Spend Christmas and
New Year’s in SYV
If
you’re spending Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in the Santa Ynez Valley
you’ll be able to go golfing or eat at select restaurants, but most businesses
will be closed for the holidays.
The
only exception is the Alisal Guest Ranch, which has
scheduled a full slate of activities for its guests, including horseback
riding, tennis, fishing and boating, and arts and crafts projects.
Golf
courses open on Christmas Day include the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course and Zaca Creek Golf Course.
Rancho
San Marcos Golf Course, billed as the course where the golf gods play, is
located approximately 16 miles southeast of Solvang, just past Lake Cachuma, at 4600 Highway 154. Hours both days will be 7
a.m. to dark. Call (805) 683-6334 for information.
The
clubhouse at Zaca Creek Golf Course, 223 Shadow
Mountain Dr., Buellton, will be closed on Christmas Day but the course will be
open. The clubhouse and course will be open on New Year’s Day. Call (805)
688-2575 for information.
Only
a few restaurants will be open on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, in the Santa Ynez
Valley. They include Big Bopper, Bull
Dog Care, Meadows Restaurant, Mustard Seed and Viking Garden. However, many
area restaurants will be open Monday, Dec. 24.
These
include Belgian Café, Big Bopper, Bit O’ Denmark, Blue Nile, Chef’s Touch,
Domino’s Pizza, Don Jose Restaurant, Heidelberg Inn Restaurant, Little Mermaid,
Mandarin Touch, Mustard Seed, New Frontiers, Paula’s Pancake House, Red Viking,
River Grill at the Alisal,
Solvang Bakery and Viking Garden.
Most
restaurants in the area are open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Golf
courses open only on New Year’s Day include River Course at the Alisal, 150 Alisal Rd., Solvang,
and La Purisma Golf Course, 3455 Highway 246, Lompoc.
Both
are open from 7 a.m. to dark. Information is available at (805) 686-5983 for
the River Course and (805) 735-8395 for La Purisma.
Other
events during the holiday week include scenic glider rides, available on the
weekends with Windhaven at the Santa Ynez Airport. Visit www.gliderrides.com
for more details. Free demonstrations are scheduled at Rancho Oso Guest Ranch and Stables, with more details at (805)
683-5686.
Wildlife
and Eagle Cruises will be given at Cachuma Lake, with
information and reservations available at (805) 686-5050. And various winery
events throughout the region are listed at www.sbcountywines.com under the
Calendar of Events.
These
include parties and tasting at Zaca Mesa, Cold Heaven
Cellars and Flying Goat Cellars.
The
Solvang Farmers Market will be available the day after Christmas on Dec. 26 in
downtown Solvang. And for those in the mood for live jazz, entertainment is
available at Volare Ristorante,
1095 Edison St., Santa Ynez, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 28 and 29.