It is no secret that I love Southern California, especially the coast and the laid-back towns here. There is one part of SoCal that has long been my go-to for a breath of fresh air, an escape from the chaos, and a healthy dose of natural beauty. In Northern California, the area is considered SoCal, and here in the south we often call it the Central Coast. Either way, this part of the state boasts mountains, quaint towns, arts and culture, gorgeous coastlines, wine country, ranches, fabulous food, and more. And I have just fallen in love with another piece of it.

I have driven past the highway exit for the tiny town of Santa Margarita countless times in my travels and, a few years ago, I drove through it on my way to the mountains, but I knew nothing about the town and didn’t give it too much thought. I was recently invited to a winery and ranch in town and what I discovered was so much more than I had imagined - a place that most people probably don’t know about and that (in my opinion) everyone should visit. It all begins with Ancient Peaks Winery in Santa Margarita… sort of. You’ll see what I mean. Come with me on an adventure full of history, wine, and nature.

The town of Santa Margarita is one of the most unique towns in the state, if only for the fact that it is completely surrounded by private property; it lies in the middle of a 14,000-acre ranch known as Santa Margarita Ranch, which has its roots in cattle, dating back to 1774. The three families that own it are still active in cattle ranching operations.

Santa Margarita Ranch is the home of Ancient Peaks Winery, deeply rooted in California history and tradition, and owned by three local families with a long background in wine-growing and ranching. The winery and the people responsible for it radiate warmth and hospitality.

When we arrived at the property, we set out on a tour of the vineyards. Even in the winter, with the vines pruned and a cloudy sky, this property is unbelievably beautiful. Beyond the vines are the stately mountains, or ancient peaks, that inspired the winery’s name.

Cattle are not the only animals that call the ranch home. There is a ton of wildlife, including bears, bobcats, mountain lions, deer (which we saw many of), eagles, and more. As we were touring the vineyard, we happened upon this huge family of wild pigs!

Of course, a trip to a winery would not be complete without wine tasting. After learning so much about the history of the ranch and vineyards, the story of the winery itself, and the types of grapes grown here in diverse soil types, I had a whole new appreciation for what we tasted. And I have to tell you, these wines are amazing.

I have done my share of wine tasting and am fairly confident about the kinds of wines I like, and those I don’t. But Ancient Peaks surprised me and kind of turned the tables on me. I even ended up taking home the exact kinds of wine I usually say I don’t like!

After an afternoon of wine exploration, we settled into our beautiful accommodations for the evening. We stayed in the lovely Stampede Loft at 8 Mile, which sits on 3 acres of the ranch, next to the historic 8 Mile House, which was built in 1877 exactly eight miles from the mission in San Luis Obispo.

The 2-bedroom apartment is bright and airy with a Western flair, and filled with all the cozy comforts and amenities that make for an amazing getaway. There are cows and horses on the adjacent property, beautiful fruit trees, and peacocks roaming around!

Just 3 minutes from the winery, this also happens to be the perfect location to explore some of my favorite Central Coast towns - San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, and Avila Beach.

Did I mention that the town of Santa Margarita is tiny? With just a few streets and a population of about 1,200, it has not grown since it was founded in the late 1800s. Not exactly the kind of place you expect to find upscale dining? Think again. This unassuming little restaurant known as The Range is incredible.

We sat in the heated patio and dined on the most tender and flavorful steaks, scallops, and of course, local wine. If you come here, you absolutely have to try the Dragon’s Breath appetizer and save room for the Lavender Creme Brulee. Trust me.

In the morning, we had been planning to go horseback riding on the ranch, but due to unexpected rain and muddy trails, we will have to explore on these beauties the next time we come.

Instead, we headed out on an open-air off-roading adventure. There is so much to see and learn on this massive ranch, from diverse ecosystems and micro-climates to even more wildlife. There are several varieties of gorgeous oak trees, most draped with Spanish Moss which makes it look like an enchanted forest.

We also saw a beautiful mated pair of bald eagles sitting high in a tree beside their nest. You can even take a tour that follows a day in the life of these amazing birds.

The owners of this amazing place are turning it into quite a destination where you can sip, stay, eat, explore, and play with Margarita Adventures. You can get your blood pumping on an exciting 6-zipline adventure course that sends you soaring over the oaks, mountains, valleys, and vineyards of Santa Margarita.

I have yet to brave this activity but this high-flying experience has won quite a few accolades over the past several years.

Lunch was at the Ancient Peaks tasting room. The farm-to-table cafe is a must-try, regardless of whether or not you are wine-tasting.

I could not resist the Fig and Brie Burger with truffle parmesan fries (so delicious!), and a little more wine, naturally.

Cabernet is the mainstay at Ancient Peaks, and the cafe serves a wonderful cabernet-infused ice cream you won’t find elsewhere. I also had to try the smoked chocolate creme brulee, and I can honestly say I don’t know which was my favorite.

Across the street from the tasting room is the home base of Margarita Adventures, where all the fun starts, including zipline and nature tours.

It is also where you can put your puzzle-solving skills to work in the impressive Escape Room. This was my first time trying an escape room, and it was so much fun - and definitely a challenge!

I am happy to say we escaped, but it took quite a few clues and a few extra minutes to emerge victorious.

Our last experience at the ranch was a Foraging Tour, during which we picked some herbs that our guide used to make an herbal tea, and a few to take home with us. I brought home a handful of buckwheat that I dried and baked into a loaf of bread!

We even harvested pine nuts from a pinecone - that was for sure a first for me. What a fun and unique experience!

From here on out, I will find it very hard to drive by the highway exit without stopping in for a visit, and I will very likely plan another SoCal getaway just like this. Have you ever been to Santa Margarita? I cannot recommend this place enough. Find out all about this spectacular town, winery, ranch, and exciting activities - and plan your own adventure - on the Ancient Peaks Winery and Margarita Adventures websites. And if you are looking for the perfect place to stay in the Central Coast area, book a stay at one of the beautiful rentals at 8 Mile - the Stampede Loft, the Buckaroo Flat, or the historic 8 Mile House. If you do visit, or have been before, share your experience with us!