Au Bon Climat Tasting Room
When it comes to Santa Barbara winemakers, Au Bon Climat founder Jim Clendenen is a legend. He and the ABC team produce immaculately balanced, Burgundian-style wines ranging from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir to an exquisite blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligote. At ABCs tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara, you can sample Clendenens new releases and select library bottles.
The Best Hotels And Bed & Breakfasts In The Santa Ynez Valley
All hotels in the Santa Ynez Valley are open for leisure travel! Please contact properties directly regarding their safety practices in place.
A vacation in Santa Ynez Valley is one that you definitely wont forget. With six distinct small towns, Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Solvang and Santa Ynez each with its own vibe you will find just the fun, adventure, rest and relaxation that you need.
For wine and beer lovers, there are countless wine and craft beer tastings, as well as beautiful vineyards to tour. Art and history buffs will enjoy our fascinating museums and art exhibits. Adrenaline junkies will enjoy the countless adventures to be the Santa Ynez Valley offers. And, of course, everyone will enjoy our delicious restaurants and local shops.
After a long day of exploring our beautiful valley, you will certainly want to extend your stay. Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel or an authentic bed and breakfast, we have the perfect place for you.
Discover the best Santa Ynez Valley hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts below.
Where Should I Stay In Wine Tasting In Santa Barbara
Top Wine Lodging In Los Olivos The Ballard Inn. 2436 Baseline Avenue. Fess Parkers Inn & Spa. 2860 Grand Avenue. Hadsten House Inn & Spa. 1450 Mission Drive. Royal Copenhagen Inn. 1579 Mission Drive. Solvang Gardens Lodge. 293 Alisal Road. Svendgaards Danish Lodge. 1711 Mission Drive. Embassy Suites Lompoc. Santa Ynez Inn.
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Where Is Santa Barbara Wine Country
The wine region of Santa Barbara County is located north of the city of Santa Barbara and includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley. The Santa Ynez Valley has several small towns including Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos. Within the Santa Ynez Valley there are several AVAs : Santa Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon and Happy Canyon.
Santa Barbara Wine Route: 10 Spots To Sip And Savor
Alma Rosa winemaker Samra Morris shares the Santa Barbara County hot spots that remind her of home.
Santa Barbara reminds Alma Rosa winemaker Samra Morris of her childhood in Bosnia. The marine influence on the vines of the Sta. Rita Hills allows me to make wines that remind me of the coastal Old World wines I grew up drinkingwith minerality, lots of acidity, and a distinct salinity, she said.
Theres plenty to do in the region, from a visit to Old Mission Santa Barbara to a dive into Lake Cachuma. You could also head to Butterfly or Tajiguas beaches in Montecito.
Any visit to Santa Barbara wine country should include a seated tasting at the Alma Rosa Ranch House, Morris says, where you can experience our breathtaking 628-acre estate tucked in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills firsthand while tasting our top wines.
Here, Morris shares her favorite spots to stop in and around the beachside region.
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Places We Talked About On The Podcast
Here is a map of all of the places we talked about on the podcast episode with Lauren Wood about Santa Barbara, California. You can zoom into the map and click on each dot to explore the city.
- Red dots = best places to eat in Santa Barbara, California
- Green dots = best things to do in Santa Barbara, California
- Yellow dots = best places to stay in Santa Barbara, California
Explore Vintage Santa Barbara
Ever since the release of the movie Sideways, people have been bending over backwards to get to Santa Barbara wine country. And as our guest, it’s so simple: Walk out the door and let the wine tasting begin. Santa Barbaras Urban Wine Trail includes several stops immediately surrounding Kimpton Canary Hotel, as well as in the nearby Funk Zone and Midtown areas, that showcase the more than 60 varietals grown here.
In addition, Santa Barbara’s vineyards are just a 45-minute drive away, encompassing postcard-perfect winding country roads and gently rolling hills dotted with coastal oaks. Dont have a designated driver? Experience wine country with a customized, private wine tour provided by Coastal Concierge .
Kimpton Canary Hotel is undoubtedly a favorite among Santa Barbary winery hotels. According to Travel + Leisure, there may be no better place to relax after a day of wine-drinking than in a poolside cabana under the palm trees at Kimpton Canary. And dont forget you can also make amazing local and global wine discoveries right inside our hotel, at Finch & Fork.
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Ballard Inn & Gathering Table
The Ballard Inn is a great choice if you want to focus your wine tasting in the area around Los Olivos and Solvang. The inn is just minutes from the tasting rooms of Los Olivos. You can easily explore the excellent wineries of the Santa Ynez Valley and the southern end of the Foxen wine trail.
The inn blends country charm and hospitality with high-end dining options. Rooms run between $300 and $400 per night. There are a number of packages you can purchase when booking a room. A package that features a cycling tour of the wineries is highly rated.
We like the proximity to the wineries and the fact you can head back to the inn for a great dinner at the end of your wine tasting adventure. The rooms are comfortable and will add a bit of romance to your trip.
You can book a room at the inn by .
