax in the open-air wine & beer garden featuring natural and organic wines from near and far and unusual, hard to find beers and ciders. Discover fresh and found goods in the shop and explore the idyllic greenhouse for plants and garden essentials to add to your home.

When you inevitably get the feeling that you don’t want to leave, choose to stay in the thoughtfully updated 1920’s guesthouse, available now for booking.