My Bus Travel Blog: 2016

Monday, November 7, 2016

Santa Barbara Wine Country Sparkling Wine Map

Santa Ynez Valley, in Santa Barbara Wine Country, is known for excellent wines. In fact, this region is one of the world’s premiere growing regions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as many other varietals. That’s why it’s perfect for sparkling wine.

This celebratory drink is known by many names: Champagne, Bubbly, Sparkling Wine, Champers, Prosecco, Cava and Bubbles. Santa Ynez Valley’s “Champagne” is also delicious…and it’s local!

California Sparkling Wine can’t be called Champagne — it’s not from the Champagne region of France — but most of the sparkling wine in Santa Ynez Valley is made in the same methode traditionelle, or method champenoise, used in the Champagne region. There are more than 30 producers of Sparkling Wine in Buellton, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Solvang and Sta. Rita Hills. Even wineries without tasting rooms are getting into the bubbles business! And these online-only producers are from some of the county’s highest-rated winemakers.

Sparkling Wine is extremely labor-intensive to make, so some wineries only offer their bubbles part of the year, and some make them only for wine club members. But most wineries will pour you a taste of their bubbles if not sold out, so don’t be shy; just ask!

Get the Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine Map here and follow the trail yourself. You can also find the Central Coast Sparkling Wine Map at the wineries shown on the map.

About the Author: Liz Dodder Hansen is a drinker, eater and traveler. She lives on California’s Central Coast and has eaten 5 kinds of foie gras in one day. She’s also a food & wine blogger, writer, photographer, recipe developer, web designer, social media maven and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW). She’s written for company Presidents, wine country magazines and a Google blog (Consumer Packaged Goods). She is also totally obsessed with local Bubbles. Her website Cali Coast Wine Countryis all about California’s Central Coast: all the food, wineries, restaurants, events and fun things to do from Paso Robles, Avila Beach and San Luis Obispo on down to Santa Barbara Wine Country.

About VisitSYV.com: Visit Santa Ynez Valley provides listings of thebest Santa Ynez wineries, best places to eat in Solvang, Santa Ynez hotels and inns, and things to do in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the website at http://www.visitsyv.com for complete travel and visitor services. “Like” the Facebook page for ideas on planning Santa Ynez vacations. Email info@VisitSYV.com for help planning a romantic summer afternoon in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Santa Ynez Valley - Top 5 Reasons to Visit Los Alamos

At the junction of Highway 101 and State Route 135, you’ll find Los Alamos, California: a tiny town that punches well above its weight in terms of fun. Despite its small population of 1,890, this charming corner of the Santa Ynez Valley is home to a thriving arts and antiques scene, some great food and drink options, cozy accommodations, and several premier Santa Ynez Valley events. If you haven’t heard of it before, that’s because it’s one of the best-kept secrets in Santa Barbara County!

Here are 5 reasons why you should start planning your visit to this beautiful corner of Santa Ynez Valley:

Soak up Some History

One of the most appealing qualities of Los Alamos is its rich history, which dates all the way back to 1876. Throughout the town, you’ll find beautiful, old buildings, antique shops, and historic sites. Los Alamos Old Days, a favorite among Santa Ynez Valley festivals, is also quickly approaching. A highlight of the town’s calendar of events for September 2016, this festival celebrates the history of the region with a parade, an antique car show, a silent auction, plenty of fun children’s activities, and delicious food on every corner.

Explore the Arts and Antiques Scenes

As mentioned above, Los Alamos is home to a handful of fantastic antique shops. Any shopping trip through the town is a veritable treasure hunt—you never know what you might find! Los Alamos is also home to a thriving arts scene. Throughout the town, and the neighbouring towns of Ballard, Buellton, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang, you’ll find a handful of gorgeous galleries and enriching museums that are sure to dazzle, inspire, and educate. Pop in to The C Gallery while in town and explore a range of contemporary art, from established national artists to emerging, creative new talents.

Dine Like Royalty

Despite its small size, the picturesque Los Alamos region boasts an array of delicious dining optionstypical of a much larger city. Whether you’re heading out for dinner with the family, or for a romantic date with your better half, you can be sure you won’t go hungry in Los Alamos. Savory spots includeBob’s Well Bread Bakery, Bell Street Farm, Full of Life Flatbread, and newcomers like Pico and Plenty on Bell.

