You can also watch professional and semi-professional stars perform under the night sky at Solvang’s PCPA Theaterfest (our feature article - "PCPA - Theater Under the Stars"). And we recommend an open-air picnic with a glass of wine before either of the above.
There are also other things you can do under the stars, with just an occasional glance up. You can listen to “Jazz Under the Stars” on Wednesday nights at the Vineyard House Restaurant in Santa Ynez. On the weekends, you can be serenaded by live Mexican/Latin music on the patio at Dos Carlitos Restaurant, also in Santa Ynez. Or, if you prefer, you can enjoy toe-tapping Western music at Roundup Market and Deli in Santa Ynez on Monday evenings and on weekends.
All of the latter should be accompanied by generous portions of delicious food and beverages.  Speaking of which, you can enjoy fine European cuisine under the stars at Cabernet Bistro in Solvang on warm summer evenings when they roll back their patio canopy.
A short distance up Highway 154 you can camp under the stars at either Cachuma Lake or Rancho Oso. At Paradise Store and Grill, you can take in a variety of styles of music under the stars while you enjoy an informal grilled or barbecued meal.
So there are lots of ways to enjoy the stars in and around the Santa Ynez Valley. We have personally enjoyed most of them, and we leave it to you to choose the ones that fit you the best. But don’t forget to look up!

Wolcott & Teona Schley