
Your Adventures Start Here
Explore all you can do in and around the valley, #SantaMariaStyle.

Food & Drink
We have over 50 restaurants, 7 unique AVAs, 35 tasting rooms, and a growing selection of local breweries. You’ll find no better place to indulge. Come prepared to eat, drink, and do more for less.
Outdoor Recreating
Santa Maria Valley neighbors the pacific coastline in the beautiful mountainous ranges of the northern Santa Barbara wine country. Fanatics of the foothills agree, this is a wonderful place to hit the trails and enjoy the wide open spaces of the central California Coast.

The Central Coast is home to 350 miles of some of the most beautiful beaches and coastlines in America. From the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve to classic California surf, here are 15 of the best beaches within a 30-minute drive of Santa Maria Valley.

The unique geography of Santa Maria Valley provides an optimal environment for bird watching thanks to its closeness to both the Pacific Ocean and oak woodland habitats. Each December and January, birdwatchers gather together for the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count.

The temperate year-round climate makes golfing par for the course when on vacation in Santa Maria Valley. With eight resorts to choose from, golf enthusiasts are all set to tee off for a day of fun on the green.


Your Central Coast Home Base
When you set foot in the Santa Maria Valley, you’ll notice a particular style. The casual pace of life here and the friendliness of the community is like you’re being welcomed home to a family you never knew you had. We call this Santa Maria Style and just like our signature barbecue, we’re proud to share it with our visitors. So kick your feet up, go ahead—get comfy. You just may want to stay awhile.

the list
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Solvang, CA in a Day: What to Eat & See
One of the great things about waking up in Santa Maria Valley is how many experiences you can easily add into your California Central Coast…

Even more to do
With 15 beaches, 24 hiking trails and 34 tasting rooms all within a 30-minute drive, Santa Maria Valley is the perfect home base to do more for less. Explore all you can do in and around the valley, #SantaMariaStyle.
FAQs
Yes, Santa Maria is worth visiting, especially if you love wine, barbecue, and uncrowded California coastline. Santa Maria Valley is home to one of California’s oldest wine appellations and more than 30 tasting rooms. It’s also the birthplace of Santa Maria Style barbecue and where tri-tip originated.
One of the best parts about California’s Central Coast is the cool, temperate climate that you can enjoy year-round!
May: This is the beginning of the drier season, and also the beginning of wine-growing! The humidity is low, and the temperatures are in the 60s and 70s, making it a great time to get outdoors and explore the hiking trails of the region.
August: Summertime is one of the most popular times to visit the Central Coast, with high temperatures in the 70s and lots of sunshine! While humidity is a bit higher than that of spring, it still makes for perfect outdoorsy weather and exploring our 15 beaches.
November: The end of fall and early winter is nearly humidity-free, with slightly cloudy skies. November is one of the cooler months of the year and boasts one of the best wine harvests! If you’re lucky, the monarch butterflies may also be migrating here during this time.













