Luxury holidays in New Cuyama

When to go

April to October is the best time to visit, with dry, sunny days, but it can get into the mid thirties in July. The coldest months are December and January – though by cold we mean an average temperature of 16 degrees Celsius.

Getting there

• Planes

  Los Angeles’ LAX is the main major hub, a two-hour drive south, but Bakersfield, at the opposite end of highway 166 from Santa Maria, also has an airport, with direct flights to Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and San Francisco.

• Automobiles

  The highways around here, true to California form, are perfection and there’s no unscenic way to get around the Los Padres National Forest, whichever way you’re approaching.