Visit Santa Maria Valley, CA: Coastal Views & Vineyards
The Santa Maria Valley, on California’s Central Coast, delivers everything I like about the state (the coast, wineries, food, and hiking) … *without the things I try to avoid (crowds, high prices, and traffic).
Santa Maria’s airport (SMX) expanded for part of the year to include daily nonstop flights to Phoenix (in addition to the existing flights to Las Vegas). We took advantage of the new route to check out this affordable alternative to Santa Barbara or Napa Valley.
With 30+ vineyards and wineries, along with an unspoiled coastline, it’s an easy, relaxing, budget-friendly weekend escape.
Where to Stay in Santa Maria
Santa Maria Valley is home to a variety of hotels and motels. We stayed at the Homewood Suites, which is great because it has a couch and workspace area in the room (photo below). Plus, the breakfast was fairly extensive.
You can plug your dates into this interactive map to check out the rates and options:
Quick Guide: What’s Unique About the Santa Maria Valley
Santa Maria Valley is a bit of a hidden gem for a lot of people who live outside California. It tends to be much more affordable and laid-back … while still delivering on great food, wine, and outdoor experiences.
BBQ & Steak
They’re serious about steak, grilled “Santa Maria-Style,” over red oak in a fire pit. The tri-tip is a favorite.
Quiet Coastline
The California coast west of Santa Maria is a stretch where you’ll find sweeping views and no crowds at all.
Dozens of Wineries
The climate and soil combine to produce high-quality reds, whites, and bubblies, which are served in some of the most unpretentious tasting settings I’ve ever experienced!
Watch Video: Visiting Santa Maria Valley
The California Coast & Dunes
The Santa Maria Valley’s mild year-round climate is great for outdoor activities across varied landscapes. Along the coastline and rolling hills, you’ll find spots for hiking, cycling, birdwatching, golfing, and more.
Since I live most of the year in the Arizona desert, I made sure to spend time on the coast each day of our visit to Santa Maria.
Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve
- Location: 15 minutes west of Santa Maria
- Hours: Gates open at 7:00am
- Parking & picnic area
- 2+ mile beach walk to Mussel Point
The Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve is a beautiful, uncrowded spot along the Central Coast, which is home to massive sand dunes (500+ feet tall) alongside the Santa Maria River Estuary.
Also known as “Main Street Beach” or “Guadalupe Beach,” it’s a popular spot for surf fishing.
Outside of plover nesting season, visitors are allowed to walk into portions of the dunes to explore the landscape, as long as sensitive areas and closures are respected.
Oso Flaco Lake Trail to the Beach
Oso Flaco Lake is a freshwater lake, surrounded by coastal vegetation. There’s a 2.5-mile round-trip walk, which mostly follows a wooden boardwalk through the trees and around the lake.
The trail is mostly flat, so it’s great for kids and even wheelchair accessible.
Along the way, you’ll find people staring up into the tree limbs to spot a variety of birds.
After the lake, you’ll hit a sandy trail to the coast, passing through rolling dunes before it opens to the ocean.
It’s a beautifully undeveloped stretch of beach, which is bound to be uncrowded and peaceful.
Vineyards & Wineries Around Santa Maria
Santa Maria Valley is home to around 30 wineries and vineyards, which include a dozen or so along the famous Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.
While Napa and Sonoma are more nationally known, there’s something special about the wineries in the Santa Maria Valley. There’s an air of friendliness, and a total lack of some of the snobbery that *might* come with a stop at one of the Napa vineyards.
Plus, they’re much more affordable.
Tastings at most of Santa Maria Valley’s wineries cost around $25.
Planning a trip for friends or a bachelorette party? A drive along Foxen Canyon would be high on my list.
The cool breezes sweeping in from the coast help grow high-scoring Pinot Noir (my favorite), Chardonnay, Syrah, and other varietals. The white bubblies were among our favorites, too 🥂
The tastings in Santa Maria Valley are some of the most relaxed and enjoyable I’ve been to. We found friendly experts at each spot, excited and proud to tell us about their vines and winemaking process.
