The terms “family friendly” and “wine country” don’t typically go together, but when a destination describes itself as “family friendly” shouldn’t it be as appealing to kids as it is to adults? This summer, parents looking for an easy-to-plan, easy-to-get-to escape that can be truly enjoyed as a family should look no further than the wine country of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Located just two hours from LA and four hours from San Francisco, in a world-class yet intimate wine country setting, the Santa Ynez Valley offers an enriching and rejuvenating vacation experience sheltered from the noise and distractions of bigger city life. In the Santa Ynez Valley, which includes the communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang, visiting families will find a combination of fairytales and farms, parks and museums that kids love. The valley is also home to more than 100 wineries and wine tasting rooms – many of which happily welcome and entertain children with games, activities, and treats – to make sure mom, dad, or even the grandparents enjoy themselves, as well as a vibrant cultural scene, true farm-to-table culinary experiences, and one-of-a-kind outdoor attractions.
Below are 7 family-friendly reasons to visit the Santa Ynez Valley this summer:
- Trolleys, surreys and Segways – Climb aboard a historic wooden streetcar pulled by a pair of magnificent draft horses for a guided tour of the Danish village of Solvang. Pedal-powered surreys and Segways offer car-free ways to explore Solvang’s famous Sweet Treats Trail, a tempting collection of Danish bakeries, old-fashioned ice cream parlours and candy and chocolate shoppes.
- OstrichLand USA – No trip to the Santa Ynez Valley is complete without a stop at the 33-acre breeding farm near Buellton, where visitors can see and feed more than 100 ostriches and emus up-close.
- Shrek the Musical – From June 30 to July 9, this Oscar- and Tony-winning fairy tale adventure comes to life on the stage of the 700-seat, outdoor Elizabethan-style Solvang Festival Theatre.
- Parks – Numerous parks and outdoor spaces in the Santa Ynez Valley give kids a chance to run and play, but perhaps the most unique is Sunny Fields, a Medieval-themed make-believe-filled playground featuring a wooden castle and gingerbread house. Nearby Cachuma Lake Recreation Area offers guided wildlife cruises aboard a 30-passenger pontoon boat for easy wildlife viewing.
- Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch – A breeding facility for waist-high (34-inch and under) horses that welcomes visitors daily for free viewing. The public is also welcome to stroll the grounds and watch the action unfold daily at Flag Is Up Farms, home of Monty Roberts, “the man who listens to horses.” For a first-hand riding experience, Vino Vaqueros in Santa Ynez offers guided horseback rides (with or without wine tasting) through the Valley’s vineyards and pastoral countryside.
- Museums – A rich heritage with strong Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Danish influences are evident throughout the Santa Ynez Valley, including a museum devoted to Scandinavian fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen, Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Parks-Janeway Carriage House, home to the one of the finest collections of horse-drawn carriages in the West, and the wildlife art-focused Wildling Museum, where admission is free for ages 16 and under.
- Wine – Most wineries are welcoming to children, particularly those with expansive grounds for roaming, running and picnicking, such as Buttonwood Farm, Shoestring Winery or Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard. Others, such as Tercero Wines, Daniel Gehrs Wines or Coquelicot, offer sidewalk chalk, toys, books or lawn games to keep little hands occupied while the grown-ups sip, swirl and savor. For a more complete list, check out the featured wineries that are notably kid friendly, https://www.visitsyv.com/blog/family-friendly-wineries/.
Planning a family-friendly trip to the Santa Ynez Valley is simple at visitsyv.com, where visitors can research events and attractions, book lodging and activities, and create a custom itinerary with the click of the mouse.
Growing up, my parents loved traveling south to the Danish-influenced town of Solvang. Just a half-hour inland from the coast of Santa Barbara, I vividly remember the windmills, walking through shops downtown, and when my mom purchased oysters from a tank to unearth the beautifully unique pearls inside. Those pearls were place in ring and necklace settings and I loved when my mom would wear the jewelry and promise me they’d be mine when I was older. I haven’t been back to the area in sometime, so I was thrilled to return and explore Solvang and a few other surrounding communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley.
Where We Stayed
Our second floor crisp white room offers silver and red minimalist decor and furniture. The heavenly Serta king mattress was blissful and other amenities included: 50” flat screen TV, a stainless steel compact refrigerator and coffee maker, a dining area, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, and a classic alarm clock. It was a warm weekend and we appreciated all the windows that allowed in the cooler evening breeze. The surroundings were quiet, so evenings were relaxing and windows could stay open through the night. The unique light fixture was the centerpiece of the lofted ceilings. 
Complimentary wi-fi service worked well in the rooms as well as the courtyard where we enjoyed late evenings with wine and great conversation with friends. 
The hotel and staff are very welcoming and helpful. The main office is located at a sister property just a block away, but any concerns or housekeeping needs are addressed quickly and efficiently. A continental breakfast is included with your stay just a short walk at the Danish Mill Bakery. A wonderful added bonus with your stay is the 2 for 1 wine and beer tasting passport that is offered to over 30 locations in the area! Rooms start just over $100 mid-week and about $189 weekends.
I went for it with the Pollo Mattone, an oak grilled organic chicken, roasted potatoes and spinach topped with fresh pesto. The chicken was enough for two people, my husband loved it as well, especially the crispy skin! He shared his homemade ravioli special that had bright flavor from the peas, tomatoes, and mint and succulent scampi! Dessert included Italian favorites and gelato, but we opted to make another mule our dessert!
Grab a lunch from 
Vanilla ice cream tops the crispy crust and when you dig into the hot fruity center it makes for a eyes-roll-back-into-your-head moment. Suddenly you forget how full you are and don’t want to share. Weeks later I’m still drooling over the menu and look forward to going back, especially for their Pinot Noirs!
