Fill Your New Year with Adventure
There’s something magical about starting a new year with fresh experiences and unforgettable memories. And here in Buellton, nestled in the heart of California’s stunning Santa Ynez Valley, adventure comes in all flavors—whether you’re craving world-class wines, adrenaline-pumping thrills, or quiet moments that reconnect you with what matters most.
So what kind of traveler are you? We’ve curated the perfect Buellton getaway for every adventure style. Your new year starts here!
Dry January Adventures Await
Starting the new year with a Dry January commitment? Buellton welcomes you with open arms and countless alcohol-free adventures that prove you don’t need a drink to have an incredible vacation. From thrilling zipline tours at Highline Adventures to hands-on pottery classes at Community Clayworks, from feeding ostriches at Ostrichland USA to scenic horseback rides through the Santa Ynez River wilderness—Buellton’s best experiences are about connection, discovery, and pure joy.
Even our renowned breweries have you covered: Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. serves their refreshing non-alcoholic Hoppy Poppy IPA, while Firestone Walker Brewing Restaurant offers 8ZERO5 beer, proving that Dry January travel doesn’t mean missing out. Local restaurants craft incredible alcohol-free dining experiences with housemade sodas, fresh-pressed juices, and creative mocktails that rival their boozy counterparts. This January, trade the hangover for the memories—your Dry January vacation in Buellton will be anything but dry on adventure.
Sip Your Way Through Cinema History
If you believe life’s too short for bad wine, you’ll fall head over heels for Buellton’s wine scene. Start your journey at Hitching Post Wines, where you’ll discover bold, exceptional Pinots that have earned cult-classic status. After your tasting, walk next door to Hitching Post II for dinner—this isn’t just any restaurant, it’s a destination where perfectly grilled steaks meet those same incredible wines you just fell in love with.
Where to Stay: Book a room at the Sideways Inn, and you’ll be sleeping in the heart of wine country legend. This charming boutique hotel puts you steps away from both Hitching Post locations.
Pro Tip: Watch the award-winning movie Sideways before your visit—it prominently features both of these iconic locations! You’ll feel like you’re stepping right into the film, glass of Pinot in hand.
A Culinary Journey Through the Valley
Buellton’s food scene is having a moment, and you’re invited to taste every delicious second of it. Mark your calendar for Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks in January, when the valley’s best restaurants roll out special menus that showcase their creativity and local ingredients. Can’t make it in January? The Buellton Wine & Chili Festival in March offers the perfect pairing of bold flavors and great wines – plus beer and spirits, too!
Where to Stay: The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott puts you in the perfect home base, complete with 555 Lounge—your on-site destination for craft cocktails and elevated bites after a day of culinary exploration.
Get Your Heart Racing
Ready to feel truly alive? Head to Highline Adventures where zipline tours and aerial adventure courses will have you soaring through the treetops with the wind in your hair and pure exhilaration pumping through your veins. It’s the kind of adventure that reminds you what it feels like to be fearless.
Where to Stay: Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn offers the perfect launching pad for your outdoor adventures, with easy access to all of the area’s best activities and comfortable rooms to rest your adventure-worn muscles.
Where Nature Calls
There’s something about being in the saddle that makes you feel connected to the land in a way nothing else can. SYV Horseback Rides offers scenic trail rides through the Santa Ynez River wilderness—it’s just you, your horse, and miles of unspoiled California beauty. After your ride, wander through the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden, where native plants and peaceful pathways invite you to slow down and breathe it all in.
Where to Stay: Flying Flags RV Resort takes “camping” to a whole new level with their glamping tents, cabins, and restored Airstream trailers. It’s luxury meets the great outdoors, and you’ll never want to leave.
Pro Tip: Bring your bike or borrow one from the resort and take a ride through the scenic Sta. Rita Hills AVA on Santa Rosa Road. The vineyard views are absolutely breathtaking—just stay alert, as this is a working ranching area where large trucks and other vehicles share the road.
Romance is in the Air (and Clay)
Some adventures are best shared. Get your hands dirty together at Community Clayworks, where you’ll create a beautiful clay piece side by side—there’s something incredibly intimate about making art together. As the sun starts to set, head to The Tavern at Zaca Creek for a romantic dinner in their garden-like outdoor dining area, where twinkle lights and farm-fresh cuisine set the mood for an unforgettable evening.
Where to Stay: The Inn at Zaca Creek offers a truly boutique experience that’s as intimate and special as your getaway deserves to be.
Pro Tip: Time your pottery class earlier in the day so your creation can be fired and shipped to you as a lasting memento of your romantic escape.
Farm Fresh and Unforgettable
If you light up at the sight of a perfectly tended garden or get excited about knowing where your food comes from,Vega Vineyard and Farm is your happy place. This working farm and vineyard offers the ultimate farm-to-table experience with award-winning wines, delicious fresh food, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments with adorable farm animals. It’s agriculture at its most beautiful.
Where to Stay: Hotel Hygge provides a low-maintenance, stylish home base that lets you focus on exploring. Be sure to grab a meal at Industrial Eats—their wood-fired dishes are legendary—and don’t miss Motley Crew Marketplace for incredible local meat, seafood, and other foodie finds you’ll want to take home.
Adventures Big and Small
Creating memories with your favorite people? Buellton delivers family fun in spades. Start at Ostrichland USA, where kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) can feed these fascinating birds and learn all about them. Then satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth at Drover’s Doughnuts, where gourmet flavor creations will have the whole family debating favorites.
Where to Stay: Flying Flags RV Resort is a family paradise with private playgrounds, pools, a splash pad, ample space to ride bikes and play outdoors—plus an off-leash dog park for your furry family members! Check their activities schedule for outdoor movies, concerts, BBQs, and plenty of other fun ways to connect across the generations.
Raise a Glass to Great Brews
Craft beer enthusiasts, your pilgrimage awaits. Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and Firestone Walker Brewing Co. are legendary names in California brewing, and tasting their beers in Buellton is an experience every hophead should have. Don’t miss Barrelworks, Firestone’s wild ale and specialty brew paradise—it’s where beer gets seriously creative.
Doing Dry January? No worries! Buellton’s breweries welcome all visitors with fantastic non-alcoholic options. Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. serves their refreshing non-alcoholic Hoppy Poppy IPA, while Firestone Walker Brewing Restaurant offers 8ZERO5 beer—proving you can enjoy the brewery experience without the alcohol.
Where to Stay: The Hampton Inn Buellton Santa Ynez Valley offers comfortable accommodations and easy access to both breweries.
Mark Your Calendar: Beer lovers should plan around Lagerville at Figueroa Mountain Brewing in April and Buellton Brew Fest in May—these festivals are the ultimate celebration of craft beer culture.
Your Adventure Starts Now
The new year is a blank page, and Buellton is ready to help you fill it with stories worth telling. Whether you’re seeking thrills, romance, incredible food and wine, or simply a chance to reconnect with the people and places that matter most, you’ll find your perfect adventure here in the Santa Ynez Valley.
So what are you waiting for? Your Buellton getaway is calling. Answer it.
Ready to start planning? Let our handy AI trip planner know which experience sounds best to you, and it will help you turn your new year’s intentions into unforgettable experiences!
