Central Coast California Wineries and wines have grown rapidly into one of the largest regions in the U.S. While America still produces just a fraction of the world's wine, probably less than 10%, Central Coast fields quickly switch from vegetable crops to vineyards.

A vacation to California's Central Coast offers stunning rural scenes and probably 30 wineries to enjoy sampling and purchasing wine.  Even Napa vintners have purchased land or lease land for wine grapes in Central California, blending them into their products.  Because of its unique climate, there's a sweeping valley in Santa Maria where the cool ocean air sweeps over the warm hills and makes the grapes so special...they are sought after for the finest wines.

Seen in the photo above is a rolling hillside scene between Los Alamos, Buellton and Solvang on the Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County. In addition to the wine grapes, you'll see oak-studded hills where the cows graze in the shade of these graceful, bending trees. Central California is a refreshing vacation escape from Southern California or San Francisco Bay.

When you want to rejuvenate your mind, your body and your senses, take a little drive to Central California, just a 3 to 5 hour drive from most California urban areas.