The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail
The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is a scenic 30-mile route through rolling hills, ranchland, and vineyard-covered valleys.
The list of vineyards on the official wine trail itself varies, but based on the geographical map, everything on the list below is in the vicinity:
- Foxen Vineyard & Winery: A flagship Santa Barbara County winery known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool-climate wines. The focus is on small production, sustainably-farmed wines.
- Foxen 7200 “The Shack”: A sister tasting room for Foxen, featuring its Italian and Bordeaux wines.
- Andrew Murray Vineyards: Known for Rhone-style wines, and Syrah bottlings named for the owners’ children. Other varietals include Grenache and Mourvedre.
- Presqu’ile Winery: Beautiful hilltop winery with estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. They offer horse and ATV tours, and have an impressive cave dug into the mountain.
- Firestone Vineyards: Reds have their origins in Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. The whites are from Burgundy, the Loire Valley, and Germany: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer.
- Bien Nacido: Translates to “well born.” The vineyard features 300 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines.
- Cambria Estate Winery: One of the first in Santa Maria Valley (established in 1971 as Tepusquet Vineyard) Cambria is one of the best known.
- Cottonwood Canyon: A small boutique winery specializing in handcrafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
- Demetria Estate Winery: Opened by a Greek couple in 2005, and named after their daughter.
- Dovecote: Known for the owners’ personal touch on everything. They live on-site, and all harvesting and sorting is done by hand.
- Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard: The actor’s iconic estate with a broad tasting program and scenic grounds.
- Zaca Mesa Winery: Founded in 1973 (the third in the area) and known for Rhone-style wines.
- Riverbench Vineyard & Winery: Family-founded producer focused on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their sparklings were a highlight of the day.
- Koehler Winery: Small boutique producer with intimate tastings.
- Tres Hermanas Vineyard & Winery: A newer winery, founded on a family’s cattle ranch and named for the owners’ three daughters.
- Rancho Sisquoc: In 1968, a ranch owner experimented with test vines: Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling on the north side of the Sisquoc River,
- Petros Winery: A restaurant in addition to the winery. It stays open after most wineries close, for one final glass.
More to Do Outdoors Around Santa Maria
I’ll be honest: for me, nothing beats mornings along the coast and afternoons at the vineyards. Still, we found some time to visit some of the other sites in the area.
The Luffa Farm
I love gardening, so when we spotted a sign for a “Luffa Farm” coming in from the beach, we had to stop.
I thought luffas (or loofahs) were sponges that grew in the ocean. They’re actually guords that grow on vines, resembling cucumbers.
Once they’re ripe, the shells are peeled and dried … and you’re left with a luffa.
They sell for $6 to $12 each, along with a variety of other products at the (very colorful and eclectic) Luffa Farm.
My favorite part of the visit was digging through the bin of succulent cuttings they let you take home to plant yourself!
You can also buy the luffa seeds to try growing your own!
Hiking Trails
The trails through the rolling hills aren’t overly challenging. It’s a good way to spend a morning or midday, if you’re spending the afternoon at the wineries!
I mentioned Oso Flaco Lake earlier, and I’ll add another spot if you’re looking for another outdoor exercise option in the hills.
Los Flores Ranch Park is a city park with 15 miles of routes. Parking is free, and they’ll give you a map of the trails to follow through the hills.
You might get lucky and see some local wildlife (we saw a bobcat!).
Breakfast Restaurants
The best meal of the day! Here are my favorite morning spots right in Santa Maria.
Crumbles Cafe & Bake Shop
You’ll find excellent omelettes and pancakes, but people really come to Crumbles for the pies!
They’ve had the same “pie master” baking in the kitchen for 20 years.
I’d suggest the strawberry cheesecake, with the giant strawberries grown locally.
Pappy’s
If you’re looking for a longtime local diner (which is right up my alley), give Pappy’s a try.
Pappy’s was founded in 1959 in Santa Maria, originally serving pancakes, fried chicken, and hamburgers. It quickly became popular with both locals and travelers. At one point, the brand expanded to nine locations from Arizona to Oregon.
I love the old-school design at the main diner counter.