Wine Down

Some of the very best Santa Barbara wine events occur in sun-soaked Los Alamos. Our beautiful town is home to a handful of top-notch tasting rooms, such as Casa Dumetz Wines, Bedford Winery, andFrequency Wine Company. Stop by any of these Los Alamos tasting rooms to sample the toothsome fruits of the world-renowned Santa Barbara wine scene, year-round. Cheers!

Rest Easy

As you can see, there’s plenty to do during the day in beautiful Los Alamos—so much so that you’re likely to be pretty beat by the time bedtime rolls around. Well, here’s the good news: the Los Alamos region is home to a cozy inns and motels, including a historic Victorian-style bed & breakfast with six themed suites, and a hip, modern motel that looks out over a classic motor court. Rest easy knowing you’ll be well rested for each new day in this gorgeous corner of California.

About The Author: Shelby Sim grew up just 30 minutes south of the Santa Ynez Valley on the coast in Goleta, CA. After living in many different states and traveling the world, he returned to the area and discovered the many quality wines being produced here. Shelby has worked in the area for the last 11 years as a wine tour host, while acting as director of business development with the Goleta chamber, and later as a sales manager for Bacara Resort and Spa. He recently moved his family to Buellton and is honored to be executive director of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, the premier destination marketing organization (DMO) for the region.

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Visit Santa Ynez - Top 5 Things To Do In Solvang

We love talking about our six towns of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang at Visit Santa Ynez Valley. We share information about Santa Ynez Valley restaurants, best Santa Ynez wineries, and things to do in Santa Ynez Valley to give visitors the chance to learn more about our own little pieces of heaven. Every so often we also like to brag about one of our towns. This month we’re focusing on Solvang, CA.

Solvang is an authentically Danish-American town in the heart of California. Founded in 1911, when the first Danish settlers arrived, the community holds tight onto its Danish-American charm and tradition. Only two hours up the coast from Los Angeles, Solvang carries on the Danish traditions of language, folk dancing, music and cuisine. Here is our list of the top five things to do in Solvang:

Number Five – Enjoy The Great Outdoors: Revel in the pure joy of being outdoors in this wonderful area. Ride a horse, take a tour by trolley or Segway, cycle along peaceful country roads, hike to your heart’s content, or play a round of golf on four nearby courses.
Number Four – Discover Danish Culture: Be drawn into the culture strolling Solvang’s flower-lined streets, which are flanked with charming Danish farm-style architecture. Look for Danish icons including the Little Mermaid Fountain, windmills, the giant red clog and Round Tower. Visit local museums such as Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, The Wildling, Hans Christian Andersen Museum, Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, Old Mission Santa Inés, or theAmber Museum & Hall of the Danes located at The Copenhagen House.
Number Three – Taste Danish Cuisine: Try yummy Danish pastries and æbleskiver at The Solvang Restaurant, one of the best places to eat in Solvang, or visit the five authentic bakeries:The Solvang Bakery, Mortensen’s Bakery, Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, The Danish Mill, andBirkholm’s Bakery.
Number Two – Indulge in Wine and Beer Tasting: Solvang is home to dozens of wine and beer tasting rooms, wine bars and gourmet food shops that will tempt your palate with the bounty of nearby vineyards and farms.

And the Number One Thing to Do in Solvang…Danish Days!

The Danish Days annual festival emerged in 1936 and continues to commemorate Solvang’s Danish heritage every year. The 80th Annual Celebration of Solvang Danish Days will be held from Friday, September 16 through Sunday September 18, 2016. Here are some events you will enjoy at this year’s celebration:

