Santa Maria Travel Guide

Santa Maria, the self proclaimed “BBQ Capital of California”, is a Central Coast city that specializes in fine wine and Santa Maria-style BBQ. The city is more than just a great place to try new food, though, offering scenic public recreation spaces and major shopping centers that have something for everyone.

Things to Do in Santa Maria

Dotted with wineries, many of Santa Maria’s guests have wine touring on their bucket list. They can sample sweet champagnes at Presqu'ile Winery, rich red wine at the Rancho Sisquoc Winery, and decadent chardonnay at Foxen Vineyard, or guests can make a tour of it and travel the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail which leads tourists to all of the city’s best wineries and vineyards, allowing for sampling at each.

For those who want to explore the city’s natural landscapes, a visit to Los Flores Ranch Park is a great place to start, offering a vast number of walking and biking trails and opportunities to spot wildlife. Then, nature lovers can go birding at the Santa Maria River Estuary, go horseback riding with Grace Riding Academy, or head to Logan Lake for a weekend of fishing, swimming, mountain biking, and golf. Adults of legal drinking age and who enjoy a night of fun can spend their evening at Louie B’s where they can participate in Wednesday karaoke and socialize.

Best Places to Stay in Santa Maria

The vacation rentals in Santa Maria are blessed with beautiful views and modern luxuries. With high speed internet, cozy furniture, and plenty of space for entertaining new friends, there will never be a dull moment when you book a rental in this iconic California city.

Best Time to Visit Santa Maria

The best time to visit Santa Maria is March through May and September through November. During both of these periods the weather is pleasantly warm and sunny but not too hot, making exploration of the city desirable.

Best Events in Santa Maria

Santa Maria’s annual events offer much needed doses of fun to both residents and guests. The Halloween Bash, the Santa Barbara County Fair, the Christmas Parade of Lights, the Fourth of July Fireworks, and the Earth Day Celebration are a few of the most highly anticipated events.

Things to Do for Families in Santa Maria

Santa Maria is home to a handful of educational museums that families from all backgrounds find value in visiting. At the Natural History Museum they can admire native garden displays and collections of scientific, geological, and historic displays, while at the Santa Maria Historical Society Museum, they can learn about the city’s unique history through the viewing of historical artifacts, displays, and exhibits. The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is ideal for families with children, combining science with entertainment through fun interactive exhibits such as bubble machines, tar pits, and a giant pirate ship.