Travel
Road Trip
If you are located in or near California, we recommend driving. Santa Ynez is located in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country and is easiest to access via car ride.
Time for Takeoff
For our friends and family out of state, there are two airports available to you. The nearest airport is Santa Barbara (SBA) and a bit further away is everyone's favorite airport, Los Angeles International (LAX).
The Santa Barbara Airport is about a 40 minute drive to Santa Ynez. We would suggest either renting a car, taking a taxi, or calling an Uber/Lyft. You can also take the Amtrak Bus to Solvang, 3 miles outside of Santa Ynez. Once in Solvang, there is a bus that can drop you off in Santa Ynez or your desired stop.
Los Angeles International is about a 2.5 hour drive to Santa Ynez. We would recommend renting a car or looking into public transport via the CA Surfliner. LAX offers a free shuttle from LAX to Union Station via the FlyAway Bus. Once at Union Station, you may take the Surfliner train to Santa Barbara and transfer to an Amtrak bus which will then take you to Solvang, 3 miles west of Santa Ynez. Once in Solvang, there is a bus that can drop you off in Santa Ynez or your desired stop.
Adventure is Out There
Santa Ynez is surrounded by multiple wineries, mountains for hiking, and the historical town of Solvang. We love taking weekend trips to Solvang and recommend you visit during your stay.
Solvang is a small Dutch inspired town located 3 miles west of Santa Ynez. It offers multiple wine tasting rooms, restaurants, and Danish bakeries. The photo on this page was taken in Solvang as a sneak peak.
Jessica's, Sierra's sister, personal favorite experience is visiting OstrichLand. OstrichLand offers the unique experience of viewing and feeding the fascinatingly large Ostrich and Emu.
Get outside before a day of celebrations, wine, and dancing by embarking on a local hike. Grass Mountains is about a 5 mile hike featuring beautiful rolling hills and wild flowers (when in bloom). For a more leisurely adventure, we recommend Refugio Ridge which has breathtaking views of Santa Barbara wine country.
Good Eats
Below we have shared a few local favorites, each offers a unique experience but all with equally great food and beverage.
Grab yourself a spicy margarita and some deliscious enchiladas at Dos Carlitos. We visited during a site visit and absolutely loved the food and drink.
S.Y. Kitchen offers unique cocktails and modern dishes in a romantic atmosphere. We visited for Sierra's birthday and enjoyed their pasta's, cocktails, and of course red wine.
For some Italian comfort food, we recommend dining at Toscana. We wined and dined with family during a quick weekend getaway.
Good Drinks
Santa Ynez is home to multiple wineries and tasting rooms. We have a few fan favorites but many more are a short walk or drive away.
Sunstone Winery is a stunning Italian style villa located 3 miles from Santa Ynez. This place is VERY popular. If you would like to visit, we recommend booking a tasting to explore the property.
Buttonwood Winery is a perfect option for large groups that would like to relax in the sun, share a few glasses of wine, and enjoy the quiet atmosphere.