Santa Ynez is a California coastal valley, nestled between the Santa Ynez and San Rafael mountain ranges, 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara, and approximately 2 hours north of Los Angeles. The Santa Ynez Valley is easily accessible, from Highway 101 and California scenic Route 154 through the San Marcos Pass. To the west of the Santa Inez Valley lies the town of Lompoc and to the north along the Highway 101 is the city of Santa Maria.

CLIMATE:

The Santa Ynez Valley is praised as one of the finest climates in the State of California. The Valley owes much to the prevailing breezes, which keep the area mild. Winter highs average 55 and the lows 33. Summer nights are delightful, due to ocean breezes and cooling fogs. Summer daytime temperatures usually range in the 70’s and 80’s and 50’ and 60’s at night. Average seasonal rainfall ranges from 9 to 17 inches, primarily in the winter months.

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY COMMUNITIES;

Ballard, Buellton, Los Olivos, Los Alamos, Santa Ynez, Solvang

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY AIRPORT:

The 160+ acre Santa Ynez Airport features a 2,800+ foot hard surfaced, lighted runway that can accommodate planes up to and including small jets. Fog free over 90% of the time. Daily commuter flights to the Los Angeles basin. The airport is less than a mile from downtown Santa Ynez, 4 miles to Solvang, 5 miles to Los Olivos and 7 miles to Buellton. The nearby Santa Barbara Airport offers commercial flights to all parts of the country.

POPULATION:

The estimated population of the Santa Ynez Valley population is approximately 22,000. Solvang is the most populated town, with a general population of around 4,750.

ELEVATION: 500 – 700 Feet

HOSPITAL:

Santa Ynez Valley Hospital, 700 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang, Ca 93463 (805) 688-6431

BALLARD

Still retaining the serenity of the past, the little community of Ballard was founded in 1880 as the first town in the Santa Ynez Valley and the seventh in Santa Barbara County.

Ballard’s two chief historical attractions are small one-room Ballard School, a typical “little red schoolhouse” which firsts opened its door December 12,1883, and which has been in continuous use ever since, and the pioneer, one-time Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian church, which is now known as the Ballard Country Church.

During recent years Ballard has experienced a growth in the number of housing units and a slightly higher population. The Valley’s oldest town, however, continues to reflect a tranquil atmosphere and a strong community spirit.

BUELLTON

Familiarly known as the “Home of Split Pea Soup” and of course, “Pensa Mobil”, Buellton along U. S. Highway 101 serves as the westerly gateway to the upper Santa Ynez Valley and its towns of Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez.

Buellton, once the site of the 27,000 -acre Rancho San Carlos de Jonata, is also regarded as Santa Barbara County’s crossroads of the missions. Visit Solvang’s Old Mission Santa Ines which came into being 107 years before the founding of the Danish-American community.
 
HISTORIC LOS OLIVOS

Los Olivos is one of the Valley’s older towns, which has witnessed the transition from the stagecoach and narrow gauge railroad to the space age.

Los Olivos is the art center of the Santa Ynez Valley and provides a doorway to area vineyards and wineries. Near the center of town is Mattei’s Tavern, a historical landmark which has been serving travelers since 1886.