California may be famous for fish tacos and avocado toast, but one of its oldest and most beloved food traditions was born over a wood fire.
Along the Central Coast, Santa Maria-style barbecue has been bringing people together for generations. Built around red oak flames, perfectly grilled beef, and simple, high-quality ingredients, it’s more than a meal—it’s part of the region’s identity.
This summer, travelers and food lovers have a chance to learn the craft firsthand at one of the places that helped make the tradition famous.
🥩 A Lesson in California History
On August 2, the iconic Hitching Post 2 in Buellton will host a Santa Maria Barbecue Master Class led by owner and chef Frank Ostini alongside Executive Chef Jesus Montano.
The hands-on experience takes guests behind the grill to explore the techniques that define this uniquely Californian style of cooking, from selecting the right red oak wood to managing the fire and grilling signature cuts like rib eye and top sirloin.
Along the way, participants will also learn how to prepare classic accompaniments, including roasted corn, grilled vegetables, turkey breast, cheese quesadillas, and the restaurant’s well-known grilled artichokes.
🌳 Cooking Over Red Oak
Unlike many barbecue traditions that rely on slow smoking, Santa Maria barbecue is all about cooking directly over glowing red oak coals.
The wood imparts a distinctive smoky flavor while allowing premium cuts of beef to remain the star of the meal. It’s a straightforward cooking style rooted in California’s ranching history, where quality ingredients and open-fire cooking have been celebrated for generations.
Sometimes, the simplest techniques create the most memorable flavors.
🍷 Wine and Barbecue? Absolutely.
One thing that sets Santa Maria barbecue apart is its close connection to wine country.
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County, Hitching Post 2 has long been known for pairing its barbecue with locally produced Pinot Noir. During the master class, guests will enjoy wines throughout the afternoon before sitting down to a summer barbecue buffet featuring many of the dishes demonstrated during the session.
It’s a pairing that reflects the Central Coast’s unique blend of ranching traditions and world-class winemaking.
🚗 Make It a Central Coast Getaway
Buellton is worth more than a quick stop.
Located between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, it’s an ideal base for exploring the Central Coast’s vineyards, rolling hills, and nearby towns like Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez.
Spend the morning wine tasting, the afternoon learning barbecue techniques, and the evening watching the sun set over California’s scenic countryside.
It’s the kind of road trip that satisfies both adventurous travelers and serious food lovers.
🎬 A Restaurant with a Story
Food fans may already recognize Hitching Post 2 from the Oscar-winning film Sideways, which helped introduce the restaurant—and Santa Barbara wine country—to audiences around the world.
But long before Hollywood came calling, the restaurant had already built a reputation for preserving one of California’s great culinary traditions.
More than 75 years later, that commitment continues, with the restaurant now inviting guests to learn the techniques that have defined its kitchen for generations.
✨ Gather Around the Fire
Some cooking classes teach recipes.
Others teach traditions.
For anyone who has ever wondered why Santa Maria-style barbecue holds such a special place in California’s culinary history, this experience offers more than just a great meal. It offers a chance to stand beside the fire, hear the stories, and discover why this Central Coast tradition continues to bring people together, one oak-fired steak at a time.