LIFE. LUXURY. LOCAL.
UPLIFTING STORIES, LOCAL BRANDS, DESIRABLE STAYCATIONS, AND MORE...
DELIVERED TO YOU MONTHLY.
With sincere gratitude, appreciation, and immense joy, I would like to welcome you to the Santa Ynez Valley City Lifestyle family! To be honest, it is close to impossible for me to put into words the excitement and great responsibility I feel for bringing this publication to our special community that deserves something so special and elevated each month.
12 issues a year, each one with a distinct theme, we aim to foster a deep and meaningful connection with our community that has been the source of inspiration for my family across three generations. In the face of remarkable growth for our community over recent years, Matt and I find ourselves compelled to contribute towards sustaining the vibrant spirit of our beloved Santa Ynez Valley.
Our commitment to you is unwavering – this magazine will showcase the most positive facets of our extraordinary Valley, and we will bring you fun, wholesome content. We sincerely hope that these stories covering our local families, businesses, events, and more resonate with you as we explore the rich history, current offerings, and future potential of the SYV.
We are dedicated to providing insight into locally owned businesses, sharing the inspirational narratives of our residents, offering delightful recipes, unique gift ideas, staycation inspirations, and so much more. This publication is designed by locals for locals, to be your companion in discovering all the wonders the Santa Ynez Valley has to offer. My husband and I are not just residents; we live, work, and are raising our two young boys right here alongside you.
As you turn the pages of Santa Ynez Valley City Lifestyle, may it be a celebration of our community's essence, a reflection of its beauty, and a testament to the bonds that unite us – faith, freedom, and family. We hope that you enjoy this publication as much as we enjoy creating it for you!
Go Pirates!
Cheers,
SARA DEMARCUS, PUBLISHER @SANTAYNEZVALLEY_CITYLIFESTYLE
April 2024
PUBLISHER
Sara DeMarcus | sara.demarcus@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Matt DeMarcus | matthew.demarcus@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
June Henry CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Matt DeMarcus, Lena Ibarra
CHIEF
Robinson
Action Roofing www.aroofing.com
Charlotte’s of Santa Ynez www.charlottessy.com
Corner House Cafe www.cornerhouse.cafe
Freedom Fighter Family
Hometown Insurance Services www.askhometown.com
HOTWORX - Buellton www.hotworx.net/studio/buellton-ca
Kelly Mahan Herrick www.homesinsyv.com
Laura Drammer www.lauradrammer.com
Los Olivos Outfitters 805-638-3082
McKinney Family Vineyards www.mckinneyfamilyvineyards.com
Monument Global Estates www.monumentglobalestates.com
Pacific HR www.pachr.com
The Bluestone Beauty Collective www.thebluestonesyv.com
The Brady Group www.bradygroupsyv.com
The Socialites of the SYV
Trinity Financial Services www.trinityfinancialca.com
Vincent Vineyards & Winery www.vincentvineyards.com
Whiskey ‘N Rye Smokehouse www.whiskeynryebbq.com
Zaca Creek Landscapes 805-245-5693
1: Muddy Pawz volunteering at the SYV Humane Society to give pups a spa treatment! 2: Keith Saarloos and family sharing their vineyard with a local “field trip”. 3: A collab between the Solvang Skate Shop and Crossroads Church. Bringing good to the Valley. 4: The Morgan kiddos enjoying a beautiful day out in the Valley! 5: Enjoying a full Lake Cachuma. Two thumbs up is right! 6: Two students enjoying Christi and teams Beginner Acrylic class! 7: Crystal working her magic and bringing the “Teen Wolf” to life.
@DEMARC24
@MUDDYPAWZ.GROOMING
@ARTSPOTONWHEELS
@OLIVEANDGRAIN_
@SARLOOSANDSONS
@BUZZLEBEEFACEPAINTING
@THEHUBSYV
HOTWORX is the only 24-hour Infrared Sauna Fitness Studio in the Valley! The 3D exercise of Heat, Infrared Energy, and Exercise allows you to enjoy more of a workout in less time. The Heat increases core body temperature and speeds up metabolism. Infrared Energy strengthens and activates the regenerative process in the body which accelerates workout recovery. Exercise, Isometric, and HIIT sessions help maximize fitness results with the ultimate calorie burn!
Zaca Mesa is sharing their stunning estate for a leisurely hike on April 28th! Stroll along the roads, weaving through their vineyard, and learn more about the estate's history and winemaking. Afterward, relax at their Grenache Blanc vineyard back at the winery with wine tasting. Please feel free to bring your pets (well-behaved dogs) along too! Date: Sunday, April 28th, 2024 Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Lady Pirates finished 3rd in the competitive Mountain League, behind D1 teams Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo. Junior Mackenzie Phelan made the League’s First Team, and Junior Addison West was Second Team All-League. We won the CIF Central Section Division 2 Championship. The Division placement for golf is based on what your team shoots at their League Finals tournament, D1 is 475 or better, D2 is 525 or better, and D3 560 or better.
