Want to go wine tasting from LA (Santa Barbara, Temecula: hotel, home)

[LABCgal]

Hi,
A group of us want to go Santa Barbara to do some wine tasting, but need to be back in LA by 4. A couple of questions:
Is it doable as a quick day trip?
How bad will traffic be at 8am? and to return by 4pm? is it better to go at 7:30?
Are there any actual vineyards in Santa Barbara or only tasting rooms?
Any recommendations of where to go wine tasting in Santa Barbara?
Recommendations for a place to take out sandwiches from so we can eat at a winery?
Where is the closest place we can go to get a tour of the wine-making process...

Is Temecula a better option?

Wow, that's alot of questions.... I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by LABCgal

Hi,
A group of us want to go Santa Barbara to do some wine tasting, but need to be back in LA by 4. A couple of questions:
Is it doable as a quick day trip?
How bad will traffic be at 8am? and to return by 4pm? is it better to go at 7:30?
Are there any actual vineyards in Santa Barbara or only tasting rooms?
Any recommendations of where to go wine tasting in Santa Barbara?
Recommendations for a place to take out sandwiches from so we can eat at a winery?
Where is the closest place we can go to get a tour of the wine-making process...

Is Temecula a better option?

Wow, that's alot of questions.... I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Oh not Temecula, stick to Santa Barbara. Fess Parker is the only wine tasting I've ever been to in Santa Barbara and the whole business seems to have evolved even more since the last time I visted which was a while back

There are lots of other wine tastings and vinyards in SB, just google. Are you going on a week day or weekend? Will make a difference to your journey. Leaving at 8am on a weekend will probarbly make your ETA approx. 9.15 - 9.30...again I haven't made the trip since 2004 and the 101 I hear is worse than ever. Sandwiches? A bit of a no brainer you can pick them up at numerous places on Cabrillo, State St, etc.

You'll have enough time for a tour and wine tasting but if you have to be back at 4pm, it might all be a little rushed. Would be nice to include other things after the winery visit.

Enjoy!

[CESpeed]

I love it when people from other countries answer questions like this.

The time frame you've given yourself is doable, but I don't know if it would be worth the trip. It's a 2-3 hour drive in both directions. The best place to go wine tasting is actually in Los Olivos which is about 45 min north of Santa Barbara. There are several winerys next to each other across from Fess Parkers Hotel and Spa. Becasue Santa Barbara County is wine country, there are places to wine taste all over the county but the highest concentration of in the Santa Ynez Valley where Los Olivos is. There's some wine tasting in Santa Ynez, Los Alamos and Solvang as well. The heaviest traffic you'll hit will be through the city of Santa Barbara itself. Once you get through there it should be smooth sailing until you hit Ventura then you may be in typical LA traffic.

Have fun.

[Raggy dee Ann]

My faux pas. I was judging distance from where I would start my journey which was my home Sherman Oaks and within 5 mins from the 101 on ramp. I could do it easily in 1 1/2 hours although it's taken longer on occassions. Coming from LA proper, like Hancock Park or down town, it would be much longer. It's been 4 years since I made that trip hence why I made the following statement.

Leaving at 8am on a weekend will probarbly make your ETA approx. 9.15 - 9.30...again I haven't made the trip since 2004 and the 101 I hear is worse than ever.

You really need to get over what bugs you about me. Your comment regarding living in another country just, shows your ignorance and pettiness.

[Raggy dee Ann]

To the OP google is your best friend and you will find places that provide lunch.