Sights and scenes in Santa Barbara wine country

Cold Spring Tavern, a 19th century stagecoach stop built from logs, may be the greatest throwback in the Santa Barbara County wine region.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

If you take Highway 154, it’s on the way from Santa Barbara to Solvang, and it’s open for lunch and dinner daily. But the place truly comes alive on weekends. Breakfast is served, live music plays from afternoon into the evening, an armada of Santa Barbara bikers arrives, and lots of beer gets sold.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Solvang, founded in 1911 by Danish educators as a little slice of Denmark in the California outback, might be the global capital of windmill kitsch.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Succulent Cafe located along Mission Drive.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The affordable Hamlet Inn, where rates are often less than $100, lends bikes to its guests.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

If you’re traveling with kids, do what your dad and his dad probably did -- save a few bucks and bed the family at Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn. Yes, it’s next to the goofy old Andersen’s restaurant.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Alisal Ranch, tucked into the hills just outside Solvang, was born as a dude ranch in 1946. It has 73 rooms and suites set on 10,000 acres, with a 100-acre private lake, a busy corral, 50 miles of riding trails, two 18-hole golf courses, seven tennis courts, pool, spa and fitness center.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Wranglers gather around a fire pit while waiting for ranch guests, who are going on the breakfast horseback ride.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The style is early California, with sepia-toned photos on the walls, Indian-patterned blankets on the beds and oak in every fireplace.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Stolpman Vineyards has one of many tasting places in downtown Los Olivos.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Coquelicot is one of many wineries with tasting rooms in downtown Los Olivos.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Artisans’ Gallery in downtown Los Olivos.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors Jeff and Charly Stanek, left, and Scott and Amy Miller at Rusack vineyards near Los Olivos.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The 1880 Union Hotel stands on the main drag of Los Alamos.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

If you arrive in Jalama Beach County Park early enough, stop in the Jalama Beach Store for a breakfast burger.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

La Purisima Mission State Historic Park is the most extensively restored mission in the state.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The mission has atmospheric old buildings (built in the 18th century, rebuilt in the early 20th) and historical exhibits, as well as a bull with crazy, big horns, several horses and a few pigs.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

A wine tasting wedding party at Curtis Winery in Los Olivos.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A worker tends the vineyards at Zaca Mesa Winery.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Horses grazing at dawn on the hills along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)