Points Of Interest In The Santa Ynez Valley

Parks:

Hans Christian Andersen Park –Next tothe pancake restaurants and pastry shops of Solvang, this tranquil park offers a hiking trail and the chance to walk off those aebleskiver. The park is only a quarter mile from “Little Denmark” but a world apart. True to its namesake author, it’s a fairy tale setting of rolling green hills and antiquarian oaks. Adobe Creek meanders through this kid-sized (52 acre) bucolic preserve.

Nojoqui Falls – Features ball fields, BBQ grills, Group Picnic Areas, Hiking Trails, Playground, Restrooms. Free day use for general activities.

Lake Nacimiento - 14 miles long with 3,000 surface acres to enjoy! Including, Day Use, Camping, Lodging, Boat Rentals, Paddle Boats, Kayaks/Canoes, Marina Slips, and a Swimming pool.

Cachuma Lake – The lake area offers tent, trailer and RV Camping, yurt camping (a cross between a tent and a tepee) and cabin rentals. You’ll find a fully stocked general store, gas station, coin laundry and hot showers. Children’s Playgrounds, Lake Cruises, The Nature Center, Fishing Piers and Hiking Trails await you and your family. The Marina is open year-round and sells bait and tackle, fuel and fishing licenses. It also boasts a terrific snack bar and grill. The family fun center includes a swimming pool, video games, miniature golf and snack bar, and is open daily in the summer.

Festivals:

The Danish Days annual festival emerged in 1936 and it continues to commemorate Solvang’s heritage during the third weekend of every September.  Festivals and celebrations are traditional parts of Solvang’s charm – from the Taste of Solvang food and wine event every March to the Old Mission Santa Ines Fiesta each August and Winterfest during December.

Golf Course:

The most dramatic and demanding greens of four local golf courses, are right within the Santa Ynez Valley.  Including La Purisima, River Course at The Alisal, and the Rancho San Marcos golf course.

Old Mission Santa Ines:

The Old Mission Santa Ines is the nineteenth of the twenty-one California Missions established by Franciscan priests.  It was named in honor of Saint  Agnes.  The Mission is an active parish church of approximately 1,000 families,  and holds regular religious services as well as special services for baptisms,   confirmations, weddings and funerals. Community groups are permitted to use   Mission facilities for public functions such as the annual Story Telling   Festival and the yearly Rancheros Vistadores horse riding event.  The Mission grounds are also used as the staging area for parades and cycling events.

Pacific Conservatory of the
Performing Arts:

For more than 40 years PCPA Theater fest has been presenting exemplary theatre and providing excellent training with a resident company of theatre professionals. PCPA remains the only resident professional company on the Central Coast producing consistent quality entertainment for the community while training thousands of actors and theatre technicians for a career in theatre.

Wine Country:

Santa Maria Valley – The often foggy and windswept Santa Maria Valley is the northern most appellation in Santa Barbara County.  The region’s first officially approved American Viticultural Area (AVA) enjoys extremely complex soil conditions and diverse microclimates.   Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are two varietals which especially benefit from the ocean’s influence and are the flagship wines of this appellation.

Santa Ynez Valley – Santa Ynez Valley is a long, east-west corridor with very cool temperatures on the coast that become progressively warmer inland.  Consequently, several varietals do well from Pinot Noir in the west to Cabernet and Merlot in the east.  Several Rhone and Italian grape varietals have also gained acclaim in this versatile Santa Barbara County AVA..  The largest concentration of wineries is in the Santa Ynez Valley appellation.  From one-person labors of love to multi-thousand case operations, each has a dedication to producing wine that truly reflects the high quality and broad diversity of local grapes.

The Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival – The Festival is held annually in early April at River Park, Lompoc attracting wine lovers from near and far for an opportunity to meet member vintners, taste their wines and enjoy great food and music in a festive outdoor environment.

The Celebration Of Harvest – The Festival is held the second week of October at Rancho Sisquoc Winery in Santa Maria during the excitement of the wine grape harvest.  Reminiscent of a bygone era, the relaxed, rustic ambience of the estate is an ideal location to savor great vintages from more than 90 wineries along with delightful edibles from fine restaurants and caterers.

