Posts filed under ‘Visiting The Valley’
A BBQ Country Salute to Huell Howser
Huell Howser
In the Santa Maria Valley, our famed Santa Maria Barbecue shares the spotlight with another local treasure, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex, a breathtaking coastal preserve spanning 22,000 acres and 18 miles.
The popular PBS television host Huell Howser knew all about the Guadalupe Dunes and filmed several episodes there for his “California’s Golden Coast” series.
Now, in honor of Howser’s recent passing, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, which oversees an education center and guided hikes promoting the Dunes, invites the public to a “Huell Howser Memorial Hike” on February 9 at 10 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to share stories about Howser on the three-mile hike along a boardwalk at Oso Flaco Lake, a seaside estuary. The hike will last about two hours and is free to the public; a $2 donation to the center is suggested. Participants will gather at the parking lot at Oso Flaco Lake Road in Nipomo off of California Highway 1 ($5 for parking).
One of only two remaining coastal dunes complexes in California—and by far the largest—the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex unfolds with awe-inspiring mountains of shifting sands that are teeming with biological diversity. The preserve stretches from Pismo Beach to Point Sal.
Howser, who died of prostate cancer on January 7 at age 67, was one of the region’s biggest fans and helped organize a number of fundraisers that led to the establishment of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center in 1999. Mr. Howser was a true California classic, and he will be missed!
A Local Classic Unveils Fresh Flavors
Santa Maria Valley barbecue country is home to a number of iconic landmarks steeped in local lore and beloved by the ranchers and farmers who’ve put the region on the map. The Historic Santa Maria Inn is one such establishment. Since 1917 the inn has proven a welcome respite to motorists traveling along Highway 101 and to tourists seeking to experience the charms of the Central Coast.
This year, the inn has all kinds of news. With renovated dining areas in place along with a state-of-the-art kitchen, the inn has unveiled a complete revision of its menus, beverages and customer service standards within its food and beverage department. The weekly Sunday Grand Buffet has been replaced with a modernized a la carte brunch that features creative entrees such as Prime Rib Hash, Chilaquiles, Cuban French Toast with Plantains and Crema; Southern Crispy Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles; and the Santa Maria Barbecue Panini offering grilled tri-tip and linguica sausage on a garlic bread French roll with smoked Gouda cheese, caramelized onions and pico de gallo. This format is ideal for those who appreciate smaller portions and want to spend less. There’s good news, too, for those who pine for the old days as the classic buffet-style brunch is resurrected for a number of major holidays throughout the year including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day. Of course the inn’s famous “bottomless mimosas” will continue to be offered for both styles of brunch.
In other news the inn’s Garden Room Restaurant is also sporting a new menu featuring entrees such as Santa Maria Mix Grill, Soy Rum Braised Pork Shoulder, Cedar Plank Salmon and Red Chili Hanger Steak. The property’s Olde English Tap Room has also undergone an interior redesign to emphasize its cozy, friendly European pub-style atmosphere. Meanwhile guests enjoy an intimate corner at the Wine Cellar & Martini Bar. The cellar offers an extensive selection of Central Coast wines as well as signature martinis and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Coffee lovers are also in luck as the inn’s 801 Café brews up Starbuck’s specialty drinks and Italian Sodas, as well as snacks and desserts. To top it all off, the inn’s new piano lounge invites guests to soak up the melodies of a player baby grand while they relax with appetizers and beverages.
The historic Santa Maria Inn, like Santa Maria BBQ, proves that good taste never goes out of style!
Kids Discover BBQ at Children’s Museum
R.H. Tesene was not only legendary for his Santa Maria Style Barbecue skills, but also his generous spirit and community involvement. Today, his legend lives on at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, where he donated a “Barbecue Hall of Fame” exhibit that teaches children and parents alike about our local culinary tradition.
As noted in a recent feature in the Santa Maria Sun, “The BBQ Hall of Fame” exhibit was donated by Tesene, who originally showcased them proudly at The Beacon Outpost Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, a joint he built, owned, and opened in June of 1949. The brands you see in the exhibit have a fun story, too. Back when The Beacon Outpost was booming, Tesene noticed that his Sunday nights were slow so he decided to invite guest barbecuers (who were Santa Maria’s finest) who would by nature spread the word and invite their friends, who then invited their friends, and thus a thriving Sunday night was born from then on out. It was tradition for any guest barbecuer to “bring their own branding irons, heat them in the barbecue pit, and burn their brands in the block.”…These historical brands now hang in the Discovery Museum, and always will, as all Tesene wanted was a worthy and lifelong home for his treasured memories.”
Mr. Tesene was also the author of the book Santa Maria Style Barbecue, which is recognized as the authoritative guide to the history and methods of Santa Maria BBQ.
The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum is Santa Barbara County’s only children’s museum, and it features numerous exhibits that delve into our local wonders, such as agriculture (pictured here), barbecue, aerospace and nature. One new attraction is the second phase of the “Belly of The Whale” exhibit, which includes a new kiosk that houses a highly interactive educational video that teaches about whale species, their habitats and migratory patterns.
