Things to do near Chumash Casino Resort
Chumash Casino Resort is a convenient base for exploring Santa Ynez Valley wine country and nearby towns like Solvang and Los Olivos while also offering on-site dining, a 21+ rooftop pool, spa services, and live entertainment. Many wineries and local attractions are within a short drive or an easy walk from the resort.
In this guide
Wineries and tasting rooms within easy reach
The resort sits steps from the Santa Ynez Wine Trail and is centrally located for self-guided wine tasting throughout the valley. Several tasting rooms and vineyards are a short drive away, including Gainey Vineyard, Brave & Maiden Estate, Kalyra Winery, and Sunstone Vineyards.
If you plan multiple visits in a day, consider mapping a short loop (Solvang–Los Olivos–Santa Ynez) or booking a local shuttle or guided tasting tour to avoid drinking and driving.
- Gainey Vineyard — nearby (about 1.3 mi by road per public listings).
- Brave & Maiden Estate — roughly 1.3 mi (per public listings).
- Kalyra Winery and Sunstone Vineyards — within a few miles of the resort.
- Santa Ynez Wine Trail — about 0.2 mi from the property.
| Winery / Tasting Room | Approx. distance (public listings) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gainey Vineyard | ≈ 1.3 mi | Nearby vineyard tasting |
| Brave & Maiden Estate | ≈ 1.3 mi | Estate tasting rooms |
| Sunstone Vineyards | ≈ 2.4 km (public listings) | Winery with tasting options |
Solvang, Los Olivos and local towns
The Danish-themed town of Solvang is a short drive from the resort (about 3–4 miles, commonly a 5–15 minute drive) and makes a popular half-day visit for shopping, museums, and bakeries. Solvang attractions mentioned in public listings include the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, the Vintage Motorcycle Museum, and the iconic windmill.
Los Olivos is about a 10-minute drive and is known for small tasting rooms, art galleries, and restaurants. Buellton and the Santa Ynez town center are other nearby stops if you want to sample different valley neighborhoods.
- Solvang — Danish village sights, museums, and bakeries (3–4 mi by public listings).
- Los Olivos — tasting rooms and galleries (≈ 10-minute drive).
- Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and Janeway-Parks Carriage House — an easy walk (about 10–15 minutes per listings).
| Town | Typical travel time from resort | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Solvang | 5–15 min drive | Museums, bakeries, windmill |
| Los Olivos | ≈ 10 min drive | Wine tasting rooms, galleries |
| Buellton | Short drive | Local restaurants, access to nearby highways |
On-site dining, entertainment and accommodations
Chumash Casino Resort offers several on-property dining venues including Willows (the AAA Four Diamond steakhouse), Cafe Amri for breakfast/lunch, The Hotel Coffee Bar in the lobby, Grains & Grounds (24/7), and bars such as Center Bar and the Sports Bar. Willows serves dinner nightly with lounge hours and accepts reservations.
Live shows and events are held in the Samala Showroom, and the casino gaming floor and Center Bar provide daytime and evening entertainment. The hotel tower contains multiple room types to suit different travelers; room names available include Deluxe Room, Standard Room, Junior Suite (No Balcony), Junior Suite, Suite, Suite (Corner Balcony), Premier Suite (No Balcony), Premier Suite, Standard Room (No Balcony), and Room (No Balcony).
- Willows — steak & seafood; dinner service and lounge hours.
- Cafe Amri — breakfast & lunch (open 7:00 AM–2:00 PM).
- Grains & Grounds — open 24/7 for coffee and pastries.
- Samala Showroom — concerts, comedy and larger events.
| Venue | Typical hours (public listings) |
|---|---|
| Willows (dinner & lounge) | Lounge 4pm–10pm; Dinner 5pm–10pm (show nights extended) |
| Cafe Amri | 7:00 AM–2:00 PM |
| Grains & Grounds | Open 24 hours |
Pool, spa and fitness
The rooftop Pool is on the 5th floor and the deck measures publicly listed 15,000 sq ft with valley views, loungers, umbrellas and two hot tubs. The Pool and hot tubs are reserved for hotel guests aged 21 and older and are open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM per resort information.
The Spa at Chumash operates Friday through Tuesday (public listing hours: 9:30 AM–6:30 PM) with spa services available 10:00 AM–5:30 PM; the Med Spa offers specific services on select days. The resort also has a 24-hour fitness center with cardio and weight equipment.
- Rooftop Pool — 21+ only, open 8:00 AM–8:00 PM.
- Hot tubs/whirlpools included on the pool deck.
- The Spa at Chumash — open Fri–Tue; appointment cancellation requires four hours' notice.
- 24-hour fitness center — cardio and weight equipment.
| Facility | Publicly listed hours / notes |
|---|---|
| Pool (5th floor) | 8:00 AM–8:00 PM, guests 21+ |
| The Spa at Chumash | Fri–Tue 9:30 AM–6:30 PM; services 10:00 AM–5:30 PM |
| Fitness Center | Open 24 hours |
Outdoor activities and day trips
The Santa Ynez Valley offers hiking, horseback riding, and nearby golf courses; Nojoqui Falls Park is listed among popular natural destinations in the area and is reachable by car. For coastal day trips, Pismo Beach and Avila Beach are commonly cited drives from Santa Ynez, and Santa Barbara beaches are reachable in about a 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic.
If you prefer guided excursions, local companies run horseback rides and vineyard tours. The resort also lists shuttle and transit connections; the Chumash Casino stop is served by local transit that connects to Solvang and surrounding towns.
- Hiking and horseback riding in the surrounding valley countryside.
- Nojoqui Falls Park — natural waterfall destination (public listings).
- Pismo Beach — commonly listed as about a 54–58 minute drive from Santa Ynez.
- Santa Barbara beaches — roughly a 30–40 minute drive (traffic-dependent).
| Destination | Typical travel time from resort (public listings) |
|---|---|
| Nojoqui Falls Park | Short drive (approximate times vary) |
| Pismo Beach | ≈ 54–58 minutes by car (public listings) |
| Santa Barbara beaches | ≈ 30–40 minutes by car |
Practical information and transport
The resort's address is 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460. Front desk service is available 24 hours; check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM per public listings. A photo ID and credit card are required at check-in and a damage deposit is collected on arrival.
Chumash offers free self-parking and free valet parking with indoor parking on the 4th floor and outdoor on the 5th floor. The resort lists an airport pick-up/drop-off service; Santa Ynez Airport (SQA) is the closest small airport and Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is the nearest commercial airport per public sources.
- Address: 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM; check-out is by 11:00 AM.
- Front desk open 24 hours; photo ID and credit card required at check-in.
- Free self and valet parking (indoor 4th floor; outdoor 5th floor).
- Nearest airports: Santa Ynez Airport (close), Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (commercial service).
| Service | Public listing detail |
|---|---|
| Damage deposit | A damage deposit is collected upon arrival (public listing shows $100) |
| Pet policy | Pets not allowed; service animals permitted |
| WiFi | Free WiFi throughout the property |
