Do you dream of getting back to basics? Perhaps you’d just like to slow down, breathe deeply, skip the traffic delays, and enjoy some gorgeous natural beauty instead.
Moving out of large cities and leaving congestion behind can bring many benefits to help you enjoy rice ranch quality of life. Without the hustle and bustle, you have time to think more, roam open spaces and spend time doing things that bring you joy. Your family, too, can create new experiences together, as well as increase relaxation and recreation.
Being in nature is also good for your health! According to the American Heart Association, “Spending time in nature can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and boost feelings of happiness and well-being.”
Our new homes at The Meadows and The Groves at Rice Ranch are nestled against 580 acres of open space, in the middle of Santa Barbara wine country. This new home development provides the sanctuary when you need it, and the lifestyle when you want it. In fact, we are Santa Barbara’s only Master Planned Community, with executive homes, oak tree-lined streets, a gated community, and private access to active lifestyle amenities.
Quality of Life
The area is also rich with outdoor activities, wildlife, hiking trails, beaches, and bird watching. There are charming downtowns to explore, local shops and farms, interesting places to eat and play, and plenty of space for everyone in the family.
Communing with Nature
There are many ways to spend time in nature, and enjoy the beauty of Santa Barbara County:
- Monarch Dunes Butterfly Grove plays winter home to thousands of orange and black Monarch Butterflies. They arrive each year, seeking shelter from the northern winters.
- Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve inside the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes provides habitats for your viewing. It is a unique and fragile ecosystem.
- The Pismo Preserve is a beautiful outdoor nature preserve. It is absolutely stunning, and located just 20 minutes north of Santa Maria.
- The Santa Maria River Estuary has long been considered one of the best birding hotspots in Santa Barbara County.
Hiking and Walking
From the huge open space adjoining our new homes at Rice Ranch to walkways over water and through nature preserves, you can find it all:
- The East La Cuesta Loop Trail is an easy, 3.8-mile trail is located in the gorgeous Los Flores Ranch Park trail system, which features 15 miles of hiking trails.
- Oso Flaco Lake Trail is an easy, 1.7-mile, out-and-back trail located in the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.
- Los Flores Ranch Park offers hiking, equestrian and biking trails, as well as environmental education, land preservation and recreation.
- Rice Ranch Trail is an easy, 3.2-mile loop trail, with beautiful wild flowers and wildlife.
- Santa Maria River Levee Trail is an easy, 6.7-mile trail with gorgeous views of mountains and Santa Maria Valley’s landscape. It is partially paved and follows a levee.
- Point Sal Overlook Trail is a difficult, 9.8-mile out-and-back trail that offers hikers amazing views. It can be hard to get to the trailhead.
Hitting the Water
With 15 beaches within a 30-minute drive, Rice Ranch is the prefect place to slow down, and get more for less:
- Pismo State Beach and Grover Beach are near the Oceano Dunes, one with very flat, firm sand that can be driven on and the other with a pier, restaurants galore and a classic beachy vibe. Fish, swim, sunbathe, gather shells and more!
- Elmer Ross Beach is a small, beautiful beach that sits below large cliffs. Because of the cliffs and surrounding rocks, this beach is less wavy that others.
- Avila Beach is north of Pismo Beach, with a sunny, warm microclimate. It is small and charming and is not to be missed.
- Fisherman’s Beach is just past Avila Beach, and has a pier where you can buy fresh seafood.
Exploring Small Town Activities
From a hands-on urban farm to main streets from yesteryear, Santa Barbara County has it all:
- Blosser Urban Garden (BUG) is a sustainable, small-scale organic farm in an urban setting that serves the community with food and hands-on education.
- Preisker Park boasts Nesting Lawrence’s Goldfinches for avid bird-watchers to enjoy. Plus, it has an open field
- U-Pick Blueberries is a fun family outing, combining sunshine and working together to pick fresh blueberries and strawberries.
- Old Town Orcutt is a charming town with an old west vibe, just minutes from Rice Ranch.
- Los Alamos is 15 minutes south of Rice Ranch, and is a burgeouning culinary, wine and arts scene, along one main street.
- Los Olivos is another historic town from 1887, and the Santa Ynez Valley has tons more to do, just 15 more minutes down the 101.
More activities from Santa Maria Valley
Check out the full guide of things to do outside in the Santa Maria Valley:
- At Santa Maria Lawn Bowling, your family can enjoy the outdoors while being active and so much more.
- Nestled in the foothills overlooking the Santa Maria valley, Rancho Maria Golf Club is just 1 of 5 beautiful golf courses in the area.
Come home to Rice Ranch, where location, luxury, and lifestyle become one.
