Santa Ynez is a unincorporated community in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The population was 4,505 at the 2020 census, up from 4,418 at the 2010 census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Santa Ynez as a census-designated place. Santa Ynez is the archaic spelling of Santa Inés in the Spanish, meaning Saint Agnes. The Santa Ynez Airport is general aviation with a paved 2,804 by 75 feet runway.