Travel
 Info
Our Special Place
Los Alamos was the location of one of our first romantic getaway weekends and we completely fell in love with the town.  For us, the tiny town and beautiful rolling hills make it impossible to not relax and enjoy the moment.  It’s a place to, for a brief time, forget about the hustle and bustle of normal life and take in the beauty and bounty that surrounds.  By choosing this place as our wedding venue, our hope is that you will be charmed by all it has to offer and that Los Alamos will have a special place in your heart.
Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.
-Walt Whitman
Explore Los Alamos
A Small Town With An Old West Heritage
Surrounded by ranches, farms and vineyards at the northern “entry” to the Santa Ynez Valley. Los Alamos, California, (population 1,890) 46 miles north of Santa Barbara, is located at the junction of US Highway 101 and State Route 135.

This tucked away, friendly community with a cowboy mystique and relaxing quiet offers quality wines, authentic antiquing, and world-class foods all in three walking blocks. For the history buff Los Alamos has a starry past; the 1880’s saloon in town played host to Johnny Cash where he performed in the 50’s and was the site of Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson’s “Say, Say, Say” music video. With wine country just a few miles away, there’s a little something here for the discerning tripper.

Accommodations
Los Alamos Hotels:
Buellton Hotels: (14 miles away)
Solvang Hotels: (17 miles away)
There are many Airbnb and VRBO properties in the area, as well as plenty of additional hotel options in Santa Barbara (only 45 mins south of Los Alamos)
Shuttle Information
Shuttle 1: White Shuttle (Solvang)
2:55 p.m.
1st pick up: M Hotel Solvang

3:05 p.m.
2nd pick up: Santa Ynez Valley Marriot

 -- Drop at venue 3:30pm --

3:35 p.m.
3rd pick up: Skyview

 -- Drop at venue 3:50pm --
Shuttle 2: Black Shuttle (Buellton)
2:35 p.m.
1st pick up: Hotel Hygge

2:50 p.m.
2nd pick up: Pea Soup Anderson's

3:05 p.m.
3rd pick up: Sideways Inn

 -- Drop at venue 3:30pm --
Return Shuttles
Return trips starting at 8:30pm
Last shuttle departs 1880 Union at 1:30am
Getting There

Santa Barbara Airport
The best airport to fly into is the Santa Barbara airport. This is a small, relaxed airport 5 minutes from Goleta beach and the University of California, Santa Barbara. You can rent a car there and it is a lovely 45 minute drive north on the 101 up the coast and then inland to Los Alamos. Flying in and out of Santa Barbara is the best if you can manage it.


LAX Airport & 101 North
You can also fly into LAX and rent a car. This airport has a lot more people, traffic, and hustle and bustle, but also works well. It is a 2.5 to 3 hour drive or more to Los Alamos, depending on traffic. To avoid traffic, try to drive at non rush-hour times (rush hour is about 7-10am and 3-8pm). I recommend getting out of LA asap and then stopping at In-N-Out for lunch/dinner once you are on the 101, for the California road trip experience. Enjoy the beautiful costal highway from Ventura to Gaviota.


Driving South from the Bay Area
Get yourself in a car and on the 101 South and take it all the way to Los Alamos. It’s about a 4-5 hour drive depending on where you are starting in the Bay Area. I usually do a rest stop on the way in Soledad. It’s super easy to get on and off the 101 there and the stop has a big gas station, a Subway, a Starbucks, and a McDonalds, as well as other options for food/bathrooms.

Eat
Bell's
After cutting their teeth at top NYC kitchens, Daisy and Greg Ryan set sail for the west coast—settling into the confines of the Santa Ynez Valley. Their particular skill lies in blending phenomenal product with focused flavors and methods. This is cooking that tastes as good as it looks, and crowds keep coming for their unpretentious dishes.

Wild snails drip with luscious garlic and parsley butter, while the Santa Barbara uni crêpe cake is layered with crème fraîche and caviar. Lamb en croûte may be next, served over Calabrian chili aïoli with asparagus. The meat is tender and the aïoli perfectly cuts through the rich, savory elements. Desserts are equally worthy—from a buttery gâteau Breton to black pepper cookies laced with dark chocolate.

