Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles? You may want to unwind in the Santa Ynez Valley, located in Santa Barbara County. It is a world-class wine region that includes the towns of Danish-inspired Solvang, Los Olivos, and Buellton.
I spent a weekend at Hotel Ynez, a darling motel with cottages that offers peace and tranquility. It’s a small establishment with tons of charm, not far from the town of Los Olivos.
In the center of the courtyard are nooks and crannies to read a book, have a meeting with friends, or relax in the evening at firepits.
We ate breakfast at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, which also offers accommodations at its lovely Inn.
The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern has 67 newly renovated cottages and is the site of a historic Stagecoach and railroad stop.
The tavern dates back to 1886 and was first established by Felix Mattei and his wife, Lucy. The railroad terminal was directly across from it, so passengers could stop in for food and shelter while waiting for the stagecoach to take them into Santa Barbara.
We had Thanksgiving at Mattei’s Tavern several years back, and it felt like we were sitting in a vintage living room. The food was amazing!
In the back of the restaurant is the Inn and a large barn often used for weddings.
Mattei’s is a quick walk to the center of Los Olivios, where you can find quaint restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and wine tasting rooms.
A favorite spot to pick up a yummy sandwich is Panino, where you can eat outside and people-watch.
For an upleveled meal, dine at Bar Le Côte, known for its seafood influenced by Spain and Portugal.
One of our favorite tasting rooms is Stolpman, which serves organic and sustainably sourced wine. It’s right up there with anything you can find in Napa.
On our way home, we stopped at the Belgian Café in Solvang for waffles, and it turned out to be the weekend of Danish Days. Residents were dressed in Danish costumes, and fun events were planned throughout the day. If we didn’t have a fussy baby with us, we would have stayed longer.
I wrote about Solvang during Christmas in another post. It is especially magical at that time of year.
You could also try olive oil tasting at Olive and Lavender Farms, which has over 100 imported olive trees and a 100-year-old stone wall. I haven’t gone there yet, but I plan to report back next time I’m in the area.
Other towns and attractions to visit in the Santa Ynez Valley include Mission Santa Inés, Chumash Casino Resort, Ostrichland, Los Alamos for tasting rooms and antiquing, hiking trails, apple orchards, and scenic drives.
I guarantee you will feel relaxed and renewed after visiting this gorgeous and picturesque area. It is approximately 2 ½ hours from central Los Angeles, depending on traffic.
Where to stay
Click on the map below.
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