We’re fully in the swing of summer now, but American Airlines is already prepping us for an exciting new fall escape.
Serving as both a Central California dupe to avoid Napa’s crowds and a stunningly beautiful coastline too often overlooked for your next beach vacation, it’s quite a shock to discover American hasn’t flown here in decades.
Last serving this lesser-known town in 1996, budget airline Allegiant is currently the pathway here by air.
That’s set to change in October 15, 2025, and American is quite literally doubling down by offering not one, but two daily flights from Phoenix (PHX).
Though travelers will have to let the summer pass before being able to hob aboard an American bird, the good news is sunny weather is a constant here with plentiful 70-degree days even when you’re forced inside to eat Gam Gam’s “famous” Thanksgiving cranberry sauce or do the hard work of playing Santa, eating late-night cookies.
Without further ado, get ready to wine and dine and hit up crowd-free beaches in the lovely town of Santa Maria, which will surely be one of California’s new hotspots once American Airlines’ new route takes flight this fall.
Santa Maria: California’s Most Underrated Wine ‘n Dine Destination
Santa Maria is a city of roughly 110,000 people and largely considered a locals’ favorite hideaway to escape the bustle of California’s major cities, and even world-renowned wine towns like Napa.
Offering everything from insanely delicious barbecue with their own spin, ample wineries dotting lush greenery, and undiscovered beaches in terms of mass tourism, it seems American Airlines realized their mistake by leaving nearly 30 years ago.
Let’s start with food, shall we?
Santa Maria-style barbecue is one of the towns’ minimal claims to fame as it clings on to “hidden gem” status…for now.
Traditionally cooked over red oak wood, and sticking to the basics with simple seasonings of salt, pepper, and garlic, Santa Maria sticks to the motto of “simplicity is best” and it’s received nationwide fanfare.
The Hitching Post oozes nostalgia is classic Western digs like something out of a Clint Eastwood movie and we all know the atmosphere adds to the flavor, which is why it’s one of Santa Maria’s best places to indulge in barbecue.
Santa Maria’s Top Wineries
Now let’s switch to wine, Santa Maria’s other huge draw.
In fact, this charming town boasts the Central Coast’s first officially designated American Viticultural Area (AVA), essentially meaning it’s a legally recognized grape-growing region with distinctive geological, geographical, and climatic features that make it ideal for wine production — all the things you’d want to give places like Napa a run for their money.
It’s inland yet elevated location draws in ocean breezes creating longer growing seasons, but isn’t there just something special about sipping wine outdoors in the crisp fall air anyway?
Visitors will have over 30 tasting rooms you choose from in Santa Maria, some of which are on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail (a great starting point for tastings).
According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 wineries in the Santa Maria region to scope out this fall:
- Presqu’ile Winery
- Foxen Vineyard
- Rancho Sisquoc Winery
- Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
- Cambria Estate Winery
Discover Secret Sunny Beach Year-Round
Santa Maria isn’t a proper beach town, but it’s an easy gateway to largely unexplored shores that will have you forgetting all about Santa Barbara and the likes.
Plus, the nearest coastline is home to the otherworldly Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex, a vast and ecologically significant dune system stretching for miles and miles like a scene from Interstellar.
Tucked beneath the dunes is perhaps California’s most hidden beach, Oso Flaco Beach. One of very few visitors stated in a Google review, “It is a beautiful place for its pure nature and access far from the city. I admire its sand dunes, flora and fauna. It is a place to walk and relax”.
More notable is Point Sal State Beach. One beachgoer described this secluded paradise as ‘incredible, wild, and nearly no people’, but it’s a trek!
Though, Pismo Beach is undoubtedly more popular being a 22 minute drive away with typical beach town vibes.
One town over is Avila Beach, which HomeToGo crowned as America’s top beach for 2025.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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