Sorry for the gap in getting this done. The weekend effort at taking down the tree really took a lot out of us, and I decided to be lazy for a few days. Needed! But here we are, blogging about the first trip of the year. Well, first trip entirely in 2026 - we came home from Carmel Valley on the 1st. But you get the idea. A road trip, not a flight - rest assured I already have a few flights booked for this year!
The three of us don't need things for Christmas. Oh, things are lovely to get and fun to exchange, but we don't need them. So we are aiming more and more for experiences with our gifts to each other. I'll take Conrad to San Diego later in the month, but first up was my gift to Van, a couple of nights up in Santa Ynez.
I was on my very long blogging break when I last went to Santa Ynez. From digging in old email, it looks like it was April 2021. Almost five years ago, wow. I took Conrad there that time, so it was Van's turn to go up this time. And whereas Conrad and I enjoyed a bit of a wine-focus on the trip, that wasn't the case this time. I had a glass or two, but no winery visits, and that was it.
So, let's back up....
I had booked us at The Genevieve, an older hotel that Conrad and I stayed at last time when it was named something else.
It was much the same as I recall, but spruced up a bit. And I appreciated that. Our room, on the ground floor at the far end of the hotel (it isn't that big a hotel) was spacious, perhaps a bit sparse for the size, definitely comfortable.
Two sinks in the bathroom and plenty of counter and drawer space. That is what I want in a hotel! We took advantage of the wine and cheese happy hour the evening we arrived (nice enough to be offered, the wine was so-so), and we also did a couples' massage in the spa the next day (honestly one of the weirdest, funniest massage sessions I've ever had - I did ultimately relax into it, but still). We also didn't take advantage of the breakfast - Van was never really up in time for it (he is a late riser), and I enjoyed grabbing lattes and pastries and such nearby at The Baker's Table as I was finishing up my morning walks. We slept poorly, too warm the first night, but the second night we figured out the temperature controls, cooled off the room, and had a much better night of sleep.
The room rate came with a credit at The Victor next door,
and I'm glad of it. I think the space is owned by the same company or people. Certainly the location across the hotel garden and the ability to charge the meal to the room are two pluses. But I have to say, I liked the space, the vibe, the meal. Shockingly, I did not photograph the meal for the most part. The light was low, and I was enjoying myself anyway. But I did get a shot of the warm cookie, a dessert we really didn't need.
We ate it just the same. Vacation, you know. ;-)
It was a chilly morning but a beautiful sunrise
the next morning when I set out on a walk
around Santa Ynez,
leaving Van snoozing a goodly while more. It was a nice stroll, and I appreciated the quiet time. Eventually, though, Van got up and going,
and after fueling with a latte and scone for him, we headed to nearby Solvang.
Solvang is a moderately-known little touristy town, founded over a hundred years ago by Danish settlers, hence the name. The town has clung to that Danishness since, perhaps a little too much. But it is cute, and it does have a lot of shops and restaurants and winery tasting rooms for people to visit. What it also has, much to our surprise (because we don't keep track of these things well), is an historic California mission. And one of the best-preserved ones at that. We parked at the mission, admired the verdant views
(and took selfies),
and then paid to tour inside the buildings and grounds. The church itself is still used as a parish church.
The collection of artwork was really something. And that glorious blue sky as seen from the courtyard sells California utterly.
And then it was into the town, poking in stores, and lunch at Peasants Feast. A chilly lunch, to be sure - we had to sit outside, and although we had shade from the sun, it was a breezy day. The heat lamps helped at least. But I'd happily go back because the food was terrific. A grilled cheese and fig jam sandwich?
Delicious. The prickly pear cider was a good accompaniment, too.
Cute sweater, right?
After a bit more shopping, it was time to come back to the hotel for massage. There was a little time before dinner, so we decided to forgo the hotel wine and cheese and instead headed back to The Victor for a cocktail there. Good decision, good cocktails! I rather liked the elderflower gimlet that I had,
and if the light were brighter, I would have photographed the black drink that Van enjoyed. From there it was a short walk just the other side of the hotel to SY Kitchen, a terrific Italian place that I'd been to once before. More great drinks - mine was a smoked old fashioned,
which is not a usual drink for me, but the smoked quality sold it. We shared a salad and a black truffle pizza and a pistachio creme brulee, drank a little more, and called it a night. An excellent, simple meal, an easy walk around the small block to the hotel, and a good night of sleep.
The next morning, we had to check out. I did get a longer, chillier walk
done first - the sunrise was beautiful again,
but there were hints of frost in places. Van was able to sleep in, much to his pleasure, but we were still out the door by 11, heading over to Los Olivos
to poke around there a little and then have lunch at The Inn at Mattei's Tavern. It's not an inexpensive lunch, but it is a good one. A bright, airy dining room, a friendly server, a nice mocktail (the Garden Punch),
and a sandwich that Van and I couldn't stop raving about to Conrad when we got home: fried zucchini and Mt. Tam cheese with pickled Fresno chiles.
Oh man, that was good. So good. I will hope that we make it back there some day and that the same sandwich is on the menu!
The drive back home followed, a nice afternoon for it and surprisingly mild traffic. We made it back in time for me to have dinner with Conrad at Maestro. A welcome return there. It was a lovely little getaway, and a Christmas gift that Van appreciated muchly.
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