Another exciting development this fall is the October 1 arrival of the highly anticipated Mobile Oil Field Learning Unit (MOLU), a $1.2 million traveling exhibit that teaches children about how energy is created through oil exploration, natural gas and geology. The installation makes its California debut at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum before touring through Southern California schools and other museums in November.
BBQ & Baseball: Two Local Pastimes
Barbecue is so tightly woven into the Santa Maria Valley community that it is even commemorated at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum.
Here, an entire corner of the museum is devoted to photographs and information highlighting the region’s old-time families and individuals known for their role in local barbecue lore. Some of the most comprehensive books on the history of Santa Maria Style Barbecue are also available for sale.
Of course, hand in hand with barbecue is another favorite American pastime . . . baseball. And now through the end of September, the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum is featuring an exhibition on the rich history of baseball in the Santa Maria Valley. Displaying many artifacts from the personal collection of longtime local Eddie Navarro, the exhibit includes items from little league teams, school and city leagues, vegetable grower company teams and women’s teams.
“Santa Maria has a vibrant baseball history,” said Shirley Contreras, a museum staffer. “A few of our local guys went to the majors including Robin Ventura and Bryn Smith, and many of them went to the minor leagues, too. When World War II broke out, many of our budding stars went off to war and by the time they came home, it was too late for them to pursue careers as baseball players.”
She adds that the display includes photographs of teams from 1903 to the recent past as well as memorabilia including gloves, equipment and uniforms.
Since 1955, the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum has collected, preserved and presented the history of the peoples of the Santa Maria Valley. In 1972, the Society opened the museum at its present location at 616 S. Broadway in Santa Maria. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Wine…
In the Santa Maria Valley, the arrival of warmer spring weather not only intensifies our community focus on barbecue, it inspires us to pull corks, too.
Indeed, the spring season brings out the grills in full force while heralding the annual Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival. Happening this year on Saturday, April 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., this signature wine event features the fare of more than 100 Santa Barbara County wineries, caterers, specialty food purveyors and restaurants, many of whom display a serious passion for the ‘cue.
They will all converge at The Carranza, a picturesque creekside meadow tucked into a valley just outside of Los Olivos in Northern Santa Barbara County. Two live bands, wine related exhibits and a silent auction to benefit local charities will round out the day. In addition to the festival, many wineries will be offering special tastings, winemaker dinners and library tastings throughout the weekend.
Click here for tickets and information or call (805) 688-0881. And for more information on touring the Santa Maria Valley wine country, visit www.santamariawines.com and www.santamariawinecountry.com.
Of course, your culinary tour doesn’t have to end at the festival. Once your appetite returns, you can pick up right where you left off with local wines and Santa Maria Style Barbecue served by numerous local restaurants. Cheers!
Flying High in BBQ Country
The fine weather in the Santa Maria Valley is one reason why the region is known as California’s BBQ Capital. After all, you need pretty good weather to barbecue all year round like the locals do, right?
The valley’s moderate coastal climate is also conducive to producing world-class wines, growing some of California’s finest strawberries and…flying kites! And on April 22, in the heart of National Kite Month, the valley’s open skies and cool breezes will abound with color as the Discovery Museum hosts its annual Family Kite Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park.
The festivities will include a kite drag race, candy drop and a “kite tail chase” where kids ages 12 and younger win prizes for catching kite tails. Expert kite flyers will be on hand to demonstrate the tricks of their trade, and amateurs of all ages are encouraged to fly their own kites. Many awards for different kite categories will also be given. Admission to the festival is free.
To celebrate National Kite Month, the Discovery Museum will feature a variety of children’s events and programs throughout the month of April. These programs include kite making, kite storytelling, and a kid-friendly discussion about aerodynamics offered during the weekly “Twilight Thursday” programs that start at 5:30 each week.
The Fairfield Inn is also getting in on the fun by offering its “Up, Up & Away Kite Festival Package” exclusively on April 20, 21 and 22. The $109 rate includes a free kite upon arrival, four tickets to the Discovery Museum, a complimentary breakfast bar, and accommodations in one of their suites.
And after all that running around flying your kite, you will no doubt work up an appetite, so you can just sail on over to one of our many local Santa Maria BBQ restaurants to end your day on a high note!
Santa Maria Sizzles in SkyWest Magazine
Santa Maria BBQ and the Santa Maria Valley are once again in the spotlight as SkyWest Magazine devotes a full page travel feature on the region in its latest issue. SkyWest Magazine is the in-flight publication for SkyWest Airlines and United Express.
Aptly headlined “Valley of Variety,” the story explores the magnificent diversity of the Santa Maria Valley visitor experience, including barbecue, wine, nature, culture and family entertainment. As the story states, “This historic picturesque area an hour northwest of Santa Barbara lures visitors off the beaten path with plenty to see and do.”
