Fun Things to Do in the Summer ~
- The Wine is Fine: Santa Barbara County Wine Country offers some of the finest wineries in all of California. With more than 150 Wineries within the Santa Ynez Valley, you are sure to find many that have the ambience, scenery and taste that you prefer.
- But the Beer is Good, Too: Three major players in California craft beer make their brews in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley wine country. Follow along the SYV Craft Beer Trail, or explore on your own.
- Take a Hike: Rolling hills, wildflowers and well-tended hiking trails beckon you to explore our beautiful region. There are fun hiking trails located in or around Figueroa Mountain. Many of these hikes make good backpack trips as well.
- Take a Ride: Enjoy a glide through Santa Ynez Valley with cycling, electric Mokes and wine tours of Solvang.
- Or Ride a Horse: Saddle up and head on out. Vino Vaqueros horseback Riding or guided trail rides through sunny fields of golden grain and rugged foothills.
- Appreciate Nature: Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden brings beauty, serenity and the joys of the physical environment, along with a deeper understanding of the significance of nature in our lives.
- See Wildlife: See alpacas at West Ranch in Los Olivos, visit OstrichLand USA, or enjoy the wild horse sanctuary at Return to Freedom.
- Soar Overhead: Sky’s the Limit Ballooning Adventures in Santa Ynez offers a ballooning experience you’ll never forget!
- Enjoy a Play: Pacific Conservatory Theatre – PCPA with live musicals run from June through September at the Solvang Festival Theater.
- Visit a Museum: Elverhøj Museum of History and Art is in the heart of Solvang with a triple focus: documenting the history of Solvang, celebrating Danish culture and the Danish-American immigrant experience, and promoting fine art and artists.
- Painting in the Vineyard with ArtSpot: Discover your inner artist while you sip on a glass of wine and paint the scenic Santa Ynez Valley vineyards.
- Get Historical: The Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House celebrate the rich history of the Santa Ynez Valley with art of the West and a remarkable collection of carriages from California’s past.
- Go Antiquing: Solvang Antiques is one of the country’s finest antique galleries, and has over 35 years of experience serving collectors and investors worldwide.
- Become Art Lovers: The Wildling Museum is a unique nature art museum that focuses on themes of wild places and their wild life. The Wildling’s mission is to inspire visitors to enjoy, value, and conserve wildlife and natural areas through art.
- Spiff up Your Home: J. Woeste Home and Garden Treasures in Los Olivos has a wide variety of wonderful must-have plants, garden art and home accessories.
- Couples Massage: Local spa and wellness services in the Santa Ynez Valley will rejuvenate the senses with a wide range of services, including aromatherapy, Swedish massage and hot stone therapy.
- Get Sweet on Each Other: Visit Mortensen’s Danish Bakery in Solvang for authentic, buttery-rich pastries using traditional recipes and the finest ingredients.
- Say “Olive” You: Visit Global Gardens for a local olive oil tasting at one of Los Olivos’ best kept secret spots.
- Romantic Dining in Santa Ynez Valley: You’ll find restaurants spotlighting local ingredients, romantic hideaways, brew pups, al fresco dining options, wine from local award-winning vineyards and locally-brewed beers. Try Cecco Ristorante, Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar, or Firestone Walker Brewing Company.
- Try Your Luck: Chumash Casino
Resort boasts a world-class gaming floor, featuring 2,000 slots, table games, bingo, poker and weekly giveaways. - It’s A Hit: Santa Ynez Billiards & Café features pool, foosball, darts, hand-crafted Mediterranean food, 16 beers on tap, and over 100 craft beers.
- Come For the Day, Stay for the Night: Complete your visit with a stay at one of our romantic hotels in Santa Ynez Valley. Try the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in Buellton, Hamlet Inn in Solvang, The Ballard Inn and Restaurant in Ballard, ForFriends Inn in Santa Ynez, Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa in Los Olivos, or The Victorian Mansion in Los Alamos. Many have great summer specials and offer wine tasting opportunities.
- Fabulous Festivals in Santa Ynez Valley. Fall in love all over again with your sweetheart. If you’re looking for some romantic things to do in Santa Ynez Valley, consider attending one of these popular events: Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival: Spend a Saturday afternoon tasting wine from local wineries, listening to professional jazz musicians, and sampling olive-themed dishes prepared by local chefs in June.
- Solvang Danish Days: Danish Days celebrates Solvang’s heritage with authentic food, music, dancing, parades, entertainment and family activities. The third full weekend in September.
- Los Alamos Old Days Celebration: Held each year to honor, preserve and celebrate the town’s authentic Western heritage. The last weekend in September.
