When appliances fail, life comes to a halt in many modern-day households. Food can't be prepared or cooked, laundry can't be washed or dried, and leftovers spoil because they aren't refrigerated. Due to the complex nature of home appliances, repairing them yourself isn't a good idea. It takes a professional appliance repair technician to get the job done safely. And that's where Appliance Service Plus comes in - to give hardworking folks quick, effective appliance repair services at prices that won't break the bank.
Unlike other appliance repair companies in Santa Rita Park, our customer's needs come first before everything. We strive to keep affordability and high-quality appliance repair at the forefront of our work. We stack that with factory-trained technicians and protective warranties to provide the very best appliance repair in town.
Appliance Service Plus has provided high-quality appliance repair in Santa Rita Park for over 50 years. With such extensive experience, there are few appliance issues we haven't seen and fixed. From basic repairs to more complicated diagnostics, our team is here to give your appliance new life, so you can get back to living yours.
Attempting to fix an appliance on your own can be costly, time-consuming, and damaging. In the end, DIY fixes are often more expensive and less effective than working with a pro. Appliance Service Plus is here to help you save time, money, and stress that come with DIY solutions. Our customers choose us because they know we'll get the job done right the first time around. At the end of the day, we want to resolve your issue quickly and effectively, saving you time, hassle, and worry.
When you hire the Appliance Service Plus team, our technicians come prepared to diagnose and repair your appliance in a professional and timely manner. We're happy to answer questions about your problem and won't quit until the problem is fixed. Our appliance repair techs are constantly learning and refining their skills. That way, they can fix any appliance you need with confidence and quality. And when it comes to customer service, we're the best in town. You can always count on your technician arriving on time and ready to work.
If you have questions or need to make an appointment, a friendly, helpful voice will always be on the other end of the phone, waiting to assist.
When we say we put our customer's needs first, we mean it. That's why we offer a 30-day warranty on labor and a 90-day warranty on parts, giving our customers peace of mind with every appliance repair we complete.
Our Services
- Dishwasher Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
- Keep Dishes Fresh & Clean with Dishwasher Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
- Common Signs You Need Dishwasher Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
- Keep Food Cool and Crisp with Refrigerator Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
- Common Signs You Need Refrigerator Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
- Keep on Cooking with Stove Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
- Common Signs You Need Range or Stove Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
- Your Top Choice for Expert Appliance Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
Services Area
At Appliance Service Plus, we're passionate about providing personalized services and helpful advice with a friendly smile. We believe our commitment to quality distinguishes us from the crowd. When your appliances fail, we're here when you need us the most.
Whether you need washer repair, stove repair, or anything in between, our process is simple and streamlined:

Schedule your service call
We work with your busy schedule to get you the service you need.

Technician Diagnoses
Your factory-trained technician will travel to your location and diagnose your appliance problem.

Quote & Repair
We'll itemize the time and parts necessary to get your appliance back in action and get it repaired ASAP.
We support all major brands and appliances, handling extended service warranty agreements for Lowe's, Home Depot, and other major brands. When you contact us, we strive to provide an engaging, positive experience. It all begins with a friendly smile from our office staff and hard work from our licensed and insured technicians.
Here are just a few of the most common appliance problems we solve every day:
Keep Dishes Fresh & Clean with Dishwasher Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
If you've got a gray hair or two, you may remember when washing dishes by hand was the only option. It was a long, involved process that took lots of time. Today, most families use their dishwasher to do the cleaning for them. Dishwashers are a huge boon for working families and save us all time that we can dedicate to our loved ones. Despite improvements in technology, it's common for dishwashers to break down or fail without notice.
When your dishwasher is on the fritz, it becomes a huge inconvenience, causing you to carve out time to handwash and dry your family's dishes. Because of their finicky nature, there could be several reasons why your dishwasher isn't performing, from leaks to unusually long wash cycles.
Regardless of the problem you have, our dishwasher repair technicians will diagnose your issue quickly and give you a fair estimate on repairs. That way, you don't have to waste time handwashing dishes when you already have a lot on your plate.
With years of factory training on many mainstream brands, makes, and models, there's no dishwasher repair situation we can't handle.

