Stop into Buellton on your way into the wilds to check out quirky Santa Ynez Valley attractions.
In the Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton is a popular base for people who want to visit the nearby Danish town of Solvang. It's right on Highway 101, which means people taking the highway north are sure to pass through, though it's worth sticking around to check out what the town has to offer. Along with offering nearby access to area towns and national forests, Buellton has a few attractions of its own, including a couple of compact parks, its own Ostrichland USA, and the quirky Mendenhall's Museum of Gasoline Pumps & Petroliana.
If you like wine, you're in the right place: Buellton makes a fantastic jumping-off point for visiting the region's many wineries. Tasting rooms can be found in Los Olivos and the town of Sana Ynez, as well as in nearby Solvang.
If you’ve come this far, it’s not much farther to Southern California, where you’ll find a fantastic mix of cities and natural areas. While Los Angeles and San Diego get lots of visitors, you’ll find lots of less urban spots to get away, from the desert community of Palm Springs to the otherworldly landscapes of Joshua Tree.
For gorgeous coastlines, head up to the Central Coast region of California. Here you’ll find cute towns, sandy beaches for swimming and surfing, and a decent number of campgrounds and private camping areas (especially inland).
The best time to visit Buellton is in spring and fall, when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are manageable. The area gets a lot busier during summer vacation, even more so if you're vying for a campsite and haven't booked well in advance. The holiday season is also popular due to the annual Julefest Christmas celebrations that take place in nearby Solvang.