Location: Santa Ynez
Top Things to do in Santa Ynez
Top Restaurants in Santa Ynez
Top 10 Things to do in Santa Ynez, United States
Santa Ynez in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Valleys. Discover best things to do in Santa Ynez with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Santa Ynez
1. Santa Ynez Valley
Overall Ratings
5 based on 111 reviews
This burgeoning wine region is located just north of Santa Barbara and is home to more than 60 vineyards.
Reviewed By Green1Ma - MA
Within driving distance to LA or Santa Barbara this is a great place to visit. There is plenty to do including camping, wine tasting, shopping and a casino. Solvang is an interesting Dutch style town with loads of shops, antiques and a theater. There are many restaurants with European style menus and lots of bakeries.
2. Solvang Festival Theater
Overall Ratings
5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By John F
If you live on the Central Coast or visiting anywhere between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo you must immediately stop working and buy tickets to this outdoor theater. As a long time resident in San Luis Obispo county we had never experienced this magical place with great acting, food, atmosphere, and entertainment. From the greeters, to the concessions, to the show, the entire experience was top notch. We saw Beauty and the Beast and it was simply spectacular. During the song "be our guest" Lumiere at one point was near our seats and turned and welcomed my daughter to the dinner and that was moment PCPA and the Solvang theater became a place we will continue to support by going to show after show for many years to come. In fact the actor in full character looked at her and said "why hello, when did you get here, welcome." The ability to reach out and engage the audience in this way without missing a beat was absolutely powerful for my daughter and family to experience. So with that said here is the breakdown of the venue;
-Bring warm cloths, hats, gloves and cushions to sit on. (they rent cushions for $2)
-Blankets are also a great idea. (they rent those as well)
-Seats are stadium style with backs and are surprisingly well suited for larger guests and children can see over people in front of them easily
-Gates open at 6:30pm (8pm show) so you can eat the concessions food or picnic in their nice lawn area or patio seating
-Solvang bakery does the food and desserts. Amazing. Appears to be wine available as well.
-Photos with Gaston with the kids after the show was just great
I'm in the hospitality business and have been for years. When you can get volunteers, actors/actresses, and basically everyone on the ground working in harmony you can create magic. That is what is happening in Solvang with this theater company. Kudos to management and directors for bringing in such amazing actors and actresses, staff, and volunteers to support your operation and be a part of this community.
If your reading this.......buy tickets......go have a picnic with your family......buy some hot cocoa and cookies at intermission.....and make local theater and the arts a part of how you live. I know we will for many years to come.
3. Sunstone Vineyards & Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Sunstone Vineyards, Winery and Villa is an organic vineyard retreat, located just 35-minutes north of Santa Barbara, in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy Sunstone wines in our Provençal French courtyards, stone barrel-aging caves or picnic grounds, and enjoy our flight of 6 wines for $18 per person. We are open from 11am - 5pm daily, with last pour occurring at 4:30pm. Groups of 8 or more must make a private tasting reservation online, or call.
Reviewed By Nkechi N - Washington DC, District of Columbia
I visited Sunstone with a friend in December. For $50 per person we received an extensive tasting and a private tour of the wine-making plant. Our guide was Josue and he was extremely friendly, patient and knowledgeable about the history of the property and the...MoreHello! I am glad you enjoyed one of our Signature Experiences at the estate! More so, very happy you enjoyed your time with our staff. Thank you for visiting and we hope to welcome you back soon! Cheers, Bryan M.
4. Rusack Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
We are a boutique winery and vineyard, nestled among the oak-studded rolling hills of Ballard Canyon. Our mission is to create world-class, handcrafted wines that reflect our commitment to excellence and our love for this region. That commitment begins in our Estate Vineyard, which we re-planted in 2003 in order to capture the true character of Ballard Canyon, and which we meticulously farm in small lots. It extends to the winemaking process, during which we go to every possible length to achieve the delicate balance of "elegance & power" (Robert Parker, August 2010) for which our wines have become known around the world. Finally, it extends to our label, a Catalina tile, a family legacy symbol of our belief in the beauty of what arises from blending craft, earth, art and family.