Last season the girls shot 581 at league finals, and this year they shot 492, we improved quite a bit year over year. We won CIF-CS D2 with a team score of 488, our lowest score of the season. Junior Addison West led the way with an 87 good for 3rd place and qualified her for the Central Section Individual Championship. Mackenzie Phelan placed 9th with a 92, unfortunately missing out on qualifying for the Section Championship by two shots. Mackenzie made it to the Section Championship last year as a Sophomore and advanced from that to the SoCal Regionals tournament (one tournament short of State) so she will be back next year hungry for more. Their ring ceremony took place on February 1, 2024. Congratulations, Lady Pirates!
Honor the Past.
Represent the Present. Prepare the Future.
Sponsored by the Freedom Fighter Family
Left to right:
Bella Sim, Kacy Caplan, Savannah Hudley (the one being held), Sierra Freedman, Addison West, Mackenzie Phelan, Caralyn Barber, Breanne Field, Katherine Becerra (not pictured: Aubri Jensen).
Head Coach Sara Ovadia, Assistant Coach John Nicholas
Carhartt Family Wines is excited to throw its doors open, strike up the band, pop some bottles, and welcome you back for the 2024 Rosé Release Party. Join in on the fun with live music from "The Reserve", catering by Jake Francis from the Valley Piggery, and of course, the release of the brand new 2023 Chase the Blues Away Rosé!
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Carhartt HQ: Rancho Santa Ynez 2pm-5pm
Vega Vineyards offers something for everyone. Great food, wine, farm animals, and a beautiful property are a recipe for a fun time! My kids love the flatbread, I love the roasted cauliflower, and my husband enjoys their GLT (their take on a gyro).
Anything honoring the Red, White, and Blue! Old Santa Ynez Days, 4th of July, SY Rodeo... you name it, we’re there!
Tide pooling is a family favorite activity. On low-tide evenings, you can find us at Gaviota! 10 minutes from Buellton and you’re on the beach looking at Starfish, Dolphins, and more!
Baker’s Table is phenomenal. Happy staff, great coffee/pastries, and amazing menu. Breve latte is my go-to, the kids love the croissants, and my husband gets the breakfast burrito!
Friday nights at Dos Carlitos! Half chicken/half steak fajitas with a Cadillac Marg(s) - no salt on the rim, please. I love our “local watering hole”. If you miss seeing people around town, come on a Friday and you’re bound to run into half the Valley!
Hugged by rolling hills, whether lush and green or warm and golden, there lies a valley that conjures the very idea of home. City dwellers invest in artwork depicting hill-filled landscapes and travel in droves to experience longed-for rural areas on their vacations. Lucky for those who live, work, and recreate here; for us, the Santa Ynez Valley is home.
Our valley’s winding roads thread together a rich fabric of immigrants, settlers, and native-born as we work and live together like an extended family. We greet everyone the same - the gentleman behind the counter, the retired teacher pouring wine, and the celebrity sitting behind us at the steak house. We cherish our deeprooted connections as we run our errands, in and out of each unique town’s vibrant shops. We hike the breathtaking trails. And as we go about our days, we bask in each town's cultures and delights, experiencing a rich quality of life.
For over a hundred years, Solvang has displayed its Danish style, allowing all to enjoy the look and taste of the culture of Denmark. Amongst the windmills, pastries, and smorgasbords, Valley residents and tourists alike gather to recite poetry, listen to local singer-songwriters, and purchase signed copies of a local writer’s book. Even the Michelin-rated restaurants pay homage to "local" with farm-totable dishes.
Ballard, a quintessential village of a seemingly bygone era, quietly entreats us to admire 19th-century standing
“OUR VALLEY’S WINDING ROADS WEAVE A RICH FABRIC OF SHARED HISTORY.”
testament to the respect that those who reside in the SYV have for history. Longtime residents remember dining at one of the few tables in the old country store, yet despite modernization, the essence of Ballard’s character remains as if time has stood still.
Pull-on cowboy boots and mosey on over to Santa Ynez! It is not difficult to imagine those who rode their horses in from the ranch as you take in the Old West facades of the downtown area and everything that Sagunto Street has to offer. Blending equestrian heritage with fine art,
boutique shops, and wine, the traditional acts as a complement to the new.
Los Olivos offers local art, artisan wares, fine foods, and wine for palates of all levels. In the old-fashioned town square, a flagpole marks the center. For residents, it’s a short walk to the country store. Rent an electric bike, pack a picnic basket, and explore the surrounding country roads.
