1. Santa Ynez Valley
Located in northern Santa Barbara County, California, the Santa Ynez Valley is just 35 miles from the beaches of Santa Barbara, 125 miles up the coast from Los Angeles and 300 miles south of San Francisco. The region is easily accessible via vehicles on U.S. Highway 101 and State Highways 154 & 246. Six distinctive communities - Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang - are located in the Santa Ynez Valley, encircled by the Santa Ynez and San Rafael mountain ranges.
The anglicized name "Santa Ynez" (Saint Agnes) derives from the 1804 Old Mission Santa In, the first Spanish settlement in the Valley. Prior to the arrival of Spanish and European settlers, Native Americans resided in the Santa Ynez Valley for thousands of years. Today, members of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians have a Federally recognized reservation featuring the Chumash Casino Resort adjoining the township of Santa Ynez.The Santa Ynez Valley's communities are all known for genuine old-world hospitality and friendliness; each offering distinctive character and amenities.Santa Ynez is the perfect place to go wine tasting, bike riding, or to see the sight where the move Sideways was filmed. It truly is a great place to go and relax for the day. I highly recommend Firestone and Sunstone Vineyards.
2. Disney Land
If you have children and are looking to visit Disney Land or California Adventure, it is definitely feasible from our home. Take into consideration that it takes about 1.5 hours to get to there. I would highly recommend not going on school holidays!
