EXPLORE SANTA BARBARA’S WINE TRAILS

BY MEGAN HILL

It may not have the prestige of its northern neighbors, Napa and Sonoma valleys, but don’t overlook Santa Barbara’s excellent winery collection. Santa Barbara County was named Wine Enthusiast’s 2021 Wine Region of the Year, which called it a “wine lover’s paradise.”

This paradise is full of urban tasting rooms near the beach, and bucolic vineyard estates tucked into stunning valleys. This diverse selection of experiences means that it’s easy to wrap wine tastings into a trip to the region, or even base your entire visit around wine. The area’s unique geography makes it one of the best wine-tasting destinations out there. There are a staggering seven American Viticultural Areas here, thanks to a wide-ranging terrain that produces microclimates and lends itself to growing many different types of grapes.

With more than 275 wineries to choose from, and 70 different grape varieties, there are many options for wine tastings here. Some 60 wineries are dog- and family-friendly, so it’s possible to bring the whole family along for the adventure.

Visitors can choose from among 9 wine trails: Buellton Wine Trail Nestled in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton features both estate vineyard properties and “garagiste” tasting rooms showcasing boutique wineries.

Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Western hospitality meets world-class wine in the Santa Maria and Los Alamos Valley.

Lompoc Wine Trail Set in “The City of Arts and Flowers,” the urban wineries in Lompoc make up Santa Barbara County’s most western tasting region.

Los Olivos Promenade Once a stop on the Wells Fargo stagecoach line, Los Olivos is now a hub for wine-tasting rooms, interspersed with art galleries, boutique shops, and cafés.

Santa Maria Valley Wine Trail The Santa Maria Valley can trace grape-growing back to the Mexican Colonial era and is one of the earliest AVAs established in Santa Barbara County.

Santa Ynez Wine Trail Rolling vistas of ranches and farms mingle with vineyards and wine-tasting rooms along country roads.

Solvang Wine Walk Find the tasting rooms of Solvang inside Old World Danish-style buildings, and make sure to try an aebleskiver or treats from one of the town’s half-dozen bakeries during your wine-tasting adventure.

Santa Rita Hills Wine Trail Heading west on either Hwy 246 or Santa Rosa Road, you’ll pass some of the most extreme coolclimate vineyards in the area, making this wine trail a pilgrimage for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay lovers.

Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail “The American Riviera” hugs the beautiful Pacific coastline and has many wineries and tasting rooms within walking distance of the beach all while shopping and exploring Santa Barbara. The “Funk Zone” is an area between Highway 101 and the beach, which has recently seen an upsurge of boutique tasting rooms, cafés, galleries, and shops, transforming the destination into a food and wine mecca for urban travelers.

Springs Borrego

A TIMELESS ADVENTURE

Welcome to Borrego Springs, California, where metal creatures roam the valley, selfie spots are endless and the night skies are a star-studded event.

Located less than two hours from San Diego’s coastline, and 90 minutes from the bustling Coachella Valley, you will find the Borrego Valley. Surrounded by the 600,000acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and nestled against three mountain ranges sets the scene for 24/7 jaw-dropping views.

The valley’s sunshine during the day is certainly the main attraction; however, the night skies do not disappoint, as Borrego Springs is an International Dark Sky Community. The first in California and the second designation in the world offers everyone a front-row seat to meteor showers, lunar eclipses, and night sky phenomenas during the clear desert nights.

Borrego, the Spanish word for sheep, dates back to the early 1900s when sheepherders and ranchers prospered in the vast valley. As settlers and travelers began to discover this hidden gem, the idea of a resort community catering to visitors looking for warm winters, outdoor activities and small town charm was formed.

Today those same ideals remain, as Borrego Springs is a mixture of simpler times with no traffic signals, fast-food restaurants or big-box stores. What has changed is the addition of award-winning resorts and spas, golf courses, an airport, RV resorts, a state-of-the-art library and EV charging stations. Locals and guests can shop and dine at a variety of family owned and operated businesses on Palm Canyon Drive, highlighted by a circular park in the center of town called Christmas Circle.

Set in the California desert, the summer heat is all but forgotten when fall arrives with fabulous weather. From October through May, the tourist season begins with the Borrego Days Desert Festival, produced by the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center. Celebrating 56 years, this free festival offers two days of live entertainment, kids’ zone, food trucks, assorted vendors, a beer garden, and several small-town surprises to the

delight of festival goers who come from near and far.

The nonstop events calendar continues for visitors and locals with the Borrego Springs Film Festival, Candlewood Arts Festival, Art in the Park, Performing Arts Center and the plethora of nonprofit and community events that wind down at the end of May with the close of the Chamber’s Certified Farmers Market.

For those looking for outdoor adventures, they’ll find miles of hiking, biking, equestrian trails and three golf courses. Bird watchers enjoy the vast variety of species as well as desert wildlife seen everywhere. For the tour enthusiasts, available are Jeep, night sky, hiking, biking, walking and downtown history tours. There is a tour for every type of adventure and each one offers a different and memorable experience, whether it includes educational lectures or quietly embracing nature’s magnificent beauty.

Welcoming families and their pets, accommodations are plentiful and diverse with a Western- themed hotel, unique inns, boutique hotels and historic motels. For the outdoorsman, camp sites and dry camping are abundant in wide-open areas.

All ages will delight in the famous Galleta Meadows Sky Art Metals Sculptures found in Borrego Springs -- boasting over 125 life-size or larger sculptures scattered freely throughout the valley, beckoning travelers from around the world to stop and experience these incredible creations!

Get started today on your Borrego Springs experience at visitborrego.com or by calling 760-767-5555. Remember to make your first stop the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center for maps and info from their knowledgeable staff. See you in Borrego Springs!