The 6 Best Hotels in the Santa Ynez Valley

Image by David Mark from Pixab

Santa Ynez Valley is a beautiful area in Santa Barbara County renowned for its quaint towns and wineries. Long a popular getaway with Santa Barbara and Los Angeles residents - this is the place to come for a quiet weekend escape with pretty scenery, fabulous wines, and numerous good restaurants. When choosing where to stay you first need to decide whether you want a rural location (many are converted ranches) or a stay in one of the historic towns with their half-timbered houses. Los Olivos and Buellton are among the most popular spots for their charm. Our hotel experts have scanned the length and breadth of the region to bring you a collection of the best hotels in the Santa Ynez Valley chosen on their location, amenities, and hospitality. So whether you are booking a romantic escape or a family break, why not browse through our collection to start planning your stay?

For a couples' escape

• Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, set in Los Olivos and setup by Hollywood star Fess Parker, is a luxurious choice ideal for a romantic hideaway. There is plenty to do on-property to merit not leaving all weekend: wine, dine, spa and rest with your significant other.

For foodies

• Ballard Inn is set in a sleepy village surrounded by some of California's best wine country. This charming rural getaway is renowned for its award-winning restaurant The Gathering Table which serves fusion Asian/European cuisine. The perfect escape to fine dine and wine taste.
• Mirabelle Inn is a charming half-timbered building set in the heart of historic Solvang. Interiors are light and airy and furnished with antiques. Pick this property for the award-winning restaurant which serves French cuisine paired with local wines. Perfect for a foodie weekend getaway.

For a boutique

• The Landsby is a chic boutique with Scandinavian inspired interiors. Expect blonde wood, a clean white palette and fun Scandi touches. Complete with a popular restaurant and (of course) a superb wine selection. Ideal for the young and trendy.

For a rural hideaway

• Circle Bar B Guest Ranch is a charming rural hideaway with rustic interiors and wonderful views over the rolling hills. Spend days horse riding or wine tasting or simply unwind in the hotel's spa! Perfect for a quiet getaway.
• The Alisal is a charming resort set on a ranch. Offering pastoral-style suites with wood-burning fireplaces and homely furnishings. Spend days golfing, horse riding, or playing tennis before dining in the Californian restaurant. A great choice for those who want to a rural spot to unwind.

Still not sure where to book?

• Browse through our list of the best hotels near Death Valley National Park or the best hotels near Sequoia National Park or the best hotels for Yosemite National Park.
• Widen your search to include all our recommendations for the best hotels in California or Nevada.
• Alternatively, feel free to call or email one of our gurus for advice.

  • Fess Parker Wine Country Inn Solvang (California) 19 rooms from CA$611

    
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    Local exploring  -  The area has something for everyone; museums, scenic horse-riding, wine-tasting at award-winning wineries and hot air balloning

    Romantic Break  -  There is plenty to do on-property to merit not leaving all weekend. Wine, dine, spa and rest with your loved one

    Wine tasting  -  As well as tastings at in-house Fess Parker Winery, the property is surrounded by award-winning vineyards

    Sailing  -  Boat, kayak, fish and hike around Lake Cachuma and Nature Centre

    

    Set-up by Hollywood star Fess Parker, the property is set in Los Olivos, in the heart of California wine country. 19 rooms and suites are spacious and homely, with fireplaces and colourful decor. Stays include a wine tasting for two. A heated pool, gym and outdoor fire-pit make this a cosy option. See More

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  • Ballard Inn Solvang (California) 15 rooms from CA$394

    
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    Country Escape  -  A great place for a weekend break of fine dining, wine-tasting, hiking and biking; all the while enjoying the natural landscape

    Foodies  -  Award-winning 'The Gathering Table' restaurant, run by chef and owner Budi Kazali, serves up delicious French / Asian cuisine

    Wine tasting  -  Visit excellent wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley wine region; Lincourt, Beckmen, Roblar, Rusack and Vincent wineries

    Restrictions on children  -  Children over 12 are welcome at the inn

    

    Award-winning restaurant with rooms situated in Ballard, a sleepy village in Californian wine country. Elegant and tastefully-decorated rooms are located within a traditional Victorian-style villa; many have balconies and fireplaces. There is a garden and gabled porch to enjoy relaxing afternoons. See More

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  • Mirabelle Inn Solvang (California) 13 rooms from CA$176

    
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    Short break  -  Just 35 miles from Santa Babara and 2 hours from Los Angeles - this makes a good option for a quick weekend wine country break

    Foodies  -  An award-winning restaurant serves up French inspired cuisine paired with local wines

    Adult Only

    Full of character

    

    A classic half-timbered Danish building set in the heart of historic Solvang. Elegant rooms are light and airy with antiques, hardwood floors, and terraces. The popular restaurant serves French inspired cuisine alongside local wines. Perfect for a weekend wine country escape. See More

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  • The Landsby Solvang (California) 51 rooms from CA$279

    
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    Wine tasting  -  Guests of the hotel benefit from 2-for-1 wine-tastings. The Santa Barbara valley is teeming with excellent wineries to discover

    Local exploring  -  A great base from which to explore wine country. Take a vineyard tour or hike and bike your way around the scenic landscape

    Romantic Break  -  Perfect for a romantic weekend of doing very little other than eating well and relaxing in a beautiful environment

    Designer  -  Uniquely designed interiors.

    

    A scandinavian-inspired boutique hotel located in Solvang, California. 51 rooms and suites have been tastefully decorated with blonde woods, clean white palette and fun Scandi touches. Enjoy a cocktail in the courtyard, dine at the excellent on-site restaurant 'Mad & Vin' or explore the valley. See More

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  • Circle Bar B Guest Ranch Goleta, California from CA$384

    
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    Back to Nature  -  Love horses? This is the place for you.

    Great walks  -  Truly magical place to explore.

    Sights nearby  -  Beaches are closeby.

    Secluded setting  -  For escaping.

    

    Quiet hideaway in the Santa Ynez wine region; close enough to Santa Barbara for the hustle & bustle, and the ocean for sea air and activities. Large, wooden decorated rooms look out on rolling hill views; guests have access to spa and pool facilities. Family-style dining gives a very homely feel. See More

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  • The Alisal Solvang (Santa Barbara) 73 rooms from CA$1053

    
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    Country Escape  -  Set in the beautiful landscape of California's wine country, this hotel makes an idyllic, American escape from the city

    Foodies  -  Foodies will love the hotel's ranch dining experience hosted by Chef Anthony Endy - a native of the Santa Ynez Valley

    Families  -  A fantastic family orientated property with activities from egg collecting and horse riding to arts and crafts

    Active Holiday  -  Home to a golf course and riding stables, guests can choose from a range of activity packages

    

    This charming resort is nestled on a ranch in California’s celebrated Santa Ynez Valley - half an hour north of Santa Barbara. The hotel offers pastoral-style suites with cosy, wood-burning fireplaces and homely soft furnishings. Book a speciality riding trip for the authentic ranch experience. See More

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Written by Katie Harris

posted Tuesday, 2nd February 2021