Things To Do
Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
This was the site of one of our first adventure dates. While the museum itself is not very large, it is crammed full of beautiful motorcycles- vintage, modern, and one-of-a-kind. A fun 1-2 hour stop for the motor enthusiast.
Consilience & Tre Anelli
One of our favorite places to go wine tasting. Located in downtown Los Olivos, you can wander from tasting room to tasting room, to sip some of the local wines. They are all delicious, but you can never go wrong with Consilience.
Full Of Life Flatbread
If you are coming to Buellton from the North, take the time to stop at Flatbread Full of Life on the way out or the way in. The food here is delicious, locally sourced, and unexpected. They serve with local wines and beer, to round out the meal.
Industrial Eats
A hidden gem of a foodie destination. Unique flavor combinations, mezza portions, and family style tables make this stop a great communal option.
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Firestone Brewing Company and Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company are both local favorites, and both have tasting rooms with food in the Santa Ynez Valley. While we love Figueroa Mountain beer, Firestone is getting our recommendation on this website because the tasting room and pub are within easy walking distance of both of our hotel recommendations.
Nojoqui Falls Park
This park provides an easy 15 minute hike to the lovely Nojoqui Falls. . . this is California, so fingers crossed that there will be water coming over the falls in March! Visit the link below with more details of how to complete the hike! https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/nojoqui-falls-santa-barbara/
Ostrichland USA
As you drive between Buellton and Solvang, you will pass Ostrichland on your right! Take a quick stop to look at the large birds, but be careful if you try to feed them - they bite! Debate on whether or not you need to buy an ostrich egg for a Sunday morning omelet, or meat for an ostrich burger, and then move on.
Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard
The wine at the Fess Parker is good, but the joy of this vineyard is the expansive green lawn in front of the tasting room, and the tall oak trees that provide beauty and shade. They allow dogs, children, and adults to run around the property, and guests are welcome to bring their own picnics and wine. Foxen Canyon has so many great wineries that this is merely the gateway to additional vistas and flavors.
Figueroa Mountain
You can easily drive up Figueroa Mountain from Los Olivos. With turn offs, small lots, and a paved (but windy and slow) road that traverses the mountain, you can choose the extent of your adventure. March is the prime time for the wildflowers to blossom, so if you are able to make a detour to see this, the effort should be worthwhile.
Cold Spring Tavern
Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 - 5:00 p.m. The historic Cold Spring Tavern plays host to the best tri-tip in Santa Barbara County, hidden away in a deep valley off the 154. Besides the delicious food, you will see a host of motorcycles, vintage cars, and great live music sets. If that seems like too much of a scene for you, you can visit the Tavern on other nights during the week. Stop by the bar for a bowl of chili, or make a reservation in the Tavern proper for a rustic sit-down meal.
Quicksilver Ranch
Open Monday - Saturday, I am hoping that this ranch is still open when the wedding happens! This sweet ranch is the home to a herd of mini horses. See the article link for more information.
Hearst Castle
If you are staying in the Santa Ynez Valley for a little while before or after the wedding, and want a recommendation for a good day trip, Hearst Castle gets our vote. With a beautiful setting, fantastic designs, and unique features, Hearst Castle has a little bit of something for everyone. The drive will take about two hours heading North from Solvang, but you will get to see a little of San Luis Obispo, Cambria, San Simeon, and the beginnings of the Big Sur scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway 1.
Eat This Shoot That - Solvang Food and Photography Tour
Solvang is a cute place to wander around, but after a while, the stores and bakeries can all begin to look the same. How do you know which places to stop in, and which places to save for another adventure? If you take the 'Eat This Shoot That' tour, you will will walk through the the downtown neighborhood and taste traditional and local artisan cuisine of Solvang and the Central Coast. You’ll indulge in bites of traditional Danish fare and freshly baked goods to craft beer, local wine, & artisan goods. Along the way, you’ll get immersed in the local culture and hear interesting stories about each place you’ll visit. You’ll also learn easy-to-shoot photo tips from your pro tour guide and take your foodie photo skills to the next level using your smartphone’s camera app. The tour takes about 4 hours, but it's well worth the time commitment!