Business Finance Media Technology Policy Wealth Insights Interviews

Art Art Fairs Art Market Art Reviews Auctions Galleries Museums Interviews

Lifestyle Nightlife & Dining Style Travel Interviews

Power Index Nightlife & Dining Art A.I. PR

About About Observer Advertise With Us Reprints

Where to Stay in Santa Ynez Valley, California’s Next Great Wine Destination

Just a few hours north of Los Angeles, the rural vineyard town of Santa Ynez Valley boasts some of California’s most picturesque hotels.

For those who can make it past Santa Barbara, a whole new world of wine, cowboys, and pastoral beauty unfolds. Two or three hours north of Los Angeles by car—depending on what time you make the trek—the remote countryside of Santa Ynez Valley, dotted with small towns, herds of cows, and rolling hills, might as well be another planet. Though most Angelenos have likely been here once or twice, the region has experienced a surge of growth following the pandemic. So much so that it’s almost a destination transformed. In that strange lull, more and more people were drawn to head somewhere off the grid, and plenty of them decided to just stay there. 

That means more hotels, restaurants, boutiques, wineries, taverns and tasting rooms than ever before—even if the oldies but goodies also benefited from the upswing. Though it was previously possible to stay in Santa Barbara and venture the extra 45 minutes into the valley for a day trip, an influx of local stays has made a visit up here much more palatable. In case you’ve never spent a night soaking in the Danish charm of Solvang, or visited the tasting room-lined streets of Los Olivos, here’s a guide to the best for an overnight visit in this picturesque wine valley. Plus, a few tips and tricks on restaurants and wineries to check out during your trip. 

The Best Hotels in the Santa Ynez Valley

Fess Parker Wine Country Inn

Fess Parker Wine Country Inn

2860 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441

One of the oldest guesthouses in the region, Fess Parker is synonymous with the rustic elegance of the Santa Ynez Valley. As movie star Fess Parker, who played a frontiersman on the silver screen, took a pioneering turn in the region, this 19-room hotel followed. Parker purchased the 700-acre parcel of Foxen Canyon Ranch in 1988, and got to work establishing a family-run winery that’s still regarded as one of the best in the region. Accordingly, their central hotel in Los Olivos opened about a decade later, in 1999, and it’s luxurious and wine-focused in a classically understated way. Commanding four-poster beds, glowing black-brick fireplaces, and bay window triptychs make even standard room offerings feel glamorous. Some rooms have vaulted ceilings, and most feature glass showers with intricate tile work. Five suites expand the experience with separate living rooms and deep soaking tubs. Geometric light fixtures, an oversized desk and a courtesy card for complimentary appointments at their in-town tasting rooms complete the welcome. Don’t miss the Los Olivos General Store for local olive oil and lavender a block away, or (In)Larkin for bespoke clothing from a former Armani designer. For dinner, there’s tried and true wine country fare with an Italian bent at the in-house restaurant, Nella, but the culinary darling of this small town for going on five years now is the cult-favorite Bar Le Côte. Just a two-block walk from the inn, chef Brad Mathews has concocted a seafood-focused feast with Spanish pintxos, seriously inventive classics, and a customized wine list.

293 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463

Solvang is an easy center for the valley as one of the most developed towns in the region. It’s decidedly kitschy, with an abundance of Danish architecture and old-school........

© Observer