LOCATION:
A California coastal valley nestled between the Santa Ynez and
San Rafael mountain ranges, the Santa Ynez Valley is 30 minutes north
of
Santa Barbara and approximately 2 hours north of Los Angeles.
It is easily
accessible from Highway 101 and California Scenic Route 154 through
San
Marcos Pass. To the west lies the town of Lompoc and Vandenberg
Air Force
Base and to the north along Highway 101 is the city of Santa Maria.
Further north along the central coast are such cities as Arroyo Grande,
Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and attractions such as Hearst
Castle, Carmel and Monterey.
CLIMATE:
Praised as one of the finest climates in the State, the Santa
Ynez Valley owes much to the prevailing breezes which keep the valley
mild
and virtually smog-free. Winter highs average from a high of 55°
to a low
of 33°. Summer nights are delightful due to ocean breezes
and cooling
fogs. Summer daytime temperatures usually range in the 70's and
80's
cooling to the 50's and 60's at night. Average seasonal rainfall
ranges
from 9 to 17 inches most of which falls in the winter months.
POPULATION:
The latest official estimates place the Santa Ynez Valley
population at close to 21,350. Solvang is the most populated town,
with a
general population around 4,900.
SANTA
YNEZ VALLEY 21,350
SOLVANG
4,900
SANTA YNEZ 4,200
BUELLTON
3,900
LOS OLIVOS
700
BALLARD
200
OUTLYING AREAS
8,000
ELEVATION: 500-700 feet above sea
level.
RESIDENTS:
Although the Santa Ynez Valley is a much sought after and
desirable area, a regulated growth policy will continue to limit the
population increase through the next decade. Among the fortunate
few who
call the Santa Ynez Valley their home are former President and Mrs.
Ronald
Reagan (now
in a conservancy), Brooks Firestone, Michael Jackson, Bo Derek,
Cheryl Ladd, Fess Parker, Rona Barrett, Doc Severinsen, David Crosby,
Noah Wyle, John Forsythe, Douglas Cramer, Bob Eubanks, Ralph Story,
Efrem Zimbalist Jr, Bob Tucker and Jackie Pensa.
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