Eye on Travel

Radio Guest List—Solvang, Santa Ynez Valley, California—August 16, 2014

Locations in this article:  Santa Barbara, CA

solvangLocated in California’s Central Coast, Solvang in Santa Ynez Valley, is a cornucopia of outdoor activities, wine, and history. This week, we broadcast from the Old Mission Santa Ines in Solvang, a hamlet in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. We are joined by local Santa Barbara County Parks ranger and naturalist, Liz Gaspar, who discusses teaching children about nature and the surprises that she has encountered in the wilderness.

Also joining us this week is the Old Mission Santa Ines’ head docent, Paul Melancon, who shares the history of California’s Mission system and how he helped on the Apollo 13 rescue mission. Then, get ready to take to the skies with the president of the Santa Ynez Airport and owner of Santa Barbara Soaring, Shawn Knight. All this and more when we broadcast from Solvang, Santa Ynez Valley, California.

Click here to listen to the show, streaming live from 10 am until 1 pm ET on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Call in with your travel questions at 1-888-88-PETER (1- 888-887-3837) or email peter@petergreenberg.com. (Write “ASK PETER” in the subject line)

Dave Bemis, former managing editor of Santa Ynez Valley News and the Santa Maria Times, talks about the variety of activities that the area offers, as well as his favorite food spots.

Liz Gaspar, ranger and park naturalist for Santa Barbara County Parks, describes how you never know what you are going to see in the wild. She also details her experience running camps that teach kids about nature.

Paul Melancon, head docent of Old Mission Santa Ines, teaches about the Spanish Catholic settlement of California and the impact of missions on the state’s development.

Jamie Gluck, owner of Bell Street Farm Eatery in Los Alamos, affirms that farm to table is a real thing in California’s Central Coast and how more local restaurants are incorporating the fresh produce around them.

Shawn Knight, owner of Santa Barbara Soaring and Santa Ynez Airport’s president, details why the conditions in Santa Barbara are ideal for glider planes and how they are introducing the first ever three-person glider.

Chris Bashforth, executive director of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, describes the exhibits the museum offers, including one honoring the Chumash Native American tribe.

Morgen McLaughlin, executive director of Santa Barbara County Vintners Association, divulges why the closeness to the ocean helps produce good wine and talks about the diversity of the Central Coast’s vineyards.

Elsemarie Petersen, native Dane and co-owner of Greenhouse Café-A Nordic Bistro, tells the story of how she visited Solvang as a teen and what enticed her to stay.

Mr. Monty Roberts, “The Horse Whisperer,” owner of Flag is Up Farms in Buellton, talks about fostering over 40 children and how he communicates with horses.

By Darra Stone for PeterGreenberg.com