Picnic Perfection

By Kerstin Kuhn

The English writer W. Somerset Maugham once wrote that “there are few things so pleasant as a picnic lunch.” And who would disagree? After all, what can beat the delightful simplicity of spreading a blanket and relaxing in nature with your favorite friends and a basket of food?

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Crafting connection:

Saddle making in Santa Margarita

Taught by her dad, Samantha Huston is making her mark on the Central Coast equestrian community

By Marlowe Hast

 Whether you’re a rider or not, it’s easy to imagine that a horse’s entire body moves anytime a part of it moves. Picture the shoulder moving forward and back, muscles along the spine shifting as the horse walks, trots, or lopes. The body curves and bends as the horse covers ground, especially on the trail with elevation changes, hills to climb, and canyons to descend.

Now imagine a saddle on the horse’s back. Most saddles are made with a rigid frame called a tree, which were (not surprisingly) traditionally made out of wood. In more recent decades, the wood was wrapped in fiberglass. Some trees today are made of other materials, including synthetics like polyethylene.

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Taste Your Way Through the Santa Ynez Valley

Although the movie Sideways brought international attention to the Santa Ynez Valley wineries in the early 2000s, this area had been producing world-class wines long before then. The various cities and roads connecting the Santa Ynez Valley has 100-plus wineries, and with plenty of hotels and fine dining around the region, this area makes for the ultimate wine vacation — particularly during the harvest season. There are plenty of tours in the valley that provide a safe way to navigate the numerous locations and taste some of the finest wines in the Santa Ynez Valley. Take a visit to the Santa Ynez Valley this fall and learn about the grape harvest while giving one of these wineries a try.

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The many ways to celebrate Solvang’s Julefest

By Zachary Rosen

Solvang’s selection of Danish-themed stores and culture brings in throngs of tourists throughout the year. However, it’s during the holidays that this town really shines. The city’s annual Julefest (pronounced “yule-fest”) is a month-long holiday celebration where the downtown area and distinctive shops dress up in twinkling lights and Christmas décor. Festive events are held throughout the city, bringing even more charm to this already adorable town.

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Santa Ynez Culture Yesterday and Today

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On the Mission Trail

By Bill Warner

Since its beginning back in the late 18th century, Mission Santa Barbara has made about 233 trips around the sun. That might not seem like much compared with some of the older architecture in Europe. Next to the pyramids of Egypt or Mesoamerica, 233 years is a droplet in the Pacific. But as far as buildings go, the Mission in Santa Barbara is far older than anything else in town, with the lone exception of the Presidio, the old Spanish fort up on East Canon Perdido Street. In fact, if you compare the Mission with everything else in town, everything else in town begins to look a bit ephemeral.

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