48 Hrs in Santa Maria Valley!
Written by Maggie O‘Malley
Looking for a relaxing wine country escape just a few hours away from most of California? Look no further than Santa Maria Valley!
Santa Maria Valley is a budget-friendly destination located along California’s central coast. It is known for its Santa Maria Style barbecue, historic ranching history, and incredibly beautiful topography. Santa Maria Valley is also becoming a top wine region to visit in California.
Without any further adieu, I would like to highlight the perfect way to spend a weekend in this beautiful hidden gem located half way between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
Santa Maria Style Barbecue
We made the scenic drive from San Diego to Santa Maria Valley Friday afternoon. The drive is an experience in itself as you will see beautiful rolling mountains around every turn. We ended our scenic road trip at the Radisson Hotel. Whether you are looking to relax in the outdoor pool and hot tub, or be in close driving distance to the nearby wineries or golf courses, this is the best spot to stay after your drive!
Beautiful Eucalyptus trees at Pioneer Park - less than 5 miles from Raddison Hotel
Day 1- Barbecue and Beer!
Breakfast at Cielito Mexican Grill - Chilaquiles!
I highly recommend you start your morning at the Cielito Mexican Grill. Cielito is a locally owned restaurant, boasting tasty menu items like chilaquiles, burritos, and more. It is the perfect spot for a filling and delicious breakfast to start your weekend.
May is National Barbecue Month and we were lucky enough to be visiting during the Fourth Annual Santa Maria Barbecue Festival! Santa Maria Valley is known for its Santa Maria Style Barbecue and is sometimes referred to as the “Barbecue Capital of the World!” This style of barbecue is very different as the region's popular spice rub recipe allows for the perfect tri-tip! The other aspect that makes Santa Maria Valley’s barbecue different is that everything is roasted over red oak. This has been a tradition in the area for years!
A typical set up for a Santa Maria Style Barbecue!
The grills are different here too. A Santa Maria Style typically has a hand crank that allows for the griller to adjust and lower as needed.
Every weekend is a good weekend to visit, but the Barbecue Festival weekend was quite the experience. As we arrived, I noted just how friendly and welcoming everyone in this city was. I was lucky enough to be a guest judge, trying out different meats to find the “Best Backyard Cook” and determine the winner of the “Branding Iron” award.
Trying some absolutely incredible Santa Maria Style Ribs!
Santa Maria Style barbecue was unlike anything I had ever tasted. It was so nice to be part of an event that really brings this community together each year.
Santa Maria Style barbecue was and delicious and one of a kind, it definitely highlighted why people drive far and wide to try out the barbecue here.
Winners of Barbecue Festival - Whiskey Bent BBQ
This festival was a one-stop-shop of unique vendors, games, and incredible live music, (compliments of the Fossil band!) What really stood out to me about this event was how every vendor was so excited to talk about what made their seasonings and barbecue so special to them. Safe to say our bellies were full after all the delicious barbecue we tried! It was also so fun to crown a winner!
After a quick pit stop back to the Radisson, we made our way to Cubanissimo Coffee House. If you are looking for a fast-casual Cuban dining experience, Cubanissimo is your spot! Whether it's empanadas, cubanos, or delicious Cuban coffee that you are looking for, you can count on having an incredible dining experience at Cubanissimo!
Cubano Sandwich
A great way to end your evening in Santa Maria Valley is at Naughty Oak Brewing. It’s a spot known for funky named beverages and high quality beer. We highly recommend heading over to watch the sunset go down, enjoy a pint or two and take in the quiet countryside.
Amazing patio at Naughty Oak Brewing
Day Two - Exploring the Countryside!
For day two of our weekend in Santa Maria, we woke up at the Raddison Hotel and headed over to a local favorite, Cups and Crumbs! The Nutella Crepe, Bagel and Lox, and Mexican Mocha were delicious! I was impressed by the extra friendly service and small town country aesthetic. There was a display of decadent bakery items to choose from if you should want to indulge in something later in the day!
We then made our way to U-Pick Blueberries
U-Pick Blueberries is a charming farm run by Mike and Carol Mahoney, who get some extra assistance from their children and grandchildren to help run the operations. We were lucky enough to sit down and chat with Carol, who is not only friendly but also knowledgeable on how to pick the best blueberry!
Look for the sign on the road, it comes out of nowhere!
Carol indulged us with stories about the history and roots of Santa Maria style living. Back in the early-mid 1800’s, Santa Maria was surrounded by large family owned ranches. The local ranchers would host feasts for loved ones. Each feast was unique to that rancher. This started creating the community feel you see today and the diversity in cuisine you will notice when you visit.
The famous Carol, ask her anything, she’s a Santa Maria Expert!
She explained how U-Pick Blueberries really unified the town of Santa Maria during the pandemic. She said people came in droves once they were able to open their doors again. She was excited to see families of all kinds come and enjoy a day at her farm once again!
You will truly feel like family as soon as you drive up and experience the small town charm of this farm. U-Pick Blueberries is a spot that can be enjoyed all-year round! Whether you are looking for fresh berries in the summer or pumpkins and a tractor ride in the fall!
Mike was formerly a broccoli farmer, but began harvesting blueberries in 2010. Since then, the farm has additionally harvested apricots, blueberries, lavender, and tomatoes!
We ended our time in Santa Maria Valley at the Presqu’ile Winery. As we approached the entrance and drove past the gates towards the winery, I was amazed by the incredible views and unique architecture that makes you feel like you are on an elegant movie set!
The venue is absolutely exquisite; the views include breathtaking rolling hills with intimate outdoor seating. No detail is missed from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave the property. Presqu’ile is known for delicious wine and a chef-curated menu creating a remarkable dining experience.
Our server Tom provided exceptional service, walked us through a detailed list of wines to be tasted and detailed our exquisitely styled appetizer board. Tom was one of the most informative and delightful servers I have ever experienced. He provided a tailored experience that made us feel welcomed and knowledgeable about everything we were tasting. Be prepared to enjoy a tasting flight including an assortment of current and newly released wines.
Chef Julie Simon prepared a luxurious picnic for our enjoyment! It was difficult to even take my first bite as the plate was so expertly designed for both the eyes and taste buds!
The plate was expertly styled to highlight local fresh ingredients. The strawberries and goat cheese were my favorite!
As I enjoyed the views and delicious cuisine, I couldn’t help but think that this winery exemplifies what makes Santa Maria Valley so special; the spacious land that allows guests to truly disconnect and take in their surroundings.
Presqu’ile Winery was the perfect end to a relaxing and delightful weekend in Santa Maria Valley!
