This 2.5-square-mile town just went from rest stop to must-stop.
Throughout much of its history , the rolling hills of Los Olivos have been considered a mere place to reside on the way to somewhere else . It start as a stagecoach stop on the path between San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1800s . When the Pacific Coast Railway add a line extension fromLos Alamosto the new township in 1887 , developer began calling it “ Los Olivos ” after Rancho De Los Olivos , a nearby spread scatter with 5,000 olive tree diagram .
Now atourist destinationin its own right , this arcadian Santa Ynez Valley town overflows with Old West appealingness . From hitting up thebest savour roomsand dining atdestination - worthy restaurantsto stocking up on rodeo rider bang for ahorseback ridethrough the hill , here ’s your weekend itinerary for Los Olivos , California .
Travel time:
2 hour and 30 moment from Los Angeles4 hours and 15 proceedings from San Diego4 hours and 30 mo from San Francisco
If you don’t do anything else: Sip through Los Olivos’s best tasting rooms
For such a tiny town , Los Olivos has an almost dumbfounding number of taste rooms within walk aloofness of one another , including some wine industry favorites . Start atStory of Soilfor its low intervention Pinot grape noirs and universe - course gamay . Around the nook , Storm Winesoffers flights of its classically title pinot noir and Sauvignon Blanc . Down the block , Stolpman Vineyardsboasts two tasting rooms that requirereservations(though the staff will often take walk - inch when blank permits ) . Stolpman pours natural - style , uncrushed , whole - cluster wine-colored fermented via aboriginal yeasts in its adjacentFresh Garage Patio . Meanwhile , the open - atmosphere Los Olivos Patio , with sleek yet easy outdoor sofas and lounge electric chair , is where you ’ll find Stolpman ’s classic estate - grown wines . eventually , make anappointmentatHolus Bolusfor a degustation of organically - farmed classic varietals . One of the owners , Peter Hunken or Amy Christine , will most potential in person guide the tasting .
Fill your days:
Horseback riding in Los Olivos
aim into Los Olivos — in jolly much any charge you look — you’re locomote to see a horse cavalry . There are numerous stock breeder around , and the townspeople is even home to one of the best equid hospitals in the entire province . So , if you ’re even remotely concerned in horses , consider book a ride for the full Santa Ynez Valley experience . In Los Olivos , Fess Parker Ranch Horseback Adventuresoffers hogback excursions on the upper table of Fess Parker Home Ranch . The drive , which provide stunning view of the valley and surrounding peaks , give by kine , wildlife , and an endearing herd of miniature domestic ass . Plus , for an additional $ 20 , guests can end their excursion with a tasting next door at the Fess Parker Winery . In nearby Santa Ynez , Vino Vaquerosoffers private horseback riding experience through the grapevines and countryside .
Hiking in Los Olivos
The rugged Santa Ynez mountains shoot a line a number of hiking trails that are well worth the effort . The moderately challenging , 4.1 - mile Lovers Loop Trail passes through grass- and oak tree - insure hillsides and offers prime views of the lower vale . It start up at the Grass Mountain Trailhead , which also marks the beginning of the challenging Grass Mountain Trail , a 5.2 - mile out - and - back that go up to the grass - covered and ( sometimes ) wildflower - constellate vertex , offering striking vistas of the region .
Shopping in Los Olivos
Another gravid affair about strolling around Los Olivos ’s quaint business district is the lots of cunning shop class . Buy apair of bootsor a Stetson for your ride atJedlicka ’s Saddlery , customize your straw or finger fedora atGlobal Eye Shop & Studio’shat bar , or stock up on sumptuousness , ranch - inspired dresses , pinch , and accessory atWendy Foster .
Take reward of local farm to stock your kitchen . Load up on local European olive tree oil and take a beat under the tree at newly openedOlive & Lavender Farms . The attractively arcadian place boasts more than 100 spell Olea europaea trees at what once was a blacksmith shop class for the famous 1800s stagecoach stop at Lansing ’s Crossing , as well as numerous seating areas , where client can chill and even play a jammed luncheon . On your way out of town , check that to strike upFinley Farms’sself - inspection and repair stand ( it assume Venmo ) for brisk greens and other seasonal items to take home . Summerset Farm , a can’t - miss stand in good order on 154 , offers jams , honeys , and bollock yr - round . Plus , it also offers pick - your - own berries in summer and pumpkins in fall .
Eat, drink, and sleep:
Restaurants and Bars in Los Olivos
The crown gem in the town ’s dining scene isBar Le Côte . The French - farmhouse - meets - mid - century spot , superintend by the team behind Michelin - starredBell’sin Los Alamos , features European - inspired sweetheart starring fresh Central Coast seafood . ensure to try the Day Boat Scallop Crudo , topped with a memorable combination of pickled mushroom , crème fraîche , and dill pollen . If you really want to go all out , wash it down with a bottle of grower - producer Champagne Marguet from the short but nicely assemble vino list .
Given that it ’s set in the middle of grow and ranching state , it ’s no surprisal that several top restaurants in Los Olivos serve a self-coloured excerption of locally - grown constituent . homy and casualLos Olivos Wine Merchant and Cafeoffers salads , pizzas , and large plates boast green goods source straight from the owner ’s nearby farm for tiffin and dinner . Another great spot for lunch and dinner isNella Kitchen & Bar , run by the S.Y. Kitchen squad , which features local fixings on its Italian - leaning fare of seafood , gist , and Roman pinsas ( helping hand - pressed pizza pie made from a mixture of rice and wheat flours).The Tavern , the restaurant at Mattei ’s , serves topically source , Ellen Price Wood - grill meats and veg paired with an telling vino list ( also great breakfast and brunch in the morning ) . Since scuttle , the voguish , saloon - like hotel saloon has become a go - to for historically - inspired cocktail and a prime billet for view local winemakers and cowboys mix with the well - to - do guests and anyone else who come about to be around that given dark .
For a more scummy - keystone imbibing vibe , consider turn back into wine and beer barThe Other Room , a collaboration between Companion Hospitality ( Bar Le Côte , Bell ’s ) and the team behind the BackRoom at Solvang’sValley Brewers . It brag rare vino by the looking glass , severe - to - determine bottles , and an fantabulous pick of Californiacraft beers . Just do n’t have a bun in the oven to stop in for a nightcap unless that follows an early - bird dinner , as it ’s only subject from 2 pm to 8 pm Friday through Tuesday .
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Where to stay in Los Olivos
In the past tense , anyone who want to spend the nighttime within trip length of Los Olivos ’s abundanttasting roomshad to fight for one of the 19 rooms atFess Parker Wine Country Innor seek to snag one of a smattering of holiday rentals . That changed this yr when — after four days of construction and who knows how many millions of renovations — Auberge Resorts reopened the historicInn at Mattei ’s Tavernwith 67 luxury guest rooms and cottages . The long - run hotel first opened its doors in 1886 to serve the rail and leg rider making their trip-up north and south . ( Original owner Felix Mattei finally telephone it Mattei ’s Tavern . ) As you ’d expect , it ’s not chinchy , but it enable visitant to really spend a weekend in town . Whether you want to splurge or find a precious , low-priced Airbnb , there ’s never been a better time to drop a couple of days in Los Olivos ’ walkable downtown .
Photo courtesy of Craft & Cluster
Photo courtesy of Fess Parker Winery
Photo courtesy of The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection
