Buellton, California, is one of the most underrated small towns in the state

As a 20-year resident of California and someone who never says no to a road trip, I’ve criss-crossed the state many times in search of places that surprise me. Buellton is one of those places that started as a quick stop and quickly became one of my family’s favorite destinations.

Nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley, between the Pacific Ocean and the rolling hills of wine country, Buellton has small-town charm: quiet streets where you can grab a coffee before wandering into a quirky quilt shop, offbeat roadside attractions, and people who actually remember your name.

“I discover new things all the time,” says Kristin Neperud Merz, coordinator of Buellton’s community art projects. “When people drive down the main streets, they don’t know there are so many hidden gems just a turn away.”

The best hotels and resorts

Side Inn

Once known as the Windmill Inn, immortalized in the 2004 Academy Award-winning film “Sideways,” when Miles and Jack fell asleep in room 234 between tastings.this renovated motel It has been renovated and converted into a boutique hideaway. Stylish rooms, fire pits, and a relaxed lounge with craft beers and a delicious wine list make for the best stay in town.

Andersen’s Inn Pea Soup

Established in 1969 next to the famous Pea Soup Andersen restaurant (but independently owned and operated), this Buellton inn It has gone from being a roadside stop to becoming a 98-room hotel. The decor is bright and welcoming, the heated pool is perfect for a lazy afternoon, and the patios offer quiet places to sip a coffee or local wine. Don’t miss the complimentary Danish bread, which arrives fresh from a bakery in nearby Solvang.

Flying Flags RV Campground and Resort

This is a camping experience to a high shine, with vintage Airstreams, safari tents, and storybook cabins mixed in with full-hookup RV sites. Guests can enjoy a large swimming pool, a fully equipped tent, and food trucks under colorful lights. “There are so many family events at the campground; the calendar is always full,” says Kathy Vreeland, executive director of the Buellton Chamber of Commerce. Guest favorite activities include bicycle light parades, karaoke, and painting nights.

The best things to do

Ride the longest and fastest zip line in California.

In High Line AdventuresCalifornia’s longest and fastest zip lines take riders soaring at over 50 mph. The panoramic view from the first launch point is unbeatable, although eight acres of dazzling protea flowers unfold below, almost stealing the show. (For those who prefer to keep both feet on the ground, guided walks through flower fields are equally charming.) Kids and thrill-seeking adults can also climb, jump and crawl through the treetop ropes and tunnels at the adjacent Skynet Adventure and Playground.

Go out on horseback.

Saddling with Horseback Riding in the Santa Ynez Valley It means getting up close and personal with the Santa Ynez River, with up to four water crossings, as the horses move confidently through the shoals. Wildlife is abundant, including active beaver dams and eagles overhead. For families, younger children with no riding experience can participate in gentle hour-long pony encounters. (A “unicorn” is even available upon request.)

Visit ostriches, emus, llamas, pigs and more.

When was the last time you looked at a seven-foot bird? In Ostrichland United StatesMore than 150 ostriches and emus strut around the farm like they own the place (because they do), stretching their long necks over the fence to devour their bowl of food. I recommend arriving early in the morning before the tour buses arrive; You’ll have more space and more birds competing for your attention. For even more fun, jump to Zaca Creek Ranchwhere a 50-minute tour will allow you to wander among llamas and alpacas, peek into a piggery, cuddle goats and get a taste of life on a working Central Coast ranch.

Step back in time at the Mendenhall Museum.

Mendenhall Petroliana and Gasoline Pump Museum It’s like a neon-lit time warp, with one of the largest collections of gas pumps on the West Coast, along with racing memorabilia, license plates and vintage road signs. Founded more than 50 years ago by Jack Mendenhall, the museum is now curated by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Vickie. “It’s hilarious. At night, it’s especially amazing when all the lights come on,” Vreeland says. “If you’re lucky, you might even be invited up to the second floor to see Vickie’s retro kitchen.”

