Restoration Oaks Ranch is the biggest hidden gem in all of California! Honestly, it was the best…read morepart of our wedding. We got married here September 2021, and it was the most picturesque and beautiful wedding you could ever dream of. It was so perfect for us, because we were able to have our entire family stay there for the weekend, have a welcome and exit brunch, rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception all in the same place. We didn't have to compromise any beauty, and it ended up being truly spectacular. We want to revisit And do another than here. You can pick blueberries, and just be one with nature. There is a feeling in the air that you really can't replicate, not even in pictures but nonetheless it is truly perfect. If you have a wedding here, you will not be disappointed. It is way better than your traditional cookie cutter venue. Shay and Ed were both wonderful as well, and were there for us every step of the way. If we had any question no matter how basic, they were there to lend a helping hand.

My family and I stayed in the cottage over the winter holiday and overall had a positive…read moreexperience. A few things to note: when we arrive the heater was not working and it was going to be extremely cold that night. The owners came out and fixed the heater and re-stocked the firewood for us. There are technically two showers, however the second one is in the mud room and it was way too cold to use in the evenings. Thus we shared one bathroom. Beautiful scenery and located in a great part of town.

I could go on and on about how great Stagecoach Wine Tours was! It was truly the best experience…read morefor my birthday getaway. From the very beginning, Eric, the owner, was such a pleasure to work with. He was incredibly accommodating and flexible, especially since our Airbnb was located in a more mountainous area of Santa Barbara. Our driver, Tom, was absolutely fantastic. He was a great driver, extremely knowledgeable about the area and wineries, and shared so much interesting information throughout the day. Another great perk was that lunch was included, which made the day even more enjoyable and convenient. A great little unexpected touch was a stop at a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar stand between wineries. It was such a nice addition to the day and made the tour feel even more personalized. If you're looking for a stress free wine tour with wonderful communication, I highly recommend looking into Stagecoach Wine Tours. The pricing is great and it was truly an amazing experience. Will definitely be booking with them the next time I am in Santa Barbara/surrounding areas!

We had such an amazing time on our wine tour! Everything was so well-organized and the staff…read morecouldn't have been more accommodating. The wineries we visited were beautiful, and the whole day flowed perfectly! Very relaxed, fun, and full of great wine. Tom was the absolute best guide knowledgeable, friendly, and made everyone feel welcome. And a big thank you to Eric, the owner, for creating such a wonderful experience and making sure every detail was just right. You can tell how much pride he takes in what he does. If you're thinking about booking a tour, this is the one to go with. Top-notch service, great people, and an unforgettable day!

This review is more for the non response from Mark of Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals. A group of…read moreladies, celebrating turning 70 in 2014, stayed at OLIVE HILL RANCH in April 2014. We originally rented a condo in Buellton but Mark called a few days before and told us the owners decided not to offer it for rent anymore. So Mark scheduled us to use Olive Hill Ranch, we stayed Tuesday through Thursday - April 2 through 4th. The house was very nice and private, the road up to the house was a little scary, very, very steep - but we made it up each time - even in the rain. I left Mark a voice mail to let him know one of the folding chairs, in the bedroom with twin beds and one double bed, collapsed with a lady sitting in the chair. This was on Wednesday about 11:30 a.m. No response from Mark. The lady was hurting quite badly. She went to the ER when she returned home to L.A. County, the x-ray showed a small fracture. She could hardly walk, couldn't drive and was in a lot of pain. Just in the last few weeks that pain has subsided. I also sent Mark an email about the chair collapsing with the lady in it. NO RESPONSE! This is very UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR for a business. I read the previous review about the lady leaving her cell phone at a rental and Mark said he had it and would return it. DIDN'T HAPPEN, SHE NEVER RECEIVED HER CELL PHONE. Here is the email I sent to Mark on 04/04/2014: Olive Hill Ranch Rental Jo Ann 4/04/14 To: Mark Worth Hello Mark, "I left you a voicemail yesterday morning before we checked out, letting you know that the chair xxxxxxxx was sitting in collapsed. Three of us had been sitting in the chairs in the bedroom talking and applying make-up, I left the room to change clothes - not long after that while xxxxxxxx and xxxxx were talking ... the chair just collapsed and xxxxxxxx collapsed to the floor on her butt/tailbone. We all loved the house and thought it was a wonderful place to have one of our mini-reunions. But the house does need some attention ... this really isn't to complain about what didn't work ... but to make you aware of some things that need a handyman's touch. One other thing ... whoever you pay to clean the house ... they aren't cleaning as well as they should be doing. Here is our list: The pool was uncovered when we arrived. The spa was on when we arrived - we never used it and didn't know how to turn it off, so we left it as is. The ice-maker does not dispense ice. The microwave door must be loose because each time we microwaved something we had push on the door to hold it closed or it wouldn't work. There is open food in the pantry/cupboards which could attract little critters. In the corners behind the twin beds ... dirty and dusty. I took pictures if you would like to see them. (as I said this isn't to complain, but to let you know that whoever you are paying to clean ... that person is not doing a very good job.)" ... end of email. We paid a $225 cleaning fee and it could have been cleaner. The collapsing chair sort of ruined what would have been a very good few days. So I am, to say the least, very upset that SANTA YNEZ VACATION RENTALS COULDN'T BE BOTHERED TO RESPOND TO MY EMAIL. Again, a very unprofessional business practice.

