Itineraries: Santa Barbara Wine Country
It has been over a decade since the popular movie Sideways brought the Santa Barbara wine country to the world’s attention, and interest in this wine growing area continues to grow. On this trip you will explore one of the most beautiful cities in the West, enjoy time along the gorgeous coast, and then head inland for a delightful wine-tasting adventure. This itinerary makes a perfect add-on to a trip to Los Angeles, or for those driving the coastal route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Day 1: Santa Barbara
(2 hours by car from LAX to Santa Barbara without traffic.)
Santa Barbara is a gem, combining elegance with a laid-back coastal vibe. It provides a tranquil escape from the congestion of Los Angeles, and a dose of sophistication to the largely rural central coast.
Start your day at the beautiful Old Mission Santa Barbara, known as the “Queen” of the 21 missions that comprise the California Mission Trail. From here, head to the waterfront and spend some time enjoying the wide stretch of sand at East Beach and a seafood lunch at one of the restaurants on Stearns Wharf.
Next stop is a tour of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse and the beautiful red-tile roofed buildings of the surrounding downtown. Don’t miss the incredible views from the top of the courthouse tower.
Back on the ground, enjoy superb shopping along State Street and consider kicking off your wine tour early with some tastings along the Urban Wine Trail, a collection of tasting rooms spread over a few blocks between downtown and the beach. Enjoy the lively dining and nightlife scene downtown, or head towards tony Montecito for an elegant dinner or overnight stay at the ultra-exclusive (and expensive) San Ysidro Ranch.
Day 2: Santa Rita Hills, Lompoc, and Los Olivos
(Without stops, this route takes about 2 hours by car. Plan to linger, and to detour down side roads to reach the wineries.)
Take the scenic drive along the coast on Highway 101 before heading inland towards Buellton. Exit onto Santa Rosa Road to begin your loop through the Santa Rita Hills. This area’s cooler climate produces top-notch Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Vineyards line the loop as you head out on Santa Rosa Road and return on Highway 246 towards Buellton. Lafond Winery and Vineyards, Alma Rosa Winery, and Ken Brown Wines are just a few of the wineries found along this route. Don’t miss a stop at the so-called Lampoc Wine Ghetto, located midway around the route. Several tasting rooms are clustered together in an industrial park downtown including well-regarded producers such as Stolpman and Longoria.
Back on Highway 101, head north about 6 miles before exiting towards Los Olivos. Here you can park the car and spend the rest of the day exploring on foot. Tasting rooms, galleries, boutiques and restaurants have made this former stagecoach town quite wine-country chic. Carhartt Vineyard and Daniel Gehrs are just two of the producers with tasting rooms in town. Los Olivos is a good base to overnight in, or stay just outside of town at the lovely Ballard Inn. Or, dine at the chic locavore Root 246 restaurant and stay at the Hotel Corque in nearby Solvang.
Days 3: Solvang, Foxen Canyon, and the Santa Ynez Valley
(The drive from Santa Ynez to Santa Barbara is about 45 minutes by car via Hwy 154.)
Start the next morning with pastries at the Danish town of Solvang, 10 minutes south of Los Olivos. The collection of windmills and distinct half-timber architecture of this village is charming, even if it is touristy. Spend some time exploring the town before hitting the road.
The towns of Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang are located just a few minutes apart, with wineries spread between them in an area known as the Santa Ynez Valley. Heading north from Los Olivos, the Foxen Canyon wine trail extends all the way to Santa Maria. Expect some backtracking along your route today as you wind between the towns and venture into Foxen Canyon. The tour at Firestone Vineyard is worthwhile, but very popular. The tasting rooms throughout the Santa Ynez region can get crowded, but there are plenty to choose from—if you see a tour bus parked outside one winery, just keep driving to the next one. Don’t blink or you might miss the tiny town of Santa Ynez itself, but it is worth a wander or a stop for lunch.
When you’ve had your fill of the wine region, take scenic Highway 154 over the San Marcos Pass and back to Santa Barbara. Wind down the day with a stroll along the beach, and perhaps one last glass of wine at sunset.
