Has an escape to wine country been a hot topic in your group chat for a while? Maybe you’ve been thinking you need a change of scenery, just for a few days? This is your sign to gather your girls and plan a girls’ wine weekend getaway!
In Santa Maria Valley, there’s something to discover around every corner! Whether you’re following the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail to explore 16 tucked-away wineries or looking to tailor your vineyard visits, we’ve got a wide range of wine experiences guaranteed to kick your next girls’ trip up a notch. This blog highlights wineries that come with jaw-dropping views and that are near other outdoor adventures, offer unique experiences, serve food, and even welcome your pet!
Wineries With Breathtaking Views
Picture this: You and your gal pals sipping a bold red or crisp white while overlooking stunning vineyard landscapes, rolling hills, and distant mountains. And when you’re ready to stretch your legs, there are beaches, trails, and parks close by.
Founded in 2001, Tres Hermanas started as a cattle ranch with a small vineyard, nestled between rolling hills. Since then, it has grown quite a lot in terms of its wine production. French and Italian varietals are their specialties! Sip away on some world-renowned wine while taking in the views of rolling hills and vineyards on your girls’ weekend in California wine country.
Zaca Mesa was the first to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County in 1978. Learn more about its history as you tour its 750-acre vineyard. Depending on your vibe, you can sit and sip at one of the picnic tables set up beneath ancient oak trees in their courtyard or take a seat in their lounge, where you’ll have spectacular views of the San Rafael Mountains!
Nearby Outdoor Adventures You Won’t Want to Miss
Planning to pack your hiking boots for your girls’ wine-tasting weekend getaway? Great! Santa Maria Valley is well-known for outdoor recreation, including birdwatching, golfing, and hiking. Here are a few ways you can explore the area before your wine-tasting appointments:
Wineries Offering Unique Activities
Boredom, begone! Spice up your girls’ wine weekend with these unforgettable experiences. Think outside the wine glass with adventures that range from exhilarating vineyard tours to interactive tastings that’ll have you and your squad toasting your way through the day.
Bien Nacido Estate offers private vineyard tours for up to five people on an all-terrain vehicle. Hop aboard for an exciting ride! Once the ride is over, your taste buds will embark on a journey as the staff takes you through a guided tasting at The Gatehouse. What better way to spend your girls’ weekend in California wine country than with some soft adventure followed by a glass (or two) of your favorite wine?
Is there a cooler way to admire lush vineyards than atop a horse? See for yourself. At Presqu’ile Winery, you can take a trail ride on horseback through a stunning 400-acre estate with breathtaking views of the vineyard, the San Rafael Mountains, the Solomon Hills, and Santa Maria Valley. Afterward, you’ll settle in for an incredible Food & Wine Tasting experience featuring delicious wines and carefully curated dishes. A girls’ weekend getaway spent wine tasting on horseback is sure to be the talk of the group chat for years to come!
Another horseback riding experience is available through Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard. Take a 75-minute group ride through the gorgeous Fess Parker Home Ranch while listening to stories of the family’s history and background of blending both Santa Maria Valley and Australian wine-making styles. Your ride ends at the winery, where you’ll enjoy a complimentary wine tasting. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your besties and head out on a once-in-a-lifetime girls’ wine weekend getaway.
Spots for Wine Lovers & Foodies
Swirl, catch up, and chow down! These Santa Maria Valley hotspots are as passionate about food as they are about wine. From artisanal cheese boards that’ll make your taste buds dance to full meals that elevate wine tasting, these spots are heaven for foodies and must-dos on your girls’ weekend in California wine country.
From fromage boxes to chocolate truffles, Andrew Murray Vineyards offers many simple pick-up snacks for visitors. To pair with these light bites, you can try some of the most exclusive Rhône-driven varietals California has to offer in one of the winery’s two tasting rooms.
Petros Winery is located at the head and tail of Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. They’re well-known for their collaborations with winemakers from Greece and places around the Central Coast, including Santa Ynez Valley. If you’re looking for a winery with full lunch and dinner menus, this is the place to be!
