Los Olivos, Solvang, Buellton, and Santa ynez
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Ranch & Country Real Estate Referrals, Clark Franke & Linda Boston, owners / broker
DRE#'s 0100-2455, 0070-2515
LOCATION MAP - WIDE VIEW
The Santa Ynez Valley is Santa Barbara County's playground - a mecca of rural ambience, with horses and wine, cattle grazing and vineyards flourishing, forever blue skies, and oak studded open space flanked by the Santa Ynez Mountains to the south and the San Rafael Mountains to the north east.
The Valley is located about a 30-minute drive north of Santa Barbara on Hwy 154 (ie, the San Marcos Pass), which takes you over the Santa Ynez Mountains, past Cachuma Lake, and into the Valley.
West of Buellton is the famed St. Rita Hills wine appellation, and the agricultural corridor that stretches from Buellton to Lompoc.
Take Hwy 101 north through the rural Los Alamos region. Then on to Santa Maria and to the northern boundary of Santa Barbara County.
Or, take Hwy 101 south - in about 15 minutes you will reach the Gaviota coast and the blue Pacific!
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CLOSE UP MAP - SANTA YNEZ VAlley
The Santa Ynez Valley is the little "triangle" in the center of the above map image. Santa Ynez is on the east end of the triangle base, Solvang is in the middle of the triangle base. Buellton is on the west corner of the base. And Los Olivos is at the top
While, each little town has its own unique features, they all blend into one mosaic, one community, sharing the same high school, the same medical facilities, and all the wonderful shops and restaurants scattered throughout the Valley.
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SMALL TOWNS IN THE VALLEY
SANTA YNEZ
Santa Ynez, the signature community of the Santa Ynez Valley, is located at the south east end of the Valley “triangle,” near the intersection of Hwy 154 and Hwy 246.
The main street through Santa Ynez town is Sagunto, where you’ll find the famed Maverick Saloon on the east end and Santa Ynez Feed on the west end.
Midway is the Santa Ynez Inn with its charming victorian style and across the road is the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society and Parks-Janeway Carriage House.
Just up the street you’ll always find a familiar face at the post office or the adjacent food services options.
Santa Ynez offers a variety of great restaurants. Gainey Vineyard & Winery is close by, and is adjacent to the Santa Ynez Airport.
LOS OLIVOS
Quaint, charming, tourist favorite Los Olivos is located in the northwestern corner of the Valley, near the intersection of Hwy 154 and Hwy 101.
Victorian architecture prevails in the tiny business district, featuring wine tasting establishments, art galleries, boutique shops, and restaurants, and the trendy Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Spa.
Perhaps the most famous landmark of Los Olivos is newly opened Auberge Resorts Collection, with its onsite restaurant The Tavern, aka the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, which fronts Hwy 154 near Los Olivos’s main street.
Mattei’s dates back to the 1880’s when the stagecoach passed through, carrying hungry passengers who had just endured the steep trek through the San Marcos Pass.
One can imagine the fare that was served back then, while enjoying today’s pricey but dearly beloved cuisine.
SMALL TOWNS IN THE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
BUELLTON
Buellton is in the southwest corner of the Valley. The landmark Sideways Inn (pictured above) located near the intersection of Hwy 101 and Hwy 246 became famous after being featured in the 2004 movie, Sideways.
Whereas other Valley communities do not allow franchises, Buellton is incorporated as a city, which allows them – thus the commercial strips with Albertson’s, CVS, Starbucks, Marriott and a few other recognizable brands. Buellton is the second largest Valley town – 2022 census shows 5150 residents.
Other notable Buellton landmarks include the Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn, previously the home of the famous Pea Soup Andersen's restaurant, which traced back to 1867 when a Mexican Land Grant was deeded to R.T. Buell for cattle ranching, and OstrichLand, located on Hwy 246, east of Hwy 101.
Just west of Buellton is the Sta. Rita Hills wine appellation, most famous for its Pinot Noir and other prized varietals. Don’t miss dining at The Hitching Post, which features local wines from Sta. Rita Hills.
And, suprise! Take a 15 minutes drive south on Hwy 101 from the intersection of Hwy 246 and you’re in the surf and sand at Gaviota Beach!
SOLVANG
Solvang, aka “the Danish capital of America” is a community with a Danish heritage, and famed for its bakeries and quaint shops.
Solvang is located in along Hwy 246, midway between Santa Ynez on the east end and Buellton on the west end.
The old world European architecture, the unique Danish flavors, and the seasonal festivals and parades attract tourists year round.
Solvang Danish Days brings costumes and music. Christmas brings twinkling lights along the city sidewalks.
Hotel selections include the King Frederik Inn and Royal Copenhagen.
Perhaps most unique is the Alisal Guest Ranch with cottages situated on a 10,000 acre private ranch. Guests enjoy horseback riding, fly fishing on the lake, and more. Solvang is the largest of the Valley communities, with the 2020 census showing 6112 residents.
About Us
About Clark & Linda
Husband and wife team, Clark Franke and Linda Boston (Franke) became experienced real estate agents in the 1980's in Manhattan Beach, specializing in oceanfront properties. In 1994, they moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in pursuit of their dream of living in the country ~ room to roam for their horses and dogs, fresh air, low traffic, low crime, and all the blessings of small town living.
As owners and broker of Ranch And Country Real Estate Services, Clark and Linda handled some of the largest land and ranch sales in Santa Barbara County. They brougt an extensive amount of marketing experience to the table, and with their knowledge for dealing with issues that surround the sale of larger estates and land ~ disclosure requirements, entitlements, environmental concerns, and much more.
In 1995, Clark and Linda founded and began publishing Ranch & Country Magazine. The magazine will soon celebrate 30 years of publishing.
Through the years, Clark and Linda have maintained a rare gift of being both business partners and marriage partners. Focus on the importance of “market reach” has long been the foundation of their business. They are now in the business of real estate referrals. Their intent is to insure clients that their interests are represented in the best possible way.
About Ranch & Country Magazine
Ranch & Country Magazine offers marketing for homes and estates on acreage, ranches, land, farms, vineyards, and horse property. It is published in the California Central Coast and distributed throughout California, Oregon, and the west.
Ranch & Country Magazine is committed to a lifestyle - one that lives in harmony with the land and with all forms of life that make up the natural world, one that sees the earth as a place of peace and seeks peace in all situations, one that appreciates freedom of movement in the open country, the opporunity to breathe clean air and slow down and listen to the stars...
See the current issue at https://RanchAndCountry.com