The owners eventually chose to focus on the Santa Maria location, which reflects the community’s ranching heritage and Santa Maria–style barbecue tradition.
Pappy’s is still a local favorite among the farmers and ranchers.
Santa Maria Style BBQ & Steakhouses
A unique culinary tradition dating back over 150 years, “Santa Maria-style” barbecue is a local cultural hallmark!
It involves tri-tip or top sirloin seasoned simply (dry rub with different herbs) and grilled over red oak. Traditional sides include beans, salsa, salad, and garlic bread.
Woody’s Butcher Block
They’re busiest on Fridays and Saturdays, when locals come in for their weekend BBQ meats. It’s a high-quality, premium selection
Grab a midday sandwich – go for the tri-tip! The deli counter at Woody’s Butcher Block is open from 10:00am to 3:00pm daily for their signature sandwiches.
Shaw’s Steakhouse & Tavern
I loved seeing the open kitchen and watching the sirloins grilled over the open flame.
A Santa Maria institution since 1953, Shaw’s Steakhouse & Tavern is known for classic Santa Maria–style barbecue, where steaks and tri-tip are grilled over a red oak fire. The old-school dining room and traditional sides make it one of the most iconic places in town to experience the region’s signature barbecue tradition.
The Swiss Steakhouse & Bar
Dating back to the 1940s, The Swiss Steakhouse & Bar is known for hand-cut, house-aged steaks cooked over a red oak pit.
The Hitching Post
Located 12 miles southwest of Santa Maria in the tiny town of Casmalia, The Hitching Post has been serving oak-grilled steaks since 1952. It’s a rustic restaurant, famous for its red-oak grilled beef and Old West atmosphere.
Jocko’s
Just north of Santa Maria in Nipomo (near the Luffa Farm!), Jocko’s Steakhouse is another legendary stop for Santa Maria–style barbecue. The restaurant is known for its hand-cut, aged steaks grilled over red oak.
Breweries in Santa Maria Valley
There are two breweries in Old Town Orcutt, which is a short drive from Santa Maria.
Naughy Oak Brewing Co.
I love the family story at Naughty Oak!
A husband and wife (Steve and Emily) opened it in 2016. Steve was a home brewer, and Emily describes the brewery as a “hobby gone wild.”
Various members of their family are involved. Emily’s mom painted the murals, and her sister-in-law did the graphic design on their labels.
They only sell in-house, and usually have 10 beers on tap. The Able IPA is the most popular.
They also started making their own Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc from local grapes!
Blast 825
While Blast 825 is actually named after the temperature of their pizza oven, people also come for their brews.
It’s a pretty big restaurant and bar in Oldtown Orcutt.
Their beer selection evolves through the seasons, and they usually have 8 options on tap. The House IPA is popular, along with the Mexican Lager and House Blonde.
Things to Do at Night
First, who doesn’t like a sunset stroll on the coast?
A few more options to consider:
Nite Creamery
Nite Creamery puts a unique spin on ice cream.
They use liquid nitrogen to create a creamier frozen cone or scoop.
Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA)
For nearly 60 years, the PCPA has been producing professional productions (featuring A-list Hollywood stars at times).
It’s on the campus of Allen Hancock College in Santa Maria.
I *just*missed their production of “Come From Away,” which would’ve been great to see again on stage!
Wrap: A Weekend Itinerary for Santa Maria Valley
We packed a lot into a weekend in Santa Maria Valley.
Frankly, I was looking for a no-hassle, low-cost destination… and Santa Maria delivered.
The 90-minute direct flight from Phoenix (on American Airlines) into SMX made it an easy choice. Unfortunately, the service ends in May. In lieu of the direct flight, San Luis Obispo has an airport just north of Santa Maria, and it’s an easy drive.
Our rental car experience at the airport set the tone for our visit:
Bad weather impacted our departure, so we arrived two hours late into SMX. That meant: someone at the rental car staff had to stay two hours beyond when they were supposed to shut down for the day just to accommodate us. Despite the inconvenience, she couldn’t have been friendlier!
We continued to experience that kind of warm welcome throughout the weekend, from the breakfast spots to the wineries!
