Celebrate Spring is almost officially here on California’s Central Coast! The fields and rolling hills in Santa Maria Valley and all around Orcutt are turning green, and new leaves and flowers are popping up on trees everywhere. Getting outside and seeing beautiful flowers, trees, and landscapes is soothing to the soul, even if we don’t have a super bloom.
Plus, St. Patrick’s Day is coming! Read on for more ways to go green.
8 Green Things to Do to Celebrate Spring in Santa Maria Valley
1. Visit an area with California wildflowers.
California wildflowers are starting to pop up and will continue to do so during the next few months. So grab your loved ones, and a snack for the car and head south to Grass Mountain and Figueroa Mountain in Santa Ynez Valley. This area has a whole smattering of all kinds of wildflowers that bloom at various times all through spring, with several trails ranging from moderate to hard. If you head north to Oso Flaco Lake near Nipomo, you’ll see wildflowers and lots of greenery in the area bordering Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Or stay closer to home, and head over to Tepusquet Canyon Road has fields of orange poppies, blooming anytime between early spring to early summer.
2. Stay outside later than usual.
Daylight savings starts on Sunday, March 14, which gives you an extra hour of light in the evening! Go ahead and spend that extra hour hanging or cooking out in the yard, going for a walk, kicking a ball around, or just toasting loved ones with a sunset cocktail.
3. Go for a hike.
Right around the Rice Ranch community are 580 acres of open space, containing lots of hiking and biking trails, open fields, and the Orcutt Community Park. The park has a playground, picnic area, soccer fields, and a walking trail.
There are more than a dozen places to hike within 30 minutes, ranging from easy to difficult, with terrains full of wildlife, beachside walks and everything in between.
4. Grab a green beer.
St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, and we all know what that means…green beer! Green food! Green outfits! And maybe a Leprechaun? Downtown Orcutt has a lively food and drink scene, plus antiques, shops, and food trucks to satisfy your Irish cravings
5. Visit a farmers market or produce stand.
With our temperate climate—thanks to the Pacific Ocean—we’ve got amazing produce year-round that’s green and tasty. Support local farmers and families by shopping at outdoor markets and food stands around Santa Maria and Orcutt.
6. Hang out in your own backyard.
One of the best places to celebrate Spring is in your own backyard. It’s a great time to do some planting and try your luck to see what you can grow. Planting seeds, small plants, or even trees and shrubs can be a fun project to watch grow. And your yard will only get better over time!
Our landscape packages can help you get your yard in shape, and with all those stunning views (all houses at The Groves have backyards open to the hills), you’ll be spending your days outside.
7. Play a round of golf.
There are 10 Public Golf Courses within 20 Miles of Rice Ranch that offer year-round play, with scenic views ranging from the mountains to the ocean. Get ready for cool ocean breezes, warm sunshine, picturesque scenery, and challenging terrain with your golf buddies. You can play a round of golf, regardless of season, at any of the Central Coast’s highly-rated public courses. And without the crowds!
See more info about golfing near Orcutt, CA here.
8. Go solar!
Our solar packages give your new home a green boost of energy. We contract with SunPower, and you have choices on the size of the system, and whether you lease or purchase. Plus, you can still get a sizable tax credit when purchasing solar! The amount of the tax credit will diminish over time, so now is a perfect time. (Read about the tax credit schedule here.)
Living at The Meadows and The Groves at Rice Ranch affords plenty of opportunities to go green this spring! This is Santa Barbara County’s only master-planned community, with gorgeous new homes, oak tree-lined streets, stunning views, 580 acres of open space and hiking trails outside your door, and private access to the Summit Club.