Los Alamos residents engage in an active, collaborative effort to maintain not only that small-town feel but a lifestyle all their own. A walk through the old cemetery, the taste of Bell's, Pico, Full of Life
Flatbed, and so much more, and we know we’re fully immersed in a special community that can only exist in our special corner of the world, that we call home.
Buellton stands firm in its commitment to shape and mold itself into a town residents are proud to call home. Over the years, it has emerged from a stop on the highway to a thriving hub of recreation and culinary delights. Too many freeway stops lose the lifestyle in the process, exchanging small-town values for commerce. However, Buellton offers a vibrant commercial area, yet remains committed to locally-owned wineries, breweries, and restaurants.
Here in the SYV, the residents have insisted that each town continues to communicate the history, the culture, and the dreams of those who call it home. Everevolving, and always diverse, the Valley embraces the differences while savoring the distinct flavors that each community offers. We welcome those who long to experience our charm. Charm them we do but in such a way that retains the individuality of each community yet enhances the lives of its residents.
Kristina Novak and the team at Monument Global Estates believe in always putting the client above anything else. With over 35 years of experience in the industry and a deep understanding of our local market, Kristina is well-equipped to guide you through every step of the process and help you achieve your real estate goals.
Their goal is to provide exceptional service to each client they work with, whether they are looking to buy their first home, sell their current property, or make a real estate investment.
- 8843
@kristinanovak_realtor
As your local real estate agent, MGE believes in building lasting relationships with clients based on trust, honesty, and mutual respect. Kristina is passionate about helping you find the home of your dreams or selling your property for the best possible price and will work tirelessly to make sure that your real estate journey is a success.
So, whether you're looking to buy, sell, or just have questions about the real estate market in our community, contact Kristina today! She is excited to get to know you and help you achieve your real estate goals.
HGTV star shares her secrets to make a home look both beautiful and livable.
Tamara Day, star of HGTV’s Bargain Mansions, describes her style as “laid-back luxe.”
“I am a mom of four, and I like pretty, shiny things,” Tamara says. “The two don’t always mix well. I design with lifestyle and family in mind but with that touch of glam.”
This mixture of practicality and flare can be accomplished throughout the home on a budget, Tamara says.
When it comes to the kitchen, she says replacing the backsplash is one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh the room. Additionally, she says paint is the most inexpensive option to update cabinets, and there is a de-glosser on the market that will reduce the labor involved by helping paint adhere to cabinets.
“You can get a whole new kitchen with some fresh paint,” Tamara says.
In the bathroom, Tamara suggests putting up new light fixtures and wallpaper for a fresh look. She suggests using wallpaper on just one wall to create contrast.
“Wallpaper transforms everything and puts in a hominess factor,” Tamara says.
To give a new feel to the living room, Tamara suggests using decorative pillows as well as displaying design books and layering with a candle or other interesting object to create a sentimental focal point. She also suggests investing in good, quality sofas
and rugs because less expensive options will not typically withstand the amount of wear and tear they receive from a family.
Overall, Tamara says there is a balance between mixing expensive and inexpensive items and materials around the home, all without having it looking cluttered. She says every space needs something that is thrifted.
Tamara finds many people enjoy elements of different types of styles and have a hard time defining their personal style. To help narrow down to a preferred look, she suggests taking a hundred room images and sorting them into piles of likes and dislikes. She says when someone completes this exercise, they typically find a theme to their preferences.
Tamara has a natural eye for using great colors and textures in design. What is her approach to making a room look great?
HERE ARE TAMARA’S TOP TIPS:
Find a base color with pops of other colors.
“Every room needs a touch of black and a pop of color,” Tamara says. “The black will anchor it, but the color will give it life.”
If the home is urban, she suggests more bold pops. If it is a traditional home, use a mixture of colors. Additionally, she suggests using one basic color throughout a home with pops of other colors as opposed to having a different color in each room.
Consider wallpaper.
“Wallpaper can be scary for a lot of people, but there are so may wallpapers out there that are removable,” Tamara says.
Tamara says wallpaper adds texture and warmth, and she includes it in most of the homes she designs.
Layer with baskets, blankets and greenery. All three make a room feel cozy and add color and interest to a space.
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
INGREDIENTS
ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP
• 1 cup cane sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL
• 5 tablespoons pear juice
• 1 tablespoon rosemary simple syrup
• 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
• sparkling water to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO MAKE ROSEMARY SIMPLE SYRUP
Combine sugar and water in a pot and cook over medium heat. Cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Turn off heat and toss in rosemary sprigs. Cool Completely.
HOW TO MAKE ROSEMARY PEAR MOCKTAIL
Pour pear juice, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water into a glass. Add ice and garnish if desired.
