Buellton - Gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley
By Teona Tone Schley
 

Buellton has always been known for its friendly hospitality and delicious food, as well as its easy access from both Highway 101 and Highway 246. Even though Highway 101 no longer runs through the middle of Buellton, there are convenient off ramps at both the north and the south. And Highway 246, which runs from Santa Ynez all the way to Lompoc, intersects with Highway 101 right at Buellton.
  If you are interested in the history of this interesting city, you might want to stop by the Buellton Historical Society’s “History Room,” located above the gift shop at Pea Soup Andersen’s Restaurant, where you can get  self-guided tours.For information about events and happenings in Buellton, call the Buellton Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce at 805-688-7829 or go to their website: www.buellton.org. In the meantime, we will provide you with a guided tour of Buellton.
  If you want to visit their office, it’s located right behind Pea Soup Andersen’s Restaurant. In the meantime, we will provide you with a guided tour of Buellton.
 

Santa Barbara Blueberries
Restoration Oaks Ranch
www.restorationoaksranch.com
  If you are driving from Santa Barbara towards the Santa Ynez Valley on Highway 101, about five miles after the Gaviota tunnel and five miles before you reach the exit to Buellton, you will see a “U-Pick Blueberries” sign on the right. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to have some great family fun picking blueberries at Restoration Oaks Ranch. There’s easy off and on access and they’re open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at least through the end of July, and perhaps longer (call ahead for exact dates).
  Blueberries are a favorite U-Pick fruit because there are no thorns or prickers, the berries are easy to find on the neat rows of green bushes, and they do not stain your hands. Even young children can take a little bucket to fill with this great-tasting fruit that is one of nature’s best antioxidants.
  People are also allowed to eat while picking, because no chemical sprays are ever used on any of the seven different varieties grown there. In addition, you save as much as 50% over store prices, so you can pick enough for a snack, or you can pick a whole flat to take home. You can freeze the fresh berries for as long as six months or you can make blueberry pie or jam.
   You can also purchase boxes of them at the stand. Either way, we hope you include this delightful stop on your visit to the Santa Ynez Valley–what else could possibly be so much fun and healthy, too? We plan to go there often ourselves this spring and summer.

Andre Organic Lavender Farm
www.andreorganiclavender.com
  Continuing a short distance north on 101, the first off-ramp for Buellton will land you right at the beginning of scenic Santa Rosa Road. Just one-quarter mile along this road you will come to Andre Organic Lavender Farm, where you can see the acres of lavender, which they began planting in 2004. You can also visit the farm’s “general store,” where you can purchase pure, high quality organic lavender oil distilled right there on the farm. They also have a myriad of lavender products made from their oil and from the fragrant lavender buds, including some adorable hand made sachets, decorated with ribbons and lace, that make great gifts.
  Ruth Andre and her daughter and business partner, Cheryl Wagner, recently donated 100 bottles of their lavender oil to the Santa Barbara Cancer Center. Lavender oil has been proven to calm and relax patients during their radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments. Cheryl learned this first hand as she helped a friend’s husband go through cancer treatment.
  About both their donation and their lavender farm in general, Cheryl said, “This is our way of giving back to Santa Barbara County and the Santa Ynez Valley, not only with a product we are very proud of, but a product that is very useful and comforting.”

Best Western Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn
www.peasoupandersens.com
  Returning to Highway 246, turn right and go just past the stoplight where you see Pea Soup Andersen’s Restaurant on the left. Just past the restaurant is a delightful and historic place to stay, the locally owned and operated Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn. There are 97 cheerful rooms to choose from, all of which include microwave, refrigerator and continental breakfast. In addition, there is a heated pool and spa, an enclosed gazebo with fireplace and a nine-hole putting green to prepare golfers for any one of the three golf courses within a ten-minute drive.
  They offer AAA and AARP discounts, and special golf, theater and wine touring packages. Biking tours are available within walking distance, as is Jack Mendenhall’s classic automotive museum. Solvang shops are only three miles down the road and the Chumash Casino a mere five miles. And, if you’re planning a family reunion or other get-together, they offer special group discounts. The local movie theater is just down the street, as are a number of other “Sideways” attractions. Their knowledgeable, local staff will help you plan your stay in the Valley to meet your personal goals and tastes.

