Santa Barbara and the adjoining Santa Ynez Valley offer the ideal destination running experience. Held in early May on Mother’s Day weekend, it’s the perfect time to visit this haven for outdoor recreation. The area has plenty to offer including beach and ocean activities, hiking, biking and running trails, historic …
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Santa Barbara and the adjoining Santa Ynez Valley offer the ideal destination running experience. Held in early May on Mother’s Day weekend, it’s the perfect time to visit this haven for outdoor recreation. The area has plenty to offer including beach and ocean activities, hiking, biking and running trails, historic towns and missions, plenty of shopping and restaurant options, and an abundance of wineries and tasting rooms. And you’ll LOVE this scenic course that runs from downtown Santa Ynez through Los Olivos into the Danish-settled town of Solvang.
Bring your family and friends to enjoy a weekend full of activities in this bucolic setting and celebrate in style at the expanded post-race Wine & Music Festival in Solvang Park. Run the half marathon or the two-person relay. Form a team of six or more. Run with, or for, your mother. But be warned…this race is habit forming and sells out early!
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STUNNING SCENERY
Fantastic race with fantastic people! Incredible organization with plenty of aid stations and porta potties throughout the length of the course. My only complaint is this years shirt was VERY … MORE
Fantastic race with fantastic people! Incredible organization with plenty of aid stations and porta potties throughout the length of the course. My only complaint is this years shirt was VERY substandard!!!
When are race organizers going to quit trying to convince runners, shitty cotton-blends are some kind of usable technical t-shirt???? Not cool, ESPECIALLY charging $130!!
So much fun and well organized!
This was my first race ever so I dont have anything to compare it to. The activities the day before were fun and the tshirt and bibbpickup were a breeze. … MORE
This was my first race ever so I dont have anything to compare it to. The activities the day before were fun and the tshirt and bibbpickup were a breeze. A free shuttle picks you up to take you to the start. Lots of bathrooms and fun music before the start.
I am local so I knew the route well from my training. Mike 7 has a decent hill and mile 13 has a small one. Otherwise its pretty easy. Beautiful scenery! The best part were all of the locals sitting in their yard cheering you on! How fun!
Everything was so organized. My photos came out great! I loved the medals. The law enforcement presence was so nice knowing we were kept safe the entire race.
I loved my name being called when I crossed the finish line. I did better than expected!
Very beautiful course!
This is a pretty easy course, one hill that’s not too bad. For my first time it was not too difficult that I couldn’t finish. Hydration stops we’re plentiful and … MORE
This is a pretty easy course, one hill that’s not too bad. For my first time it was not too difficult that I couldn’t finish. Hydration stops we’re plentiful and everyone was really friendly.
Beautiful scenery with hills
This was my first half marathon relay, what fun. Lovely course and a challenging course as well. Well organized, this would be a great race to do with a group … MORE
This was my first half marathon relay, what fun. Lovely course and a challenging course as well. Well organized, this would be a great race to do with a group of friends. Ill be back next year.
Beautiful Course and Wine Involved
This is an annual event that we wouldn’t miss. The most scenic course around—first half is through beautiful horse country with ranches; the second half is entirely different—rolling hills through … MORE
This is an annual event that we wouldn’t miss. The most scenic course around—first half is through beautiful horse country with ranches; the second half is entirely different—rolling hills through the vineyards of Santa Barbara and a finish in the quaint city of Solvang. Don’t miss this next year!
Would Recommend!
The Santa Barbara Wine Country Half was an amazing experience! Although it wasn’t exactly in Santa Barbara the course of Solvang, Santa Ynez and Los Olivos was beautiful and scenic. … MORE
The Santa Barbara Wine Country Half was an amazing experience! Although it wasn’t exactly in Santa Barbara the course of Solvang, Santa Ynez and Los Olivos was beautiful and scenic. It had more “hills” and incline than I expected which challenged me but felt good to accomplish and finish the course. The production ran smoothly and was well done! I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a great running experience! I had a wonderful experience with Destination Races!
Most Fantastic & Best Half Marathon
This race was my favorite eith the other 4 Half Marathons I did in the past 1 1/2 years. My time was about 22minutes slower due to 1challenge of a … MORE
This race was my favorite eith the other 4 Half Marathons I did in the past 1 1/2 years. My time was about 22minutes slower due to 1challenge of a huge swinding hill but overall it was such a great race path with lots of flat & down hill on the course. I highly recommend to our runners and my friends. I look forward to doing it again next year.
Excellent race and beautiful views
This race is challenging, yet you’ll be in awe of the views, air and amazed by the magic of Santa Ynez and Solvang! Perfect finish line. Plenty of aid stations … MORE
This race is challenging, yet you’ll be in awe of the views, air and amazed by the magic of Santa Ynez and Solvang! Perfect finish line. Plenty of aid stations and volunteers. I would love to do this again!