INGREDIENTS
THYME SIMPLE SYRUP
• 1 cup cane sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup fresh thyme
GRAPEFRUIT THYME MOCKTAIL
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/3 cup thyme syrup
• Ice
INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP:
Combine water and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer for a few minutes. Remove from the heat and add fresh thyme and steep.
HOW TO MAKE GRAPEFRUIT THYME MOCKTAIL
Rim glass with sugar if desired. Fill glass with ice. Add 3 tablespoons thyme syrup to each glass and fill up with 1/2 cup grapefruit juice and approximately 1 cup sparkling water. Garnish.
INGREDIENTS
BUTTER BEER
• 2 liters of creme soda
• 2 tablespoons butter extract
• 2 teaspoons rum extract
CREME TOPPING
• 7 ounce container of marshmallow creme or fluff
• 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon rum extract
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the rum extract and butter extract to the 2 liters of cream soda. Close lid and gently mix. Prepare the topping by combining the marshmallow creme, whipping cream and rum extract. Beat on high for a few minutes until peaks appear. Add a few tablespoons of whipped topping to the bottom of glass. Pour cream soda over topping. Enjoy!
These cute and colorful dishes work perfectly to organize and display your jewelry, keys, or you name it! And you know what? They’re so easy to make!
supplies you’ll need:
• Wooden bowls, trays, etc.
• Gold leaf (or metallic gold paint)
• Gentle Gold leaf brush
• Mod podge (or gold leaf adhesive)
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Painters tape (optional)
• Grab a wooden bowl, some acrylic paint, and a brush.
• Hand paint some paint on one section of the bowl.
• Let the first coat dry and paint another two to three coats of paint until you’re happy with the result.
• Let the paint fully dry.
• I wanted my gold leaf paper to overlap the paint for a layered look, so I took a paint brush and painted some Mod Podge in an overlapping pattern.
• Once the Mod Podge gets tacky, use your hand to apply the gold leaf and accompanying wax sheet.
• Push the gold leaf onto the tacky glue, then remove the top layer of paper.
• Use your fingers to gently push the gold leaf onto the glue a little further.
• Next, use the golf leaf brush to smooth over the whole area and gently wipe away any excess gold leaf. Pay extra attention to the edges.
• Next, smooth the gold leaf section as much as possible, but don’t worry about any imperfections. The organic look of the gold leaf being imperfect gives the piece character.
• Next, work your way to the outer edge.
• Once the gold leaf is perfected, gently brush over the leaf with some Mod Podge to seal it to the bowl.
• Let it completely dry and enjoy!
“They’re a great and affordable gift idea for friends.”
APRIL 2024
APRIL 4TH
Solvang Festival Theater: 420 2nd St, Solvang, CA 93463 | 7:00 PM
The North Carolina native achieved new heights in the last few years by earning three back-to-back No. 1 hits from his most recent album Seasons Change. All four of his albums have debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Albums chart, with current combined sales surpassing 3 million copies. He’s earned one Double Platinum, four Platinum, and two Gold singles.
APRIL 6TH
Pico Restaurant, 458 Bell Street, Los Alamos, CA 93440 | 2:00 PM
Join Pico’s Restaurant in Los Alamos for their second annual Fool’s Gold Wine Festival. They will be featuring library wines and rarities from local producers including but not limited to Brander, Lumen, Native9, Piro, Roark, Storm, Zaca Mesa, and more to be announced.
APRIL 13TH
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.: 45 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA 93427 | 12:30 PM
Lagerville 2024 will be bigger than ever before and you won’t want to miss it! Saturday, April 13th. Over 60 breweries serving up the best Lagers in the Nation! General Admission tickets at the door will be $65. This is a 21+ event. No babies/infants. No dogs.
APRIL 14TH
Ecomama Farms Rose Garden: 3870 Baseline Ave, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 | 11:00 AM
Wine Tasting, Designer Shopping, Charming Sole Men, Seated Lunch, Key-To-The-Closet Raffle, Exciting Auctions, Glamourous Fashion Show, and so much more! Don't forget to wear your sassy shoes to be included in the "Best of Shoe" Contest.
APRIL 26TH-27TH
Craft House at Corque: 420 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93463 | 10:00 AM
The 2024 Solvang Custom Knife Show will take place from 10am to 5pm on Friday, April 26th and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, April 27th in Solvang, California. One-day and two-day passes will be available for purchase at the door on the days of the event. One-day passes will be $20 and two-day passes will be $35.
APRIL 26TH-27TH
Downtown Solvang, First and Copenhagen Drive | 6:00 PM
Welcome to the Solvang Datsun Roadster Classic. Every year close to 100 Roadsters descend on our quaint town for a get-together on Friday night and the day-long show and shine on First Street with Datsun Roadster enthusiasts attending from all over the world.