About Santa Barbara Wine Country Pet Friendly Rental On Rent By Owner
With more than 30 pet-friendly rentals in or near Santa Barbara Wine Country, Rent By Owner has a large list of pet-friendly vacation homes, cabins, villas, cottages, and hotels available to compare. For your next trip, you can bring your pet, no matter where youre visiting. RBO makes it easy to discover, compare, and book your holiday homes without hassle. So, get ready to start making your travel plans today! Some of these pet-friendly places to stay includeMyrtle Beach,Hilton Head,Outer Banks,Gulf Shores,Orange Beach, or mountain areas.
Rent By Owner Offers many dog-friendly holiday rentals in Santa Barbara Wine Country, including plenty of decent amenities like indoor or private pools, hot tubs, Wi-Fi, and several other luxurious features. Browse the map to see if there are nearby dog parks.
Renting a pet-friendly accommodation in Santa Barbara Wine Countrygives you the opportunity to have holiday to remember. Travel with your family, a large group, or even an extended group of friends. When traveling nearby with your pet to Santa Barbara Wine Country, book a pet-friendly rental that is spacious, giving your four-legged friend enough room to walk or run freely. Some rentals may have special dog beds, while others may have restrictions on the size or number of animals.
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What Celebs Live In Santa Barbara
Among those who maintain, or have maintained, homes here are Oprah Winfrey, Kirk Douglas, George Lucas, Carol Burnett, John Cleese, Drew Barrymore, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Kenny Loggins, Kevin Costner, Rob Lowe, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, to name just a few.
Day 3 Wine & Outdoor Adventure
Start your day mid-morning with a private cooking class arranged by . After collecting seasonal ingredients from local purveyors, youll go to a private residence to prepare a decadent brunch while learning more about the local culinary landscape from one of its best-known insiders. Laurence will fill you with destination recommendations and foodie knowledge as you cook and savor the nourishing feast youve prepared together. Of course, local wines will be specially paired with your gourmet brunch.
Spend the afternoon shopping the antique stores, upscale galleries and well-curated luxury homeware and fashion boutiques of Montecito and Summerland. Make your way from the Montecito Country Mart to Coast Village Road and then wind up to the Upper Village. In Summerland, the antique shops are concentrated on Ortega Hill Road that leads into Lillie Avenue, the main drag lined with small shops, galleries and the Summerland Winery tasting room. Time and interest permitting, fit in a visit to one of Montecitos gorgeous estates open to the public for docent-led tours by appointment Lotusland and Casa Del Herrero are both stunning examples of Santa Barbara-style architecture and gardens.
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From Casual To Fine Dining
Industrial Eats in Buellton serves up wood-fired pizzas, fresh creative salads, sandwiches, and seafood in a casual atmosphere.
S.Y. Kitchen offers modern Italian dishes, cocktails, and wine in an intimate farmhouse-style setting in the town of Santa Ynez.
The Hitching Post II specializes in traditional wood-fired Santa Maria Barbecue served with their award-winning wines, made famous in the 2004 movie Sideways.
The Gathering Table at The Ballard Inn features seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients in a blend of Asian and French cuisine served in an intimate atmosphere.
First & Oak in Solvang at the Mirabelle Inn serves wine country cuisine in a style reminiscent of France, with a seasonal menu that includes fresh local seafood and produce.
The Tavern at Zaca Creek, set on a historic property in Buellton, features an onsite Fullblood Wagyu butchery, craft cocktail program, wine cellar, and extensive spirits and liqueurs selection.
V Lounge in Solvang at Vinland Hotel offers sandwiches, salads, and shareable plates in addition to late night bites, desserts, craft beers, wines, and cocktails.
Santa Barbara County Wine Country
Discover what generations of Hollywood celebrities have already known: a trip to Santa Barbara County revives the senses and soothes the soul. With a vast coastline that gives way to rugged backcountry, the charming hamlets scattered through the region offer astonishing dining opportunities, a chance to interact with nature, and of course, relaxation.
Fly Into
Drive
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Join Us For An Amazing Experience In The Santa Barbara Wine Country
From your accommodations in the greater Santa Barbara area, we will whisk you away for a fun-filled carefree day in the most wondrous wine region, the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Taste your way through Santa Barbara countys most distinctive wines with expert guide, visiting exclusive boutique wineries, vineyards, cellars and tasting rooms. A delicious picnic lunch is served at one of the beautiful tasting locations.
Be guided by one of our expert tour hosts with extensive knowledge of the geography, history, and wines of the region. Get an insiders look at the areas vibrant winemaking culture as you taste and learn about the stories behind the wine. Enjoy the beauty of wonderful vineyards and wineries that Santa Barbara Wine Country has to offer!
We provide daily all-inclusive small group guided tours, our most popular Wine Lovers Tour, as well as Private Wine Tours, Large Group Wine Toursand Corporate Wine Tasting Events.
