Solvang Visitor's Guide 2009 - (Page 21) At the intersection of State Highway 154 and Grand Avenue, the community of Los Olivos offers an authentic slice of Victorian-styled Americana with numerous art galleries, boutiques, more than a dozen wine-tasting rooms, historic stagecoach stop housing a gourmet restaurant, a top-notch inn and cafés from casual to elegant. Wildling Art Museum is an educational institution dedicated to presenting American wilderness art. The museum offers seasonal exhibitions, as well as naturerelated art classes, field trips, films and lectures (2928 San Marcos Ave., 6881082). Los Olivos (Spanish for “the olives”) celebrates its namesake fruit each June with the Olive & Jazz Festival, art with a “Quick Draw Contest” in August and heritage with “A Day in the Country” every October. Santa Ynez, situated just a mile from the intersection of State Highways 154 and 246, celebrates the area’s western heritage with Old Santa Ynez Day each June including a street fair, a parade and country-western entertainment. The Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society Museum & Parks–Janeway Carriage House ern trail riders including a historic saloon, a variety of restaurants from gourmet to Italian to steakhouse, a luxury AAA 4-diamond rated inn and a bed & breakfast. Valley Activities No matter the age or desired activity level, the Valley offers countless outdoor recreational opportunities. Birding throughout the valley takes flight with hundreds of species, including yellow-billed magpie, redtailed hawk and bald eagle. Docent-led bald eagle and wildlife nature cruises at Cachuma Lake Recreation are offered year-round aboard the Osprey, a 45-foot pontoon boat. (Hwy. 154, 10 minutes south of Santa Ynez, 686-5050). To soar over it all like a bird, experience an FAA-certified glider ride from Windhaven Glider Rides (688-2517) at Santa Ynez Airport, also popular for fly-ins from private, non-commercial aircraft; or take a seasonal hot air balloon ride with Adventures Out West (882-1214). Wildlife viewing and interaction is a favorite pastime. Alpacas at West Ranch (693-9464) and Alpacas de Los Olivos (2786 Corral de Quati, Los Olivos, 688-5746) are just two of the Area Hiking The surrounding Los Padres National Forest has hundreds of miles of trails to explore this ruggedly handsome area filled with mountains, streams, native plants, forests, and caves. Within the Forest lies the federally designated Dick Smith Wilderness and the San Rafael Wilderness—mainly covered by chaparral, manzanita, scrub oak and yucca and potreros (grassy meadows). Most trails follow the creeks and rivers. For complete information, maps and current conditions, contact the Forest Service main headquarters in Santa Barbara at 968-6640; the Santa Barbara Ranger District at 967-3481 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres. For overnight camping information, visit www.recreation.gov. Wildflowers in the spring are especially plentiful and vibrant throughout the Forest, especially off Figueroa Mountain Road and Happy Canyon Road. Sedgwick Reserve, a 5,883-acre historic ranch now part of the University of California Natural Re- founded in 1961 has eight fascinating rooms of memorabilia from Chumash Indians through 20th-century ranching days and contains the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles and accessories west of the Mississippi. Periodic exhibits and the annual Vaquero Show & Sale every November are highlights. (3596 Sagunto St., 688-7889). Santa Ynez’s turn-of-the20th-century architectural facades boast plenty of conveniences for mod- CHUCK PLACE, COURTESY OF SCVB serve System, offers seasonal guided hikes and educational programs (3566 Brinkerhoff Ave., Santa Ynez, 686-1941). A picnic next to a seasonal waterfall is an easy 15-minute hike at day-use Nojoqui Falls County Park, at US Highway 101/Old Coast Road and Alisal Road (934-6123). S O LVA N G A N D T H E S A N T A Y N E Z VA L L E Y V I S I T O R S G U I D E 2 0 0 9 21 http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres http://www.recreation.gov http://www.recreation.gov
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