Common Signs You Need Dishwasher Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
Curious when you might need to call Appliance Service Plus to diagnose your dishwasher malfunction? Keep an eye out for the following signs:

Clean Dishes Are Cool to Touch After Removing: For dishes to be germ-free and clean, you need hot, soapy water for washing. The FDA recommends using water that is approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be uncomfortable for handwashing but perfect for dishwashers. If you find that your dishes come out cold and clammy instead of hot and steamy, your dishwasher might need a new heating coil.

Dishwasher Isn't Draining Correctly: You'll know quickly if your dishwasher isn't draining properly because there will be a pool of water under your machine. If you're dealing with drainage problems, it could be due to a clogged drainage system or non-functioning pump.

Your Dishwasher is Leaking: This common problem can be caused by a damaged door gasket, loose valve, leaky dishwasher tub, or another issue. If you notice or hear signs of leaking, call our office ASAP.
Keep Food Cool and Crisp with Refrigerator Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
Your refrigerator is easily one of the most important appliances in your kitchen - not just for convenience but for food safety as well. Without it, our food would spoil, and we would have to spend much more money on groceries.
At Appliance Service Plus, we know how crucial it is to have a fully-functioning refrigerator for day-to-day life. When your fridge decides to quit working, you need a trustworthy appliance repair company in Santa Rita Park for a quick fix. We know that a refrigerator or freezer breakdown is never convenient. For most families, it is the epitome of stress and hassle.
Fortunately, our team of expert fridge repair technicians is here to step in so you can get back to a normal life. Like all our appliance repair services, it's our goal to give you A++ service. We will offer you an honest, fair estimate on your dishwasher repair. Once we know the scope of repair work, your technician will get to work with laser focus, making for a quick yet effective fix.

Like dishwashers, refrigerator repairs are one of our most-requested repair services. If you're unsure if your refrigerator needs repairs, keep an eye out for these warning signs:
Common Signs You Need Refrigerator Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA

Spoiled Food: The whole point of putting your food in the refrigerator is so it doesn't spoil. So, if you notice your food spoiling prematurely, it's a telltale sign you need appliance repair for your refrigerator. Due to the nature of these repairs, it's important to hire a licensed repair technician from Appliance Service Plus to repair the root cause of your problem.

Loud Humming and Vibrating Noises: Low-level vibrating and humming sounds are not uncommon for refrigerators. Despite popular belief, these noises are a normal part of its operation. However, these noises should not be very loud. If you hear unusually noisy knocking, vibrating, or humming, you could have a problem on your hands. Whether it's a faulty compressor or a blocked condenser fan, our team will diagnose the problem and get to work on a long-term fix.

Water on Floor Underneath Fridge: Finding a pool of water under your fridge is a big problem. Not just for the health of your appliance, but for water leaking into your home. Typically, leaks are caused by trapped condensation due to clogged hoses or pipes. You'll need an experienced refrigerator repair tech in Santa Rita Park to clear blockages and ultimately solve your leaky fridge issue.
Keep on Cooking with Stove Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
Like your dishwasher and refrigerator, your stove and range are appliances you need to work, every day. From home-cooked meals on weeknights to large holiday feasts, family bonding time at the dinner table begins and ends with your stove. But just like with any home appliances, stoves aren't exempt from wear and tear. At some point, your stove will show signs of damage and will eventually break down. When ranges and stoves are out of order, it can create chaos in your household, making you resort to unhealthy takeout or fast food.
And while you might be tempted to try a DIY fix on your stove, these devices can be dangerous to fix without training. To make matters more difficult, doing the research and ordering the parts can be time-intensive. If you don't know the correct part or how to install it, you could end up with more damage than you expected. That's where our factory-trained stove repair technicians jump in to help.
If your gas or electric stove needs repairing, give us a call. Let us help you replace those oven coils, burners, and sensors, so you don't end up in the hospital. Before you know it, you'll have a normal, fully-functional kitchen back in place.