Down the road into Los Olivos we stopped in for a olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting at Olive Hill Farm in downtown off Grand Avenue. The area is know for the best olive oils around, from mild to soft, pungent to peppery it’s a discovery of texture and flavor that gives each an identity of their own. I found myself to love a fruity (cranberry) balsamic vinegar and a jalepeno olive oil!
Did I mention while we wine tasted and sampled oils and vinegars we were on a bike? Renting bikes from Dr. J’s Bicycle Shop through partnership with 
Upon first glance, the two story Craftsman is immaculately kept with gardens that beg you to grab a glass of wine and take a stroll. Walking through the iron gate you see beautiful landscaping and spring blossoming early everywhere you look, California’s version of winter.
We finally made it inside to check into our room after our happy distractions. There are seven bedrooms on the property, five that are in the main house and two individual stand alone cottages. The rooms are named for local wineries, their wine is offered for sale in the rooms, artwork relating to their brand/labels can be found on the walls, and often the businesses will pour their wine at ForFriends Inn’s nightly happy hour. The partnership allows guests to venture out and visit their tasting rooms at little or no cost and helps acquaint visitors to the the local area.
We were booked in the Imagine room for the weekend where you may find one of their signature Syrah or Viogniers for sale on the antique desk. The room boasts a gorgeous king bed with a mattress and pillow made probably from heavenly clouds it’s so soft. My husband who likes to explore while on getaways was happy each morning to lounge a little longer in bed than usual because of how comfortable it was. The bathroom was as romantic is they get as far as what I’ve found. The lovely framed mirror, the fresh rose in the vase and the marble shower for two and jacuzzi tub…yes that just screams a couple’s getaway and as always, just add wine!
A table and chairs (and of course wine) make for a gorgeous evening watching the sunset.
Breakfast at ForFriends Inn is so very special. With a menu on the table, fresh coffee and teas ready for pouring, here is where you begin your day with a smile! Guests venture in and gather at one of the two tables and friendships begin. Homemade breads, biscuits, casseroles arrive as does fruit, granola and yogurt, bacon or sausage and toast round out the menu and it’s 5-star dining in a relaxed setting. 
Those winery partnerships show up here and give us an idea for tomorrow’s day trip and tasting experience. This is the time we share stories of what everyone did for the day, where they dined or picnicked, and it’s even a time for music. 
Owner and talented musician Dave brought out his guitar, then a guest brought out his, then a man sat on a box and played it like a drum with his hands. Music was born and it was another aspect of this amazing bed and breakfast that gets emblazoned on your brain and makes you yearn to go back.
We explored and drank in a cave at Sunstone, we listened to great music at Kalyra, and played shuffleboard at Carr wineries and those alone were nearly a $100 savings! With so much included with a stay at ForFriends Inn, I’m really not sure why we didn’t move in!
It will be tough to beat this spot for a weekend getaway. It’s an amazing place that will be remembered and have you coming back to stay again and again. If you’d like to learn even more about ForFriends Inn, visit 
Right in downtown Solvang we found Dr. J’s Bicycle Shop where we would start our 4-5 hour journey beginning about 9am. Here you will meet your guides, get your Specialized hybrid bike fitting and discuss the route and plan for the day. The guides measure your height and find the best bike for your ride along with ensuring your seat is comfortable (I asked for two cushioned seat covers half-jokingly but I did get one). During this preparation, water bottles are filled, helmets are secured properly, and a lesson on gear shifting is helpful even for those experienced bikers.
Remember I said us women love our wine, we are not cyclists. But, don’t worry, the route is customized with the guides to fit the your riding ability ensuring the best time possible. 
We started our ride right there at the shop. Through residential areas and then a bit on the highway, we were always sticking together as a group with one guide at the front and one at the back. The road was paved the entire trip and was basically flat. Riding past vineyards, horse ranches, and scenic mountains, the guides shared knowledge of the area and allowed each rider to chat and share as well. 
There was open communication about how we were feeling and we were reminded to stay hydrated throughout the ride. If any riders were slowing down, a guide would remain at the back of the pack to keep an eye out, but never were we pushed to keep up.
In Los Olivos, we stopped downtown to fill our water bottles and take a break. We then headed down Figueroa Mountain road that had a slight incline. The weather was warm so we all kept at a good pace. 
The scenery was stunning! Some clouds came out of nowhere and dropped a 2 minute sprinkle on us that helped cool us down, then the sun and heat was back. After a few miles about half of us took a break while the other half just went a bit further down the road to stop at the entrance of what was once Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch! Checking in with the husbands, who are used to biking up in the mountains on narrow paths and often at a faster pace, they were just fine. This ride was made for couples to enjoy together, no racing, no competing, just relax and enjoy the surroundings!
We made a stop at a local olive oil tasting room for some samples of flavored olive oil and balsamic vinegars. Then it was off for a few more miles before our lunch. 
The remarkable tree along the highway can’t be missed with the old truck beneath filled with wine barrels. Here we were treated to wine tasting atop a bar made from bowling lanes from a old alley nearby. The Chardonnay was cold and crisp and hit the spot after our near 22 mile ride! We purchased a bottle to enjoy with our fantastic, healthy, and replenishing lunch!
Salads, fruit, meats, cheeses, and a most delicious plate of desserts! What a way to round out the day. We were here about an hour’s total and hopefully not too stuffed to make the short ride back to the bike shop. Just in case someone gets pooped out along the way, a truck is available to take the back and you back to the shop. 
The whole experience was completely worth it! It was so neat to mix my husband and my favorites to make a memorable day for both of us. Exercise, exploring, eating, drinking, and together with friends is just icing on the cake! Some energy, an appetite, comfy shoes, and some layers is all you need for this amazing day trip in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.
