Santa Margarita

Take a quick detour off Highway 101 and discover a bit of Old California in Santa Margarita, a small town where cattle meet Cabernet.

With its Western-style storefronts and thousands of acres of surrounding ranchlands, this northern San Luis Obispo County town is a throwback to an earlier time. But in addition to all of its history and tradition, Santa Margarita is also a place for outdoor adventures, premium wines, and even a unique yoga retreat.

Things to Do in Santa Margarita

Rambling over 14,000 acres, Santa Margarita Ranch was established in 1774, making it one of California’s oldest continuously operating cattle ranches.

Whether you’re a thrill seeker or prefer a slow-and-steady approach, there are endless ways to explore the ranch. Glide over the Santa Margarita on one of the zipline tours (some at sunset or after dark) that take to the air for more than a mile, including an 1,800-foot stretch above the ranch’s vineyard.

Or, take one of the nature and wildlife tours led by a ranch naturalist: Head out on a foraging tour to discover the natural bounty that sustained the ranch’s Indigenous inhabitants for thousands of years, or learn how the Santa Margarita’s sustainable grazing practices strike a balance between ranching and the preservation and enhancement of native ecosystems.

Seasonal outings also include wildflower tours, when the Santa Margarita’s slopes and meadows bloom in vivid hues, and guided winter and spring tours to see the ranch’s resident bald eagles. Come during the holiday season for Christmas at the Ranch, when you can shop for crafts at its marketplace and ride the ranch’s authentic steam train, which uses restored passenger coaches originally from Disneyland.

For more family fun in Santa Margarita, tour Giving Tree Family Farm, which raises adorable Nubian goats, alpacas, and even an emu or two. Beyond all that cuteness, you can learn how to make goat milk soap and goat cheeses during Giving Tree’s hands-on workshops. Its unique gifts range from goat milk lotions to beanies crafted from alpaca wool.

For an immersive Santa Margarita escape, book an all-inclusive yoga retreat at Sagrada Wellness, where the experience integrates guided hikes that explore the area’s gorgeous grasslands and oak woodlands.

Where to Eat and Drink in Santa Margarita

The Santa Margarita area’s winemaking tradition began nearly 250 years ago when the Spanish planted a mission grape vineyard for sacramental wines. While a commemorative vineyard has been planted at that original site on Santa Margarita Ranch, today’s center of local winemaking is Ancient Peaks Winery.

Located in its own American Viticultural Area 14 miles from the Pacific, Ancient Peaks raises grapes on nearly 900 acres at the sustainable Margarita Vineyard, planted in 1999 and now the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles wine country. The vineyard’s grapes benefit from a cooling marine influence and a late and long growing season, as well as a mixture of five soil types that help create a diverse range of growing conditions.

Ancient Peaks’ estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon have won acclaim for their unique blend of balance, texture, and natural complexity. The winery offers private vineyard tours, and you can sample its wines at the tasting room in the heart of Santa Margarita. Or pair the wines with the hearty ranch-style fare at the tasting room’s cafe.

This part of the state is known for its barbecue, too. With its longhorn-emblazoned facade, The Range is a Central Coast classic thanks to such specialties as a 14-hour smoked brisket and the coffee-crusted black Angus ribeye, plus a selection of Paso Robles wines. Vintage country-music album covers on the walls add to the down-home atmosphere, and the outdoor patio is perfect for warm summer nights.

Dubbed “Santa Margarita’s living room,” The Porch Cafe specializes in scratch cooking, from beer-battered fish ‘n’ chips made with 805 Blonde Ale from Paso Robles’ Firestone Walker Brewing Company to some of the tastiest burgers anywhere.

Shopping in Santa Margarita

Be sure to leave time to prowl the selection at The Barn Antiques & Unique, which many consider the best antique shop in San Luis Obispo County. Another don’t-miss spot for vintage shopping sits nearby on El Camino Real: The Giddy Up, housed in a 1940s-vintage double Quonset hut painted bright turquoise, is hard to miss.

Find exquisitely crafted tableware at Heidi Petersen Ceramics, which is open for drop-ins and by appointment. The studio is on the grounds of The Educated Gardener, a popular stop for the gardening crowd. About 20 minutes out of Santa Margarita, Las Pilitas Nursery is a landmark in the California plant world and a must for anyone looking to create a native garden.

More to Do Near Santa Margarita

Explore more of San Luis Obispo County by tasting your way around the San Luis Obispo wine region, spending a perfect day in Paso Robles, and checking out nearby beaches.