Zaca Creek Art Gallery
www.zacacreekartgallery.com
  Well-known local artist Peggy Brierton opened her Buellton art gallery in 2005, and this is another place you will not want to miss. To get there, head north up Avenue of the Flags from Highway 246 and turn right on Second Street. The Zaca Creek Center is at the end of Second Street, and the art gallery is to the right. The gallery is open Monday through Friday only, as Peggy spends her weekends painting. 
  Peggy is a plein air painter who also works from her own photos. She has spent many days painting on-site at Cachuma Lake, a constant source of inspiration for her. In addition to Peggy’s beautiful Valley landscapes, Zaca Creek has works by noted local artists such as Forrest Hibbits and Vera Margolis.
  Other of Peggy’s paintings represent trips that Peggy and her husband have taken over the past two years, collecting views from Shelter Cove in Humboldt County to Leo Carrillo Beach in Malibu, and places in between. There is also now a new section of the gallery, which features “Art Lost and Then Found.” Among the items available are painted furniture, pottery, frames, and other art related items.
  Recently, Peggy has been creating some tryptic (three-part) works. Stop by the gallery to meet Peggy and see these striking works.

Quality Inn Buellton
www.qualityinnbuellton.com
  Now return to Avenue of Flags, turn right and drive north. Along the way, notice the new sculpture garden in the center divider. Near the end of the Avenue, you will see on your right the Quality Inn Buellton. This 60-unit hotel is quickly approaching a three-diamond rating and becoming a “Best Value,” not only in the Santa Ynez Valley, but maybe all of California. The well-appointed rooms have in-room coffee, an iron and an ironing board, the softest Egyptian cotton towels, and 65 channels of cable television, including Disney and HBO. Some rooms are available with kitchenettes, or you can request a microwave and refrigerator. The friendly staff will attempt to meet your every need. They even have a “pet friendly” wing.
  All rooms have high-speed Internet access and many rooms have direct plug-in for greater security. If you don’t have a computer with you, the hotel will provide a laptop so you can catch up on what’s happening around the world.
  The hotel’s desk staff will assist you in making dining reservations, planning a tour of local wineries or suggesting interesting places to visit during your stay in our Valley. After a refreshing night’s sleep, you will be offered a complete breakfast, with fresh Belgian waffles made by the hostess, along with 100% orange juice, oatmeal, eggs, tropical fruit and various breads or English muffins and yogurt. And all you want of fresh-brewed coffee or a choice of teas. What a great way to start a day of exploring the Santa Ynez Valley!

Creation Station Fabric & Quilt Shop
www.thecreationstation.com
  Now continue east on Highway 246. Just after the Albertson’s shopping center, you will see the sign on the right for The Creation Station Fabric and Quilt Shop in the Buellton Shopping Center. You won’t want to miss this store, especially if you or anyone in your family likes sewing or quilting.
  You will be amazed at the fantastic selection of vibrantly colored fabrics, beautiful quilts and other quilted gift items for sale. You are sure to find many gifts and souvenirs, or the materials to handcraft your own gifts or household decorations.
  Creation Station owner Dawn Farrier began a home-based business in 1999, marketing fabric directly to quilters and fabric collectors. She traveled to quilt shows, marketing her high-quality, 100% cotton fabrics. Her business grew far beyond what she expected and she relocated to this beautiful 2,800 square feet of retail space where she can display her wares on counters and shelves that are convenient and easy to see. All of her fabric is priced at $6 per yard and is pre-cut into half-yard and one-yard lengths for special projects. Dawn also has bolts of the fabrics, at the same price.  She holds quilting classes, and has “Brown Bag Quilting Retreats” throughout the year–contact their website above for more information.

Steve’s Wheel and Tire
  Just across the parking lot is Steve’s Wheel and Tire shop, a friendly, competent local business that opened in 1968 and is celebrating its 41st anniversary this year. Owner/operator Steve Lykken works alongside his expert staff to repair or replace your brakes, tires or shocks. They also do computerized alignments and balancing, tire rotations and custom wheels. Our family has used Steve’s for three generations, because we know they are always honest and reliable. What’s more, there’s no appointment necessary for most work—it’s done on a first come, first served basis.
  You can enjoy a cup of coffee and read a magazine in their waiting room while your job is being done. In addition to their weekday hours, they’re open from 8 am. to noon on Saturdays, which is convenient if you work on weekdays or you’re traveling and have a tire problem. And ask Steve about his classic “Woody” station wagon while you’re there.

Bella Cavalli Farms
www.bellacavallifarms.com
Now continue driving east on Highway 246 towards Solvang. At about the halfway point between the two cities, in the midst of a double row of beautiful Deodar Cedars, you will see on your left the entrance to Bella Cavalli Farms. Tthey have started an innovative “Adopt a Vine” program to benefit the Santa Barbara County Food Bank. You can “read all about it” at the beginning of the Solvang Guided Tours section,  this is just a “heads-up.”