Not sure if you need to call in the pros? Check regularly for these red flags.
Common Signs You Need Range or Stove Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA

Stove Door Won't Close: It might seem minor on the surface, but when your stove door doesn't close, you can't cook your food. Chances are you need a licensed stove repair technician to refit or replace the hinges on the door, so you can keep churning out casseroles.Unusual Cooking Times

Unusual Cooking Times: Are your grandma's time-tested recipes coming out undercooked? Have you had to change cooking times because your stove is acting up? Unusual differences in cooking times are signs that your stove needs professional appliance repair.Electrical Problems

Electrical Problems: If you have an electric stove and notice that it cuts off during cooking or won't turn on at all, it's probably due for repair. Like gas, electrical problems are best remedied by professionals, like those you'll find at Appliance Service Plus.nine
Your Top Choice for Expert Appliance Repair in Santa Rita Park, CA
Whatever appliance repair issue you're stressed over, there's no problem too big or small for our team to handle. At Appliance Service Plus, we offer a total package of quality service, fair prices, friendly customer service, and effective fixes. Unlike some appliance companies in Santa Rita Park, our technicians are trained rigorously and undergo extensive background checks. We work with all major appliances and are capable of GE appliance repair, Maytag appliance repair, Frigidaire appliance repair, and more.
New and repeat customers choose Appliance Repair Plus because we offer:
- Over 50 Years of Combined Appliance Repair Experience
- Quick Service and Effective Results
- Warranties on Parts and Labor
- Friendly, Helpful Customer Service
- Licensed & Insured Work
- Vetted, Tested, Factory Trained Technicians
- Contact Us
- Mobile Service. We Come Right to Your Front Door!
Whether you need an emergency repair for your clothes washer or need routine maintenance for your dishwasher, we're here to exceed your expectations - no if's, and's, or but's.

