Santa Ynez

Santa Ynez is a small community in the Santa Ynez Valley winery region of Santa Barbara County in Southern California. It's in a valley of small towns, rolling hills, majestic oaks and friendly people. There are beautiful horse ranches, unspoiled mountains, charming little towns, waterfalls, beaches, scenic drives, breathtaking countryside, fruit orchards, and authentic Spanish missions.

Go next

 * Solvang — 4 miles west of Santa Ynez, nearly one million visitors travel to this small town each year to see its Danish architecture and experience its (mostly) authentic Danish culture. Visitors can enjoy Danish food, a replica of the Little Mermaid sculpture, windmills, and the horse-drawn Hønen for sightseeing.  The Danish Days festival lasts through the weekend during September and has been held almost every year since 1936.
 * Santa Barbara — over the mountains 30 miles southwest of Santa Ynez, the "American Riviera" is a historic mission city that is an incredibly popular getaway destination. Its wide beaches, highly rated wineries, luxurious resorts, art galleries, and a large variety of excellent dining choices, enable the town of just 90,000 residents to enjoy the sort of cultural and social amenities which are usually found only in much larger cities.
 * Los Olivos — 5 miles northwest of Santa Ynez, this town has more than its share of wineries and tasting rooms, with around a dozen such businesses despite its tiny population of just over 1,000. The town also draws visitors wishing to pay their respects at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, which is 5 miles north of town but not open to visitors.