Reviewed By viaggiox - Sonoma, California
A visit to Rusack Vineyards will leave you with a Santa Ynez wine experience that you'll remember forever. It's great on so many fronts. The location is lovely and quintessential Santa Ynez valley wine country. Rolling hills, wind blown oaks and patches of dark green vineyards. A beautiful blend of wine and horse country. The drive along narrow country roads affords great views and the vineyard offers a a gorgeous picnic area under the oak trees. Your palate will be as pleased as your eyes, with great sauv blanc, chard and pinot. The whole vibe is relaxed and casual. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it. Some of the best wineries in the area are out in the country so don't expect to slam through the tasting. Take the time, you'll enjoy it.
5. Stolpman Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
100% Estate Grown wines crafted on the limestone hills of Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara County. After 20 years of revolutionary viticultural experimentation, the Stolpmans are proud to present their unique offering of Rhone Varietals - including Syrah, Grenache & Roussanne.
Reviewed By Cathy M - Goleta, California
Known for their Syrah which is wonderful, Stolpman also has a really good Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc as well. Their vineyard manager Rueben is well known and respected throughout the area. I really like that the winery has La Cuadrilla which is a red mix of which the profits are shared with the crew (hence the wine's name). Rueben also has a wine named for his wife: Para Maria, the red is sold out but the Rose is still available. The staff were genuine and knowledgeable about the wines and made this an enjoyable visit.
6. Old Mission Santa Ines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 431 reviews
Reviewed By Jeanne B
This is a low key lovely visit to a place way out of the past.
The mission is well preserved, though under key, and a fine tribute to the past.
It is no overwhelming, but historical, and we are glad we enjoyed this historic site.
Gift shop is lovely, very reasonably priced and clerks helpful and welcoming.
I recommend going, especially since it is so close to town.
7. Bridlewood Estate Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By Marlin M - Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Arrived around lunch time on Monday. The weekend crowds were gone. Was easy to find a table under a shade tree and we were mostly by ourselves to enjoy our picnic lunch we brought, with a bottle of Chardonnay. The wine steward gave us a chilled bottle. We liked everything about the place and experience. Could pay for one wine tasting and he gave us two wine glasses and my wife and I shared the wine tasting. We purchased a mustard seed specialty cheese at a cheese shop in Solvang before going to Bridlewood. A pairing made in heaven! Not to mention the weather was a perfect 10 and the scenery beyond any other winery we have ever been to, including Napa Valley! Simply said, "the best ever"!
8. Roblar Winery & Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Nestled in an oak tree-studded 40-acre vineyard located in the heart of Santa Barbara County, Roblar Winery & Vineyards reflects the spirit of Santa Ynez Valley- rustic, authentic, and bold. Our philosophy is to foster a unique visitor experience of bringing together great wine, great food, and great friends. We encourage guests to explore the estate—from our stunning 5,000 sq. ft. tasting room complete with an indoor-outdoor stone fireplace, to the trellis-covered patio, looking out over our expansive gardens.
Reviewed By lynndds - Sierra Madre, California
This place was hoppin'. Crowded but not uncomfortable. It was full of people enjoying good wine. And they offered a menu to go with the wine. What a concept! Something other than oyster crackers! I was told by another winery that the local health department has strict food serving rules for wineries. We had a small, great tasting pizza that was just enough.
9. Zaca Mesa Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By Becca M - Los Angeles
This was our first stop on a day of wine tasting. The tasting room is spacious, and the patio is large, with lots of picnic tables and an oversized chess set! They offered two different tasting menus, one which gave an overview of all their offerings, and the other which focused on Syrahs, which they are most known for. Since this was our first visit, we chose the more diverse menu, but next time I'd pick the other one. Their wines were not my favorite of the day, but they were good and we had a nice picnic lunch on the patio. While I want to check out other wineries in the area, I'd consider returning here in the future.
10. Hans Christian Andersen Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By Maggers - Los Osos, California
The picnic area is the highlight of the park. Some walking trails take you through a gulley-like valley with an all-natural setting (business district on one side and suburban housing on the other, but raised above you so you can't see or hear much noise). Peaceful and conveniently located near the middle of Solvang. Picnic area has reservable tables, some covered, and a few reservable BBQ pits (Santa Maria style). Look out for wildlife if you are walking early or at dusk.
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