Day One
What better way to get a true taste of Santa Clarita than to visit one of its longest standing institutions? Kick off your day at The Way Station Coffee Shop whose chefs have been slinging coffee and hash browns ever since its founding in 1971. Best loved for its large portions and affordable prices, Way Station will give you the feeling of stepping back in time when breakfast was all about community, conversation and savoring every last bite. And there’s no doubt you will be doing exactly that with menu staples the likes of chicken fried steak, thick-sliced ham and pancakes literally the size of a plate. Oh and don’t forget about the gravy!
After such a hearty breakfast, you’re going to want an equally hearty activity to work it all off. Fortunately, a day’s worth of fun awaits at the nearby William S. Hart Museum & Park. From making friends with the resident barnyard animals to communing with nature on the park’s scenic trails, there is something to keep the whole family entertained all morning long. While you’re hiking, be sure to keep a look out for the herd of American bison that also call the park home. Walk up to the beautiful Spanish Colonial mansion and join a free guided tour led by docents every half hour. Here, you will learn all about silent film star and cowboy icon William S. Hart as well as the impressive collection of Western artwork and Hollywood mementos on display in the museum.
Before heading off, walk over to Santa Clarita History Center where you will learn more about Santa Clarita’s history. If visiting on the weekend, you’ll have the opportunity to walk through the Saugus Train Station Museum and learn about life in the Wild West and that time President Theodore Roosevelt visited in 1903!
Every good adventure needs a strong cup of coffee to keep things moving along. And for a tasting tour of Santa Clarita, that means a stop at Honu Coffee is in order. Housed in a beautiful Victorian-style building that’s been painted a vibrant yellow, the coffee shop has become a local favorite both for its coffee and its welcoming atmosphere. In addition to a variety of hot, iced and blended coffee options, Honu has a number of signature drinks just waiting to be tried. The Sufin’ Honu, which features coconut, peanut butter, chocolate ice cream and cold brew coffee blended together is the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Another must try is the Tsunami, a coconut flavored white mocha served with, you guessed it, house-made whipped cream. For more coffee, diners can’t go wrong with one of Honu’s cold brews. These 100% organic blends soak for 24 hours and a nitrogen bath for another 12 hours, leaving each cup infused with a powerful shot of delicious flavor.
A familiar stop for both visitors and locals alike, Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Company has been sating appetites since 1997. Their ever-evolving menu includes restaurant specialties and eclectic new fare, so every visit is a new adventure. A popular new addition is Wolf Creek’s Brewer’s Table which features a variety of signature dishes, from beer braised short ribs to ale battered fish tacos, which were developed to pair perfectly with the brewery’s own collection of craft beers. Brewed right here in town, they are a must-try for anyone searching for a taste of Santa Clarita! Finally, a trip to Wolf Creek is not complete without tasting one of their many mouthwatering desserts. Each and every one is created specifically for Wolf Creek daily by the restaurant’s on-site pastry chef and the attention to detail shows. You’ll have a hard enough time choosing between chocolate layer cake and carrot cake, let alone their rotating selection of cheesecakes!
Considered the “crown jewel” of Santa Clarita, Central Park will be the perfect place to explore after lunch. The 130-acre park has everything needed for a fun afternoon outdoors, including baseball diamonds, playing fields, a regional cross-country course and even a dog park! Visit the city’s first community garden before heading out on one of the park’s beautiful trails. The park’s 3.1 mile cross country loop is a great option both for casual walkers and those looking to break a sweat while the Central Park Trail, which connects Central Park to Newhall Ranch Road, promises gorgeous views all along the way.
Any food tour of Santa Clarita requires a stop at Newhall Refinery! This restaurant embodies farm to table cooking with seasonal menus that focus on fresh, quality ingredients. Everything, from the pretzels and burgers to the 72-hour braised pig, is created in house, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor and freshness. This is all to say that the food is darn good and you’ll likely have trouble deciding just what to order, especially when sides like Drunk Mac-n-Cheese, which is infused with Jameson Whiskey and features sourdough Parmesan breadcrumbs, and seared Brussel sprouts with Nueskes bacon and Fresno chili jump out at you.
After dinner, step out the door and you’ll find yourself right in the middle of Old Town Newhall. Now would be a good time to pull up your Newhall Walking Tour App and discover the area’s hidden history. Along with many of the historic sites and filming locations nearby, you’ll also learn about Newhall’s Walk of Western Stars which honors the legends of Western film, television and radio personalities, including Roy Rogers, William S. Hart and Gene Autry.
Before calling it quits on your culinary tour of Santa Clarita, make a little room for dessert. There are plenty of local options when it comes to cookies and cupcakes, but if a creamy, delicious milkshake or perhaps some freshly made churros is what you seek, head over to local favorite, XRO Fresh Churro Bar.
