A 45-minute drive north of Santa Barbara and a bit over two hours from Los Angeles, Solvang is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, and more than 125 wineries producing some of the world's best vintages and many accepting visitors for tours and tasting; among of the most popular are half-century-old Firestone Vineyard, Fess Parker Winery (above, founded in 1988 by the actor famous for playing Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on TV in the 1950s and 60s), and Sunstone Winery, in business since 1990 and with an enphasis on environmental sustainability.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Simon Hopes' post Sweet Solvang, California Is Cool for Both Culture and Nature.

Fess Parker Winery