In 2022 Bell's was awarded one Michelin star.


Norman
Norman serves California fare with nods to the country roots of Los Alamos. This is a space to gather with your favorite people for brunch, cozy into a dimly lit corner booth for dinner, or order your favorite dish poolside as the weather is always looking up here in Los Alamos.

We believe in good conversation, comforting food, and a drink list that highlights some of the best winemakers and local ingredients around. Whether you're enjoying an overnight stay at Skyview or just moseying through town, Norman offers a unique and satisfying menu every day of the week.


Bob's Well Bread Bakery
Since its inception in 2014, locals, travelers and journalists alike have embraced BOB’S WELL BREAD BAKERY artisan breads and bakery. The bakery has successfully become a family business and integral part of the growing Los Alamos community, which has developed into a richly diverse wine country destination.

BOB’S WELL BREAD BAKERY and the Oswaks family are committed to products that are hand-made with only the finest ingredients and natural starters. No added preservatives will be found in any of their baked items, and they strive to source ingredients locally using farmers and growers who practice the purest growing initiatives. They allow their loaves to take their time, and practice old world European traditions and techniques to make the very best breads and baked goods possible.


Full of Life Flatbread
All Full of Life flatbreads are made with organic, locally sourced ingredients and cooked in a 900 degree wood oven. The result is elegant pizzas that represent California wine country cooking. The touch of smoke in their flavor adds a dash of Santa Barbara ranchero flavor.

No matter what you get on top, the crust is excellent. It is light and airy, despite being made with flavorful unbleached whole-grain flour. In general, Full of Life food is a rare, happy compromise of sustainable health food ethos and rich, local gourmet flavor.

For dessert, there’s a unique take on a s’more, created by another clever use of the oven. A blob of marshmallow fluff gets perfectly browned by the wood as it sits atop a chocolate espresso cookie.


Industrial Eats
Industrial Eats is a quality-centered dining experience tucked away in a re-purposed warehouse on Industrial Way in Buellton, California.

It’s tattooed with produce and grocery graffiti on its exterior wall and boasts a craft butcher counter filled with house made treats and extensive indulgences. Two wood fired ovens churn out thousands of seasonal dishes every year, all sourced from sustainable farms and food pioneers. The restaurant is filled with knick knacks and books lining the walls – collected from years of odd hobbies and cultivated impulse buying – and rows of communal tables full of patrons chatting and eyeing their neighbor’s meals.

The owners, Jeff and Janet Olsson, along with their expert crew, value bringing people together through a shared feasting environment by serving respectfully honest great food.


Plenty on Bell
Located in a charming historic building, site of Los Alamos' original hardware store, Plenty On Bell is in the business of creating delicious food, memorable experiences and wicked atmospheres. If you're looking for something familiar to eat, be sure to drop in and try their coffee.

The cosy atmosphere of this place makes visitors feel relaxed and have a good time. The professional service and the efficient staff are great advantages of this spot. Here you will pay fair prices.
Drink
Bedford Winery
Superlative wines. Great conversation. Relaxed ambience. Take the path less traveled and enjoy the ultimate wine experience here in historic Los Alamos. This is what wine tasting should be with a knowledgeable staff giving each customer one on one attention, great wines that are not main stream, and an unrushed, intimate atmosphere.


Bodega
Bodega is a place to call home. The mood is decidedly chill and reflects the heart and soul of Los Alamos. Relax as you would at home in the open-air wine & beer garden featuring natural and organic wines from near and far and unusual, hard to find beers and ciders.


Lo-Fi Wines
Lo-Fi is a partnership between two lifelong friends who believe in hand crafted honest wines that are made for every day drinking. Wines to be enjoyed not to be collected. Easy drinking lower alcohol wines made to pair well with all types of foods, from pizza to paté.

