Welcoming scenic community in the Santa Ynez Valley
Set 30 miles north of Santa Barbara in its namesake valley, the town of Santa Ynez is a small, close-knit community anchored by its shared history and a wide range of local businesses. On the south side, the Santa Ynez Reservation is home to the Chumash Native American Tribe and the Chumash Casino Resort. The Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is set to open in the summer of 2024, bringing a new understanding of indigenous history to many Santa Ynez residents.
Surrounded by the Santa Ynez Mountains, the oak- and vineyard-dotted foothills provide a stunning backdrop to Santa Ynez's main commercial district on Sagunto Street. Full of local restaurants and artisanal shops, the street is often buzzing with shoppers chatting with shopkeepers and neighbors. “I encourage people to come as guests and talk to the merchants. Everyone’s so nice it gets under your skin. I think it’s the sunshine,” says Theo Stephan, a local business owner. “When we moved here, I was driving with my two daughters, and one said, ‘If we forget to appreciate how pretty it is, we don’t deserve to live here.’” Suburban-style streets branch out from Sagunto Street, with lots getting larger towards the edges of the community, where vineyards and hiking trails sprawl through the mountains.
Community-oriented businesses selling handmade goods
A dense network of local businesses and restaurants line Sagunto Street. “We have a lot of craftspeople who run their own operations. There’s an esthetician who makes their own skincare, a hatmaker, 3 or 4 florists, a bakery and more,” says Stephan, who herself sells handcrafted olive oil and vinegar at Global Gardens. “No one’s in competition with each other. We wouldn’t be here without the locals.” Queen Cup Coffee is always teeming with locals, along with Ellie’s Tap + Vine, an eatery known for its monthly rotating menu and extensive wine list. S.Y. Kitchen is another community staple, serving classic Italian dishes made from fresh ingredients. Residents can pick up their weekly groceries from El Rancho Market. Wine enthusiasts can visit one of the many wineries and vineyards just outside town.
Annual Rodeo fundraiser for youth organizations
In June, the Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo is a two-day fundraiser for local youth organizations featuring live music and vendors selling western wear and gear. Competitors can participate in bull riding, roping and barrel racing events, while local kids can join in junior barrel racing or the stick horse race.
Single-family homes and ranches from the late 20th century
Homes in Santa Ynez were built primarily in the ‘80s and ‘90s, though midcentury homes are also common. Near the town’s center, ranch-style homes and split levels sit close together along well-maintained streets with shingle-tile roofs, brick chimneys and attached two-car garages. Around the edges of the community, large multi-acre properties often feature Spanish Revival-inspired architectural elements like barrel-tile roofs and stucco exteriors as well as horse stables or other agricultural assets. A three-bedroom ranch-style home can sell for between $900,000 and $1.5 million depending on lot size, while four- and five-bedroom Spanish Revival-style ranches can sell for as much as $3 million. With a Cap Index crime score of 3, compared to a national score of 4, there is an especially low risk of violent crime, and residents often stroll around the neighborhood at all hours. Many homes are separated by stands of oak and pine trees that provide shade and privacy.
Automotive and robotics programs at local schools
Local kids may attend Santa Ynez Elementary, rated C-plus by Niche, for kindergarten through eighth grade, though kindergarten students have their own campus within the grounds called the College School. The A-rated Santa Ynez Valley Union High School offers an automotive and agricultural mechanics program, which hosts an annual car show fundraiser. Other after-school activities include the MechaPirates, a robotics team that spends six weeks preparing for regional competitions every spring.
Nearby playgrounds and hiking trails through the foothills
At Santa Ynez Park, a shaded pavilion is the place for picnics while kids can play on the playground. Sunny Fields Park offers a much larger wooden playground with tall towers and small house-like structures for games of pretend. Sand volleyball courts and a softball field provide space for pickup games. “Santa Ynez is great for people who like to ride horses, cycle and run because there are a ton of trails,” says Jim Callahan, a Realtor with Compass. Around the edges of town, Sweetwater Trail winds through the Cahuma Lake Recreation Area, while Tequepis Trailhead begins about 10 miles away in the Santa Ynez Mountains, finishing with panoramic views at the mountain's peak.
Traveling outside the Santa Ynez Valley
State Route 154 borders Santa Ynez on the east and can take residents 30 miles southeast to Santa Barbara. State Route 246 runs 25 miles west to Lompoc, bordering the town on the south. Santa Ynez Valley Transit offers two bus routes: an Express Route running west along Mission Drive to Buellton and the Los Olivos Loop, which circles Santa Ynez, Solvang and Los Olivos. Just south of Santa Ynez, the Santa Ynez Airport provides service to small civil aircraft, though locals must travel 30 miles to Santa Barbara Airport for more commercial flight options. The Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital is 4 miles away.
Photography Contributed By
Christiaan Cruz
