Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks offers 3 course meal deals and wine tastings

SOLVANG, Calif.-There are special three course meals for a variety of prices to fit your budget during Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks.

That is plural because it goes on for two weeks and wineries are taking part, too.

Visit Santa Ynez Valley President & CEO Shelby Sim said it used to be about drumming up business during one slow week.

Now it is a popular attraction that draws tourists and locals from up and down the coast.

"Now it is a happening season," said Sim, " And yeah, you will see we have over 25 restaurants participating,  in those, we have 5 Michelin participating and over 30 wineries"

Sim recommends checking out places you have never been to before.

Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks is also great time to check out new restaurants that have just joined the event.

Louis Lucas, the owner of Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards said they always have deals and if visitors are lucky he will be there to do the pouring.

His namesake partner of 29 years, Royce Lewellen, passed away a few years ago.

Together they took advantage of Santa Barbara County's grape-growing weather.

"When I came here 50 years ago there was 80 acres of grapes and now there's 28,000 acres," said Lucas.

When it comes to SYV Restaurant Weeks, Lucas recommends trying new things.

"Have an open mind to both, both he food and wine and have a Solvang experience."

Businesses taking part include Coast Range, Whiskey 'N Rye Smokehouse, Toscana and the River Grill at Alisal and the Hitching Post II.

Tasting rooms including Lucas & Lewellen, Brander Vineyards, Epiphany, and Hitching Post Wines are also taking part.

Stephen Nagel and his sister Carolyn just happened upon Restaurant Weeks.

"Solvang has always been, since we were kids coming through, a super quaint, adorable little town and of course when I was younger I wasn't old enough to partake in sipping wines, so now I am, so Yay," said Carolyn Nagel.

For a complete list of participants visit https//www.visitsyv.com or https://www.dinesyv.com