Santa Ynez airport ( KIZA ) is located about 30 miles North of Santa Barbara. Santa Ynez is a small community with a population of about 6,000. The town is surrounded by Solvang, a quaint little Dutch community, and Los Olivos. Both boast fun shopping and sightseeing. Los Olivos is renowned for its many wineries and old town charm. Both SY And LO were stage coach stops, back in the mid 1800s. Two of the original old hotels are still in operation.

The entire area has become the Napa Winery area of Santa Barbara county. There are lots of great restaurants. You can walk through old town SY, or take a tour of the local wineries.

This must-see town and surrounding area is only a 1.5 hr flight in N889JD from KPSP, and the weather is more temperate than here in the desert.

--Fred Rice