I participated in the 2019 Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon in Solvang, CA. Solvang is a city of 5,245 people located in the Santa Ynez Valley portion of California, about 2 hours north of Los Angeles. The race is named “Santa Barbara” Wine Country Half, though the race is about 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara.

Race registration starts at $80 and is open for 2020. The race expo was held the Friday before but race day packet pick-up was an option. The race starting line offered plenty of free parking options.

The course was a loop from Solvang to Santa Ynez and back. The course was fairly hilly with an elevation gain of 819 feet. After the run there was a wine festival which included a free wine glass, tastings and a live band.

The course was GORGEOUS, I stopped multiple times to take gorgeous pictures. This race is great for a girls weekend or RUN-cation getaway.

Pros: Wine, Gorgeous Course, free parking, lots of port-a-potties
Cons: None!