Santa Ynez Valley, California
Top 6 Autumn Family Fun Activities
Happy fall, y’all! Experience the Top 6 Autumn Family Fun Activities in the Santa Ynez Valley, California. We love autumn in the Santa Ynez Valley for a lot of reasons. We invite you to enjoy it all this season. Our pumpkin patches and corn mazes are a great place for a family outing or impromptu photo shoot. Visit our local farms and make friends with the resident farm animals, or stop to feed the ostriches at OstrichLand. Sit down for a meal and delicious, fresh-baked pastries from Bob’s Well Bread. Stroll through the botanic gardens for mindful moments in nature, and stop by our historic Mission Santa Ines. Discover the bounty of beauty and autumn treasure right here in the SYV at these six stops.
1 ~ Explore Pumpkin Picking and Corn Mazes
Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch and Summerset Farms
Start your adventure at the Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch and enjoy pumpkin picking and a fun corn maze. With over 28 unique varieties of pumpkins, there’s no shortage of colorful choices for decorating or baking. A short drive away, Summerset Farm & Pumpkin Patch features excellent seasonal produce along with its pumpkin patch activities. From September through November, visitors can pick from a selection of pumpkins and decorative gourds that adorn the grounds. Capture memories with fall photo opportunities scattered throughout the farm. Stroll through the delightful Sunflower Maze, perfect for entertainment and exploration for all ages.
2 ~ Visit OstrichLand USA to Feed the Ostriches and Emus
Visit OstrichLand USA for an exciting family adventure! Here, you can feed and interact with friendly ostriches and emus. Located just a short drive from Solvang, this unique farm offers a fun experience for all ages. Watch in awe as these fascinating birds, towering up to nine feet tall, approach you for snacks. Special feed is available for purchase to make these birds’ day. Kids love seeing these remarkable ostriches and emus up close – certainly a memory they won’t forget! Enjoy the chance to capture amazing photos while learning about these funky, flightless birds.
3 ~ Make Furry Friends in the Santa Ynez Valley
Visit and feed the farm animals at Vega Vineyard and Farm, known for its family friendly goats and sheep. Kids can feed and pet animals while learning about farm life. Best part? Parents can grab a glass of wine on their beautiful property. Tractor rides run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. At Seein’ Spots Farm, the focus is on rescuing and rehabilitating miniature donkeys. These lovable animals provide visitors with a great opportunity to see just how charming they can be.
Folded Hills Farmstead offers a mix of agriculture and education. Open hillsides allow pigs, miniature donkeys, llamas, Peaches the mini rescue cow and George the camel to roam freely. Visitors can feed the farm animals and get to know their curious, playful selves. Families can picnic or venture across the street to the U-Pick fields, where they can harvest seasonal fruits and veggies. At Alisal Ranch, visit the barnyard to meet miniature horses, cattle, goats, pigs, chickens and more. The animals truly enjoy the attention whenever they’re awake!
SYV Horseback Rides offers a full day of fun with private rides and trail rides for all skill levels. They will lead you and your horse through lush vineyards and rolling hills. Lastly, Canzelle Alpaca Farm is home to alpacas. You and the family can learn about their soft wool, feed them and enjoy up-close encounters with these cool alpacas.
4 ~ Enjoy Scones and Croissants from Bob’s Well Bread
Treat your taste buds to the fresh fare at Bob’s Well Bread Bakery, a local gem in Los Alamos. This bakery was founded as a passion project by former Sony Pictures Television executive Bob Oswaks. Bob’s specializes in artisan bread and pastries made from natural ingredients. Their scones and croissants are known for their flaky texture and rich flavors, perfect for breakfast or a midday snack. Pair your pastry with their freshly brewed coffee for an energizing treat. Built out of a 1920s gas station, Bob’s is a quaint spot to work, read or chat with a friend. Don’t forget to grab some bread to take home for later!
5 ~ Explore the Flora at the Santa Ynez Botanic Garden
Stroll into the serene beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden in Buellton. This enchanting garden highlights native plants from the Santa Ynez River watershed. Explore hand-cut trails that lead through vibrant plant zones, including Figueroa Mountain and the Gaviota Coast. You’ll discover various habitats, such as healthy stands of oak trees and lush grasslands. Look for cool features like Chumash-inspired stone carvings and colorful mosaics created by local students. The garden offers a peaceful escape for families, nature lovers and anyone seeking inspiration. Admission is free, making it a perfect spot to reconnect with nature.
6 ~ Visit the Old Mission Santa Ines
Step back in time at the Old Mission Santa Ines, a historic site founded in 1804. Hidden between the Santa Ynez River Valley and majestic mountains, this mission boasts sweeping vistas of the SYV. It’s the 19th mission in California’s chain and features beautifully restored architecture, gardens and a museum filled with artifacts. The mission has endured natural disasters and restoration efforts, becoming a treasured part of the Santa Ynez Valley. A small admission fee helps to preserve this cultural landmark for future generations.
Don’t miss out on all the fall fun in the Santa Ynez Valley! Visit us, and be sure to tag us in your pictures on social media and use the hashtag #VisitSYV.
