Your Guide to the Best of Santa Ynez

Eat, Drink, & Be Local in Santa Barbara Wine Country

Just two hours up the coast from Los Angeles is the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley. Spend your day exploring the area for a taste of everything. Take in the charming gem of rural Ballard, the bustling gateway city of Buellton, or the vintage western town of Los Alamos, and you’ll get a taste of the beautiful Santa Barbara wine country we call home. Meander into the art and wine infused city of Los Olivos, enjoy a meal in the turn-of-the-20th-century township of Santa Ynez, or spend a day shopping, wining, and dining in the Danish-style city of Solvang—you’ll be sure to encounter California Coastal cuisine and wine like never before.

Our staff is here to help you plan your next adventure and, when it’s time to relax, our boutique hotel in Santa Ynez is here for you.

Seafood boil on a table with clams, corn, and glasses of white wine, people eating with crab-themed bibs.

Upcoming Events in Santa Ynez

Uncover a calendar with captivating events that showcase the essence of our community. From winemaker dinners to recipe workshops, discover an exciting schedule of upcoming events with The Genevieve alongside our signature restaurant, The Victor and beyond.

Group of people toasting with wine glasses at a wooden table with charcuterie board and candles in a wine cellar.

VIP Experiences near Solvang

Unlock extraordinary VIP experiences in Santa Ynez Valley - the pinnacle of luxury in Santa Barbara wine country.

Immerse yourself in exclusive wine tastings, private vineyard tours, and more!

Stay Like A Local

  • Chumash Casino

    Experience an extraordinary array of your favorite slots, captivating table games, exhilarating poker matches, and engaging bingo sessions, all conveniently located 3 minutes from your hotel room in Santa Ynez.

  • Entrance of Maverick Saloon, featuring rustic wooden facade, signage for cocktails, and welcome signs, with event posters and a wooden barrel.

    The Maverick Saloon

    Embark on a captivating journey just steps away from The Genevieve. Unleash your inner rockstar during karaoke nights, snap your fingers for budding performers during open mic night, and feel the rhythm during weekly live music.

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Walk This Way…

Map illustration with numbered location pins on a grid layout of streets.

KEY

1: The Genevieve / The Victor

2: Santa Ynez General - Home Goods

3: S.Y. Kitchen

4: Plenty Boutique

5: Maverick Saloon

6: Queen Cup Coffee

7: Baker’s Table

8: Santa Ynez General - Clothing

9: Crosshatch Winery

10: Santa Ynez Billards & Cafe

11: Carr Winery

12: Chumash Casino

Exclusive Experiences

First person point of view on a horse looking out into the Santa Ynez vineyards

  • Saddle up with Vino Vaqueros for an unforgettable country experience! After a ranch or vineyard ride, relax and take in the views while sampling two local wines. Choose your favorite and enjoy a glass of your own - ahhh now we're talking vacation

    As a guest of our Santa Ynez hotel, you can enjoy $10 off per person. Call (805) 944-0493 to book this adventure directly.

Two people ziplining over a scenic landscape with orange wildflowers in the foreground and mountains in the background on a clear day.

  • Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscape of the Santa Ynez Valley, this exhilarating adventure park introduces an array of thrilling zipline tours that promise to take guests to new heights of excitement.

    As a guest of The Genevieve you can enjoy 10% off using promo code GENEVIEVE10. Click Here to book this adventure directly.

Picnic setup under a tree with a white bicycle nearby in a grassy park.

  • Cruise through Wine Country on electric bikes - easily one the best ways to see the area. Take in views of Ballard Canyon with a self-guided, pre-mapped route. Pair this experience with our Tasting Passport to enjoy free tastings at stops along the way.

    As a guest of our bed and breakfast hotel, you can enjoy $10 off per person. Call (805) 691-3045 to book this adventure directly.

a group of friends near Solvang riding in an eMoke through the valley.

  • eMokes are a fun, new way to explore Santa Barbara wine country! This eco-friendly ride boasts zero emissions, chic open-air styling, and is the perfect pairing to our Tasting Passport.

    As a guest of The Genevieve, you can enjoy this concierge service complete with pick-up and drop-off at the hotel plus discounted full-day and half-day rates. Call (805) 322-8535 to book this adventure directly.

Roam Around Town

A woman standing in a vineyard in Santa Barbara Wine Country

Wine Tasting Passport

Sip your way through Santa Barbara wine country with complimentary tastings, 2-for-1 tastings, and discounted bottles of wine at over 10 local wineries and tasting rooms. These winery partnerships allow our hotel guests to truly experience Santa Ynez wine country, on us!

The Genevieve’s Tasting Passport Includes Discounts at the Following Wineries:

Artiste Winery | Carharrt Family Wines | Carr Winery | Crosshatch Winery | Stolpman Vineyards | Gainey Vineyard | Sunstone Vineyard | Lincourt Vineyards | Lucas & Lewellen | Foley Estates Vineyard | Brick Barn Wine Estate | Firestone Winery | Beckmen Vineyards | Grimm's Bluff Tasting Room | Koehler Winery | Vega Vineyard & Farm | Vincent Vineyards

*Offerings subject to change. Please contact our Front Desk for information about specific discounts at each winery or tasting room.

The interior of a general store showcasing unique goods near Solvang.

Shopping

California history melds with modern-day wine tasting rooms, vineyards, art galleries, and upscale shops in our picture-perfect country town.

Los Olivos General Store and our neighbors at Santa Ynez General offer contemporary takes on classic small-town neighborhood stores, sourcing locally produced artisan items. Clairmont Farm grows lavender and sells the oil, known for its many healing qualities.

Enjoy an olive oil tasting at Olive Hill Farm or pick up a handmade water-colored map at Honey Paper, our town's "hidden gem."

A couple at the top of a hill overlooking the Santa Ynez valley rolling hills during a hike.

Hiking

Get outside and experience rolling hills, wild flowers that perfume the air, and breathtaking hiking trails that give you a glimpse into our charming valley.

Grass Mountain is a great choice for those looking for a challenge—with a 4.5 mile trail, it is sure to get your blood pumping. For those who want to take it a little easier, our staff frequently hikes Refugio Ridge. You can take it slow and enjoy a leisurely hike with loved ones, or speed it up for a warm up before a day of wine tasting.

Lastly, experience the beauty of Nojoqui Falls. Take a short and easy hike to gaze at the falls.

A child looking at Rachel Brown art of an Ostrich.

Family Friendly

Come face to face with some furry friends or learn more about the history that surrounds the valley while exploring with your family.

Stop by Ostrich Land U.S.A to feed ostriches and emus pans of pellets - or just say hello! You can also get up close and personal with adorable miniature horses at the Quicksilver Ranch.

Go back in time to the unspoiled days of Old California on a quiet, blissful and rustic ride with Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides—perfect for horse lovers of all ages and riding abilities.

Tour the Old Mission Santa Ines, which is proud to be the guardian of a rich collection of paintings, statuary, vestments, manuscripts, and artifacts.

A woman on a horse during sunset after a horseback ride in the vineyards of Santa Ynez.

Outdoor Recreation

Plan an afternoon exploring our area by foot, bike, horse, or balloon!

Pedego Los Olivos brings a fresh kind of fun to wine country with multiple destination, semi-guided electric bike tours; rentals are also available. Our friends at Vino Vaqueros have access to vineyards you can reach via horseback.

For the adventurous, soar over the valley in a hot air balloon with Sky’s the Limit Ballooning, and those looking for a wine-filled excursion, book a custom, private tour guided by Solvang Wine Tours.