Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
far from the vineyards, where most of the family-run tasting rooms (Flying Goat Cellars is
a fave) are open only on weekends.
Mosby Winery
WINERY
tastings $10; 10am-4pm Mon-Thu, to 4:30pm Fri-Sun)
Just west of Hwy 101 by a hillside olive orchard, this casual red carriage house pours un-
usual Cal-Italian varietals, including a lip-puckering, fruit-forward Dolcetto and a crisp,
citrusy estate-grown Cortese. Be forewarned: the 80-proof
grappa
distilled from estate-
grown Traminer grapes is a knock-out punch.
WORTH A TRIP
MISSION LA PURÍSIMA
One of the most evocative of Southern California's missions,
La Purísima Mission State
Lompoc; per car $6; 9am-5pm; ) was completely restored in the 1930s by the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC). Today its buildings are furnished just as they were during
Spanish-colonial times. The mission's fields still support livestock, while outdoor gardens
are planted with medicinal plants and trees once used by Chumash tribespeople. Sur-
rounding the mission are miles of peaceful hiking trails. One-hour guided tours begin at
1pm daily. The mission is about 16 miles west of Hwy 101, via Hwy 146 from Buellton.
Santa Ynez Valley
Popular wineries cluster between Los Olivos and Solvang along Alamo Pintado Rd and
Refugio Rd, south of Roblar Ave and west of Hwy 154. Noisy tour groups, harried staff
and stingy pours often disappoint, but thankfully that's not the case at better wine-tasting
rooms.
Beckmen Vineyards
WINERY
11am-5pm)
