Santa Maria, Santa Ynez and Lompoc Valleys
Let us give you the lay of the land and some ideas on how to use the site so you get the most out of it.
Start with our RESOURCES/BUSINESS DIRECTORY for a complete list of what's in our area.
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY
http://www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/
http://www.santamaria.com/
Located 60 miles north of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria is an All-America City. With a population of 90,000+, Santa Maria is 6 miles from the ocean and is surrounded by rich agricultural lands. Known for its delicious strawberries, award winning wineries and world famous BBQ style, the Santa Maria Valley has a lot to offer.
We cannot list all of our wonderful parks here, so please check out our parks listings. You can ride a pony or feed the ducks at Waller Park. Play the day away at Royal Centennial Park. Take a boat at Jim May park.
Head downtown and find some great activities. Check out our museums: The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum has indoor, hands-on fun for young kids. The Museum of Natural history offers education about the wild occupants of North County. Catch storytime at the newly-renovated Santa Maria Public Library. Find shopping and dining at the Santa Maria Towne Center Mall or play laser tag at MotionZ. Splash in the outdoor pools and playground at the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center. Enjoy the theatre at a PCPA presentation at Allan Hancock College.
At the north end of town, play miniature golf or go bowling. Heading south, off of Betteravia, shop and eat at the Crossroads where you’ll find Chuck E. Cheeses, or head to the movies at Edwards’ Cinemas. Head east and enjoy the Santa Maria Wine Trail’s bountiful offerings.
If you want to hit the beach, head six miles west on Main St./166 to Guadalupe. You can enjoy some of North County’s pristine natural beauty at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge or Oso Flaco Lake State Park. Stop in at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center for local information and history. Satisfy your appetite at the historic Far Western Tavern.
Head to Orcutt and make a stop at the Santa Maria Museum of Flight or watch planes come and go at the airport. Work out at the YMCA or rip it up at the YMCA Air Skate Park. Plan to take in a “show” at one of the last operating drive-ins in CA. Grab a book or movie at the cozy library. Get your green on at the Farmer’s Market Tuesdays in front of Long’s or visit the community garden off of Foster for some veggies. Eat, drink and shop in Old Orcutt.
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
http://syvva.com/
Located 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara and 30 minutes south of Santa Maria, the Santa Ynez Valley has a rich heritage and history. Spend the day touring and tasting at over 50 world-class wineries or you can go golfing, hiking, biking, fishing, boating or visit a horse farm. Visit one of the great local grocery stores and pick up a picnic lunch to take to one of the vineyards. Shop at art galleries, clothing boutiques, and antique stores. Do a little gambling or see a concert at the Chumash Casino Resort and Spa.
Equestrienne novice or expert, you’ll find something that meets your needs. Enjoy a bit of the old west at Rancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables. Bring your gear and your horse or take a spin on their four- footed friends over 100s of miles of trails. At the Alisal Guest Ranch, enjoy western hospitality and country club amenities. Ride, hike, play tennis or golf, all within minutes of town.
Rancho San Marcos Golf Course offers a spectacular practice facility, trained caddies and exquisite service in a secluded setting. You can also tee off at the River Course or Zaca Creek Golf Course for a quick round.
Cachuma Lake Recreation area off highway 154 is home to fish, deer and bobcats as well as 275 species of birds, including migratory bald eagles in the winter. Enjoy wildlife cruises, boat rentals, fishing, plus picnic, camping and play facilities.
The kids will enjoy a visit to Solvang – “The Danish Capital of America” - with over 300 stores, fun bakeries, shops and restaurants. Venture to Hans Christian Andersen Park- where you can walk trails, play tennis, visit the skate park, picnic or play. Don’t miss the Farmers Market in the center of town every Wednesday afternoon. Adults can enjoy a host of tasting rooms, showcasing local wineries, while on a walking tour. Try a night at the Solvang Theaterfest. They offer concerts, plays and musicals at a theatre under the stars from June through October. Embrace some California history while you explore Mission Santa Ines, one of
The Valley also offers a variety of museums to explore. The Wildling Art Museum, promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of America's wilderness through education and the collection, preservation, and exhibition of art. The Elverhøj Museum collects, promotes and preserves Danish culture. The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum displays a collection of vintage and European bikes. The Santa Ynez Historical Society Museum and Carriage House celebrates the pioneering heritage of the valley and the role of the stagecoach.
Outdoor adventures include visiting parks, apple and fruit farm stands, Ostrich Land, and the Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch. Take a glider ride to see the Valley from a bird’s eye view. Drive up Figueroa Mountain Road for panoramic views of the valley, camping, hiking and sometimes winter snow.
In each corner of the valley, you will find special “treats”. In Buellton, visit Riverview Park, peruse the library, pick some blueberries, have a coffee or enjoy some wine. Dine at a brewery, an authentic steakhouse or relish some sushi. In Los Olivos, explore an historic stagecoach stop, admire galleries’ offerings, taste some wine or olive oil, enjoy spa services or dine to your heart’s content. Santa Ynez offers great Italian food, cute boutiques, tasting rooms and a western saloon.
LOMPOC VALLEY
http://www.lompoc.com/
Lompoc is the City of Arts and Flowers. Located 20 miles west of the Santa Ynez Valley and 15 miles southwest of Santa Maria, Lompoc is nestled between the mountains and some of the most pristine coastline in California. Also home to Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc Valley is diverse and yet another gem in North County.
Walk through history on the one mile Heritage Walk. See if you can find the over 70 different murals located in the downtown area. Find the Italian Stone Pines, a true botanical treasure. While downtown, pop in to the Museum to learn about Lompoc’s architectural history or view artwork at the Cypress Gallery. Fridays bring the Farmer’s Market and Olde Town Market, a perfect family evening downtown. Find your way to the wine ghetto and enjoy tasting without the touring. Find dining and shopping on Ocean Ave. Visit the indoor aquatic center for some serious exercise or wet-n-wild fun.
Just outside of town, visit historic La Purisima Mission and it’s amazing grounds. Tee off at La Purisima Golf Course designed by Robert Muir Graves. Wineries and vineyards fill the Santa Rita Hills, spend the day touring and sampling the region’s best. Drive out to Jalama Beach for marvelous coastal access and epic surf, or just to try a Jalama Burger for yourself. Head west to Vandenberg, stopping in at the Cabrillo HS Aquarium.
Become a Fan
Follow us on Twitter
Network through Linked In
RSS