Photo Courtesy of SYV Online
The Santa Ynez Valley has so much to offer year round. Whether you are coming here for a quiet getaway for two, attending a wedding or special event, corporate retreat or decided to do a “stay-cation” and explore your own local area, the weather is beautiful almost all the time here.
That said, we would be lying if we didn’t tell you that we are a little biased when it comes to arguably the “best” time of year in Santa Barbara’s wine country: autumn. Where just over the hill, Santa Barbara holds its own special feel in the fall, the Santa Ynez Valley holds a particular magic in Autumn.
While temperatures can be warm by day, the late afternoons and evenings dip into cool, crisp nights. The light is more golden and there is a decided difference in the foliage in the Santa Ynez Valley, which offers the changing of leaves sometimes a bit more fully and dramatically than locations over the hill. The more mild temperatures allow for incredible days outdoors, enjoying apple-picking, biking, farm/ranch-hopping and the ever-popular “harvest” at local wineries, some of which offer a fun grape-stomping celebration and harvest dinner to celebrate.
While there are dozens of top quality restaurants from which to choose for dining pleasure, don’t underestimate the power of a good old -fashioned picnic. El Rancho, a gourmet store in the heart of wine country offers all the perfect ingredients for an old fashioned picnic with BBQ , salads and sandwiches or boxed gourmet pre-made luncheons.
They say getting there is half the fun. So rather than drive yourself around, how about something truly special: a vintage car from Classic Motoring Car Rentals. Owner Steve Sawin has been a local business owner for decades and is the number one choice for vintage car rentals for special events and tours in the Santa Ynez Valley. Don’t just drive around the valley, step back into a bit of history and arrive in a true masterpiece with some original panache. 