Santa Ynez - The Santa Ynez Valley
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The Santa Ynez Valley is a river valley located in Santa Barbara County, California, between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the San Rafael Mountains. This Valley is known for its scenic, pastoral character and strong agricultural tradition. Its residents cherish their peaceful, yet diverse way of life, which attracts an increasing number of visitors and new residents.
The Valley includes the unincorporated townships of Santa Ynez, Ballard and Los Olivos, the cities of Buellton and Solvang, and the surrounding rural and agricultural lands. The Santa Ynez River traverses the Valley, bordered to the south by the Santa Ynez Mountains and to the north by the San Raphael Mountain Range. The Santa Ynez Valley is accessible from U.S. Highway 101, which crosses the region's western edge and intersects Highways 154 and 246, that generally traverse the Valley from east to west.
The greater Santa Ynez Valley Rural Region encompasses approximately 361 square miles, extending north from Camino Cielo at the crest of the Santa Ynez Mountains to Alisos Canyon Road on the north/west and to the southern boundaries of the Los Padres National Forest on the north/east (including Zaca Lake and Figueroa Mountain); and westward from the National Forest boundary to east of Drum Canyon Road.
This 231,050-acre region was defined in 1998--in conjunction with the County Agricultural Element update as an area with similar geographic and cultural characteristics. Previously, a much larger area, extending to the eastern county line, was identified as the Santa Ynez Planning Area in the 1980 Comprehensive Plan. However, most of the community identifies more with the Valley's central areas surrounding the five communities. Refining the optimal Valley planning area will be an important undertaking of the upcoming Community Plan.
The climate and geography of the Santa Ynez Valley makes it a prime region for many agricultural operations. Horse and cattle ranches blanket the hills throughout the valley. There are also some very unique animals raised in the valley, including miniature horses, longhorn cattle, llamas, emus, ostriches, and mules. The most common crops raised in the Santa Ynez Valley include beans, squash, alfalfa, oat hay, and cauliflower for seed. In addition, almost 10,000 acres of the valley are lush vineyards.
Local air transportation needs are served by the 160-acre Santa Ynez Airport located just 7 miles east of Buellton on Highway 246. The Santa Ynez Airport has a 2,800 foot lighted runway that can accommodate DC-3's. Commercial airports include the Santa Barbara Airport located 40 miles southeast of Buellton on US 101 and the Santa Maria Airport located 35 miles north on US 101. Many local citizens commute to the surrounding areas for employment and there is a wide array of public and private buses and van pools transportation alternatives. In addition, the Santa Ynez Valley Transit system operates buses with regular routes and stops throughout the valley.
