Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig Mountain's original brewpub hosts live-music, comedy and quiz nights. Across the
valley in Los Olivos, their cottage taproom also pours tasting samplers of their award-win-
ning brews such as Danish Red Lager and Hoppy Poppy IPA.
Getting There & Around
From Santa Barbara, you can drive to Wine Country in under an hour. Via Hwy 101, it's
45 miles from Santa Barbara to Buellton. Hwy 246 runs east-west from Buellton to
Solvang, then across the bottom of the Santa Ynez Valley to Hwy 154. From Santa Bar-
bara, Hwy 154 is a more scenic route; it's fewer miles than taking Hwy 101, but takes
longer because the road is often only two lanes wide, with slow-moving traffic. North of
Hwy 246, Hwy 154 leads to Los Olivos.
LAX to Buellton for $75/138 one way/round-trip, slightly less if you prepay 24 hours in
Thruway buses to and from Solvang, but only if you're catching a train (or arriving on
one) in Santa Barbara.
with bike racks on a loop around Buellton, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Ballard and Los Olivos.
Buses operate roughly between 7am and 7pm Monday through Saturday; one-way rides
cost $1.50 (exact change only).
AROUND SANTA BARBARA
Can't quit your day job to follow your bliss? Don't despair, a long weekend in the moun-
tains, valleys and beaches between Santa Barbara and LA will keep you inspired until you
can. In this land of daydreams, perfect waves beckon off Ventura's coast, shady trails wind
skyward in the Los Padres National Forest and spiritual Zen awaits you in Ojai Valley.
Surf, stroll, seek - if outdoor rejuvenation is your goal, this is the place.
And then there's Channel Islands National Park, a biodiverse chain of islands shimmer-
ing just off the coast where you can kayak majestic sea caves, scuba dive in wavy kelp
forests, wander fields of wildflower blooms or simply disappear from civilization at a re-
mote wilderness campsite.