Contact Us
Latest News in Santa Rita Park, CA
Santa Barbara County supervisors deny appeal of 2.54-acre cannabis grow on Santa Rita Road
Mike Hodgson mhodgson@santamariatimes.comhttps://santamariatimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/santa-barbara-county-supervisors-deny-appeal-of-2-54-acre-cannabis-grow-on-santa-rita/article_4e6ddb72-7b56-5d64-8574-bb5b065c70b5.html
A permit for a small cannabis cultivation operation on Santa Rita Road about halfway between Buellton and Lompoc was approved last week by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, which rejected an appeal focused primarily on an easement for accessing the site.Supervisors on Sept. 21 unanimously rejected the appeal filed by JCCrandall LLC of the Planning Commiss...
A permit for a small cannabis cultivation operation on Santa Rita Road about halfway between Buellton and Lompoc was approved last week by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, which rejected an appeal focused primarily on an easement for accessing the site.
Supervisors on Sept. 21 unanimously rejected the appeal filed by JCCrandall LLC of the Planning Commission’s approval of a conditional use permit for Santa Rita Holdings to grow 2.54 acres of cannabis on a site where cultivation is already taking place as a legal nonconforming use.
The permit will allow Santa Rita Holdings to cultivate 1.88 acres of mature plants under hoops and 0.55 acres in the open, with 0.11 acres used as a nursery, according to a County Planning and Development staff report.
County planner Gwendolyn Beyeler said the operation will have three employees who will live on-site with an additional 12 employees added during the three-day harvests three times a year.
The operators estimate annual water use will be 1 acre-foot, which is about 326,000 gallons or enough to serve roughly two households.
Beyeler said no odor-causing drying, curing or trimming will take place on site, as harvested cannabis will be frozen and trucked away.
That trucking out the cannabis via an easement over private property was the crux of JCCrandall’s opposition.
“Although we appealed the permit on multiple grounds, our main argument applies to this easement and the county’s decision to allow a commercial cannabis activity over my client’s property without my client’s consent,” said Ernest Guadiana, representing JCCrandall.
Guadiana said because cannabis is still illegal under federal law, his client could be prosecuted as an accessory and have her property seized, and he noted state law requires the written consent of a property owner before a cannabis operation is approved.
He said even if his client consented to the easement use, the road is inadequate to handle large cannabis-hauling trucks, and if the permit was granted, the county should require Santa Rita Holdings to widen and improve the roadway.
But Jason Hillenbrand of Santa Rita Holdings said several surveys of the site have been conducted to assure cultivation is not taking place within the setback and the trucks Guardiana referred to were not cannabis trucks.
He also produced a Vista Hills letter saying the company has adequate water.
Hillenbrand also pointed out there are a lot of large cannabis cultivation operations in the surrounding area.
“We’re 2½ acres, tucked away, kind of up in the middle of nowhere,” he said, adding he thinks that’s the type of small operation the public wants.
Supervisors didn’t buy the appellant’s arguments.
“The appellant came today with a laundry list of things … for them to oppose [the permit] on,” said 4th District Supervisor and Board Chairman Bob Nelson. “I didn’t think many of them held much water. … I can’t find anything I would do different on this project.”
Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, 2nd District Supervisor Gregg Hart and 2nd District Supervisor Das Williams all agreed, noting the project is small, is in a good location to minimize nuisance and has had no complaints.
But 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino said he believed the appeal was unnecessary.
He acknowledged people’s right to be heard but said the problem is that anyone can pay $701 and file an appeal.
"And this cost us, I think it was 75 hours of staff time and $19,000 to hold this hearing,” he said. “This project, to me, is a no-brainer. It should have just sailed through.”
A New but Storied Destination on California’s Central Coast
Sallie Lewishttps://www.wsj.com/articles/california-central-coast-11650457739
ADLoading advertisement...00:00 / 05:29This article is in your queue.In the 2004 Oscar-winning film Sideways, the landscape and terroir of California’s Santa Ynez Valley played a key role. In one scene, the protagonist’s love interest says she thinks of wine as a “living thing,” changing with time.Much like the Central Coast vintages, local landmarks, such as Mattei’s Tavern in the Santa Ynez town of Los Olivos, have evolved with age. After a multiyear hiatus, the 19th...
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In the 2004 Oscar-winning film Sideways, the landscape and terroir of California’s Santa Ynez Valley played a key role. In one scene, the protagonist’s love interest says she thinks of wine as a “living thing,” changing with time.
Much like the Central Coast vintages, local landmarks, such as Mattei’s Tavern in the Santa Ynez town of Los Olivos, have evolved with age. After a multiyear hiatus, the 19th-century property reopens this fall as the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection.
The venue’s origins date back to 1886, when a Swiss immigrant named Felix Mattei built the tavern as the primary stagecoach stop between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Since its earliest days, Mattei’s has been a community hub; the 19th-century water tower still serves as a landmark for locals and visitors alike.
