Area Attractions

A full slate of activities is planned for the weekend by Destination Races as well as the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association.  We hope you'll enjoy the wineries, shops, and restaurants in the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara over race weekend.  This is a great year-round destination, and we encourage you to return again and again.

SYV Weekend Pass: A Marathon of Savings

Take advantage of this amazing offer from Visit the Santa Ynez Valley and experience a “Marathon of Savings” with their special passport offer exclusively for half marathon participants and their friends and family. Purchase this special Race Weekend Pass and enjoy discounts at over 30 local restaurants, wineries, shops and hotels.

Preview the participating businesses and amazing offers by clicking here.  

Valid: Friday, May 11th-Monday-Monday, May 14th, 2012
Cost:  $15 (regularly $20),  Additional discounted tickets may be purchased for guests. 
Purchase:   Click here  Be sure to enter  coupon code: RUNSYV at checkout for the special rate of  $15.  

Upon purchase you will be sent a passport that you must print out bring with you. A pdf of the offers is available for download as well or simply show up to the participating businesses and receive the discounts by showing your passport.

 

Things to do in Santa Ynez Valley

The Santa Ynez Valley is comprised of two cities (Solvang and Buellton) and three unincorporated towns (Santa Ynez, Ballard, and Los Olivos). Each of these areas has its own character making the Valley diverse despite its small size of less than 20,000 residents.

The architecture of the buildings in Solvang showcases steep gabled roofs, windmills, and the typical old world building style. The shops are filled with wares from near and afar and the bakeries loaded with Danish pastries. The restaurants feature food from Denmark and other ethnic styles completing your experience of being transferred to another era.

The town of Santa Ynez harkens back to the western frontier days and the more modern, artsy town of Los Olivos is lined with quaint shops, restaurants and tasting rooms.

Places to Visit in Santa Ynez Valley

Restaurants we recommend:

  • Brothers' Restaurant at Mattei's Tavern – Los Olivos www.matteistavern.com
  • Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café www.losolivoscafe.com
  • Hadsten House Restaurant - Solvang www.hadstenhouse.com
  • Café Angelica – Solvang
  • Route 246 - Hotel Corque, Solvang
  • The Touch Mandarin Restaurant - Solvang
  • Trattoria Grappolo - Santa Ynez
  • Firestone Walker Brewing Company - Buellton

Things to do in Santa Barbara

Places to Visit in Downtown Santa Barbara / Goleta

Beaches

Great Places to Take the Family

Outdoor Activities

Independent Guides to Santa Barbara

Event Schedule

Thursday May 10

Early Packet Pickup
3:00pm to 6:00pm
Santa Barbara Running Company
More Info

Welcome Reception
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Kunin Tasting Room
More Info

Friday May 11

Expo/Packet Pickup
10:00am to 6:00pm
Hotel Corque in Solvang
More Info

Pasta Dinner with Bart Yasso
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Santa Ynez Valley Historic Museum
More Info

Saturday May 12

Transportation to Start
5:15am to 6:30am
More Info

Race Start 
7:00am 
Sagunto St.
More Info

Wine and Music Festival
9am to Noon
Solvang Park
More Info

Awards Ceremony
10:30 to 11:15am
Solvang Park
More Info

Transportation (returning)
9:45am to Noon
Solvang Park 
More Info

Post Race Party
Movie and Dinner Under The Stars
5:00pm to 10:00pm
Kalyra Winery
More Info