Today I want to bring you my itinerary for spending a long weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley in California. This part of the Golden State is a great place to go wine tasting, explore cute towns like Los Olivos, and channel your inner cowgirl (or boy). If you have several days in the region, you’ll be able to experience everything from vineyards to restaurants and shops. I’m here now and I’m excited to show you around. I’ve included a map, too.
Long Weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley
California’s wine-growing regions are the stuff of dreams. The Santa Ynez Valley is no exception. From stunning vineyards to local towns and famous filming locations, this place has something for every visitor.
I was born and raised in California, and I’ve been traveling to this part of the Golden State for decades. In doing so I’ve gotten to know the valley from barrel to bakery.
On each trip I discover more to love about the region. Whether I visit quirky towns like Solvang, explore the wineries in the Santa Rita Hills, or stop through Los Olivos on a road trip, this part of my home state wins me over more with every visit.
This time around I’m spending a long weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley with a big group of friends. They’ve flown in from all over the US and Europe, and I can’t wait to show them the best of the area. Given how much I love traveling here, I know we’re going to have a good time. Spoiler alert: we do.
Day 1
After spending a few hours exploring downtown Santa Barbara, we arrive in the Santa Ynez Valley on a Thursday evening. We’re welcomed by a stunning sunset over the vineyards, and we take it as a sign of good things to come.
We’re all staying in different parts of the region, so we spend the first half of the night settling into our accommodations. From hotels in Solvang to house rentals in Los Olivos, our group has found great places to stay in the valley at a range of price points. If you want to do the same, you can see options and book one here.
Dinner in Los Olivos
Once settled, a subset of the group meets for dinner at Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the area, not least because so much of the produce is grown on the owners’ farm just outside the main part of town.
The restaurant also featured in the movie Sideways. It was the setting of the famous scene where Miles and Jack are having dinner with their dates before Miles disparages Merlot.
We sit at an outdoor table and tuck into a feast of everything from smashed beets to fresh salads and warming pizzas. It’s a great way to kick off our trip to the Santa Ynez Valley.
Day 2
The next morning five of us head out to go wine tasting. We’ve booked a table at Bien Nacido in the Santa Maria Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). The Gatehouse cellar door features a big outdoor area with stunning views of the vineyards and hills.
We settle into the comfortable patio chairs as our host welcomes us with the Estate Flight tasting. For the next two hours, we enjoy everything from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and Grenache. It’s great to sip the wines right at the source.
As we do, we learn about the vines around us. The Bien Nacido Vineyard is not only one of the oldest cool-climate vineyards in California, but also home of the world’s most single vineyard designations. It’s one of the most coveted sources of cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah in the state.
Lunch in Los Olivos
After the tasting we drive to Los Olivos for a late lunch. We’re lucky to get a table at Bar Le Cote, one of the best restaurants in town. We look over the menu, then order a seafood feast of everything from oysters to boquerones and soft shell crab. It all goes down a treat in the colorful dining room.
Shopping
After lunch we do a bit of shopping. I take my friends to my favorite spots in town, and we browse for gifts at Los Olivos General Store, country clothing at Avec Moi Decor, and fun finds at (IN)LARKIN.
Wine Tasting in Los Olivos
After shopping we meet up with the larger group at Liquid Farm. This tasting room is right in the heart of town, and the kind staff accommodates our group of 15 even though we don’t have a booking.
For the next hour and a half we sample a range of their Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs as we catch up in their stylish space. It’s a great place for a group to spend an afternoon in Los Olivos.
Dinner
After wine tasting we’re ready for food. One member of our group got a recommendation for a secret sushi counter in a local supermarket, and we decide to try it.
We pile into several cars and drive the short distance to Los Olivos Grocery. Inside we find BB Sushi, a mother-and-son outfit where Jina and Brian Bae offer nigiri, rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese fare several evenings a week.
We should have called ahead to order, but they generously make time for us. We choose everything from Dungeness crab handrolls to chicken gyoza and rainbow rolls before picking up drinks and snacks from the supermarket aisles to round out our meal.
There are picnic tables outside the shop, but we take it all back to our friends’ house to enjoy the meal on their patio. With the sun setting beyond the vineyards, it’s a great way to end the day.
Day 3
The next morning our long weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley continues with a quick breakfast at Lefty’s Coffee Co in Los Olivos. With a cute interior and a big outdoor area in back, it’s the perfect spot for espresso drinks and the cafe’s famous granola.
Wine Tasting in Lompoc
After breakfast we pick up sandwiches from PANINO in Los Olivos before driving out to Lompoc to do some wine tasting. We’ve booked a table for 15 in the vineyard garden at Melville Winery in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.
Melville is known for farming exceptional cold-climate wines in Santa Barbara County. The winery takes great pride in its commitment to “winegrowing”, or working in harmony with nature to nurture the land through organic and sustainable farming practices.
For the next four hours, we enjoy wine and sandwiches under a leafy pergola beside the vines. Our host serves us bottles of everything from Chardonnay to Syrah as we catch up with one another and soak up the views of the hills in the distance.
Brewery in Los Olivos
Back in Los Olivos, the group is ready to switch to a different beverage. Serendipitously, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. is hosting an event in their beer garden. It kicks off just as we arrive.
For two hours, we enjoy live music and entertainment as we sample local beers, cocktails, and soft drinks. It being a brewery, we can’t help ordering big doughy pretzels and other snacks as we sip.
Dinner in Los Olivos
In another stroke of luck, we manage to snag a huge outdoor table for dinner at Nella despite having no reservation. I’ve wanted to try this restaurant in Los Olivos for a long time, and as soon as we sit down I can tell it will live up to its stellar reputation.
From the fresh bread to the tuna tartare, crisp pizzas, and comforting cioppino, everything we taste goes down a treat. We feast until dessert, then order delicious gelato to finish off the meal.
Day 4
The next morning the group convenes at Bob’s Well Bread in Ballard for a good-bye brunch. This place is famous for its morning fare, and we snag a big table on the patio before waiting in line to order.
Soon I’m tucking into a unique egg-in-a-jar. Purple potato puree is topped with Gruyere, a poached egg, chives, and creme fraiche. With a side of toast soldiers and a big cup of coffee, it’s a delicious way to start the day.
As we soak up the sunshine, we start to say our good-byes. Some of us are off to San Francisco, some are continuing on road trips to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and others are heading to LAX to fly back to Europe.
What we all have in common is that we’re going to miss one another and the Santa Ynez Valley. It’s been a memorable trip, and I’m glad I’ve gotten a chance to share one of my favorite places in my home state with my friends.
Long Weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley
After brunch I hop in the car with a few of the others and start the drive to Northern California. We’ve had an amazing long weekend getaway, and we’re already planning our next trip to Santa Barbara County. I hope this blog post has inspired you to visit this part of the Golden State, too.
If you want more inspiration, you can take a look at my blog post about how to spend a weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley. It features highlights like the towns of Santa Ynez and Solvang, famous filming locations from Sideways, iconic restaurants, and more.
Itinerary Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the places I visited on my long weekend getaway in the SYV. You can find it here. I hope it helps you plan your trip to the region!
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