Planning a Trip

We're just two hours from Los Angeles and five hours from the San Francisco Bay area, easily found off Highway 101.  Check our our map, and if you're from outside the area, plan to spend a leisurely weekend!  You can find a wide range of lodging and dining information from our local visitors bureaus.

Here are a few guidelines to make the most of your visit.

If at all possible, bring a designated driver along.  Our valley also has a number of qualified and friendly limo and touring companies who can take care of the driving for you!

Each winery generally pours 4-5 tastes; each about an ounce of wine which can quickly add up!  By law, we cannot pour wine for anyone who is intoxicated, so do as we do - swirl, sniff, sip and spit.  It doesn't hurt our feelings at all if you take full advantage of dump buckets at the tasting bars.

Our valley has a number of really great places to get a picnic lunch, and many of our member wineries have picnic grounds. Pack a lunch and snacks and have some food along with the wines. Some wineries offer wines by the glass or the bottle, so you can relax over a leisurely picnic - the most perfect way to enjoy Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country!

Our member wineries are all located within about a six mile area, but these are country roads, so plan for about 3-4 winery visits each day.  Hours vary, but generally wineries are open daily from late morning through late afternoon.

Most of all, enjoy the peace and serenity of wine country.  Take it easy, take it slow and plan to come back vintage after vintage. Cheers!

Here are some recommendations on deli's and picnic take-outs:

Albertson's Grocery, 222 E. Highway 246, Buellton

Nielsen's Market, corner of Alamo Pintado Road and Hwy 246, Solvang

New Frontiers Market, 1984 Old Mission Drive (at Alamo Pintado Road), Solvang

El Rancho Marketplace, 2886 Mission Drive (you've got it! aka Hwy 246!), Santa Ynez

Los Olivos Grocery, 2621 Highway 154, Santa Ynez (between Santa Ynez and Los Olivos)

Panino,  Los Olivos, Solvang and Santa Ynez

R- Country Store, 2948 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos

Roundup Market, 1000 Edison Street, Santa Ynez

Santa Ynez Burrito, 1051 Edison Street, Santa Ynez

Looking for a driver? 

Gold Coast Limousines, (805) 966-5466 or email info@goldcoastlimos.com

Promenade Taxi,  (805) 616-0032 or email winetours@promenadecab.com

Stagecoach Company Wine Tours, (805) 686-8347 or email info@winetourssantaynez.com

Vin Dal Limousine,  (805) 598-2356 or email VinDalLimo@yahoo.com