Hotels in Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara

Tucked away between the Santa Ynez Mountains to the south and the San Rafael Mountains to the north, the Santa Ynez Valley is a popular visitor destination in Southern California. Situated 30 miles north of downtown Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley is made up of five small towns: Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton, Ballard and Los Olivos, and is home to 20,000 people.

Where to Stay in the Santa Ynez Valley

Each of Santa Ynez Valley’s towns has its own personality, many with Native American, Spanish or Mexican heritage. Expedia offers a range of quality accommodation in and around Santa Ynez Valley, ranging from family-run inns, roadside motels to swanky boutique hotels. You can expect a high standard of accommodation, with many properties featuring swimming pools, sleek bars and modern restaurants, as well as bike hire or spa treatments.

Things to See from Your Hotel in Santa Ynez Valley

The Santa Ynez Valley is the heart of Santa Barbara's country and home to over 100 wineries, many of which offer tastings and guided tours. There’s also a burgeoning craft brewery scene, which is well worth exploring. Why not leave the car at the hotel and take a guided bus tour of the vineyards.

The main five towns are within a ten-mile radius of each other. Add to your adventure the charming village of Solvang, a quaint community with a long Danish heritage. Potter around its quirky gift shops, Danish bakeries and pancake houses, or visit the Old Mission Santa Ines, which has a museum and guided tours. Santa Ynez Valley is very near the Los Padres National Forest, a great spot for hiking, cycling and hill-walking.

Exploring the Santa Ynez Valley

Hiring a car is the best way to explore the towns and villages of the Santa Ynez Valley. Solvang has an Amtrak station giving you a short hop to downtown Santa Barbara. After a day exploring, it's good to know you can head back to your Santa Ynez Valley hotel for a good night’s rest.

From upscale family-run inns to modest roadside motels, use Expedia’s search tools to find the best deals on hotels for your next Californian getaway.