Chumash Casino and Resort:

The Casino boasts Table Games, Slots, Bingo, a Gift Shop, and the World Series of Poker.  The Resort Hotel consists of 106 spacious rooms, including 17 luxury suites.  The Spa offers a variety of massages, facials, nail care, body treatments and hair services.  There are three restaurants, including, The Willows fine dining, Creekside Buffet, and the Chumash Café.

Farmers Market:

Santa Barbara County has some of the richest farmland anywhere.  The diversity and abundance of vegetables, nuts, fruits, honey, and flowers are offered up weekly at one of the many local farmers markets. Every Wednesday afternoon year-round, the Solvang Farmers Market showcases the freshest fruits, veggies, flowers and locally produced arts and crafts.

Elverhoj Museum of History & Art:

The Elverhoj Museum occupies an original Danish-style home on a quiet street two blocks from downtown.  The rooms are filled with historic Solvang photographs, artifacts, Danish arts, crafts and period pieces.  Friendly docents periodically dress in authentic Danish costumes to create living history.  No charge for admission.  Suggested donation is $3.  Children 12 and under are free.

Santa Ynez Airport (IZA)

Santa Ynez Airport is a publicly owned facility welcoming private aircraft  with general aviation services on a runway of 2,804 feet.  IZA is also home to the Windhaven Glider Rides, offering flights by FAA-certified pilots to the public.

Ronald Reagan Ranch:

Young America’s Foundations stepped in to save President Reagan’s Western White House in the spring of 1998 to preserve it as a living memory to Reagan’s accomplishments and to make it a centerpiece of the student’s programs.  Today, Rancho del Cielo “Ranch in the Sky” is a place of learning, a place of encouragement and a place of inspiration for generations to come.

Alisal Guest Ranch And Resort:

The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, has been a hideaway for generations of families, couples and groups since first welcoming guests in 1946.  Today, the romance and majesty of the “old west” remain in the Ranch’s wide-open spaces and unspoiled natural beauty.

As one of California’s premier guest ranches, the Alisal transports guests back to a bygone era.  Set on a 10,000-acre working cattle ranch, this one-of-a-kind resort blends the best of nature with exceptional golf, horseback riding, tennis, fishing, first-class accommodations and fine dining.

Rancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables:

Located only 30 minutes from Hwy 101, the airport or downtown Santa Barbara, Rancho Oso’s rustic mountain setting makes you feel like you’re worlds away from civilization. This Guest Ranch embodies the spirit of the Old West with cozy Bunkhouse Cabins, Covered Wagons and family-friendly fire rings.  If you’re bringing horses, you can also RV or tent camp. The Guest Ranch, as well as our huge arena, is available for group events, horse shows, clinics, gymkhanas, team sorting, team penning or any number of equestrian activities.

The Petersen Village and Inn:

Experience one of Solvang’s finest overnight stays at this AAA Four Diamond Award winning Inn for the past 24 years.  Family owned and operated, guests will enjoy private dining at the Inn’s Café’ Provence.  Guests are treated to a European buffet breakfast and a complete gourmet dinner for two.  The Inn also has conference and meeting facilities and specializes in business retreats, hosts wedding rehearsal dinners and even has its own wine maker.

Hospital:

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital: Since 1964, this 20-bed hospital has offered acute-care services to the residents and visitors of the Santa Ynez Valley.  Today, services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, 24-hour emergency care and a physician office rental program that brings specialists to the Valley on a regular basis.

Allan Hancock College:

Allan Hancock College is a California public community college located in Santa Maria.  Approximately 11,000 credit and more than 5,500 non-credit and community service students enroll each semester.  In the heart of beautiful downtown Solvang is Allan Hancock College Solvang Center.  The center is located within the Solvang Village Square on Alisal Road.  After providing classes throughout the Santa Ynez Valley for more than 20 years, Allan Hancock College opened the Solvang Center In August 2000.  The center includes a lecture classroom, an activity classroom, an administrative office and reception area.