Santa Ynez Valley Farm Tour from Solvang: Meet the Ranchers

Feed rare-breed animals, pick fruit straight from the trees, and eat lunch in an olive grove.

A small-group farm tour in Santa Ynez Valley that takes you behind the tasting rooms to meet the ranchers and farmers who work the land. The itinerary includes a cattle ranch where you feed animals and taste local honey, a seasonal farm visit where you pick and taste fruit, and an olive grove picnic with local cheeses and seasonal fare. A live English-speaking guide leads the group in an air-conditioned vehicle, and hotel pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Farm and ranch visits with tastings

• Meet rancher and feed cattle
• Sample local honey
• Explore seasonal farm and pick fruit
• Tour olive grove and taste olives
• Enjoy farm picnic with local cheeses

The experience

The tour starts at a working cattle ranch where you meet the rancher, feed friendly animals, and sample honey made on the property. From there you move to a rotating seasonal farm (orchards, berry fields, walnut groves or flower farms depending on what's being harvested), where you walk among the plants and pick fruit to taste right there. The third stop is an olive grove where you tour the trees, taste the oil, and sit down to an on-farm picnic with local cheeses and whatever the season offers.

An air-conditioned SUV with captain chairs moves the group between the three stops over three to four hours. The vehicle carries bottled water, and the picnic lunch is included. A live guide in English leads the experience and handles the logistics, so you're free to focus on the animals, the plants, and the food. Groups stay small enough that you can ask questions and move at a relaxed pace.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned SUV with captain chairs and bottled water.
• on-farm charcuterie picnic lunch with local cheeses and seasonal fare.
• live English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (8 to 12 years) · Child (5 to 7 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Heritage Farmland Touring Company

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to meet the people who grow the food and animals of the Santa Ynez Valley rather than sit in a tasting room. The small-group format and relaxed pace give you time to ask questions and linger at each farm, though some walking on uneven ground is necessary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 12 years); Child (5 to 7 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What happens at the cattle ranch stop?

At the cattle ranch, you meet the rancher, feed his friendly animals, and taste local honey produced on the property.

Can I pick fruit to eat during the farm visit?

Yes. At the seasonal farm stop, you walk among the fruit trees or berry bushes and pick and taste the harvest yourself, depending on what's in season.

What's included in the on-farm picnic?

The picnic features local cheeses and seasonal fare, eaten in the olive grove after the tasting and tour.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup is included. A live English-speaking guide meets you and drives the group in an air-conditioned SUV.