We believe in neutral barrels, native yeasts, little to no sulfur additions, and no adjustment of pH. We love whole cluster fermentation. We adore carbonic maceration . We embrace a nothing added, nothing taken away philosophy that gives birth to wines that are young, vibrant and alive.
Babi’s Beer Emporium
In the tiny town of Los Alamos, Babi’s Beer Emporium is the place to go. Ale fans won’t miss the absence of wine on the menu, which includes between 40 to 60 bottles of craft brew, along with a small selection of beers on tap.

Owner Sonja Magdevski, who makes wine under the label Casa Dumetz (which she owns with her husband, actor Emilio Estevez), chooses her beers carefully, avoiding bottles readily available at nearby chain grocery stores or retailers. Sit at the bar and sample her favorites (90 percent of the tap selections are from California breweries).

Join in the spirit of discovery, and hunt through the bottle collection for hard-to-find international brews. Or hang out on the outdoor patio with your newfound favorite beer and a plate of pork belly, chicken, or chorizo tacos. Look around—you may just be surrounded by winemakers.


Play

Ostrich Land USA
Considered a Central Coast landmark, OstrichLand USA in Buellton is a popular destination and a great first stop when you’re headed to the quaint Danish themed town of Solvang. Over 100 amazing ostriches and emus are adored by people of all ages. Locals often bring guests to see “Buellton’s favorite pets.”

You can think of OstrichLand like a zoo. The Ostriches and Emus are here for your enjoyment. Visitors are invited to feed the animals, or just stand back and enjoy the interactions and antics of these unbelievably large birds.

You’ll find the Ostriches and Emus have been raised to be fed by the visitors and are trained to eat out of a bowl.


Refugio State Beach
Located just half an hour west of Santa Barbara, Refugio State Beach offers a unique landscape and calm oasis for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The palm tree-lined cove caters to peaceful picnics, coastal fishing and unforgettable kayaking. Its crystalline waters and secluded setting warrant an entire day of fun and relaxation.  This is a great beach for a classic sandy beach day!


El Capitan State Beach
This beach's peaceful setting, sandy shoreline and close proximity to Santa Barbara make it a popular spot for camping, picnicking, wildlife viewing and other outdoor activities. Stands of sycamore, oak and eucalyptus trees create lots of shady spots throughout the park, and the well-maintained hiking trails lead to picturesque lookouts of the mountains and sea. Follow the stairway from the bluffs down to the beach and keep an eye out for marine life and wildlife.

Visit Solvang
If you are looking for a unique getaway, the historic Danish village of Solvang offers the best of the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara wine country in a relaxed and peaceful setting. Indulge in authentic Danish pastries at our world-famous bakeries.

Stroll through the village and admire the old-world European architecture, plus find the perfect souvenir at a variety of charming boutiques and shops.  A ride on the Solvang trolley is a must for families. This historic, wooden, horse-drawn streetcar, is just one example of Solvang’s rich cultural heritage and offerings. Checkout the Solvang Walking Tour

Food and wine lovers will find more than 120 wineries and beautiful vineyards to explore near Solvang, plus plenty of dining options including California farm-to-table cuisine.


Santa Barbara Zoo
Explore the wonders of the natural world at the Santa Barbara Zoo, where the beauty of the wildlife is matched only by the lush grounds and sweeping views. Located just two miles from State Street, this 30-acre park is home to more than 146 species, including mammals, reptiles, birds and insects, exhibited in open, naturalistic habitats overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains. Some of the Zoo’s most famous residents include penguins, giraffes, anteaters, gorillas, and a flock of native California condors.

The Zoo can be toured in about two hours, but you’ll likely be tempted to linger longer. Described by the Food Network as “the Audrey Hepburn of zoos—petite, charming and beautiful,” it’s a must-see Santa Barbara attraction, especially for families with kids. Meet the Zoo’s tallest creatures during giraffe feeding time, or take a relaxing ride around the park on the Zoo Train. Don’t miss the Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen, where you can observe the impressive food-prep process for the Zoo’s 500+ animals.
Made with love in Santa Barbara <3
[bot_catcher]