Dec. 3, 2025 (Santa Maria, Calif.) – Santa Maria Valley, the unpretentious hidden gem of California's Central Coast, is excited to announce that American Airlines, through its regional partner, SkyWest Airlines, officially launched nonstop daily service between Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and Santa Maria Airport (SMX). The new, twice-daily round-trip flights are on a 76-seat regional jet aircraft offering 12 first-class and 64 coach seats. This direct route connects Santa Maria Valley—known for unbeatable value, award-winning wines and mouthwatering Santa Maria Style barbecue—with travelers across the Southwest, and provides convenient one-stop access from cities throughout the U.S. via Phoenix.

“It's never been easier for travelers to slip away for a quick and wallet-friendly escape to Santa Maria Valley, the ideal home base for discovering all that California's Central Coast has to offer,” said Jennifer Harrison, vice president of marketing communications at the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce and director of tourism for Santa Maria Valley. “From wheels up to wheels down, the flight from Phoenix to Santa Maria Valley is about 1 hour, 40 minutes, so you can arrive refreshed and ready to explore.”  

Few destinations deliver as much within reach as Santa Maria Valley, where 15 beaches, 24 hiking trails, 34 tasting rooms and several championship golf courses all lie within a 30-minute drive. This central location allows for visitors to stay in Santa Maria Valley's affordable accommodations while day-tripping to other local hotspots, like Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Solvang and Paso Robles, and attractions such as the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, The Luffa Farm and Oso Flaco Lake Trail.

Nonstop to Wine and BBQ
A trip to Santa Maria Valley isn't complete without indulging in the region's iconic Santa Maria Style barbecue, a spiced-up, red-oak-fired culinary tradition. Steeped in a 150-year history, Santa Maria Style barbecue pairs perfectly with the region's cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah wines. A full list of wineries, including those along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, can be found here.

To book a flight from PHX to SMX, visit the American Airlines website at aa.com. To reserve lodging and explore all there is to do in Santa Maria Valley, visit santamariavalley.com.

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About Santa Maria Valley:
Serving the greater Santa Maria Valley in the heart of California's Central Coast, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit association that facilitates local tourism and provides information on the region's many attractions and visitor services. Famed for its fine wines, natural wonders, agricultural heritage and flavorful barbecue, the Santa Maria Valley offers a broad range of cultural, sporting and historical experiences. For details on Santa Maria Valley lodging, wine tasting, travel deals and e-newsletter alerts, visit santamariavalley.com or call (800) 331-3779.