Our "Innkeeper Favorites" link was created to introduce our guests, and those just browsing the Inn's website, to the many fine restaurants, wineries, and other attractions of the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. A sensible critic once commented, "What better impression than that of a single visitor." Your Innkeepers wholeheartedly agree.  As the Edison Street Inn enters into its' third year of operation, we, along with our past guests and friends, have developed "favorites" and would like to share our impressions about all of which makes the Santa Ynez Valley a wonderful experience and acknowledge those who have created a tasteful and friendly climate for all of our future guests to enjoy.

Locally, there are several fine dining establishments, including a few of our personal favorites. A block east of the Inn is Volare Ristorante, offering " a Taste of Sicily."  It is the newest of the town's dinner houses and offers specially prepared Italian dishes served in an elegant atmosphere.  On weekends, diners can enjoy their meals while listening to a live three piece jazz combo playing songs from the 40's and 50's.  The wonderful food combined with the musical experience make Volare well worth the visit!   The Vineyard House, a home built in 1907 for the town's blacksmith, William "Bill" Anderson, has a wonderful menu that will satisfy anyone's tastes, along with two very accommodating hosts and staff who will make your visit an enjoyable one. Located next door to the Inn is the Red Barn Dinner House, another favorite, where the food is plentiful, the prime rib sumptuous, and the service impeccable!  A great breakfast or noon meal can be found two blocks from the Inn on Sagunto Street at the Longhorn Coffee Shop & Bakery, where all of the Inn's guests enjoy a great country breakfast.  The Pizza Shack will satisfy your tastes if you are looking for a lighter lunch or evening fare. If your choice is a picnic lunch at one of the wineries, visit the El Rancho Market, where you will find a wonderful deli with just about everything necessary to fill your picnic basket.

Travel a few miles west on Hwy 154 and you will find the town of Los Olivos which hosts some very good restaurants. Mattei's Tavern is the old stagecoach stop built in the 1880's, and currently houses the Brother's Restaurant. Further down Grand Avenue, you will find the Los Olivos Café, often recommended by our guests.

Solvang is about five miles south of Los Olivos, via Alamo Pintado Road. Amidst its Danish charm, there are many small eateries serving a tasty breakfast and lunch. Your innkeepers have occasionally enjoyed dining at the Alisal River Grill & Country Club and the Mandarin Touch, a favorite for casual dining with an Asian flair.

As you proceed west from Solvang on Highway 246, toward Buellton, you will find A.J. Spurs, where no one goes away hungry. Ellen's Pancake House and Mother's are popular morning dining spots.

The Santa Ynez Valley produces great wines and all of the wineries here in the Valley are part of what makes the wine industry "as good as it gets" anywhere in the State.  

We have some favorites, not just for their fine wines, but also the great people who work there. Brander is at the top of our list. Located off the intersection of Hwy 154 and Roblar, the tasting room is managed by the wonderful and knowledgeable Nancy, who will make your visit a most enjoyable one. You will find a good sampling of Syrah at the Andrew Murray Tasting Room in Los Olivos with Valerie as your gracious host and just down a few doors, at Arthur Earl Winery where you will be greeted by  tasting room manager, Nancy and her staff.

Other wineries along Grand Avenue include Consilience Winery, Epiphany Wines,  Longoria, and Tensley. The newest and smallest tasting room in town is Carhartt Vineyards.

Other enjoyable stops on the trail are Buttonwood Farm and the Gainey Winery, where members enjoy some very special tastings during the summer season.

An alternate route to Solvang, from Los Olivos, is by way of the Ballard Canyon Road, and well worth the drive. You will find Ballard Canyon Road just west of Grand Avenue off Hwy 154, where you will head south toward the Rusack Winery. This scenic country road takes you through lovely rolling hills adorned with oaks, horse and cattle ranches, and the great American buffalo. It's a breathtaking journey.

On the other side of Highway 246, beyond Buellton, you will find another of our favorites, LaFond Winery, serving a great Pinot and staffed with friendly people. Nearby are the wineries of Babcock and Melville.  The drive between these four wineries is very scenic, beginning in Buellton, west toward Lompoc and circling back to Buellton.

Solvang is home to a number of small tasting rooms, interspersed amongst the many quaint shops and restaurants.

The township of Santa Ynez retains much of its Western flavor with a few remaining storefronts dating back to the 1880's. It is home to the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum and the Parks-Janeway Carriage House. Adjacent to the museum, and still in operation, is the original branch library for Santa Barbara County. The town has many fine western boutiques including the Outpost Trading Company, and Tumbleweeds, all along Sagunto Street. The area surrounding the center of town is very scenic and dotted with many well acclaimed horse breeding farms and training facilities. If you are a hiker or cyclist, Figueroa Mountain awaits. The Santa Ynez Airport offers glider rides in a piloted airplane. If you are looking for evening entertainment, try the Maverick Saloon.

Lake Cachuma is three miles east off Highway 154 and is a county recreational park with boating and fishing. Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy a two hour Lake Cachuma Nature Cruise. Adjacent to the Lake is the Rancho San Marcos Golf Course.

Los Olivos is a quaint Victorian themed town with many tasting rooms, art galleries, and boutiques on Grand Avenue. In Ballard, you will find the historic Ballard School House, built in 1882 and still in operation. Further down Alamo Pintado Road is the Quicksilver Ranch which raises miniature horses.

Upon entering Solvang from the east on Highway 246 you will find the historic Mission Santa Ines, one of the many early California missions. As you enter the town of Solvang, you will discover a quaint Danish village, where you can spend hours strolling through the many wonderful shops and bakeries. Should you experience that irresistible urge for chocolate, try the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Ingeborg's Chocolates. The town is home to Theaterfest, where you can see a play, June through October, in a great outdoor theatre. Play a round of golf at the Alisal River Course or go further down Alisal Road to the beautiful Nojoqui Falls, a short hike from the main parking lot. Hans Christian Andersen Park has an array of picnic tables and play equipment.

For our sporting enthusiasts, the Santa Barbara Adventure Company offers a wide range of outdoor activities including, hiking, cycling, kayaking and surfing.  Visit their website @ www.sbadventureco.com

As you drive west from Solvang toward Buellton, home of the famous Andersen Split Pea Soup characters, "Hap Pea" and Pea Wee", visit the Ostrich Land on Highway 246. Buellton also has five movies theatres at the Park Plaza Cinema.

Beyond Buellton, approximately 20 miles west on Highway 246, is Lompoc, home of Vandenberg Air Force Base. At the curve between Lompoc and Highway 1 to Vandenberg Air Force Base, you will find Mission La Purisima, another in the chain of early California missions. Adjacent to the Mission is the La Purisima Golf Course. You can reach the Pacific Ocean through Lompoc at Jilama Beach.

Some, who experience this beautiful Valley, may just want to think about retiring here someday. There is an abundance of information available from the area's real estate network.

From time to time we will add a favorite restaurant, winery, attraction or local event that we have recently enjoyed. Any questions or comments may be e-mailed to us at edisonstreetinn@msn.com.