Friday, September 16: Free concert featuring Danish musicians. Chainsaw Carver, George Kenny, begins sculpting his wooden creations. Viking Beer & Wine Garden opens – guests must be 21 years of age or older to enter and purchase alcoholic beverages. Torchlight Parade at 7:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies in Solvang Park introducing this year’s Danish Maid; Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music, and a short story by Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen.
Saturday, September 17: Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street. Viking Encampment – the Ravens of Odin, Norse Educational Group, as they bring Viking times to life through historical reenactments. Features a Viking Age Weaponry demo on Saturday. Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art offers free, interactive activities for all ages, plus artisans, craftspeople and storytellers. Aebleskiver Eating Contest; all ages welcome. Danish Days Parade at 2:30 p.m. includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, floats, equestrians, Village Dancers and more. Free Concert at 3:30 p.m. featuring US Air Force Band of the Golden West, “Galaxy.” Solvang 2nd Century Street Party from 5-8 p.m., featuring Echoswitch, a local 80s hard rock band. Danish Days Dinner Dance from 5:30 – 10 PM – Danish-style barbeque followed by dancing and live music by Area 51.
Sunday, September 18: Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street. Viking Encampment and Living History Festival continue. Children’s Parade begins at 2:00 p.m. Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park at 2:45 p.m.; concert featuring Danish musicians, Manne, follows.

To learn more about Solvang Danish Days, like their Facebook page.

Fall fun in the Santa Ynez Valley

As we make the transition from another fun-filled summer to fall, there are plenty of events to keep you entertained in the Santa Ynez Valley. Our charming towns of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang are ready to welcome you in style for your next Santa Ynez vacation.

If you visited us in September for the 80th annual celebration of Danish Days in Solvang, you know that our area is full of culture and fun events. The list of fun things to do in Santa Ynez Valley is endless. If you’re the foodie type, you will love our Santa Ynez Valley restaurants.

Enjoy These Fall Activities in the Santa Ynez Valley

The fall season is full of fabulous fun in Santa Ynez Valley. Check out these opportunities for adventure:

Celebration of Harvest Weekend: October 7 – 10, 2016Held over Columbus Day Weekend, this is an annual celebration of the year’s bounty. Vintners take a break from the vineyards and cellars to pour wine and share harvest tales at the Festival Grand Tasting on Saturday, October 8, 1-4 p.m., at Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang. Taste wines from all 100+ winery members, enjoy food sampling from the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, and food purveyors, and listen to live music. Throughout the weekend select wineries host their own events, ranging from winemaker dinners, library tastings, new wine releases, to barrel tastings. Want to visit the tasting rooms on an all-inclusive tasting pass? Get a Vintners Visa for unique and complimentary offerings at your choice of 12 tasting rooms, or peruse our website, put together your very own Santa Ynez wineries map, and then head out for a wine tasting adventure.

Los Olivos Day in the Country: October 15, 2016This special day is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy country living. The day include a fun run, parade through town, vintage tractor & antique car display, wine roundup, beer garden and much more. And best of all, attendance is free!

Solvang Faeriefest: October 15, 2016
Embody the spirit of magic, wonder, adventure, and beauty of the faerie realm as over 50 artists come together to recreate a magical land at Solvang Festival Theater! Whether you enjoy dressing up, listening to otherworldly music, art and beauty, or just want a day to enjoy a magical experience with your family and friends, this is the place for you.

Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest: October 7 – November 7, 2016The scarecrows return to Santa Ynez Valley October 7 – November 7! What started out as Solvang Third Wednesday’s Scarecrow Fest has since become the Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest – expanding throughout the Valley’s six towns – so the humorous, good-natured feelings that the scarecrows impart can not only be seen in Solvang, but also in Santa Ynez, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Buellton, and Ballard. The Valley will boast nearly 200 scarecrows this year, on which the public is invited to judge and vote for their favorites in the “field.”

Quick Draw & Arts Festival: November 4 – November 6, 2016

This annual celebration of the arts has been expanded to the entire Santa Ynez Valley. From museum gatherings, to nature hikes, to the “art of brunch”, there will be endless opportunities to celebrate the arts. The Quick Draw on Saturday at Flag is Up Farms will be the main event, with over 20 featured artists completing original works of art within 60 minutes. Afterward, the art will go home to the lucky bidders of the live auction! This event includes a Fine Art Walk, Food Vendors, Silent Auction, and live music provided by local singer/songwriter Stephanie Croff (2:00-3:30).

There is always something fun going on in the lovely towns of Solvang, Santa Ynez, Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, and Los Olivos. We hope you will join us this season in the Valley.

My Bus Travel Blog