Top Hotels Near Wineries In Santa Barbara California
- https://www.hotels.com/de1480087-th19/winery-vineyard-hotels-santa-barbara-california/
- University of California-Santa Barbara If you’d like to get a taste of Santa Barbara student life, check out University of California-Santa Barbara, located 8.4 mi from central Santa Barbara. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is full of friendly people and has lots of nice beaches. Santa Barbara has other landmarks you might want to visit such as Santa Barbara
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Honored Recipient Of Tripadvisors Prestigious Certificate Of Excellence Every Year Since 2011
It has been our pleasure hosting over 100,000 satisfied guests on our extremely fun and educational wine tours! We are proud of being innovative, passionate, professional and extremely knowledgeable guides knowing exactly what travelers really want. We are very pleased to be considered Santa Barbara Countys wine enthusiasts and experts by locals and industry insiders!
Come take a tour with us and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of beautiful wineries and sample some of the areas finest wines and foods! Serving Summerland, Montecito, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Ynez, Ballard, Los Olivos, Buellton, Lompoc, Los Alamos, and Santa Maria.
In The Heart Of Santa Barbara Wine Country
The Four Diamond rated Santa Ynez Inn offers an atmosphere of understated, unspoiled luxury coupled with warm hospitality for those seeking an indulgent wine country getaway. Designed after a historic turn-of-the-century inn and juxtaposed with all the conveniences of a modern, luxury hotel, the inn features a bespoke experience for travelers looking for a unique environment.
Enjoy gourmet breakfast, exclusive tastings at world-class wineries, evening wine hour, and seasonal dessert with every stay!
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Our Favorite Santa Barbara Wine Country Hotels By Category And Region
Why is it so hard to pick the best Santa Barbara wine country hotels?
We are often asked, “Where should I stay when I’m wine tasting in Santa Barbara?” The size of Santa Barbara wine country makes this very difficult to answer.
The first step is to narrow your search based on the wineries you want to visit. Our answers will differ if you are focusing on wine tasting in Los Alamos and the Santa Maria Area versus focusing on the Funk Zone tasting rooms. Or maybe you want to spend most of your time in Los Olivos and Solvang?
The next step is to decide on a budget. Are you planning to spend a lot of time at your hotel? Do you want spa services, a pool, and onsite dining or is your goal to find a nice comfortable bed to crash on after a full day in the vineyards?
As you can see, picking the best Santa Barbara wine country hotels or motels depends on you and your goals. We want to give you a few of our favorites from a few different categories. Do you want a luxury hotel close to the Funk Zone? A mid-priced hotel in Santa Ynez or a fun and funky motel in Los Alamos? That’s something you need to decide.
What Are The Best Wines Of Santa Barbara
Wine Regions in Santa Barbara 2014 Ojai Pinot Noir Fe Ciega. 2015 Fess Parker Pinot Noir Bien Nacido. 2014 Sanford Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. 2014 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-dessus. 2015 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Ten. 2016 Domaine de la Cote Pinot Noir La Cote. 2015 Dragonette Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard.
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Inn At Sonoma A Four Sisters Inn
Courtesy of Inn at Sonoma
When staying at the Inn at Sonoma, its easy to become accustomed to certain luxuries, such as the well-appointed accommodations, daily breakfast for two, and afternoon picnic boxes delivered to your room . While Four Sisters properties are known for special touches like these, not to mention warm and hospitable service, the Inn at Sonoma also happens to be conveniently located just down the street from the historic Sonoma Plaza. Dont feel like walking? Borrow one of the complimentary bikes to venture around town or simply spend an afternoon enjoying the scenery along the nearby bike path.
630 Broadway Street, Sonoma, CA 95476, 939-1340
Where To Stay In Santa Barbara Wine Country
Is there much to choose between Santa Ynez, Solvang and Los Olivos. Or should I think of staying in Santa Barbara itself?
Thanks for your input.
If your interest is in the wineries, then stay in one of the places you mentioned. Santa Barbara is a beautiful place in its own right, with the beach, the old mission and the court house worth visiting.
It depends on what amenities you are looking for…
If you are looking to stay in the wine country then you have a couple nice choices in hotels in and around the Los Olivos area . Beullton is a nice choice if traveling on a budget.
If you are looking for more luxurious accommodations at higher end properties you will have to stay in Santa Barbara . I highly recommend staying in Santa Barbara as well because of the vast array of activities, dining and even some great tasting rooms in the city.
I would stay at the Fess Parker Inn & Spa in Los Olivos. This area is very quaint and the Los Olivos Cafe is very good for a meal. If you want to stay somewhere with views of the ocean, go for Santa Barbara. The Harbor View Inn is very nice, right across the street from Stearns Wharf. Enjoy your travels! 🙂
I’m also looking for a recommendation for a base for wine country tasting. It’s a girls weekend, so need a hotel in the $100 to $200 range, and hopefully with 2 queen beds to a room.
So far, Fess Parkers and Harbor View Inn are pricing at over $300. The motels in Solvang might be a bit sleepy for us, with little evening attractions.
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Stay Tuned For Our Next Episode
Listen to the next episode when we visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with Grant Samson. In this episode, Grant and I talk about exploring the Batu Caves, visiting the Kuala Lumpur Tower, and enjoying amazing culinary experiences. We hope youll join us when We Travel There.
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