"Santa Barbara Wine Country" Santa Ynez by AllisonRay

This is the third time my husband and I have spent our anniversary in Santa Ynez. We love it more each time! It's a short 1 1/2 hours from Los Angeles, but it feels like a world away! The area offers natural beauty, great food, and lovely accommodations! The Santa Ynez Inn is in the heart of the small town, and no attention to detail is missed! The rooms are decadently lovely, and they offer a complimentary gourmet breakfast, a wine and appetizer hour, and delicious evening desserts in the beautiful living/dining room. We also love the Los Olivos Cafe in Los Olivos, just a 10 minute drive from the Inn. And, Cold Springs Tavern is a wonderful stop for lunch on your way there or back. It's located off the 154 and easy to miss unless you know about it! Wine tasting is great in the area, and the Inn sometimes gives free wine tasting certificates to guests.

• Pros:Short distance from Los Angeles for an easy getaway!
• Cons:Can be a bit expensive!
• In a nutshell:I can't wait to go back next year!