Los Olivos, California

Los Olivos is a postcard. It's quaint, charming, and drenched in California wine country vibe. It's tiny but you don't get quaint charm without that very small-town feel. If you have the dough for very expensive and beautiful homes, in a town of only a thousand people, with WAY more social life than a town this size deserves, you should take a look.

The Pros:
Wine, Wine, and More Wine: This place is like Disneyland for wine lovers. It has over 30 tasting rooms packed into downtown. It’s not uncommon to bump into winemakers pouring their own stuff.

Travel and Leisure scenery: Rolling hills, vineyards, oak trees, and sunsets that will make your Instagram followers jealous. Plus, it’s just so peaceful. You can literally hear the crickets at night. While we love Santa Barbara and neighboring Solving, and Paso Robles up the coast, they don't match Los Olivos for the mix of "peace and quiet" and enough to do on a chill weekend.

Community Vibes: It’s small, so everyone knows everyone. If you’re the kind of person who likes walking into a coffee shop where the barista knows your order, you’ll love it.

Outdoor Fun: Whether it’s hiking, cycling, or just wandering around in nature, there’s plenty to keep you outside. People here are all about the fresh air and slower pace.

A Foodie’s Dream: For a town this small, we’ve got some incredible eats. Fancy a farm-to-table meal or gourmet pizza paired with a local Syrah? It’s all here.

The Cons:

It’s Seriously Small: You'll go stir-crazy here if you need big-city excitement. The nightlife is wine tastings that end by 9 PM.

Tourist Invasion: On weekends, the entire state decides to drop in for wine tastings. Parking? Forget about it. Locals know to do errands early or stay home.

Housing Costs: It’s gorgeous, so it’s ridiculously expensive. Finding a place to live that doesn’t drain your wallet can be tough.

Limited Amenities: No Target, no movie theater, not even a gas station in town! If you need something beyond the basics, you’re driving to Buellton or Santa Ynez.

Look, this place is right for wealthy SoCal types who want to skip the madness in Santa Barbara and get really rural with their lifestyle. Norcal types can do it as well but the drive is long. It's too quiet for most as your primary home but if you have the bucks and the desire to be in the stunning wine country of Santa Ynez Valley this is as nice as it gets.

Lifestyle in Los Olivos for many is relaxed and focused on enjoying the quiet of the countryside. But if you are in the mood for some activities then it is probably going to start with wine culture. Los Olivos is a wine lover's paradise, as evidenced by its appearance in the movie Sideways. With dozens of tasting rooms and wineries in the town and surrounding areas, wine tasting is both a pastime and a social staple. Locals often meet friends at favorite spots or attend wine-release events.

There are plenty of community events as well. Festivals, farmers' markets, and art walks bring the town together. Events like the annual Day in the Country and Los Olivos Wine Festival are highlights, showcasing the area's artisanal products and local talent.

For a tiny town, it has magnificent food options. This includes gourmet eateries like the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café, where locals gather for farm-to-table dining. Whether it's brunch, casual bites, or elegant dinners, the food scene has something for everyone.

Los Olivos also punches above its weight for Art and Galleries. The tourists on weekends like to buy the locals art and the burgeoning art scene is happy to accommodate. Los Olivos has a burgeoning art scene with galleries featuring local artists' work and there are year-round art classes and open studios.

Live music is also prevalent, whether at local vineyards, community events, or small bars/restaurants. You're also close to bigger winery venues that draw good national acts.

Finally, there is a seriously wonderful outdoor lifestyle here.
The area is surrounded by trails that range from leisurely strolls through wildflower-covered meadows to more challenging hikes with stunning views of the Santa Ynez Valley. The Figueroa Mountain area is a favorite. With rolling hills and scenic byways, cycling is also popular with locals. You’ll often see groups of cyclists enjoying the peaceful countryside roads.

The Santa Ynez Valley is also horse country, and many locals are involved in riding, whether for recreation or at events like rodeos and shows.

Schools in Los Olivos and the surrounding area are excellent. The Los Olivos Elementary School is rated the #1 public school in the entire county by niche.com.

For high school, kids move on to Santa Ynez Valley High School, another excellent school that receives an "A" on niche.com as well.

Los Olivos is also home to Midland School, a small private, outdoor education environment, that is noted as being "an alternative to the regular thing". It provides "a rustic college preparatory education to students of all backgrounds to create lifelong thinkers and learners".