On the Trail of Entertainment and Dancing : There’s plenty of country-Western music to be found by those willing to take to the road and get off the beaten track.

Sometimes you just need to explore new stomping grounds in search of the best country music and a fun dancing scene. If you agree, this weekend might be a good time to head West, where all sorts of country music and entertainment possibilities await you.

The circuit starts in Santa Barbara, scene of good country music and dancing at the City Line Club. Or you can head up the road to the Galleon Room in Goleta. Both places are well-ventilated, cozy and offer nice-sized dance floors. And you’ll probably pick up a couple new dances.

Then it’s inland on California 154 to Santa Ynez’s main drag, Sagunto Avenue, where you’ll find plenty of country activities for the whole family at the annual Old Santa Ynez Day on Saturday. Events will include a blacksmithing competition, a parade, a mock-gunfighters show and lots of booths and food.

While you’re there, you can enjoy a rustic roadhouse atmosphere at the no-frills Maverick Saloon. During a visit a month ago, couples on the small flagstone dance floor were dancing cheek to cheek--and I don’t mean faces. They didn’t follow any counter-clockwise line of dance. And my attempt to initiate a line dance drew some bemused and scornful looks.

But what do you expect from a place with knotty pine paneling and zillions of business cards and dollars bills tacked to the low ceiling? Nevertheless, it’s got charm and should be seen at least once. Then you can go next door to a beautifully remodeled barn that resembles some fancy woman’s boudoir with it’s red and white flocked wallpaper. Modern-day Yancy Derringer’s can hang out or dance up a storm on the huge floor of this saloon/dance hall scheduled to open for Old Santa Ynez Day.

If the Maverick Saloon and Old Santa Ynez Day sound too much like a day at a Western theme park, you may want to head back toward Santa Barbara on California 154 and turn right on Stage Coach Road. Go a mile down the canyon to the Cold Spring Tavern, where you will encounter a scene that is more like cruising Oxnard’s “A” Street on a Saturday night during the ‘60s.

The address is 5995 but you won’t need an address. Just continue past the cars and trucks parked along the two-lane road, and past the 40 to 50 Harley-Davidsons parked on weekends in the dirt area marked “Motorcycle Parking Only.” Next you’ll encounter a crowd ranging from bikers, to actors, to Disneyland-like tourists with babies on their backs, all gently milling around and standing in the road listening to fabulous live music.

The scenery is idyllic, though the scene is a bit odd, at this former stagecoach stop. Top it off with a great lineup of music, especially country, bluegrass acoustic, and R&B.; When I was there on Memorial Day Sunday the infectious country music of the Fender Benders emanated from inside the dark cabin-like bar. And before that, Mike Lopez and Randy Madron of The Goods, played hot R&B; and some country requests.

Whether you come to commune with nature, enjoy the vibes and music or just swig a brew under the lofty tree-top canopy--you have a unique and mellow experience in store for you at Cold Spring Tavern.

For progressive bluegrass, check out the Cache Valley Drifters 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday and the Acousticats at the same time on Thursdays. Phil Kennard will play 3:30 to 9 p.m this Saturday. And this Sunday features the R&B; talents of Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan, 1:30 to 5 p.m. followed by country performer Jackson Claypool from 5:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 967-0066.

Details

* WHAT: Old Santa Ynez Day

* WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday

* WHERE: Sagunto Avenue, Santa Ynez

* FYI: Music by The Honky Tonk Cowboys, who will also play 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday for dancing in the Maverick Saloon

* GETTING THERE: From Ventura County, take the 101 freeway past Santa Barbara, exit California 154 and after Lake Cachuma turn left on California 246 to Santa Ynez

* INFO: 688-3093.