The town of Santa Ynez is one of the communities of the Santa Ynez Valley. It features the Santa Ynez Airport for general aviation, with a paved 2,804 by 75 feet (855 m × 23 m) runway. The population was 4,505 at the 2020 census, up from 4,418 at the 2010 census. Santa Ynez is the archaic spelling of Santa Inés in the Spanish, meaning Saint Agnes.

S.Y. Kitchen has four main dining areas, and ample outdoor seating options: the Front Room (bar); the Porch (always hopping); the intimate Dining Room; and the recently-refreshed rear Courtyard, as well as a sweet alcove with a cozy sofa and beautiful fire pit for guests waiting for tables, or simply wanting to sip a glass of wine while the sun sets.