I played Rancho Maria in Santa Maria once and really enjoyed it. I mostly remember slick surfaces with some surprisingly extreme slopes on many greens. Also enjoyed it has no houses on it and is a good value. (Played it before I started creating photo albums of courses.)
I also really enjoy Rancho San Marcos in the hills above Santa Barbara; have you played it? (My photo album:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskUtU47J)
Elkins Ranch in Fillmore has a couple unfortunate holes (one short dogleg par 4 with a big chain link fence to prevent people from cutting the corner), but lots of really fun holes, too. Another really nice value with no homes on the course, and several holes play right up against a mountain. (
https://flic.kr/s/aHskfMRZ4N)
I didn't see that you acknowledged David's Monarch Dunes recommendation, but I've played it once and enjoyed it. I think it's a little pricier, though.
Before you begin your journey southward, don't overlook the TeeOff.com "Deal" times for Poppy Hills. With the 20% off promo codes, you can get some good prices out there.