If you can't make it to Italy, American wine enthusiasts and curious travelers have long visited California to transport themselves to Tuscany without the multihour journey. With rows of vineyards and enchanting rolling hills, Napa Valley is a marvel for many. However, just beyond the well-trodden tasting rooms and luxury resorts lies an underrated gem that's quietly redefining California wine country: Santa Ynez Valley. In fact, according to The Times, it has even been considered as the "New Napa,"
and you get a brand new experience, as it's located in Southern California versus Northern California. It's six hours down the coast from Napa and about two hours north of Los Angeles International Airport, the closest international airport.
In Santa Ynez Valley, you'll find six differing cities boasting unique charm -- some of them include the Danish town of Solvang and the rustic Old West vibe of Los Alamos (not that Los Alamos). Here, time moves at a slower pace, and people enjoy the moment. From pastry shops in Solvang to sipping syrah in a Los Olivos tasting room, the valley invites you to unwind and explore at your own rhythm. It's a place where wine tasting is entwined in the lifestyle, rather than a bucket list to check. The Santa Barbara County area is for travelers seeking the soul of wine country without the crowds. It just might be California's best-kept secret, ready to surprise and delight, one glass at a time.
Read more: The Best (And Cheapest) West Coast Beach Towns To Visit, According To Travelers
What Makes Santa Ynez Valley Different From Napa
There are tons of incredible things to do in Napa Valley, but Santa Ynez Valley -- aside from its SoCal location -- provides an added layer of relaxation and authenticity that you can't really find in Napa. There's a genuine vibe of community here, and the family-owned wineries, locally run shops, and neighborhood cafés give the valley a small-town feel that's both welcoming and refreshing. Visitors can bask in the views whilst sipping on a pinot noir at Demetria Estate in Los Olivos or enjoy a more homegrown, familial atmosphere at Stolpman Vineyards in Ballard Canyon. It doesn't stop there, though. In downtown Los Olivos, you can discover Carhartt Family Wines, where the tasting room is no bigger than a cottage and the wine flows with stories and soul.
Just as Los Olivos is a town overflowing with wine, the valley is filled with towns that tell a tale of their own. Solvang's Danish roots are evident in its mouthwatering bakeries, such as Olsen's Danish Village Bakery and Mortensen's Danish Bakery, which have all been rated nearly five stars on Google Reviews. You can also take a trip to Buellton and get a taste of a more country lifestyle, blending wide-open spaces with small-town charm. It's the perfect stop for travelers looking to explore a side of the valley with a little more grit and a lot less gloss. Santa Ynez Valley offers a soulful slice of California that's easy to love and hard to leave — it's no wonder people are calling it the "new Napa."
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Read the original article on Islands.
