Here in the Santa Maria Valley, our mild year-round-weather, wide-open spaces and diverse coastal ecosystem combine to offer virtually unlimited outdoor adventures, from birdwatching to beach walking, golfing to bicycling. Here are some favorite local options for a family getaway to the great outdoors in the Santa Maria Valley:
Stunning Open Spaces
Equestrians, birders, mountain bikers and hikers alike find room to roam at Los Flores Ranch, a local parkland that offers 1,800 acres of open space and a range of stunning trails and vistas. Located eight miles south of Santa Maria on the east side of Highway 101 in the Solomon Hills, the park offers trails on existing dirt paths and paved roads that were originally created for oil and ranch operations.
All equestrian and mountain biking routes are trail-based and low impact, and picnic areas are available to visitors.
Also consider the family-friendly Preisker Park with horseshoe pits, disc golf and playgrounds in north Santa Maria; the peaceful boardwalk of coastal Oso Flaco Lake; and the remote beauty of Point Sal State Beach.
Incredible (And Affordable!) Golf
The golf courses in Santa Maria Valley and adjacent areas are nearly as diverse as the local ecology, with everything from full-size public links to stunning resorts, beachfront fairways to panoramic mountain views. Local rates are highly affordable by today’s standards. Add in our mild year-round weather and you have the makings of an unparalleled golfing experience. Several Santa Maria hotels offer special golf packages to make a visitor’s Santa Maria Valley golf experience all the more convenient and affordable.
Wine Country Cycling
The famed Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is a haven for cyclists who seek wide-open backroads and stunning vineyard views, along with ample wine tasting opportunities. Tepusquet Road is another phenomenal cycling trail, offering 16 miles of winding roads and tree-lined avenues. Lastly, Santa Maria Mesa Road offers yet another charming ride through rural Santa Maria Valley.
Birding Bonanza
The Santa Maria Valley is located in the heart of the Pacific Flyway, the path that migrating birds follow along the Pacific coastline of the United States and Mexico. According to one expert, “An energetic and persistent birder can identify well over 100 species of birds in a single day around the Santa Maria Valley.” Local vantages for excellent birdwatching include Waller Park, Preisker Park, Pioneer Park, Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, Twitchell Reservoir, Point Sal and Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area.
Plan Your Trip
There’s no need to wait – Santa Maria Valley’s temperate, coastal climate means the weather here is great all year long for your favorite outdoor activities. Find a hotel that you fancy, and browse more things to do while you’re here. We can’t wait to see you!