Beautiful course, great town to finish
The Santa Barbara Relay Half is a great option for runners looking to travel to see a beautiful part of California wine country while running a shorter distance than a … MORE
The Santa Barbara Relay Half is a great option for runners looking to travel to see a beautiful part of California wine country while running a shorter distance than a full half. The scenery of the Santa Ynez Valley was outstanding! Ending the race is Solvang was perfect because the town has so many great shops and pastry restaurants to check out! The proximity to Santa Barbara and the beach was also a huge plus.
Great set-up
Great set-up at the start and the finish! Very organized which includes the bag drop off at the start, pickup at the finish, and the wine tables. MORE
Great set-up at the start and the finish! Very organized which includes the bag drop off at the start, pickup at the finish, and the wine tables.
Great atmosphere, well organized, fab
Enjoyed running this race, we went there for the wine so we took it easy, running downhill and walking uphill, still made it in about 2:15 before joining a great … MORE
Enjoyed running this race, we went there for the wine so we took it easy, running downhill and walking uphill, still made it in about 2:15 before joining a great wine tasting at the end. Professional organization and really nice views on the road in wine country.
Thought it was a full marathon...
But it worked out great since we signed up to do the relay! I would probably do it again - I see this as a really fun one to do … MORE
But it worked out great since we signed up to do the relay! I would probably do it again – I see this as a really fun one to do if you like wine at the end. No corrals at the beginning just a massive start.
Decent course, awful afterparty
I thought the course was good- some scenic parts that went through gorgeous vineyards. However, the after-party was just awful. Poorly organized and the area where they held it was … MORE
I thought the course was good- some scenic parts that went through gorgeous vineyards. However, the after-party was just awful. Poorly organized and the area where they held it was way too small. Also, the wineries that participated were not good. Tons of sweaty people all crammed together drinking crappy wine about sums it up.
Loved the Scenery
Personally I had a bad race, I had a headache and it affected my run. The course however was beautiful. Ran by the vineyards and Solvang is an amazing little … MORE
Personally I had a bad race, I had a headache and it affected my run. The course however was beautiful. Ran by the vineyards and Solvang is an amazing little town. Overall it was a good race.
Awesome race in my own backyard!
This a beautiful race but the hills are no joke. I loved having this race in my local area so I could train on the course and sleep in my … MORE
This a beautiful race but the hills are no joke. I loved having this race in my local area so I could train on the course and sleep in my own bed. I didn’t attend the wine tasting afterwards but I know others who did and enjoyed it.
Beautiful but challenging course
My wife and I did the relay, she took the second (tougher) half with the corkscrew. The beautiful countryside served as a nice distraction, and the post-race wine tasting was … MORE
My wife and I did the relay, she took the second (tougher) half with the corkscrew. The beautiful countryside served as a nice distraction, and the post-race wine tasting was a wonderful reward.
THIS RACE WAS OUTSTANDING!!!
This race was fun, and scenic all the way through. It had great opportunities for spectators to come view, and provided plenty of water and refreshment along the way. Above … MORE
This race was fun, and scenic all the way through. It had great opportunities for spectators to come view, and provided plenty of water and refreshment along the way. Above all the view was breathtaking throughout the whole race. The after party was so much fun and very spectator friendly. I loved every minute! Thank you!
hilly and hot with really nice scenery
Great course thru parts of California wine country. Very scenic. Lots of rolling hills with a nasty 3/4 of a mile uphill at mile 7 (corkscrew hill). Was a warm … MORE
Great course thru parts of California wine country. Very scenic. Lots of rolling hills with a nasty 3/4 of a mile uphill at mile 7 (corkscrew hill). Was a warm day so made the race challenging. Race organization and packet pickup were great. While at packet pickup – which was outdoors (that’s a first) be sure to visit the RaceRaves tent and meet the owners of RaceRaves Mike and Katie. They seemed really nice.
Only complaint was the lack of Gatorade. Lots of water stops but only 2 had Gatorade. On a hot day it would have been better than just water. Glad it was only a half instead of a full.
Very fun and Well-Run Race
This was a very well-run race and is my first Destination Race. It was relatively small and the course was not too crowded. Plenty of water stops along the way. … MORE
This was a very well-run race and is my first Destination Race. It was relatively small and the course was not too crowded. Plenty of water stops along the way. I love the race shirt but it shrunk a little and now is almost too tight. I heard other people complaining that their t-shirt size was sold out, probably because people were being told to get a shirt size up. The wine tasting at the finish was fun but the space was a little small and some of the wine that was being served wasn’t that good. It was nice having Firestone Walker as another option. I recommend adding another local brewery or step up the quality of the wines. I loved doing the race on Saturday and I appreciated the day-of packet pick up option.
Peaceful Run
This was my third time running this race so I obviously really enjoy it. No other location has been like this. To be able to run along vineyards, ranches, livestock, … MORE
This was my third time running this race so I obviously really enjoy it. No other location has been like this. To be able to run along vineyards, ranches, livestock, and Los Olivos half way point cheering crowds makes this a special event. It really is a peaceful environment where you can get lost in your thoughts while keeping your own pace. Anyone thinking about doing a half marathon should definitely start here.