Things To Do In Los Olivos: Plus Where To Drink And Eat
This post highlights the best things to do Los Olivos, California . Plus, where to drink and eat in this beautiful town!
Cities. Cities. Cities. Oh, how we love cities. Itineraries such as Rome-Florence-Venice, Prague-Budapest-Vienna, or San Francisco-Los Angeles-San Diego can send mass excitement shivers to hardcore explorers and good life lovers.
I am guilty of being a city devotee . I have thought about moving to a place with a slower pace but, ironically, this thought gives me an inexplicable sense of anguish. Maybe that is why I have chosen chaotic, out-of-control Los Angeles as my home base.
But one thing I know: never underestimate a town or place for being small, remote, hidden.
Every time I comment about my visits to the Santa Ynez Valley , a necessary question arises.
Did you go to Los Olivos?
Yes, at last, I visited the tiny town of Los Olivos. So tiny that in fact, I almost missed it because I got distracted looking at some maps while my husband was driving around. The centrally located flagpole got his attention.
Have we arrived? he asked while scanning the streets.
Ewww, I murmured while taking a look at the flagpole, Yes. Pull out here.
A few hours walking around was enough to discover how this town is small only in physical terms. There are a lot of factors contributing to the star status of Los Olivos.
From Horseback Riding And Hiking To Wine Touring And Tasting
Fertile soil, temperate weather, and the unique geography that allows ocean breezes and foggy mornings to enhance grape growing provide the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara County to produce premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and other varieties. Wine tastings and tours are available at most wineries, and reservations are suggested.
Cachuma Lake, a reservoir on the Santa Ynez River, offers camping, guided cruises, fishing, hiking, and nature walks. Horseback riding among the hills, mountain trails, and vineyards can be followed by an optional wine tasting. Explore on two wheels with a bike rental or join a bicycle tour for a day or even longer. Wherever your visit to the Santa Ynez Valley takes you, the beauty of the rolling hills, vineyards, and tree-shaded roads will have you planning your return.
What Are Some Things To Do In Los Olivos
This section could be endless, so rather than trying tosuggest every local activity or attraction, we’ll leave itopen-ended.
These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy:
Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questionsbecause there’s an entire community of travelers talkingto each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is whereyou can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets,trip dates & more!
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Do I Really Have To Go Back Home
Yes, even this step is optional, because if you’re on vacationwho wants the trip to end? It’s okay, you can start planning yournext trip!
Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for aLos Olivos to Long Beach drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip.
Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Long Beach? Try searching for places within 3 hours of Long Beach.
You can also compare the travel time if you’re flying or drivingby calculating the distance from Long Beach to Los Olivos. Or get a full Long Beach to Los Olivos flight plan.
Don’t forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation.You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong,or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.
And if you know Long Beach well, please help your fellowtravelers and answer their questions about Long Beach!
Yet More Tasting: Olive Oil

Sounds bizarre? Maybe a little. But tasting olive oil, balsamic vinegar, wine vinegar, and truffle oil is a thing. And, let me tell you, it is a delicious thing. If you have never experienced this, head to Olive Hill Farm in Downtown Los Olivos. I am sure you will be enchanted by one or more products.
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Beautiful Things To Buy And Admire
Los Olivos has some of the most beautiful stores I have visited.
Make sure to visit J.W. Oeste. A big outdoor patio is filled with fountains, statues, bushes, flowers, and too many more objects. You can spend hours trying to see every offering in the store. The personnel is very nice and two cute dogs welcome you upon arrival.
Artisans Gallery is another cute shop . The recently restored old silversmith workshop is now a quaint retail store offering handmade leather designs by a local artist.
For fine and funky home décor, olive oils, soaps, cosmetics, skin and hair products, kitchen utensils, cookbooks, jewelry, and gifts, visit Los Olivos General Store. Plus, everything on sale is made by local artisans or with local products.
For gorgeous cards and stationery, visit Honey Paper. For clothes and accessories, Wildflower Women is a good option.
Just a little bit outside of town , Global Gardens, a self-proclaimed farm stand, sells olive oil, balsamic vinegar, creams, soaps, lip balms, and more. Not that far away , Clairmont Farms sells all things lavender .
I am telling you Los Olivos shopping is on fire!
Top Tips For Finding Los Olivos Hotel Deals
- If youre looking for a cheap hotel in Los Olivos, you should consider visiting during the low season. You’ll find cheaper accommodations in Los Olivos in January and June.
- Hotel room prices vary depending on many factors but youll most likely find the best hotel deals in Los Olivos if you stay on a Monday. The opposite is true for, Sunday, which is usually the most expensive day.
- The cheapest 3-star hotel room in Los Olivos found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $186, while the most expensive was $502.
- How long should you stay? KAYAK users usually book their accommodation in Los Olivos for 4 days.
