Santa ynez

The Santa Ynez Valley is located in Santa Barbara County, on the central coast of California, which makes it a perfect day trip destination for travelers looking to explore a new and different area outside of Los Angeles! This area has recently become one of my favorite places to visit when I want a

The pure, unsullied California-ness of the Santa Ynez Valley, a tiny wine region inland from the Central Coast, has turned it into one of the state's most popular weekend getaways.

Our guide to where to eat, shop, and stroll in Santa Ynez Valley, California's charming central wine region getaway.

With six superlative towns, top-flight wines, and the coolest culinary scene on the coast, all against a backdrop of rolling hills, the Santa Ynez Valley is the ultimate Central Coast California getaway.

Are you looking for things to do in the Santa Ynez Valley? This 2025 guide filled with adventure-infused activities will help you plan your next visit.

WHEN IT COMES to eating and drinking, I could give up almost anything, except red wine and grilled beef. Both of those are practically in my blood. On my mother’s side, my great-grandfather Alex founded a meatpacking operation in Idaho in 1918. On my father’s side, Abuelo Eduardo’s wine company in Colombia also dates back more than a century. I’m pretty sure it was because of this heritage that I wound up living in Santa Barbara, with its storied ranches and vineyards.

Santa Barbara County is home to some of the most exciting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah in California. It's no wonder that Santa Barbara County — and its appellations of Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon, and Ballard Canyon — is so popular for winery tours.

The pure, unsullied California-ness of the Santa Ynez Valley, a tiny wine region inland from the Central Coast, has turned it into one of the state's most popular weekend getaways.

My godparents’ Joan and Jerry have an amazing ranch in Santa Ynez that I...