Hi there!

When you think of California’s wine scene, Napa and Sonoma are probably the first spots to come to mind. Don’t get me wrong – I love them both. But today, I wanted to talk about two other wine-centric gems in the Golden State: Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez Valley.

If you want to plan a winery weekend getaway, here’s my mini guides to each of these destinations.

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Santa Ynez Valley

A 45-minute drive from Santa Barbara, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to charming small towns (including Los Olivos and Solvang) and more than 120 wineries!

Vineyards Worth Visiting:

• Brave & Maiden Estate
• Koehler Winery
• Roblar Winery and Vineyards
• Andrew Murray Vineyards
• Sunstone Winery

I recommend booking a guided Santa Ynez Valley vineyard tour! Note that many wineries in the area require reservations. If you explore without a tour, be sure to make all necessary bookings in advance!

Where to Stay:

• The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern – a luxury resort in Los Olivos that’s currently on the top of my hotel bucket list.
• The Genevieve – an elegant bed-and-breakfast in Santa Ynez.
• The Landsby – a charming 4-star hotel in the heart of Solvang.

Things to do in the Santa Ynez Valley (Beyond Drinking Wine!):

• Shop, dine, and drink in the charming town of Los Olivos
• Visit Olive + Lavender Farms
• Explore the town of Solvang, the Danish capital of the US
• Feed the ostriches at Ostrichland USA

Paso Robles

This beautiful Central Coast destination (which is about a 30-minute drive from San Luis Obispo) has a cute historic town and more than 200 wineries.

Vineyards Worth Visiting:

• Adelaida Vineyards
• Daou Vineyards (on the pricier end, but worth it for the views you get from the property!)
• Opolo Vineyards
• Justin Vineyards
• Thacher Vineyards

I recommend booking a vineyard tour so that you don’t have to worry about driving! Ubers/Lyfts can be harder to get, as cell service is spotty by the vineyards. If you go on your own, note that many wineries require reservations.

Where to Stay:

• River Lodge – I have my eye on this eclectic, retro-style resort for my next visit.
• Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles – a popular Mediterranean-style resort.
• Rent a Vacation Home – there’s no shortage of vacation rentals in Paso!

Things to do in Paso Robles (Beyond Drinking Wine!):

• Shop and dine in Paso’s picturesque small downtown
• Relax at Franklin Hot Springs
• Enjoy the immersive outdoor light show at Light at Sensorio
• Dine and drink at Tin City and Paso Market Walk

Read my Paso Robles weekend getaway guide for more details!

Happy travels!

Kyra, Sea to Sequoia

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