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Auberge Resorts Collection To Welcome The Inn At Matteis Tavern Los Olivos To Its Luxury Resort Portfolio
AUBERGE TO RE-IMAGINE HISTORIC HOTEL AS A MODERN LANDMARK IN CALIFORNIAS SANTA YNEZ WINE COUNTRY
MILL VALLEY, CALIF. Auberge Resorts Collection today announced that The Inn at Matteis Tavern, the beloved tavern and inn surrounded by vineyards in the buzzing and bucolic Santa Barbara County town of Los Olivos, Calif., will join its portfolio of award-winning luxury hotels, residences and clubs. Building on a legacy dating back to its 1886 origin as a charming stagecoach stop, to its later years as a prohibition-era speakeasy and automobile touring stopover, the country inn will be reimagined as a luxury destination and reintroduced in 2021 as The Inn at Matteis Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, creating a new landmark in the Santa Ynez Valley, an area renowned for its award-winning wineries, scenic countryside and classic California horse ranches.
We are delighted to welcome The Inn at Matteis Tavern to the Auberge family, said Dan Friedkin, Owner and Chairman, Auberge Resorts Collection. The Inn is an incredible heritage property located in one of the most pristine and desirable regions of Californias Central Coast. We look forward to transforming it with the world-class service standards, enriching new guest experiences and the outstanding culinary offerings for which Auberge is renowned.
The development team includes Santa Barbara-based architecture firm DMHA and the West Coast office of the ever-creative AvroKO in San Francisco.
About Los Olivos Hotel Suites On Varoom
Varoom is all about connecting you to the best places to stay and things to do. As such, we have many Hotel Suites in Los Olivos, from budget to luxury, to suit your needs as well.
Our site boasts of more than 29 hotels and resorts listed in or near Los Olivos. Whether you are going on a business trip, leisure vacation with a group, or traveling with your family or friends for summer or winter break, theres always something perfect for you.
If you want to experience a great trip, we have thousands of hotels, resorts, boutique hotels, or motels with updated prices for 2022. Varoom’s hotels and places to stay in top destinations are available for last-minute reservations. Get more room with Varoom when you get a hotel suite at many of the top hotel chains, including Radisson Hotel, OYO, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, MGM Resorts, & more.
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Los Olivos Vacation Rentals Hotels & Places To Stay
There are more than 221 places to stay that are available in Los Olivos. These choices include hotels as well as other short-term private accommodations , have a wide selection of amenities at great prices, providing you with all the comforts of home or a touch of luxury. We like to help you find more room with Varoom when booking your property in Los Olivos.
Varoom features many last-minute deals on hotels, resorts and places to stay including many that are nearby. If you need a place for a group or event, be it a hotel or vacation rental , let us help. With Varoom’s places in Los Olivos, you have the flexibility of comparing different options from multiple suppliers with a single click. Group deals, private pools, hot tubs, allows pets, or even those with huge master suite bedrooms with open-air showers? You can find vacation rentals and resorts as well as Airbnb-style properties in Los Olivos. Places to stay near Los Olivos are 2038.5 ft² on average, with prices averaging $382 a night.
Varoom helps you discover places to stay and suggests things to do to create great travel memories in Los Olivos. Prices listed are often found to be at a 30-40% discount versus the rack rates. Just search for your destination and secure your perfect place to stay today.
More Tasting: This Time Beer
If you or somebody in your party is not a fan of wine, well, Los Olivos has beer too. Figueroa Mountain Brewing started operations about 8 years ago in Buellton .
For some time, it was only that taproom, and then, they started to spread around like fire. The Los Olivos location has added diversity to the town. Stop by to check out what they have on tap. Tasting flights are available on request.
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The Best Hotels And Bed & Breakfasts
With six distinct small towns, within less than six miles of each other Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Solvang and Santa Ynez, you will find just the unforgettable vacation fun, adventure, rest and relaxation that you need in Santa Ynez Valley.
Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel or an authentic bed and breakfast, we have the perfect place for you. Then, try our delicious casual or fabulous fine dining restaurants, and our numerous wine and craft beer tastings. Next, there are beautiful vineyards to tour.
Art and history buffs will enjoy our fascinating museums, art exhibits, and local boutique shops. Adrenaline junkies will relish the countless adventures the Santa Ynez Valley offers. You will certainly want to extend your stay.
Please contact properties directly regarding their safety practices in place
Where’s The Best Place To Stay In Los Olivos

Are you going straight to a hotel, orlooking for a vacation rental or Airbnb?
The best resource on neighborhoods, areas,and hotels is the Trippy page onwhere to stay in Los Olivos.
If you’re looking for a quick answer, you can check out Ballard Inn & Restaurant, which was mentioned 2 times on Trippy.
