Arts + Culture

Messy Hands, Open Minds

From Mud Kitchens to Dino Digs, the SYV Children's Museum Makes Space for Wonder Article by Sara DeMarcus | Photography by Matthew Curry & Matt DeMarcus The Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum is redefining what it means to be a “children’s museum.” The name might be the only traditional thing about it. This entirely outdoor, screen-free haven is a joyful hybrid—part botanical garden, part science camp, part adventure playground—crafted for curious minds and busy little hands. Founded in 2020...

Arts + Culture

Where Connection Leads the Curriculum

How SYV Family School Nurtures Big-Hearted Learners Through Nature and Social-Emotional Learning Article by Sara DeMarcus | Photography by Erica Olesen Tucked into the rolling landscape of Los Olivos, Santa Ynez Valley Family School (SYVFS) is more than a classroom—it’s a living, breathing community shaped by connection, creativity, and care. Since its founding in 1974, the independent, nonprofit school has held steadfast to a vision of education that sees each child as a whole person...

Life + Culture

Not Your Average Pet

Inside the Sweet Life of Flying V Apiaries Article by Matt DeMarcus | Photography by Amber Dolyak Photography When most kids dream of pets, they imagine dogs to cuddle or kittens to chase. But for one Santa Ynez-based beekeeper, his “pets” number in the thousands—and they all have wings. Flying V Apiaries isn’t just a honey company. It’s a buzzing ecosystem rooted in stewardship, science, and a surprising amount of heart. Founded by Dakota Votaw, who first suited up in a bee suit as a college...

Life + Culture

Sunlight & Soil

Where the Taste of the Land Meets the Luxury of Simplicity Article by Matt DeMarcus | Photography by Jessica Maher Photography Tucked into the fertile folds of our Santa Ynez Valley, Summerset Farm is a portrait of pastoral elegance. Just off of Edison and 154, past the ancient oaks and golden grasslands, lies a working farm that offers something rare in today’s fast-paced world: an invitation to slow down. For nearly two decades, Summerset Farm has offered a multi-sensory escape—a place where...