Blog
Santa Ynez Valley: Blending Tradition with New Culinary and Wine Experiences
05.31.24
The Santa Ynez Valley continues to evolve as a top destination in California’s Central Coast, merging new culinary and wine experiences with its enduring charm, ensuring its status as a 'Best Destination' in the West.
The region's allure lies in its dynamic blend of innovation and tradition. Despite its fame since appearing in the 2004 film "Sideways," the Santa Ynez Valley maintains its unique identity by continuously refreshing its wine and dining offerings without compromising the quaint charm that originally defined it.
In recognition of these efforts, the 2023 Sunset Magazine Travel Awards named the Santa Ynez Valley a "Best Destination" in the West, while the MICHELIN Guide has increasingly acknowledged the area's culinary excellence, with Mattei’s Tavern being the latest local restaurant to gain MICHELIN recognition.
2024 brings new excitement to the valley with various additions, including a novel way to explore the Santa Ynez Chumash tribe’s culture and history, new tasting experiences, and enhancements to the local culinary landscape. Shelby Sim, President & CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, highlighted the anticipation surrounding the discovery of new restaurants, tasting rooms, and activities. He praised the local winemakers, chefs, and artisans whose creativity and dedication help the valley evolve while preserving its intrinsic charm.
Recent highlights include the debut of Na Na Thai by chefs Ashley and Nik Ramirez, offering a creative take on Thai street food; Priedite BBQ in Bodega Los Alamos, celebrating California ranchero culture with old-school barbecue techniques; and Whiskey ‘N Rye in Solvang, serving a diverse menu that honors multiple barbecue traditions. The wine scene is also thriving with new venues like Refugio Ranch, Kings Carey, and Donnachadh Family Wines enhancing the tasting experience, while Rock 12 Distillery introduces fine vodka, gin, and brandy crafted with traditional Serbian methods.
These developments promise to keep the Santa Ynez Valley an appealing destination for both new visitors and returning fans, blending rich traditions with innovative experiences in one of the most picturesque settings on the Central Coast.
Credit: Craft & Cluster courtesy of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley
Blog
New Brands: Roark, Olukai, Amour Vert Join Irvine Spectrum!
05.31.24
Just as the sunshine and warmer weather grace Irvine, three exciting new brands are making their debut on the scene: Roark Expedition Union, Olukai, and Amour Vert. Settling into Irvine Spectrum Center, each brand strategically chose this bustling hub with its 17 million annual visitors and a lineup of top-tier brands epitomizing the Southern California lifestyle.
Irvine Spectrum Center’s vibrant array of youthful and trend-setting retailers now welcomes:
Roark Expedition Union: Born from a passion for authentic storytelling and exploration, Roark crafts essential and sustainable men's and women's goods for the adventurous soul. Season after season, Roark presents purpose-built apparel with stylish details, ready to accompany you from trail to bar. Drawing inspiration from global destinations, the newly opened Irvine location offers more than just clothing; it's a gateway to Roark’s adventure-ready goods and products from kindred brands, featuring surfboards, camping gear, grooming essentials, and travel literature.
Olukai: Making its mainland debut in March, Olukai brings a premium ocean lifestyle brand dedicated to crafting exceptional products with minimal environmental impact. Their styles seamlessly blend ocean heritage with contemporary performance, offering a range of exquisite footwear options from slippers to sandals, sneakers, boots, and mules.
Amour Vert: Fusing Parisian chic with California cool, Amour Vert introduces elevated and effortless style to modern women in innovative ways. Each collection features versatile, high-quality pieces adorned with hand-drawn prints, alongside works from independent artisans and local makers. As a trailblazer in sustainable fashion, Amour Vert champions small-batch production and transparency, ensuring customers can shop with purpose and dress with ease. Their Irvine Spectrum Center location is set to open this spring, offering a glimpse into their eco-conscious world.
Irvine Spectrum is at 70 Spectrum Drive in Irvine.
Image Courtesy of Olukai
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 05.14.26 – 44 Women for Orangewood Luncheon in Newport Beach
- 05.13.26 – CasaDami Teams Up With Gelato Paradiso for a Summer Dessert Flight
- 05.13.26 – Riverdance 30 Brings a New Generation to Segerstrom Center
- 05.11.26 – Lido Theater Receives 2026 Preservation Award
- 05.08.26 – Free Summer Dance Nights and Concerts Return to Segerstrom Center
- 05.08.26 – Bluewater Grill Celebrates 30 Years With Seafood Tastings and Holiday Specials
- 05.08.26 – Outpost Kitchen at South Coast Plaza Debuts Mother’s Day Menu
- 05.05.26 – Alabaster International Debuts in OC with ‘Her Light & Legacy’
- 04.29.26 – ILYA Welcomes Sunday Brunch to San Clemente
- 04.28.26 – Mastro’s Plans Mother’s Day Brunch in Irvine and Costa Mesa
- 04.28.26 – Mother’s Day Style: Matching Moments for Moms and Minis at Famous Footwear
- 04.27.26 – March for Babies Returns to Irvine May 2
- 04.25.26 – Classic Packards Take Center Stage in Newport Beach
- 04.23.26 – Spring Menu Arrives at The Park Club California
- 04.23.26 – SpiceQuest Brings the Heat Home
- 04.20.26 – Honda Center Serves Up Playoff-Ready Menu for Ducks Fans
- 04.17.26 – A Night of Fashion and Giving in Newport Beach
- 04.13.26 – A Night at Knife Pleat Paired With South Coast Repertory’s Eat Me
- 04.13.26 – Sender One Expands With New Aliso Viejo Location
- 04.13.26 – Bluewater Grill Celebrates 30 Years With New Seafood Cookbook
More Daily Doses
- 05.13.26 – Uncle Fluffy Brings Viral Japanese Cheesecake to Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square
- 05.13.26 – Pure Salt Marks 10 Years With New Newport Beach Flagship
- 05.13.26 – Newport Beach TV Fest Returns With Star-Powered Lineup at Lido Theater
- 05.10.26 – A Coastal Spa Experience Arrives at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach
- 05.10.26 – Cozy Earth’s Cuddle Collection Brings Luxury Comfort to Corona del Mar
- 05.07.26 – Sweetgreen Opens at Irvine’s University Center
- 05.06.26 – Icons of Napa Valley Wine Dinner Returns to Henry’s Coastal Cuisine
- 04.29.26 – Mother’s Day Dining Across Orange County
- 04.29.26 – La La Land Kind Cafe Grand Opening at Irvine Spectrum
- 04.29.26 – J Ruby: A Colorful Creative Find in South Laguna
- 04.28.26 – A New Chapter for Zov’s in San Clemente
- 04.23.26 – David Spade Takes The Lido Theater Stage
- 04.20.26 – Arrive in Style. Leave the Driving to Us.
- 04.19.26 – Candace Bushnell Brings One-Woman Show to South Coast Repertory
- 04.18.26 – A Coastal Weekend of Wine, Food and Ocean Views
- 04.13.26 – An Evening of Connection and Compassion in Aliso Viejo
- 04.08.26 – A Mother’s Day Gathering with Costa Mesa History
- 04.06.26 – Spring in Full Bloom at South Coast Plaza
- 04.05.26 – Taste of Napa Comes to Huntington Beach and Returns to Napa Valley
- 04.01.26 – A Taste of Italy Arrives in Corona del Mar
