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Photo by Sandy Soule

Tasting rooms are generally open daily, year-round, but call ahead when traveling off-season.
A small fee is sometimes charged for California wine-tasting; often a souvenir wine glass is included.

If you want to taste more while drinking less and saving on tasting fees, share your glass with a friend.

Many wineries provide an explanatory sheet describing the wines being tasted, so you can read about each wine as you sample it.

Call or check the wineries' websites for appealing special events, from barrel tastings to banquets to music and theater festivals.

Most wineries offer 5% discounts on half cases, 10% on a full case; cases can be mixed. Many have appealing gift shops, too. Although state laws vary, they may be able to ship your wine purchases home.

Take time to talk with the people pouring the wine; they love to share their knowledge of wine.

Bring a picnic or sample the menus at winery restaurants.

For more information

Wine touring and tasting is done for pleasure, so don't take it too seriously. Even the Wall Street Journal rates wine on a scale ranging from "yecch to delicious." Numerous books, magazines, newsletters and Internet websites are devoted to wines, providing extensive information on the techniques of wine-making and tasting, ratings of thousands of wines, and recommendations for best value wines. We like:
California Wine Country

Wine Spectator

Tastings, from the Beverage Testing Institute Inc

Wine Lovers' Page

Wines Across America

California Wine Country

Santa Barbara, CA
Butterfly Beach by Scott Gibson, photo courtesy of Bayberry Inn, Santa Barbara
Getting Around
Santa Barbara is approximately 100 miles north of Los Angeles via Highway 101, 250 miles south of Monterey, and 340 miles south of San Francisco. Weekend traffic on 101 can be brutal, especially from May to October (north from LA on Friday, south from Santa Barbara on Sunday), so plan accordingly. The city of Santa Barbara has special in-town shuttles for weekend visitors; click for info on car-free travel.
When to Go
Santa Barbara weather is beautiful year round, with summer highs in the 70s, and winter temps only a little cooler. We recommend visiting off-season, midweek if possible, to avoid congestion and minimize expense.
Sights & Activities
You can easily spend a week exploring the area, from the sights of Santa Barbara to the Santa Ynez valley wineries north of town on Route 154, to the charming mountain town of Ojai, south on Route 150, to the Channel Islands, just off the coast. Beaches: Santa Barbara County's 100 miles of beaches ensures endless choices, whether you want to swim (brrrr-the water is cold), surf, picnic, play volleyball, or sunbathe. Some beaches have great bike paths. Explore the tidepools, birdwatch, and watch for whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. Beaches west of Santa Barbara offer vantage points for viewing migrating whales (Jan. - March and June - Oct.) For off-shore bird- and whale-watching, check Condor Cruises. More beach info. Wines: Delightful wine-touring is just 30 miles away from downtown Santa Barbara. Follow Highway 154 north to the villages of Santa Ynez and Los Olivos, and the toughest part of your day will be deciding which wineries to visit. The wines are wonderful, the settings often superb, and crowds are minimal, even in peak season. Be sure to pick up a wine-touring map en route. More info. Sights: Santa Barbara has no shortage of appealing museums devoted to art, history, the sea, natural history, and more. Be sure to visit the Old Mission of Santa Barbara for its sense of history, beautiful views and gardens. Take the elevator to the top of the clock tower in the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for a great view of the downtown area. Be sure to visit the "mural room," then take a stroll on State Street with its charming galleries and shops. Santa Barbara is famous for its gardens; two of the best are the Botanic Garden and the rather unusual Lotusland. More info: Channel Islands: Five islands off the coast make up Channel Islands National Park, a largely undeveloped marine and wildlife sanctuary. If you don't happen to have a private yacht at your disposal (it's a tough life), contact Truth Aquatics for information on their 1-3 day trips, including diving, hiking, kayaking, and more.
Dining
Your innkeeper is always the best source for recommendations and reservations, but based on recent visits, we recommend: Brigitte's Restaurant on State Street in Santa Barbara; Zookers Café in Carpinteria; Café Chardonnay in Ballard; the Ranch House and Suzanne's Cuisine in Ojai; and the Vineyard House in Santa Ynez. If you're planning a winery picnic, stop at the Los Olivos Grocery on Highway 154 in Los Olivos for tasty sandwiches. More info.
B&Bs and Inns
Cheshire Cat Inn, Santa Barbara
Note: Real estate in Santa Barbara is extremely expensive. An inn that might sell for $500,000 in the Midwest costs $2,000,000 here. Room rates do reflect this reality, so look for midweek, off-season deals (when dinner for two is often included in the rates) to lessen the damage to your budget, and comfort yourself with the hearty breakfasts, afternoon wine and cheese, and evening treats that most inns provide. Santa Barbara Romantic canopy beds set the stage for a special getaway at the Bayberry Inn, while its Colonial-style architecture has distinct New England charm. The century-old Bath Street Inn combines historic charm with such modern amenities as whirlpool tubs and in-room fireplaces. The Cheshire Cat Inn has charming but uncluttered guest rooms done in English country décor, and a wonderful garden gazebo hot tub. Located on a quiet residential street in the heart of Santa Barbara’s historic downtown, The Glenborough Inn pampers guests with full hot breakfasts, brought right to their guest rooms. Just a block from beautiful East Beach, the Old Yacht Club Inn has a friendly atmosphere, and the understated charm of the California Mission Craftsman style. Innkeeper Dominique Hannaux has infused the Secret Garden Inn with French charm and panache. Guests can breakfast and relax in the garden courtyard, and enjoy comfortable, private cottages. The luxurious, five-diamond rated Simpson House Inn is the ideal place for a luxury getaway splurge. Gracious common areas and lush gardens are complemented by lavish yet tasteful accommodations. Tiffany Country House has a convenient location, beautiful dining porch overlooking the gardens, and impeccably decorated guest rooms, making it a top value. More Santa Barbara inns… Nearby towns: Carpinteria: In the heart of this old-fashioned beach town, just a short walk to a magnificent beach, Prufrock's Garden Inn is enveloped by beautiful gardens. The delicious breakfasts and always available cakes and cookies are too tempting to resist. Santa Ynez Valley: Built as a country inn about ten years ago, the Ballard Inn has inviting guest rooms with understated country charm, an excellent restaurant, and a great location for wine-touring, biking, and hiking. Built in 2001, the Santa Ynez Inn has luxury lodgings with all conceivable amenities, plus a full breakfast, wine & hors d'oeuvres, and evening desserts. Ojai: Set in the Los Padres National Forest, Ojai is a charming mountain valley town, known for its many art galleries and hiking trails. The Emerald Iguana Inn has eight stone and wood cottages surrounding a swimming pool and tropical gardens, perfect for a private escape. Also recommended is the Blue Iguana under the same ownership. The Moon's Nest Inn was originally built in 1874 as a school house. Recently renovated, it now has handsomely decorated rooms with private baths. More Central Coast inns… Special thanks to Maxine Pinson of the Innside Scoop for assistance with this issue.