This next spot isn’t a winery—but hear us out! The Swiss is the perfect choice for enjoying some Santa Maria Valley wine and feasting on Santa Maria Style barbecue. No matter what you order—beef, chicken, or seafood—it comes directly off their red oak barbecue pit, so it has that renowned smoky flavor. Their food menu will have no problem pairing with whatever you and the girls are drinking.
Santa Maria Valley has no shortage of good food and spectacular barbecue to feast on while on your girls’ wine weekend getaway. Be sure to check out our full list of places to eat and drink to find a spot perfect for you and your girls!
Wineries That Welcome Pets
Who says your four-legged friends can’t join the fun? At these pet-friendly wineries, Fido gets to sip—well, not literally—but he can tag along for the ride! These three charming vineyards offer ample outdoor spaces where you can relax and enjoy a glass while your pup lounges by your side.
Chardonnay, Merlot, Sylvaner—oh my! Rancho Sisquoc Winery started as a gathering place and has maintained those roots ever since Sarah Holt Mullins’ family became the land’s stewards. They’ve partnered with 805 Charcuterie to fill your stomach while you sample their wines. (Note: Orders for these snacks must be placed 24 hours in advance.) They’ve got a lawn out front with plenty of space and picnic tables, so it’s easy to bring your kids or four-legged friends, too!
Savor wine in a rustic setting that is Foxen Vineyard & Winery. Their two winemakers, Dick and Bill, have been collaborating since 1985, crafting their wines with a sustainable, minimalist approach. Dogs are welcome to chill at your table and must be leashed at all times for their safety and that of other guests.
With a picturesque, thoughtfully landscaped yard, Riverbench Vineyard & Winery is an incredible backdrop for a wine trip with your girls and pet. Because they get thirsty, too, Riverbench’s staff offers a hydration station for all dogs.
Want even more activities and places to visit in Santa Maria Valley with your furry companion? Check out this blog!
Recreation & Leisure
While wine may be the star of your girls’ weekend getaway in wine country, there are plenty of other things to do while you’re here in between the sips and tastings. From hitting the shops to picking your own berries and immersing yourself in local culture, we have it all here in Santa Maria Valley.
There are so many local merchants and antique stores to check out, so you can bring home the perfect keepsake to commemorate your girls’ wine weekend getaway in Santa Maria Valley. Deja Vu Antiques is a treasure trove for collectors, vintage enthusiasts, and casual shoppers. Its vibrant, welcoming atmosphere is perfect for a nice mid-day stroll between wineries with your girlfriends.
Between February and October, you can visit one of our local farms and pick your own berries! Strawberries are especially popular and world-renowned here, where more than 20 million trays and 10 different varieties are handpicked and produced annually. Visit U-Pick or Darensberries to pick your own, or pick some up at our local farmer’s markets. Hint: Strawberries pair really nicely with our local wine varietals, adding the perfect sweet touch to your girls’ wine weekend getaway.
Santa Maria Valley also offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, perfect for catching a live performance or exploring local art. With several theaters showcasing comedy, drama, and musicals year-round, there’s always something to enjoy. Be sure to check them out, along with local events, to catch a show together.
Book Your Girls’ Wine-Tasting Weekend Stay
While you can’t really go wrong with any of our hotels in Santa Maria Valley, a couple in particular really stand out for the perfect girls’ weekend getaway wine tasting.
- Hotel Avanti: This boutique hotel is the perfect launchpad for exploring Santa Maria Valley with your girls. With recently renovated rooms, you can opt for bunk beds or a sofa bed for extra space and added comfort.
- Wine Stone Inn: Located in the heart of Old Town Orcutt, this spot puts you steps away from new restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and charming boutiques. Enjoy spa-like amenities, welcome snacks, and plush bathrobes—so you can all feel like queens without the luxury price tag.
Ready to Plan a Girls’ Weekend in California Wine Country?
Any time is the perfect time to visit Santa Maria Valley on a girls’ wine weekend getaway! From sipping and savoring local flavors to finding new adventures, gather the crew and treat yourselves. Come get a taste of the good life! And if you still need help planning your itinerary, let us help you create the perfect trip.