“There’s so many generational memories that are deeply important to people in the valley,” says Dave Elcon, the resort’s general manager. The owners, Brian R. Strange and Shamra Strange, of Malibu, California, know this firsthand. “My daughter’s rehearsal dinner was at Mattei’s,” Brian says. “Everybody we meet in the valley, they’ve either been married there, had their first drink there, their first kiss there…. There’s all this history, and history for our family, too.”
The couple, who also own Strange Family Vineyards in the nearby Santa Rita Hills, purchased the property at auction in 2017 and then closed it for renovation the next year. (Venture capitalist Deepak Kamra also came in as a co-owner.) “We wanted to save it from getting into the wrong hands,” says Brian. “The interesting thing is Felix Mattei, who developed this in 1886, his dream was to build cottages and have it as a hotel, so that’s what we’re doing.”
In its new incarnation, the 67-room property stretches over 6.5 acres, surrounded by organic farms, horse ranches and more than 170 wineries and tasting rooms. Historical architecture meets modern comfort thanks to a restoration of the tavern and its original cabins, plus the careful addition of new cottages and guesthouses.
Mattei’s rebirth and partnership with Auberge Resorts Collection is a testament to the region’s growth in recent years. Santa Barbara County, which was named the 2021 wine region of the year by Wine Enthusiast magazine, is an acclaimed food and wine destination that still feels like a well-kept secret.
“It’s really wine country in its purest form,” says Elcon of the area. “You have a lot of farmer winemakers here, people that walk the vineyards, grow their own grapes, make their own wine; it’s a real, authentic point of view.” According to a study by Santa Clara University, the area is one of the top regions in California for women winemakers per capita.
Clustered among the valley’s vine-strewn hills are six communities, like Solvang, known as the Danish capital of America, and Los Alamos, with its respected culinary scene.
In 2021, Greg and Daisy Ryan’s Los Alamos bistro, Bell’s, was awarded the valley’s only Michelin star. The couple, who once worked at Per Se in New York, relocated after the birth of their son. “There’s a vibrancy that we felt almost immediately,” says Greg. Today, they get 90 percent of their ingredients from local farms and providers like Stephanie Mutz, a sea urchin diver. “It feels like Mesopotamia,” says Greg. “The level of produce that is grown and presented here is bar none.”
The Ryans’ other restaurant, a seafood spot called Bar Le Côte, is a five-minute walk from the inn. “We’re excited to see something like this,” Greg says of the new inn. “I think this is the next evolution of this area.”
Throughout the pandemic, Spencer Turnbull and Pearson McGee, of the high-end homewares store Santa Ynez General, have witnessed many first-time visitors fall for the area, which is just over two hours from Los Angeles. “People would be saying, ‘How do we not know about this place?’ ” McGee recalls. “It’s always gone through waves, but to us it seems highly accentuated right now,” adds Turnbull, a native of Santa Ynez. “I think the opening of the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern reflects that.”
This summer, Turnbull and McGee will open an outpost of their shop at Mattei’s, with a changing selection of homewares and accessories, like alpaca blankets and leather goods. They’re also developing exclusive products, including a candle with perfumer Carlos Huber evoking the valley’s chaparral.
The inn’s food and beverage offerings include a coffee shop and poolside restaurant. At Gin’s Tap Bar, named for a chef of Chinese descent who lived on the property for 45 years, Chinese influences meld with ranch smoking techniques. The Tavern, the resort’s main eatery, will highlight ingredients from area ranchers, winemakers, farmers, olive oil producers and, above all, the on-site garden. “Lettuce that was pulled from the earth in the morning,” Elcon says, “is on your plate in the evening.
Corrections & AmplificationsDeepak Kamra is an owner of the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Brian R. Strange and Shamra Strange are its only owners. (Corrected on April 22.)
Copyright ©2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
School districts to give more kids 'a gentler start' through transitional kindergarten
paloaltoonline.comhttps://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2022/02/25/a-gentler-start-as-local-school-districts-prepare-to-expand-transitional-kindergarten
News New state program is part of an effort to reduce gaps in academic achievementby Angela Swartz and Zoe Morgan / Embarcadero MediaState legislation is taking effect this fall that requires all school districts to add free programs for children who turn 5 between Sept. 2, 2022, and Feb. 2, 2023. Known as transitional kindergarten, this pre-kindergarten year introduces students to important life skills in addition to academics....
News
New state program is part of an effort to reduce gaps in academic achievement
by Angela Swartz and Zoe Morgan / Embarcadero Media
State legislation is taking effect this fall that requires all school districts to add free programs for children who turn 5 between Sept. 2, 2022, and Feb. 2, 2023. Known as transitional kindergarten, this pre-kindergarten year introduces students to important life skills in addition to academics.
Several local school districts, including Palo Alto and East Palo Alto's Ravenswood City, already offer transitional kindergarten (TK). Palo Alto offers half-day schooling for kids born between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2 and plans to expand it next school year to include students who turn 5 through Feb. 2. But other districts will need to launch programs from scratch. The Menlo Park City school district doesn't currently run a TK program; it plans to start offering half-day slots for children turning 5 before Feb. 2 next school year, according to staff. The district estimates about 250 to 300 students will enroll.
