Art Galleries Cypress Gallery. Featuring Original works by Central Coast artists, including Vicki Anderson, Dee Sudbury, and Shirley Wallace. 119 East Cypress Avenue, Lompoc. 805/737-1129. Gallery Los Olivos. Over 40 regional artists exhibit in the Gallery. 2920 Grand Avenue, P.O. Box 911, Los Olivos. 805/688-7517. Judith Hale Galleries North & South. Large collection of quality western art, sculpture garden, exquisite jewelry. 2890 2884 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos. 805/566-1222 Mission Creek Studios. Nature oriented art, featuring unique mosaics and woodcut prints by Patti Jacquemain as well as sculptures and paintings by other artists. Their Los Olivos gallery is now closed, but they maintain a studio in Santa Barbara that you can visit by appointment. You can also view and order artwork and books on their website: www.missioncreek.com  Sansone Studio Gallery. Enamel on copper; unique starscapes, brilliant colors. Original works on display at studio gallery. 2948 Nojoqui Avenue #8, Los Olivos. 805/693-9769. www.Sansonestudio.com Vineyards Gallery. Contemporary art, including oils, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture photography, and digital painting. 433 Alisal Road, Suite C, Solvang. 805/693-8060. Wildling Art Museum. Founded by wildlife artist Patti Jacqueman, this art museum focuses on nature and wildlife. Gift shop. 2329 Jonata Avenue, Los Olivos. 805/688-1082.     Young’s Custom Frames and Art Gallery. 2920 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos. 805/688-9745.   Zaca Creek Art Gallery. Specializing in water based media. Santa Ynez Valley artists, plein air landscapes and seascapes of the area. 91 Second Street, Unit C, Buellton. 805/688-2270.

Backpacking & Hiking Over 2 million acres of terrain make up the Los Padres National Forest, which offers adventures for backpackers and hikers. Maps and hiking and camping permits may be obtained from the Los Padres National Forest headquarters in Goleta. For more information: 805/968-6640. Cachuma Lake. Located south of the Santa Ynez Valley and north of Santa Barbara off of Highway 154, offers a recreation area with more than 550 campsitesfor either full-hookup, partial-hookup, or regular camping. Call Santa Barbara County Parks Department at 805/568-2461.  Gaviota Peak/California State Park  Santa Ynez Recreation Area. Aliso Canyon, a moderate 3.5 mile trail; Little Pine Mountain, a moderate 6 mile trail; Red Rock, a moderate 7 mile trail; Knapp’s Castle-Snyder, a moderately strenuous 4 mile trail; Arroyo Burro, a strenuous 4 mile trail. For more information, call 805/967-3481.. A strenuous 6-mile trail. Has portable toilet. For more information, call 805/899-1400.

Bird Watching Cachuma Lake Nature Cruise. A two-hour narrated tour with a naturalist. See waterfowl, osprey, various hawks, bald eagles, and a vast array of other birds and wildlife. Eagle cruises November 1st through February 28th. Reservations are required. For reservations, 805/688-5050 (weekdays) and 805/686-5055 (weekends).    Nojoqui Falls County Park. In Solvang, it features a large selection of birds including yellow-billed magpies, woodpeckers, owls, titmice, blue grosbeaks, blue jays found in large old oak trees and other vegetation. Hike to the famous Nojoqui Falls. Day use from 8am to sunset. Santa Barbara County Parks Department 805/934-6123.

Boating & Fishing Cachuma Lake. Boat launch and rentals available. Motorboats, pontoon boats, and fishing boats are rented at the Cachuma Lake Marina. Also available is fishing equipment including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. 805/688-4040.   Breweries Firestone-Walker Brewery. Features pale ales & double barrel ales. 620 McMurray Road, Buellton. 805/686-1557. Website: www.firestonebeer.com

California Missions Old Mission Santa Inés. A gem of the California missions, founded in 1804, it is the 19th of the California Mission System. The interior has many of the Mission’s original paintings and decorations on the walls. Gardens, old mission cemetery, and a gift shop with a fine selection of books, souvenirs, and devotional items. 8 a.m. mass every day, plus Sunday services. Website: www.missionsantaines.com La Purisima Mission. Founded in 1787, it is the 11th of the California Mission System. Today it is a state park. Ten of the original buildings have been restored. 805/733-3713.

Fitness Centers Performance Fitness. 320 Alisal, Suite 406, Solvang. Drop-ins welcome. Swimming, fitness training, Pilates, jazzercise. 805/686-2900. Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA. 900 North Refugio Road, Santa Ynez. Drop-ins welcome. Day passes are $12 for an adult, $20 for a family. Yoga, spinning, step, kick boxing, and much more! 805/686-2037.

