Self-Guided Visitor Tour
Sideways Filming Locations:
Self-Guided Santa Ynez Valley Tour
Alexander Payne's 2004 film put the Santa Ynez Valley on the world wine map. This self-guided tour covers the 9 confirmed filming locations — from the motel in Buellton where Miles and Jack crash, to the "Frass Canyon" winery where Miles famously drains the spit bucket. Each stop includes current visitor information, driving directions, and what scene was filmed there.
Route Overview
The tour connects three geographic clusters: Buellton (the film's base — motel, Hitching Post II, Kalyra), Solvang (breakfast at Solvang Restaurant, golf at Alisal), and Los Olivos / Foxen Canyon (the Merlot dinner, Frass Canyon, the Shack). The clusters are 5–15 minutes apart. Plan to drive north on Foxen Canyon Road as your final leg.
Half-Day Route (3–4 hours)
- 2.Hitching Post II
- 4.Solvang Restaurant
- 6.Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café
- 7.Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard ("Frass Canyon" in the film)
Full-Day Route (6–8 hours)
- 1.Sideways Inn
- 2.Hitching Post II
- 3.Kalyra Winery
- 4.Solvang Restaurant
- 5.River Course at the Alisal
- 6.Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café
- 7.Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard ("Frass Canyon" in the film)
Tour Map
Map shows the Santa Ynez Valley wine region. Use the navigation buttons on each stop card, or open the full route above.
The Tour Stops
In the film
Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church) call this motel home for the entire week. Multiple interior and exterior scenes were filmed here. Room 234 is the specific room featured — it's still bookable by request.
Visitor note
The motel was a Days Inn Buellton at the time of filming; "The Windmill" is only the fictional name used in the film. It was later renovated and rebranded as the Sideways Inn by Highway West Vacations. The property includes a Sideways Lounge bar and restaurant open to non-guests.
Hours: Hotel open year-round. Sideways Lounge hours vary — check website.
Reservations: Recommended · Website ↗
In the film
The heart of the film. Miles is a regular at this Santa Maria-style oak-grilled steakhouse; it's where he and Jack first reconnect with Maya (Virginia Madsen), who waitresses here. Filmed over approximately three days during production. The restaurant displays movie memorabilia.
Hours: Mon, Wed–Sat 11:30am–8:30pm; Tue closed. Confirm hours before visiting.
Reservations: Recommended · Website ↗
In the film
Jack meets Stephanie (Sandra Oh), the wine pourer he becomes romantically involved with, while Miles trails behind sampling wines. The bar at Kalyra's tasting room is prominently featured.
Visitor note
Kalyra filmed at their original location at 343 N Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez. The winery has since relocated to an industrial suite in Buellton. The current tasting room will not resemble the 2004 setting, but the winery — and its wines — are the same. Walk-ins welcome; groups of 6+ should call ahead.
Hours: Mon & Fri noon–5pm; Sat–Sun 11am–5pm; Tue–Thu closed.
Reservations: Walk-ins welcome · Website ↗
Solvang Restaurant
In the film
Miles and Jack eat breakfast at a booth here early in the trip — one of the film's early scenes establishing their contrasting attitudes toward the week ahead. Staff can seat visitors in the same booth used in the film.
Hours: Mon–Fri 7am–4pm; Sat–Sun 7am–5pm. Known for Arne's Famous Aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls).
Reservations: Walk-ins welcome
In the film
Miles and Jack play golf here during the trip. Scenes filmed on holes #10 and #14. In a running-gag moment, they've been targets of errant shots from an impatient group behind them — building toward one of the film's physical comedy payoffs.
Visitor note
Public daily-fee course — no Alisal Guest Ranch membership required. The adjacent private ranch course and River Course are separate facilities.
Hours: Daily 7am–5:30pm. Tee times bookable online at rivercourse.com.
Reservations: Recommended · Website ↗
In the film
The four-person dinner that anchors the film's romantic subplot — Miles, Jack, Maya, and Stephanie. This is where Miles delivers the line: "If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am not drinking any fucking Merlot!" — the quote that famously cratered Merlot sales nationwide and drove a global Pinot Noir surge. Miles also calls his ex-wife from this restaurant.