Expanding transitional kindergarten is part of an effort to reduce gaps in academic achievement between under-served students and their more advantaged peers. The idea is that by getting kids in classrooms earlier, they will see more equal outcomes later on.
Studies have shown that children who attend transitional kindergarten are better prepared for school than other students. TK students enter kindergarten with stronger mathematics and literacy skills and are more engaged in their learning than students who did not attend transitional kindergarten, according to one 2017 study.
"It's exposing children to that environment and getting them ready, so when they come to kindergarten they just keep on going — they're ready to be there," Palo Alto Unified Assistant Superintendent of Education Services for Elementary Education Anne Brown said.
In TK, kids work on tasks like writing their names, counting to 10 and learning their letters, said Mountain View Whisman School District Assistant Superintendent Cathy Baur, whose district currently offers full-day transitional kindergarten.
Beyond academics, a big part of transitional kindergarten is building social skills and learning to work with others. Teachers help students learn how to express their thoughts and feelings, said Sandra McGonagle, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Los Altos School District.
"(It's) definitely more play-based and developmental, as opposed to academic," Baur said.
Fetching a classmate a Band-Aid, putting crayons away and gardening are just some of the activities on a typical day of transitional kindergarten.
Never more needed
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The timing of the expansion is perfect since many students were kept home from preschool during the pandemic, said Sonja Virgallito, a TK teacher for Woodside Elementary School, which offers a half-day program.
Raise a glass to Santa Barbara's best wine tasting experiences
Lonely Planethttps://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/wine-tasting-santa-barbara
Just as Santa Barbara has landscape varieties aplenty – an elegant mesh of sea, mountains, and urban terrain – the wine varietals produced in the region are equally as remarkable.So remarkable, in fact, that Santa Barbara County took home Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s prestigious ...
Just as Santa Barbara has landscape varieties aplenty – an elegant mesh of sea, mountains, and urban terrain – the wine varietals produced in the region are equally as remarkable.
So remarkable, in fact, that Santa Barbara County took home Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s prestigious Wine Region of the Year Award in 2021, beating out locales in-state as well as in France, South Africa, and New Zealand.
While the area is renowned for its Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay masterpieces, there are plenty of unique tastes to be had stemming from its seven (yes, seven!) federally designated wine-growing regions (also known as American Viticultural Areas or AVAs). A fun fact for your next trivia night, these regions are Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, Happy Canyon, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Rita, Santa Ynez Valley and, officially added in 2020, Alisos Canyon.
There are many ways to experience wine in Santa Barbara County. From estate tastings in movie-like settings to a tasting-room-clad small town tucked in the Santa Ynez Valley to an urban wine trail, you can take your pick of wine adventures in The American Riviera. Here is where your vino will be primo.
Explore several stunning vineyards with estate tastings
According to the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association, the region is home to more than 275 wineries and 70-plus different wine grape varieties. So, the question becomes where to begin?
For a quintessential Santa Barbara County wine experience, there is nothing like going straight to a vineyard (or five), with tastings typically in the $20 to $30-plus range. Many are accessible within an hour’s drive of the city of Santa Barbara’s urban confines.
If you’re looking to vineyard hop and leave the driving to someone else after multiple tastings, companies like Coastal Concierge, Destination Vine, Rooted Vine Tours and Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours offer day-long private and/or group outings with transportation.
If you’re making your own adventure, pick a vineyard that matches the vibe and varietals you seek, as each has its own flavor, literally and figuratively. Make sure to call ahead to see if reservations are required.
On the modern estate end of the spectrum is Santa Maria’s Presqu’ile. Opened in 2013, this 13,000-plus square foot, stone-clad tasting complex – with wine caves, walls of windows and bright wooden accents – stands out amid its seemingly endless rows of vines. To maximize a visit, book a horseback tour of the grounds or a “Wine & Bocce” experience – yes, there is a regulation-size Bocce court here.
Santa Rita Hills’ Melville offers various 90-minute “Beyond the Barrel” tours that will appease the wine novice and aficionado alike. Beyond simply swirling glasses, you typically get to venture into the vineyards, learning about the soil, climate, process and more along the way. Post-trek, hit the massive Mediterranean-inspired tasting room and park it on the patio for green mountain views.
For Bordeaux and polo lovers, Happy Canyon Vineyard - which is tucked on the eastern edge of the Santa Ynez Valley – is bliss with two regulation-sized polo fields on-site serving as the icing on the cake. Private tastings are available at its Piocho Ranch, but you’ll want to book such an exclusive experience two-plus weeks in advance.
In the Santa Maria Valley, Foxen has evolved into a multifaceted powerhouse, with two unique tasting rooms, one of which was once lovingly known as “The Shack” (a wooden, former blacksmith shop) and the other being a solar-powered, modern complex completed in 2009. Impressive buildings aside, its hearty Pinot offerings also dazzle.
Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.
Experience small-town charm and new-world wine in Los Olivos
You don’t have to dream of a magical small town with streets lined with tasting rooms and locally bred bistros – it exists in Los Olivos. Geographically in the middle of Santa Barbara County and approximately 40 minutes northwest of Santa Barbara’s epicenter, you’ll find this wine utopia easily walkable and navigable.
Beyond having a designated driver for your own vehicle, you can easily snag a Lyft/Uber, or companies like Golden Rooster have private shuttles for larger groups.
Along its Grand Avenue main drag and surrounding cluster of streets are more than 30 tasting rooms from some of the region’s heaviest hitters. Among them are Carhartt Family Wines, Dragonette Cellars and Refugio Ranch Vineyards. Amid the more unique experiences, hit Stolpman Vineyards’ outdoor patio for a tasting, which has a covered, garden-like setting.
To make the most bang for your Los Olivos adventure buck, make sure to ask your favorite tasting room about any current in-house and town-wide offers. As with many estates and wine-centric businesses, if you buy a bottle, your tasting (often $20-plus) may be free or discounted. There have also been money-saving programs between partnering tasting rooms (e.g. if you buy a tasting at one spot, you get a ticket for half off at another). The bottom line: Just ask! This town of approximately 1000 residents is as friendly as it gets.
Leave the car at home on the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
While Santa Barbara County’s dreamy estates and Los Olivos provide an opportunity to explore the region’s terrain, you don’t have to leave town to get your wine fix. In fact, there is a Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail centered on Santa Barbara’s tasting-room-heavy neighborhoods – including the Funk Zone and Presidio – as well as select spots in nearby Summerland and Goleta.
In a city that is generally refined, head to the edgy, warehouse-clad Funk Zone for a true urban experience.
Margerum is tucked just off State Street, and you’ll likely want to take home a bottle or two of its celebrated M5 Estate White Rhone Blend. Make sure to indulge in its mega cheese and charcuterie board, while you’re at it. Municipal Winemakers caters to the younger crowd, with conglomerated old filing cabinets as décor, indoor bistro lighting, and big, colorful branding often draping its bottle offerings.
To experience a little bit of all the latest Santa Barbara wine buzz under one roof, hit the Santa Barbara Wine Collective, which builds flights featuring hotspots from throughout Santa Barbara County.
Tasting fees – often running in the $20 to $30-plus range - can add up. If you’re planning to pop in several city spots, the Urban Wine Trail Membership Card can save you some major dough in the long haul. For $200, it gets you a free tasting at all 33 wineries along the trail as well as discounts on bottles. You can order one in advance of your trip or pick one up at a participating winery.
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Buellton gains new bicycle skills course at River View Park
Santa Maria Timeshttps://santamariatimes.com/business/buellton-gains-new-bicycle-skills-course-at-river-view-park/article_2e4592a5-9c48-5633-9e3a-9ae79e5a269a.html
River View Park in Buellton is now sporting a new bicycle skills course that is open to the public and features rollers, berms and jumps for riders of all levels.More than 100 community members turned out on opening day, Sept. 17, to celebrate the official dedication of the 100-yard mini pump track course, according to Paul Smith, youth recreation coordinator for the Buellton’s Recreation Department.“I’m so g...
River View Park in Buellton is now sporting a new bicycle skills course that is open to the public and features rollers, berms and jumps for riders of all levels.
More than 100 community members turned out on opening day, Sept. 17, to celebrate the official dedication of the 100-yard mini pump track course, according to Paul Smith, youth recreation coordinator for the Buellton’s Recreation Department.
“I’m so glad we have a place to ride that is close to my house,” said one middle schooler who regularly rides the track with his friends and is a part of Buellton’s Trips for Kids mountain bike chapter, also a project supporter.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Smith proposed the idea of a new track to the Buellton City Council and received unanimous support. Using time as their advantage, several volunteers broke ground near the east end of the park and worked for the last year to create a space for adults and kids to improve their bike handling.
Watching kids hit the dirt jumps, local resident Efren Padilla who volunteered to work on the course recalled his own childhood.
“As I kid, I would build jumps all around town so I had places to ride my bike, but they would always get taken down," Padilla said. "Now, it’s nice to be able to legally build trials for kids and know that they will have a place to ride their bike and progress at the sport.”
In addition to Padilla, Smith said expert trail builder Chris Orr, who helped design and build the mini pump track, and DJ Dunn of Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation have been key partners in getting the project off the ground, donating their time, expertise and equipment to complete Phase I in time for opening day.
“It’s good to be able to work in tandem with the city and see an idea that will better the community become a reality," Dunn said.
The track is now regularly used by community residents and is a positive space for both kids and adults to enjoy, Smith said.
The course at River View Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.
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