Here are some more hotels people talk about:
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Boutique And Luxury Los Olivos Hotels
When you want the best amenities and the most comfort in your Los Olivos hotel you have plenty of luxury options.Few of the best and most expensive hotels or resorts in Los Olivos area Chumash Casino Resort, Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Kimpton Goodland, an IHG Hotel.Which are located in near landmark Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens, Goleta Beach and Arlington Theater.Most of these upscale boutique hotel choices are of 4 star and 5 star rating with guest rooms and suites with finest furnishings and decor.Often near tourist activities, offering access to both nearby attractions and public transit.
Wine Wine Wine It Is The Center Of Everything
Los Olivos is in the middle of wine country and the town takes its surroundings very seriously. It is not necessary to get out of town to get a taste of the valleys most famous product.
Nobody seems to know how many wine tasting rooms are in town . Some number them at two dozen and others at more than thirty. But, who really cares about the exact number? The important thing is that there is something for every taste. Plus, you can spend days in town with the excuse of wanting to visit yet another tasting room.
Some of the best Los Olivos tasting rooms in town include:
Carhartt this wine tasting room is one of the most popular in town because of its variety of wines and super friendly staff. Recently, they moved from their cozy tasting room to a bigger one in front of the street
Epiphany This is one of the most expansive properties in town with indoor and outdoor tasting spaces. You can drink full bodies of red wines in a place that feels like your backyard. Plus, they have a Bubble Shack, a space dedicated to bubbly wine
E11ven by Andrew Murray Andrew Murray creates some of the most highly-acclaimed Rhone varietals in the Sant Ynez Valley. You cannot leave without tasting his stuff. He has another wine tasting room at Foxen Canyon
Dragonette Cellars This is another must for red wine lovers
Coquelicot This is another place with a great outdoor tasting room. You are allowed to bring a picnic or snacks
Here are some Los Olivos vineyards you should visit :
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Los Olivos Cheap Motels
Los Olivos also has Motels like Travelodge by Wyndham Santa Maria& Days Inn by Wyndham Santa Maria, which offer great discounts on room rates.If you’re visiting Los Olivos on a budget, you can reduce travel expenses by booking a motel room at one of the city’s many affordable hotels which has cheap hotel prices.Motel Amenities like Satellite TV, Coffeemaker and Hair Dryer are very common in these motels. Some of these motels have deep discounts on room rates.
How To Reach Los Olivos
Los Olivos is located on CA-154. The town can be reached in 40 minutes from Santa Barbara, 12 minutes from Solvang, and 2 hours from Los Angeles. I encourage you to make Los Olivos part of a Santa Ynez Valley weekend trip.
The closest major airport is located in Santa Barbara. There are ways to reach the town using public transportation but renting a car is recommendable.
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Cambria To Los Olivos Road Trip Planner
Here’s a sample itinerary for a drive from Cambria to Los Olivos. If you’re planning a road trip to Los Olivos, you can research locations to stop along the way.Make sure you check road conditionsto double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops. Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on themost talked about places recommended by Trippy members.
10:00 am start in Cambriadrive for about 21 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:21 amdrive for about 23 minutes
stay for about 1.5 hours and leave at 1:14 pmdrive for about 17 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:30 pmdrive for about 21 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:51 pmdrive for about 29 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:20 pmdrive for about 14 minutes
From Casual To Fine Dining
Industrial Eats in Buellton serves up wood-fired pizzas, fresh creative salads, sandwiches, and seafood in a casual atmosphere.
S.Y. Kitchen offers modern Italian dishes, cocktails, and wine in an intimate farmhouse-style setting in the town of Santa Ynez.
The Hitching Post II specializes in traditional wood-fired Santa Maria Barbecue served with their award-winning wines, made famous in the 2004 movie Sideways.
The Gathering Table at The Ballard Inn features seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients in a blend of Asian and French cuisine served in an intimate atmosphere.
First & Oak in Solvang at the Mirabelle Inn serves wine country cuisine in a style reminiscent of France, with a seasonal menu that includes fresh local seafood and produce.
The Tavern at Zaca Creek, set on a historic property in Buellton, features an onsite Fullblood Wagyu butchery, craft cocktail program, wine cellar, and extensive spirits and liqueurs selection.
V Lounge in Solvang at Vinland Hotel offers sandwiches, salads, and shareable plates in addition to late night bites, desserts, craft beers, wines, and cocktails.
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Last But Not Least: The People
From where are you visiting us? asked a shop owner.
From Los Angeles, I replied
Oh, please. Los Angeles is so general. From where are you visiting us?
Well, I get it. People living and working in Los Olivos are not interested in the broad and superficial stuff. In a friendly way, they are genuinely interested in knowing you. They make conversation, give recommendations and talk about their own lives. You feel like you are surrounded by old friends. I find this refreshing since people there are actually interested in giving you some of their time. The human factor increases my desire to revisit this town over and over again.