*** This was a sponsored trip by Discover Buellton. All opinions are my own ***
Buellton is a charming town in Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country, just 3 hours north of Orange County and 2 hours from Los Angeles. Being so close to the Pacific Ocean means that you are surrounded by picturesque scenery and it is truly a nature-lovers paradise. I recently had the chance to discover Buellton and enjoy a taste of the activities that make it a hidden gem worth discovering. After my trip, I can now give my recommendations so you can make the most of your trip and share my itinerary with the best things to do in Buellton so you can enjoy it too!
Buellton is a wine lover’s paradise with world-class wineries known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. It’s also a hub for craft beer, housing award-winning breweries like Firestone and Figueroa Mountain Brew Co. Nearby, you’ll find Solvang which is a charming Danish village, and Lompoc, which is home to Vandenberg Space Force Base. Buellton is also famous for its pea soup and is becoming a vibrant city with recognized annual events for wine, beer, food, arts, and cycling. One of the great things about Buellton is that there is something everyone will enjoy!
Where to Stay in Buellton
Santa Ynez Valley Marriott
The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is right in the heart of the valley, which gives guests easy access to the local wineries. It is an ideal hotel for wine lovers and nature enthusiasts. As a guest, you will enjoy a hotel designed with a clean, modern elegant interior, and rooms that all include a private balcony or patio where you can enjoy some of the best views of the valley.
Fun Things To Do in Buellton
Ziplining with Highline Adventures
Highline Adventures has the fastest zipline in California going at 50+ mph. Climb ladders, cross rope bridges and make your way through various obstacles as you navigate through the treetops. This course is designed to be safe and challenging fun for all ages.
Wine tasting at Tierra y Vino
Andres and Caren created Tierra y Vino out of their love and passion for winemaking and each other. Stop by Tierra y Vino, which translates to βearth and wine,β for a wine tasting that lets you sample the flavors of Santa Ynez Valley.
Berry picking at Santa Barbara Blueberries
Restoration Oaks Ranch has over 18 acres of berries ready to be picked! You can choose from blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Be sure to check their website to see whatβs in season during your visit.
Taste the local cuisine at Pea Soup Andersenβs
For over 89 years, Pea Soup Andersenβs has been a local and tourist favorite. They are best known for their all-natural split pea soup but offer a full menu of old-fashioned comfort meals. While here, stop by the Buellton Historical Society located above the gift shop for a taste of the history and memorabilia of Buellton and Pea Soup Andersenβs.
Take a horseback ride in the valley
Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides offer a 90-minute equestrian experience through the stunning Santa Ynez Valley and along the river. The horses are retired equestrian champions and this is a great experience for families and couples.
Discover the largest petroliana collections
The Mendenhall Museum has one of the west coasts largest petroliana collections including gasoline pumps, globes, and porcelain gas, oil, & road signs. There are also race cars, racing memorabilia, license plates, gas & oil items, and other miscellaneous antiques.
Visit Ostrichland USA
Feed the ostriches at Ostrichland USA. This is a unique experience where you can mingle with emus and ostriches. The ranch at Ostrichland is similar to their native habitat and you can even feed them as they roam around you.
Weekend Itinerary
Day 1
Check into the hotel. The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott check-in is at 4 pm.
Get ready for dinner at Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Firestone is one of the local favorites and well known for their iconic 805 beer, named after the local area code. I highly recommend the beer flight as it is one of the reasons so many people love Firestone. This would be a great spot for outdoor dining or getting takeout.
Day 2
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel or order room service so you can sleep in and enjoy the morning views. It is vacation after all!
Next, get your heart pumping with a ziplining adventure at Highline Adventures. The course includes 3 ziplines flying over the beautiful hillsides and breathtaking views of Santa Ynez Valley. Afterwards, you can voyage through the trees and spend up to 2 hours exploring 80 different elements on 2 separate levels. There are 4 routes to choose from ranging from easy to difficult.
Break for lunch at Pea Soup Andersenβs, which is one of local’s favorite in Buellton.
Enjoy a leisurely horseback riding afternoon with Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides. Take in the views of the river and valley during the ride.
For dinner tonight, try Industrial Eats for a casual counter-service meal. Pizza, salads, and sandwiches might not sound quite as exciting but the flavors they create at Industrial Eats are unmatched!
Day 3
For Sunday breakfast, Ellenβs Danish Pancake House is one of the top-rated breakfast cafes in the area. If you want a traditional hearty breakfast, this is the place!
Take your time enjoying the great outdoors at Santa Barbara Blueberries picking your own berries. I picked blackberries and they were so juicy!
If you have time, I highly recommend making a stop in Solvang on the way home. It’s about 10 minutes from Buellton. Solvang is a quaint little town that features Danish-style architecture and celebrates the Danish culture. Solvang means βsunny fieldβ which is appropriate given the proximity to Santa Ynez Valley. While in Solvang, you can enjoy Ostrichland USA and make friends with the emus and ostriches. I enjoyed getting to observe them roaming around and feeding the ostriches.
Have you heard of Buellton before? I hope this inspires you to make a visit!
Looking for more California travel ideas?
Read my post: Weekend Getaway to Temecula
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