Wine Country
Santa Ynez Valley
Wine Travel Guide
This stunning wine region on the southern end of California’s Central Coast is by far one of the more unique and dynamic in the state.
We have all heard of Napa Valley and Sonoma, two of the most renowned wine regions in California and all of the United States. But, have you heard of the Santa Ynez Valley? If not, you should, and our guide is the perfect place to get you started on understanding the Santa Ynez Valley wine country and planning your next grape escape.
Discover the
Santa Ynez Valley

The Santa Ynez Valley is home to six distinct towns, each with its own lodging and restaurant scene, but all only 10-15 minutes from one another.
The movie, Sideways, may have put the Santa Ynez Valley on the map. But its terroir has its own sideways effect as it’s home to the West Coast’s only east-west transverse mountain range. Which means the winds go from east to west, making them direct conduits for winds that carry the cool air and fog from the Pacific Ocean.

PLANNING YOUR
WINE COUNTRY VACATION
Location. Only 40 minutes from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, two hours north of Los Angeles and four-hours south of San Francisco, you’ll find the Santa Ynez Valley. What might be Hollywood’s closest wine region is the furthest thing like its star-studded neighbor.
When to Visit. The weather in this Central Coast wine region allows for year-round activities making it ideal for any season. The Santa Ynez Valley features more than 100 wineries, 50 unique accommodations for every price point, chef-driven cuisine, and festive events, all painted into atmospheric backdrops which colorfully mesh Old World, Old West, Victorian-era, and mid-century to modern Danish.
We have first-hand travel tips and recommendations to help make your stay in the Santa Ynez Valley a GRAPE escape.
We have mapped out wine tasting itineraries to help you sip your way through Santa Ynez Valley wineries.
Santa Ynez wine country is home many great restaurants. See our top restaurant recommendations and featured food and wine pairings from local chefs.
Should you rent a car and do it yourself? Hire a driver? Uber Wine? Read on to determine which is the best wine country transportation option for you.
WINEMAKERS
Getting to know Santa Ynez wine country means getting to know those behind the bottle. Meet the winemakers…
THINGS TO DO
BEYOND THE VINES
With more than 100 wineries, wine tasting is one of the top things to do in the Santa Ynez Valley, but you will miss out on a lot if you don’t go beyond the vines. The area is home to so many fun activities! If you’re in the area and looking for things to do in Santa Ynez Valley besides wine tasting, we’ve got some great picks for you.

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