Among the story’s featured attractions are the treasures of the Santa Maria Museum of Flight; the children’s delights at the Discovery Museum; the towering ocean views of the Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes; the “naturalists nirvana” of Los Flores Ranch Park; and the relaxed appeal of the local wine country: “Santa Maria Valley offers visitors an unpretentious opportunity to meet with winemakers at more than a dozen tasting rooms, all set among the valley’s rolling hills and lush landscape.”
Of course, Santa Maria Style Barbecue also takes center stage in the story, including a photo of Cowboy Flavor’s Billy Ruiz cutting into a steaming piece of tri-tip.
Thanks to SkyWest Magazine for their high-flying coverage of the Santa Maria Valley!
Plan Your Visit to BBQ Country
Are you thinking about visiting the Santa Maria Valley? Well, you are not alone!
Indeed, in its 2011 Annual Report, the Santa Maria Valley Visitor & Convention Bureau reports a 12 percent increase in city “bed tax” revenues over the previous year, meaning that even amid a challenging economy, more and more people are coming to the area and staying at local hotels and motels.
It can’t hurt that Santa Maria Style Barbecue continues to garner widespread attention, with recent media coverage in FoxNews.com, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Wandermelon.com, American Cowboy Magazine, Reuters, LA Weekly, TastingTable.com and elsewhere. No doubt, more folks are following the red oak smoke to experience California’s BBQ Capital!
Other local flavors are a major draw as well. For example, word is spreading about the remarkable quality of Santa Maria Valley wines. In fact, the Wine Enthusiast named three locally grown wines to the top 10 slots on its most recent list of Top 100 Most Coveted Wines in the world! Think about that for a second…Then there’s our famous Santa Maria Valley strawberries and fertile fields of everything from cilantro to broccoli.
The valley’s award-winning theater presentations, stunning Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes and adjacent beaches, affordable world-class golf and unique cultural experiences are also beckoning you.
To help plan your next visit, check out the following three resources presented by the Official Santa Maria Valley Barbecue Blog: our Santa Maria Valley Welcome Guide, our Arts & Culture roundup, our Visitor Resources and our Santa Maria BBQ restaurants page.
Sweet Sounds Abound in Santa Maria Valley
We take a break today from our regularly scheduled BBQ programming to celebrate another delight for the senses, specifically the sweet strains of the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society.
It’s no secret that, amid the challenges of a rough economy, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society was recently faced with the possibility of shutting down. Well, we are happy to report that the society has rallied and will be offering a suite of tantalizing performances this winter and into 2012.
The excitement begins with a November 19 performance by Café Musique at Grace Baptist Church. Hailing from the Central Coast of California, this group presents a musical collage of waltz, tango, gypsy, and folk. Then, on December 2 at First United Methodist Church, Maestro John Farrer and the Santa Maria Philharmonic Orchestra will present a Holiday Fantasy Concert. Additional performances are scheduled for February, April and May.
In addition to providing the Santa Maria Valley with a diverse range of concerts, the society reaches out to more than 5,000 elementary school students each year, thus playing a vital cultural role in the community. “We are committed to keeping the classical music art form alive in the Santa Maria Valley,” says Executive Director George J. Majoue.
It’s yet another reminder that good taste in the Santa Maria Valley isn’t limited to barbecue, wine and strawberries! Indeed, the valley abounds with concerts, theater, museums and other cultural attractions that await your exploration.
Fly into BBQ Country
Adding to the steady stream of publicity for Santa Maria Style Barbecue this summer, leading online travel merchant CheapFlights.com spotlights our regional culinary tradition in a new piece featuring their editors’ picks for America’s Top 10 Barbecue Towns.
In doing so, they include Santa Barbara, which is an hour south of Santa Maria, as a hub for Santa Maria BBQ. They might have been remiss in not pointing their readers to the true landmarks of Santa Maria Style Barbecue in the Santa Maria Valley, such as Shaw’s Steakhouse, the Hitching Post and Far Western Tavern. But as they note, Santa Barbara is certainly well versed in Santa Maria BBQ, and they are probably and understandably more inclined to point readers toward places closer to major airport hubs such as Los Angeles.
That said, we will take this opportunity to remind you that the Santa Maria Valley has it’s own airport with commercial flights to and from Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Better yet, the Santa Maria Airport offers private pilots a unique “fly and dine” experience. Indeed, pilots can taxi right up to side of the airport’s Radisson Hotel, park their plane and walk to lunch at the hotel’s Vintner’s Grill. We’re told that many pilots fly into town for the grill’s famous Sunday brunch, and the Santa Maria tri-tip sandwich is a popular lunch item.
Another memorable on-site attraction is the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, which features a variety of planes, models, photos, memorabilia and exhibits, including a restored F4 fighter jet that served in Vietnam and a 1929 Fleet biplane. The museum also features several Hollywood movie props, including an H-1 Racer from The Aviator, a full-scale Wright glider from Winds of Kitty Hawk and an original wooden hangar from The Rocketeer.
Whether you come by wheels or wings, the Santa Maria Valley is ready to welcome you with what Sunset Magazine once called “the world’s best barbecue.” So pack your appetite and we’ll see you soon!
