Solvang and Santa Ynez

[LASam]

Originally Posted by Rigamarole

The Santa Ynez Valley used to be a beautiful place where you could amble down a country lane, pulling over to enjoy the view. Then came the yuppies and they utterly destroyed it the same way they destroy everything they touch. Now they form trains of small cars that zoom down the highway at 20-30 mph over the speed limit, forcing all local traffic off the road. They've got to hurry back to LA, you know. On the back roads, they run over the wildlife simply because it's in their way and they don't have time to slow down and wait for it to cross the road. They think the valley was always all about wine and they never saw it when it was full of White Oaks instead of grapes. These clueless morons have ruined the valley and ought to be shot on sight. If Santa Barbara County weren't such a *****, they would have been long ago.

Yeah, damn those yuppies coming to the Santa Ynez Valley and spending all that money. Santa Barbara County would be much better off if they just went and spent that money somewhere else. Certainly all the local restaurants, hotels, and shops wouldn't take a hit whatsoever. Santa Barbara County residents would be more than happy to pay a little more in taxes to cover all that lost business tax revenue!

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Larkinhill

I second Cold Spring Tavern. It's one of a kind. Though it's not super formal, it's actually quite romantic in a rustic way. Besides, IMO, real snooty restaurants aren't all that romantic.

On that note, over the hill in SB proper there used to be a place called "Timbers" - don't know if it's still in business.

There also is / was a good rib place, Woody's.

[PittNewbie]

Skip Solvang and focus on Los Olivos instead quaint turn of the century little victorian town. great restaurants and wine tasting. Very "Town & Country" feel about it.


Head up to the hills and go camping if you can.

[Bruin5]

As a Central Coast native, I've never been a fan of Solvang. Like the above poster said, Los Olivos is a better bet. As far as dinning, Buellton has the Hitching Post and AJ Spurs.

[Ash Mehta]

Solvang or Los Olivos? Depends on your agenda. Los Olivos is a mecca for winery tasting rooms. And they all close at around 5:00PM. Not really any dedicated wine bars. Solvang's great advantage is lodging. About 700 rooms in town. And even tasting rooms tend to stay open later. Wandering Dog and Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar (our place) are "wine bars" so they serve wines by-the-glass in a more comfortable atmosphere. Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar has more than 25 wineries represented. And the only place to taste a good selection of Au Bon Climat, Margerum, and Arcadian.

Solvang is also changing when it comes to dining. Bradley Ogden's Root 246, Cowboy Way BBQ (where Cabernet Bistro used to be), Cafe Angelica are a few you can walk to.

So my advice is to stay in Solvang and play the entire Valley. Solvang isn't what it used to be.

Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar
[url=http://www.tastesofthevalleys.com]Solvang and Pismo Beach Wine bar serving premium wines. Au Bon Climat, Arcadian, Margerum, Core, Lane Tanner, Labyrinth[/url]