Stroll through a botanical garden.

In 2006, this site was a roadside waste dump. Today, thanks to community volunteers, the Santa Ynez Valley Botanical Garden is a thriving sanctuary of native plants and wildlife, showcasing the diverse landscapes of the region while honoring the indigenous people of the area. Explore the Chumash village, stroll under sun-dappled oaks, and get lost in a maze of willows.

The best purchases

The Creation Station Fabric and Quilt Store

If there is a quilter’s paradise, this is it. Located inside an old bowling alley, this colorful cavern of cottons and rolls has become a destination for artisans from all over the world. You’ll find whimsical prints, craft kits, and imaginatively repurposed items that will make you want to drop everything and start making something fabulous.

Motley Crew Ranch and Market

Imagine a store that feels like your favorite aunt’s kitchen. Packed with pasture-raised meats, homemade sausages, fresh eggs, local seafood, spices, and a variety of homemade delicacies, every corner of Motley Crew Ranch and Market reflects Cassidy and Markos Alexandrou’s passion for sustainable and thoughtful food.

The best restaurants

Industrial foods

What started as a catering company is now a farm-to-table restaurant and artisanal butcher shop in a converted warehouse on Industrial Way in Buellton. He Industrial foods The menu includes wood-fired pizzas, gourmet sandwiches and innovative entrees. “The last thing I can’t get enough of is salmon carpaccio,” says Merz. “That dish alone is worth a stop.”

Hitch Post II

Like a balanced wine, Hitch Post II combines Santa María-style barbecue with classic sides and its own artisanal wines, all served in a warm, rustic atmosphere. “Sideways” fans may remember this location as the place where Miles meets Maya, played by Virginia Madsen. If you plan on sipping a glass of pinot noir in Buellton, this is the place to do it.

Giorgio’s on Parkway

Blink and you might miss it Giorgio’s on Parkwayhidden incongruously inside a liquor store on Avenida de las Banderas. “I call it ‘underground Italian,’” Vreeland says. Behind the simple doors, you’ll find a cozy restaurant serving everything from wood-fired pizza to cioppino and spaghetti carbonara. Most passersby never notice it, which adds to the excitement of discovering Buellton’s best-kept dining secret.

Vega Vineyard and Farm

Established in history Vega ranchThis family-run estate offers a complete wine country experience, from farm to table. While many of Buellton’s wineries offer excellent tastings, only Vega features Pop’s Place, a large, self-contained area with a casual restaurant, family-friendly petting zoo, and tractor-drawn wagon rides.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Buellton is late spring or early fall, when the days are warm and bathed in sunlight, and the nights are cool enough to curl up with a glass of local wine under the stars. This is also when the vineyards come to life, whether with the first green shoots of spring or the golden glow of the harvest. But Buellton benefits from ocean breezes across the Transverse Ranges, giving the town an almost Mediterranean climate. For space enthusiasts, Buellton offers prime views of the launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Plan your visit around a night launch to watch rockets take to the sky.

How to get there

Getting to Buellton is easy. Located just off Highway 101 in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, it’s an easy 2.5-hour drive north from Los Angeles or a scenic five-hour drive south from San Francisco. Travelers from further afield often fly into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), which is just 40 minutes away, and rental cars make that last stretch a breeze. For those who prefer public transportation, Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner stops in nearby Goleta and Santa Barbara, with shuttles or rideshare services to Buellton.

How to move

The optimal way to see Buellton is by car, giving you the flexibility to navigate between neighborhood breweries, hidden restaurants, and wineries that dot the hills of the Santa Ynez Valley. Still, the city’s compact grille invites a slower pace for those times when you don’t want to get behind the wheel. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft, as well as local taxis, are readily available, while transportation services for Santa Barbara County wine tours and the Santa Ynez Valley Transit Bus connects Buellton with nearby Solvang, Santa Ynez and Los Olivos.