Santa Ynez Vacation Rental does not disappoint! I had the pleasure of enjoying a perfect gals trip…read moreto their Rancho Maroma property last weekend and it could not have been more cozy and relaxing. The property is stunning and the layout is perfect for a large group. We cooked in the immaculate kitchen overlooking the property and enjoyed cocktails while watching the sunset. The rooms are spacious and the beds are crazy comfy. Everything is pristine and beautifully decorated, which made me want to never leave. I cannot wait to get back up to the valley and enjoy another girls weekend. Thank you again, Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals. I'll be back!!

We live in Santa Ynez and have used this rental many times to house our visiting guests. The rental…read moreis conveniently located and professionally managed by owner. Everything is clean, nicely decorated and in good repair. This rental is a great value in a very expensive market.

A very lovely place to stay in the Los Olivos area! The apartment was very nice, comfortable, clean…read moreand centrally located to wine tasting and dining around the Santa Ynez Valley. The owner, John, was prompt in returning my call inquiring about the unit and very friendly. He even brought us freshly picked plums during our stay. I have stayed at many hotels in the area over the years and will stay here from now on! For the same price as a not-so-great hotel, you get a really nice 2 bedroom apartment - can't beat that! The only slight negative is the traffic noise during the night, as I like to sleep with the window open. But I just closed the window and turned up the ceiling fan and was fine. We'll definitely return to Shady Oak!

We had the most wonderful day celebrating my 40th birthday with seven friends, thanks to an…read moreincredible tour that Jon organized for us. His luxury experience truly felt magical from start to finish. We began the day with a sparkling wine tasting that Jon had arranged with the vineyard, thoughtfully curated to match my favorite types of Champagne. Later, he set up a beautiful lunch at a vineyard by the water--one of the most stunning winery experiences I've ever had. At both locations, Jon had coordinated private tastings that made us feel truly special and well taken care of. I especially appreciated the relaxed pacing of the day--it never felt rushed or over-scheduled. Jon clearly has a remarkable talent for this kind of experience, blending deep knowledge, impeccable organization, and a fun, insider touch. We will definitely be booking another day with Jon and Coastal Vines Luxury Tours!

As a local who's been in the wine industry for over five years, there's very little I haven't…read moretasted or experienced when it comes to the wine of the Santa Ynez Valley. But Coastal Vines Luxury Wine Tasting Tour was so impressive. From the start, it was clear that Jon's true strength lies in the incredible relationships he's built with the best of the best in SYV Wines. The wineries he curated for our day weren't just top-tier in terms of wine quality--they also offered an authentic experience that you just don't get with more commercial wine tours. Each stop felt like a private invitation rather than a standard tour. One of the things I appreciated most: there was no pressure to buy wine. But, of course, I could not resist--everything we tasted was exceptional, and I knew I wanted to bring bottles home to remember the day. The flow of the day was seamless. I'm someone who tends to over-plan or rush through stops, but Jon intuitively knew how to pace things. He helped us prioritize quality over quantity, which made the experience more meaningful with a focus on great wine and celebrating friendship. Every detail from the thoughtfully chosen wineries to the delicious lunch and beautiful surroundings was handled with care and intention + so much gratitude to Jon for being willing to take all the pictures to help us capture the experience If you're looking for a high-end, relaxed, and expertly guided tour of Santa Ynez's wine country, whether you're a seasoned local or a first-time visitor, this is the one.

