For our family and friends from out of town, we want you to enjoy the SYV as locals. Here are some of our favorite spots to eat, drink, and explore.
Los Olivos
Los Olivos is one of our favorite towns in SYV. With tons of tasting rooms, delish food (both sit down and casual) and cute stores, it’s the perfect place to spend the day drinking wine and walking around.
What to Do
— Do a walking wine tour down Grand Ave (there are numerous tasting rooms)! (Our favorites include Carucci Wines, Carhartt Family Wines, Storm Wines, and Story of Soil.
— Explore local boutiques, art galleries, and specialty shops like Los Olivos General Store and Global Eye Shop + Studio.
Where to Eat
— Lefty’s Coffee Co: Perfect place for a latte and a baked good to start your day!
— PANINO: Stop here for a casual (but delish) sandwich! (Diana’s fav is the Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich on sourdough and Andrew’s is the Italian Combo Sandwich on ciabatta!)
— Bar le Côte: A stylish, upscale seafood tavern located in Los Olivos, California. Lunch is a good option!
Los Alamos
What to Do
— Enjoy Bell Street and all it has to offer. Have a glass at Bodega while you play some bocce and see what food truck they might have.
— Perfect spot for vintage and antique shopping!
Where to Eat
— Bob’s Well Bread Bakery: Head here for a morning pastry or all-day breakfast sandwich (until 3) or grab a coffee and snag some delicious small-batch bread to take home.
— Bodega: Natural wine bar, tavern, and shop featuring local brews and barbecued staples.
— Bell’s: Sister restaurant to Bar le Côte. Relaxed French-inspired bistro in a former farm building serving fine-dining fare & eclectic wines.
Los Alamos, a historic 1880s stagecoach town, is a cute downtown that runs along Bell Street. Known for its rustic-chic, Western atmosphere, it offers top-tier, chef-driven restaurants, intimate tasting rooms, and antique shops, making it a perfect weekend getaway for food and wine lovers.
SantaYnez, Solvang & Buellton
The walkable, charming downtown of Santa Ynez features boutique shops, local wine-tasting rooms, and popular restaurants like SY Kitchen.
Solvang is a sun-soaked slice of Danish culture in the Santa Ynez Valley, where California wine cellars mix with European bakeries and shops.
And Buellton is a little town right off Hwy 101 that’s up and coming!
What to Do
— Walk around Solvang and experience a slice of Danish culture in the SYV.
— Stop by downtown Santa Ynez and enjoy the cute shops (lots of home decor). If you’re there at night, stop by the Maverick Saloon for some live music and dancing.
Where to Eat
— The Lucky Hen Larder: Casual, rustic, open-air eatery featuring cheese, charcuterie, plus a menu of sandwiches and salads. Perfect to grab on your way to wine tasting in the valley.
— Little King Coffee: Really cute coffee shop in Buellton that has the best breakfast sandwich!
— SY Kitchen: Really good farm-to-table fare in downtown Santa Ynez.
The Santa Ynez Valley is also known (of course) for its wine! Blending cool-climate Pinot Noir near the coast with warmer-climate Rhône and Bordeaux varietals inland. A few of our favorites are: Brave and Maiden Estate, Presqu'ile Winery, and Roblar Winery.