Weekly Recap
Day 1 Los Angeles
Day 2 LA to Monterey
Day 3 Monterey and area
Day 4 Montery to Solvang including Hearst Castle
After a delicious complimentary breakfast which included eggs, sausages and potatoes we headed out to explore the area.
The picturesque Santa Ynez Valley encompasses six communities clustered closely together like wine grapes. From the charming, tiny gem of rural Ballard, the bustling gateway city of Buellton, the vintage western town of Los Alamos, the arts-influenced wine-infused town of Los Olivos and the turn-of-the-20th-century township of Santa Ynez, to the northern European atmosphere of the city of Solvang founded by Danish-Americans in 1911.
First stop was the town of Santa Ynez.
Santa Ynez (population 4,418), it’s sometimes hard to tell what year it is with its period-style false-front building facades housing shops, saloons, feed stores and random horses hitched to posts. However, this rather sophisticated cowboy town also boasts plenty of conveniences for modern-day trail riders. A variety of restaurants serve up delicious options from casual burgers, pancakes, and waffles (beloved by locals), to steaks, seafood, regional Italian fare, Latin fusion and locavore cuisine. There are also some wineries.
We wandered into this saddlery and spent an interesting thirty minutes with the owner, Juan.
Besides wineries there are many ranches in the valley.
Fancy ladies' boots.
Santa Inés Mission is the 19th of 21 California missions established by the Franciscan Fathers. Padre Junipero Serra founded the first 8 missions beginning with mission San Diego de Alcala in San Diego in 1769.
Not sure if this land belongs to the mission.
Off to Los Olivos.
California history melds with modern-day wine tasting rooms, art galleries and upscale shops in this picture-perfect country town in the northeast part of the valley (population 1,132). Centered by an iconic flagpole, Victorian homes and businesses cluster nearby around the community hub at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Alamo Pintado Avenue. Vineyards, lavender farms, orchards, ranches and horse trails surround Los Olivos. This is a charming place to visit for a one-stop wine country experience. The town dates back to the 1860s, when the stagecoach route began to pass through.
California history melds with modern-day wine tasting rooms, art galleries and upscale shops in this picture-perfect country town in the northeast part of the valley (population 1,132). Centered by an iconic flagpole, Victorian homes and businesses cluster nearby around the community hub at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Alamo Pintado Avenue. Vineyards, lavender farms, orchards, ranches and horse trails surround Los Olivos. This is a charming place to visit for a one-stop wine country experience. The town dates back to the 1860s, when the stagecoach route began to pass through.
We decde it's time to go back to Solvang, park the car, do some sightseeing, have a late lunch and imbibe some wine!
Sit back and just enjoy soaking up some authentic Denmark!
Where we had dinner last night.
Lunch today.
Of course there had to be The Little Mermaid, we can attest that she looks the same as the one in Amsterdam.
You must have a replica of Hans Christian Anderson!
And with that, it's time to put our feet up!
Linking up with:
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