Jacob was professional, efficient, friendly. Everything you could ask for as he navigated shuttling…read moreguests at our party. The van was comfy and clean. I highly recommend this company!

By far the best tour company in town! Great day horseback riding and visiting the spectacular wine…read morecountry. If I could give them 6 starts I totally would :)

I was riding in Santa Barbara earlier this year when I met a new friend on the trail. We ended up…read moregetting connected on social media, and when I was planning my second trip out I reached out to him for bike shop recommendations. That's when I found out about Santa Barbara Ascent and after looking up the website, my boyfriend and I decided this would be the best fit for us. We wanted to be on ebikes so we could explore more during our ride and the fact we had our own tour guide took out the stress of trying to map out a ride and constantly checking MTB Project to make sure you're on the right trail (which is a huge pain imo!). I messaged Travis prior to booking and we set up a call to go over some trail options because we wanted to make sure the ride we went on fit our skill levels. After that, we booked and Travis connected with us the day before and dropped a pin where we should meet. Everything was set up for us when we arrived and the bikes were fully ready to go! Travis had helmets, water, snacks and even sunglasses for us to use. We brought our own gloves, shammies, shorts and jerseys. The ride was exactly what we wanted it to be and was the highlight of our trip! We rode about 20 miles and got to see some wonderful sights along the way. Travis was also a great guide helping us with the bikes and connecting the different locations we were at. We will definitely reconnect with Travis when we're back on the west coast! I know the pandemic has made it hard to get out and enjoy time with family and friends, but this is a totally safe (and fun!) way to spend time together and I highly, highly recommend Santa Barbara Ascent to anyone looking for a unique way to explore the Santa Barbara area!

WOW! THESE BIKES ARE SO MUCH FUN! I'm a santa barbara local and Travis took me on trails I'd never…read moreseen before (that's pretty rare!). He totally created a route based on what I wanted. His knowledge of the terrain, Santa barbara, and riding make him the best guide out there. I was a little scared at some points because of massive rocks etc but he definitely walked me through every inch of the way. Once I got through that tough stuff I felt so accomplished...I definitely got the challenging ride I wanted!!! These bikes will AMAZE YOU. They are more than capable. They give you the power you want without sacrificing a workout. I loved these bikes so much I wanted to buy one after my first ride!!!! I highly highly highly recommend this tour! Its the best adventurous, athletic, and exhilarating tour in SB!! YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED!!!

If you're doing a food tour and you're walking through the city, you should definitely have some…read morehands sanitizer or have spots along the way, picked out to be regularly washing your hands. You also should refrain from touching people's plates and cups as you discuss and show them the food items. I understand it's a food tour, but especially when you don't have clean hands, it's highly unsanitary! It's also a good idea to not greet dogs and let them lick all over you ... your hands.... your arms AND your face while you're interacting with people who are eating food, bringing them food from the restaurant & leading a tour. It's a good idea to give people space after you give them the information about the tour and the food and the art and let them socialize with the people that they came with. We should not have experience the person who is giving the tour or learning how to give a tourist next to you constantly asking you questions about what you're eating, what you're trying, where you're from or other questions that are really irrelevant .. it is pretty annoying & doesn't allow you to enjoy the experience fully. It's not a good idea to take shortcuts, because it's easier for you as the tour guide. One of our group members ate meat. The other 2 are vegetarians, but to keep it simple or make it easier. She was repeatedly offered vegetarian options and not given the opportunity to try the meat options along the tour. This was frustrating as you were very clear when setting up the tour, what the food restrictions were, we reminded them again when we got to the beginning of the tour and also reminded along the tour. How often will we need to say it in order to get the full experience. Although the tour guide and her trainee were very nice & social, it is not likely not an experience we'll do again.

We had a fun day in Solvang with our guide Hannah. Although we were locals, it was great to find…read moresome new spots we had not visited before. Hannah was very friendly and accommodating to our requests. There was plenty of food to eat and a couple of adult beverages included. The photo tips were marginal, but we didn't care as we booked the tour for the fun of walking around town and tasting the delicious food. The highlight was Kim Jensen, owner of the Ingeborg's Danish Chocolates, giving us a wonderful tour of his factory and sharing lots of chocolate treats!