Destination of the Week

Santa Barbara

So, you're heading north out of LA doing 75 and convertibles and T-Tops are flying by like you're standing still. But after about an hour, the road clears, the pace slows and the scenery changes. By the time you're 90 miles out you really notice the difference. Signs tell you you're approaching the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. It's America 's Riviera . . . Santa Barbara.

In town you'll notice a distinctive Spanish atmosphere - pastel-colored stucco homes with European clay tile roofs. And beaches - white sandy beaches. From them canyons stretch east and west, establishing the Santa Ynez valley.

It's all here, all year 'round - swimming, biking, horseback riding, boating, hiking, golf and rollerblading. But the pace is much more laid back than Los Angeles . You can even spend a leisurely afternoon whale-watching. Most importantly, you can taste some terrific wines. Along with acres growing avocado and citrus, there are wineries in the Santa Maria Valley , Lompoc and Los Alamos Valley and in Santa Barbara .

The Santa Ynez wine country lies outside Santa Ynez which is just to the northeast about forty-five minutes. The town is a small, striking western town with restaurants and shops. There are over 50 wineries - almost a quarter of all those in the county - to be experienced in the Santa Ynez Wine Valley, most with tasting rooms that are open all year.

Here's a suggestion: pick one of the wine trails in Santa Barbara to travel. There are a number to choose from but two really well-known. The Santa Ynez trail takes you through Solvang and Los Olivos. It's a rustic trail, not hard to travel, and features smaller wineries, many grouped together. Stop in Solvang. You may feel a little taken aback at first when you enter the stores in this Danish town surrounded by wineries. Stop early in the morning and you'll get to experience wafer (Danish pancakes) and ableskivers, sweet fried dumplings that will not break your diet - as long as you give them to your significant other!

A few miles away, you'll be able to visit the Firestone winery. Brooks and Kate Firestone planted the initial vines in Santa Barbara County in the early 1970's.

The Foxen Canyon Trail has more of the rolling vineyards . . . maybe you'd say "Ponderosa-style" . . . but they're spread out. Either one is worth its weight in Gewurtztraminer.

There's a third, lesser-known trail, La Purisma, which circles through Lompoc . On it you'll pass (and hopefully stop at) Bryan Babcock's winery. Babcock was named Most Courageous Wine Maker for his style in the use of his chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and pinot gris grapes.

In Santa Barbara you'll probably get some funny looks if you mention Napa - especially in connection with chardonnay and pinot noir. Many people feel that some of the best wines from these grapes come from here - and that's not just the locals talking, either.

If you're heading to the area for a week, reserve Tuesday night for the farmers' market in Old Town Santa Barbara. It's renown not only for the terrific veggies, fruit and flora but for the street performers and lively music that's always upbeat.

If you're going for the weekend, as you taste wines, buy what you like to drink now . . . then on Sunday afternoon, go to Stearns Wharf with a picnic basket with your favorite foods (or have one of the nearby restaurants prepare it) and that "drink now" wine. Make your way through the Arts and Crafts fair then grab a surrey and hit the bike path. Somewhere along the path you'll find a place calling you to stop and share the beauty.

For a complete listing of wineries in the Santa Ynez valley, click here.

For an overall list in Santa Barbara County, click here.

Got a destination in mind? Start planning your trip here.