Visitor note
The restaurant underwent a 2024 interior renovation; the layout may differ from the film. The wine bottle wall backdrop is still part of the interior. Operating continuously under the same name since 1995; Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–8:30pm; Fri–Sat 11:30am–9pm; Sun 11am–8:30pm.
Reservations: Recommended · Website ↗
In the film
Miles, reeling from the news that his novel will not be published, becomes over-served and grabs the communal spit bucket from the tasting bar and chugs from it — pouring wine down his shirt. One of the film's most darkly comic and memorable scenes. The winery appears under the fictional name "Frass Canyon."
Visitor note
Founded by Fess Parker (the Davy Crockett actor) in 1987; still family-owned. The tasting room was substantially renovated after the film — as Fodor's noted on the 20th anniversary, "Jack and Miles wouldn't recognize the place." Still very much worth visiting for the wines and the Foxen Canyon setting.
Hours: Daily 10am–5pm.
Reservations: Recommended · Website ↗
Optional Extensions
These stops require extra planning but reward the serious Sideways pilgrim.
In the film
Miles and Jack taste wine at the rustic bar. While the server steps away, Jack pours large unauthorized amounts for both of them — an early scene establishing their irreverent chemistry.
Visitor note
Foxen now operates two tasting rooms on Foxen Canyon Road. The original "Shack" at 7200 is the filming location; it's open Fri–Sun only, by reservation. The newer solar-powered facility at 7600 (not in the film) is open daily. To visit the authentic location, go to 7200 on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday — and book ahead on Tock.
Hours: The Shack (7200, filming location): Fri–Sun 11am–4pm by reservation. 7600 tasting room: Daily 11am–4pm.
Reservations: Required · Website ↗
In the film
The first winery visit of the road trip. Miles gives Jack a wine-tasting lesson here, delivering the film's most famous wine monologue: '...a little citrus... maybe some strawberry... passion fruit... and, oh, there's just like the faintest soupçon of like asparagus and just a flutter of a, like a, nutty Edam cheese.'
Visitor note
Sanford filmed at their original roadside tasting room at 7250 Santa Rosa Road — that building no longer serves as the active tasting room. The winery has since relocated to the La Rinconada Estate at 5010 Santa Rosa Road, Lompoc. The current facility looks nothing like the 2004 version. Visit if you specifically want to taste at Sanford or explore the Sta. Rita Hills wine trail; otherwise, the other stops cover the most recognizable filming locations. Appointment required.
Hours: Daily 10am–4pm by appointment.
Reservations: Required · Website ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need reservations to visit these stops?
It depends on the stop. Hitching Post II and Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café both take reservations and fill up on weekends — book ahead. Fess Parker Winery strongly recommends reservations. Foxen Shack (7200) requires a reservation and is only open Friday–Sunday. Kalyra and the Solvang Restaurant are walk-in friendly. Sanford is appointment-only.
Can I do this tour in a half day?
Yes. The four must-see stops — Hitching Post II (Buellton), Solvang Restaurant (Solvang), Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café (Los Olivos), and Fess Parker Winery (Foxen Canyon Road) — take 3–4 hours with light tasting. Use the half-day Google Maps route above.
What year was Sideways filmed?
Sideways was filmed in October–November 2003 and released in 2004. The Santa Ynez Valley locations were all in active operation during filming and most remain open today, though Kalyra Winery has relocated and both Fess Parker and Los Olivos Wine Merchant have been renovated.
Is there a designated driver service or wine tour shuttle?
Several wine tour companies operate in the Santa Ynez Valley and can shuttle groups between stops. Check local listings — options vary seasonally. Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) is available in Solvang and Los Olivos town centers but is unreliable at estate wineries on Foxen Canyon Road.
Plan Your Visit
Buellton Guide
HP2, breweries & more
Buellton Restaurants
Where else to eat
Los Olivos Wine Tasting
Grand Avenue tasting rooms
Los Olivos Wineries
Foxen Canyon estate wineries
Los Olivos Restaurants
Dining on Grand Avenue
Solvang Guide
Danish heritage & bakeries
SYV Wine Country
Full valley wine guide
Where to Stay
Solvang hotels & inns
Visitor Guide
Full trip planner
SYV Today is not affiliated with or endorsed by the producers or distributors of Sideways. Filming location information is sourced from publicly available sources and local knowledge. Verify current hours and reservations directly with each business before visiting. Last reviewed: August 2026.