Spring has sprung, and the barbecue season is beginning to heat up here in California’s BBQ Capital as well as across the country. So now is the time to start planning your own taste of Santa Maria Style Barbecue.

On that note, here are some tips for experiencing what Sunset Magazine once called the “best barbecue in the world.”

Visit California’s BBQ Capital. Numerous restaurants in the Santa Maria Valley specialize in Santa Maria Style Barbecue, including Shaw’s Steakhouse, the Far Western Tavern and The Hitching Post, all of which have been owned by the same families for more than 50 years. You can also enjoy Santa Maria Style Barbecue foods to-go at local markets such as Dino’s Deli and Old Town Market.

Get the scoop on Santa Maria Style Barbecue. This cookbook showcases the history, methods and recipes of Santa Maria Style Barbecue. Get it here.

Remember, life’s too short for mediocre barbecue! We hope to see you soon.