Off the beaten track

La Purísima Mission State Historic Park nearby Lompoc was our first stop this Friday morning. More accidentially, we saw the sign and drove over, which was a real good decision! In the new, modern visitor center (photo left), we got a good introduction into the history of this mission, which was originally founded in 1787, moved in 1812 and completely restored, or, rather rebuilt, in the 1930ies. 

 

It covers a huge area and was a city on its own. Originally, the land was home to the Chumash people, who helped together with Spanish settlers to keep the mission going. The mission was well known for its hides and blankets, and at its peak 2,000 inhabitants herded as many as 24,000 cattle and sheep. Residents were engaged in weaving, pottery making, candle making, blacksmithing, animal husbandry, and leatherwork. There is an extensive water system, medicinal/herb gardens, olive gardens (and a press) and the whole complex was self-sufficient to a large degree. 

Solvang, our next stop, is a pretty touristic, picturesque little town in the Santa Ynez Valley, where a famous mission was founded in 1804 (photo). A small community existed then, but in 1911 a new  settlement was founded around the mission by a group of Danish-Americans who purchased land to  establish a Danish community far from Midwestern winters. The distinctive Danish architecture was added in 1947, later came typical restaurants, stores, windmills and danish pastries, and, other "clichés" were invented. Hans Christian Andersen (photo below) - the fairy tale writer - is memorized in a museum in town, too.

The Santa Ynes Valley - Mission Santa Ynes shown on the left photo - and the Santa Maria Valley are well known for wineries. Especially, along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, which connects Santa Maria Valley and Los Olivos (photo) a lot of wineries are lining up. Unfortunately, other than in the old days, main purpose is to offer expensive ($ 20+) tastings. No tours anymore (probably due to COVID), no real shops, where you can browse and buy a bottle or two. Times have changed since we've done research here long time ago. Beautiful drive, though, great landscape along Foxen Canyon. Photo below shows Andrew Murray Winery, on

Besides vineyards there are huge agricultural areas, too,  strawberries are dominating, but also broccoli, some asparagus, artichokes, pak choi and other veggies are grown.. Strawberries are coming in season now, whereas oranges seem to have almost reached the end of the season.