November 2025
Stunning Santa Maria Offers Wineries, Access to Beaches and More
One of the newest destinations from Phoenix Sky Harbor is Santa Maria, California. The daily flight offered by American Airlines provides travelers with an opportunity to experience wineries, nature, and other hidden gems in this underrated destination.
California is well-known for their wine, and a trip to Santa Maria gives visitors an opportunity to experience many varieties across stunning scenery. Santa Maria Valley is best known for their pinot noir and chardonnay. Visitors can book tours along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail to check out many of the region’s unique wineries. The area is also an ideal home base to enjoy the Santa Barbara wine region as well.
California’s sunny weather and mild climate lures travelers outdoors. Santa Maria offers a few options to experience nature. With many miles of trails, the Los Flores Ranch Park offers visitors the opportunity to soak in panoramic views and possibly see wildlife. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Nearby, about 15 minutes from downtown Santa Maria, visitors will find Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve. This area offers coastal trails, birdwatching and of course dramatic sand dunes.
Within 30 miles of Santa Maria, there are 15 beaches. There are several options in San Luis Obispo as well as Pismo Beach, just 25 minutes away. Walk along the pier and admire the ocean views.
Downtown Santa Maria offers many shopping and dining options. A walk through the area features several art installations and murals. The town of Solvang, less than an hour away, is like visiting Denmark with its unique buildings and Danish restaurants.
For the foodies, don’t miss out on Santa Maria’s barbeque. It’s known for a special tradition of barbeque meat paired with beans, salsa and bread. The Swiss Restaurant is often mentioned as a fan favorite for barbeque.
For visitors looking to check out a museum, the Santa Maria Museum of Flight is a delight for aviation enthusiasts and offers vintage aircraft as well as several hands-on exhibits. The area has a rich aviation history. In fact, the location of the Santa Maria Airport is a former Army National Guard Military Base.
The Central Coast of California has many treasures for visitors to enjoy and Santa Maria is no exception. For more information on all the things to do in Santa Maria, visit https://santamariavalley.com