Golf Courses La Purisima Golf Course. 3455 State Highway 246, Lompoc. 805/735-8395. www.lapurisimagolf.com Rancho San Marcos. Located on Highway 154 between the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara. View of Lake Cachuma. 805/683-6334. www.rsm1804.com River Course at the Alisal. 150 Alisal Road, Solvang. Located in the heart of the Solvang, with a beautiful view of the Santa Ynez Valley Mountain range. Fine restaurant on the premises, pro shop, 18-hole course. 805/688-6042. www.rivercourse.com Zaca Creek Golf Course. 223 Shadow Mountain Drive, Buellton. 9-hole golf course. 805/688-2575.

Horses Rancho de la Florecita. The ranch breeds and sells the "glide ride" horses – Peruvian Pasos. In addition to wonderful dispositions, these horses have a "broken, four-beat pace," at a lateral gate. Visitors are welcome by appointment. 805/688-1447. www.florecita.com

Specialty Farms Alpacas de Los Olivos. "The world’s softest hugs." There are seminars, breeding, sales, training, and kniting groups. 2786 Corral de Quati, Los Olivos. 805/688-5746. www.whyalpacas.com Andre Organic Lavender Farm & Store. Open Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Gourp & bus tours by appointment 7 days a week. It is located ¼ mile off Highway 101 on Santa Rosa Road. 805/350-0593.  Clairmont Farms. Estate grown lavender on a family farm. Fresh, dried, essential oils, personal care products, buds, bundles, and pet products. Free admittance-open from 10am to 6pm. Great picnic site. Lavender distilling is done on site, with a beautiful copper distiller; a fascinating process to watch. 2480 Roblar Avenue, Los Olivos. 805/688-7505.Clairmont Farms Website. Chaotic Exotics Orchid Ranch. A tropical paradise of exotic flora. Over 1000 varieties of orchids, dozens of bromelaids, and assortment of ferns. Located at 5375 Campbell roadoff of Highway 246 towards Lompoc. 805/736-0040. Chaotic Exotics Website. Quicksilver Ranch. A multi-dimensional facility providing top-of-the-line show and breeding stock. This unique ranch is spcifically designed for Miniature Horses; it’s 20 acres of lush green pastures and state of the art training/breeding facilities are world renowned. Open from 10am to 3pm. 1555 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang. 805/686-4002. Website: www.syv.com/qsminis/ Ostrich Land. The ranch specializes in natural colony (group) breeding (as in the wild). Ostrich land produces ostrich chicks thru breeders, winderful feathers, enormous ostrich eggs, unique leather, and delicious healthy ostrich meat (a very low fat red meat, that tastes like beef). 610 East Highway 246, P.O. Box 490, Buellton. 805/686-9696. Restoration Oaks Ranch U-Pick Blueberries. On Highway 101, 5 miles south of Buellton. Opens about mid-May through the end of July, 10:30am-5:30pm. 805/689-9014.

Museums Elverhøj Museum of History & Art. Devoted to the history of Solvang and the colorful heritage of Denmark. Features a fine art gallery of changing exhibits. 1624 Elverhøj Way, Solvang. Open Wednesday through Sunday. 805/686-1211. Website: www.elverhoj.org Hans Christian Andersen Museum. Featuring exhibits, photographs, souvenirs, and a large selection of HCA books for sale. Visitors are always welcomebetween 10am and 5pm daily. Group tours are also available by appointment. 1680 Mission Drive, Solvang. 805/688-6010. Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Parks-Janeway Carriage House.  Devoted to the history of the entire Santa Ynez Valley this history museum features a variety of exhibits including an extensive Western Heritage display, Pioneer room, Valley towns exhibit, Pacific Coast model train diorama and the reknown Parks-Janeway Carriage House, home to over 35 carriage and horse drawn modes of transportation. Special changing exhibits, history presentations, classes. Open Wednesday through Sunday, noon - 4:00 pm, 3596 Sagunto Street, Santa Ynez.  (805) 688-7880; website: www.santaynezmuseum.org Wildling Art Museum. Features art of America’s wilderness. Exhibitions are ongoing. Special events include classes, lectures, and hikes. 2329 Jonata Street, Los Olivos. 805/688-1082.     Parks & Picnic Areas Cachuma Lake. 805/686-5054 or 805/686-5055.  Nojoqui Falls Park. Free day use for general activities. Fees apply for group area reservations. 805/934-6123.  Hans Christian Andersen Park. Located off of Atterdag Road in the outskirts of Solvang. Picnic areas, tennis courts, playground, BBQ grills, group areas.  River Park. Just outside of Lompoc. Call 805/736-4567 for more information.  River View Park. Group reservations, call 805/688-7474. Rates are available at www.cityofbuellton.com.