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' fifth 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, within two blocks of the Inn, there are several fine dining establishments, including a two of our personal favorites.   Adjacent to the Inn is the Red Barn Dinner House where the food is plentiful, the prime rib sumptuous, and the service impeccable! A block away is The Vineyard House, a home built in 1907 for the town's blacksmith, William "Bill" Anderson, which has a wonderful menu that will satisfy anyone's tastes, along with very accommodating hosts and staff who will make your visit an enjoyable one. 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.

If you are heading west on Highway 246 to visit Jilama Beach or the collection of boutique wineries in the Lompoc area, a "must" for lunch or dinner is Sissy's Uptown Cafe! This award winning restaurant, located at 112 South "I" Street in downtown Lompoc, is a family owned and operated establishment serving excellent luncheon sandwiches and salads, prepared fresh daily with the finest ingredients.

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.  

A full list of wineries can be found on www.sbcountywines.com and www.santaynezwine country.com. We do have some favorites, not just for their fine wines, but also the great people who work there. You will find a good sampling of Syrah at the Andrew Murray Tasting Room in Los Olivos, 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 Epiphany Wines, Stolpman, and Tensley. The smallest tasting room in town is Carhartt Vineyards, producing some smooth wines.

Other enjoyable stops on the trail are Lincourt and Dimitri!

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 rolling hills adorned with oaks, horse and cattle ranches, and the great American buffalo. It's a breathtaking journey.

Further out on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail you will find the Firestone Winery.  As you head north on the wine trail you will find Cambria,  Rancho Sisquoc, and the Riverbench Winery, all of which are set back from the main road and worth the short scenic drive.

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, Foley, 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.

Many of these wineries are along scenic driving routes, or you may wish to engage one of the many tour operators here in the Valley. Locally owned and operated, Stagecoach Tours has an excellent reputation. You may visit their website @ www.WineToursSantaYnez.com or call (805) 686-8347.

 

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.