Go to: Santa Ynez Valley, California

Instead of: Napa Valley, California

When you think of California wine country, Napa is the first place that comes to mind. But Santa Barbara County’s panoramic Santa Ynez Valley is just as accessible and gives travelers many opportunities to drink various wines at a fraction of the cost.

Grapes in this area are more affordable than their Napa counterparts and come in a wider variety.

The official Visit California website also emphasizes the diverse grapes in this budget-friendly vacation alternative, which is uniquely comprised of different geographical regions with varying climates.

And the Santa Ynez Visitors Association lists more than 120 wineries you can visit. As for accommodation, they’re also generally more reasonable than the ones you would find in Napa.