Don't Sleep on Los Alamos
Located two hours north of Los Angeles, Los Alamos is a small western town that is THRIVING! With tons of great restaurants and renovated motels, Los Alamos offers plenty of IG worthy backdrops.
While Los Alamos is on the smaller side, it’s a nice change of pace when coming from Los Angeles. It’s also only a hop skip and a jump from Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Barbara.
STAY
Skyview Los Alamos - Described as an iconic-roadside motel turned boutique luxury. They offer 33 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, heated pool and a working vineyard. Skyview is a modern boutique hotel (meaning it has all the amenities you could ever need) with a view of the Santa Ynez wine country.
Not only does this motel/hotel have the most incredible views. The rooms are extremely chic and well designed (some even have fire pits and outdoor showers). There is an iconic pool (I’m sure you’ve seen all over Instagram) . This hotel is one of the main reasons I decided to spend a weekend in Los Alamos and I definitely will be going back - I mean look at these photos!
Another option is the Alamo Motel - Located in town and walking distance to everything you may need. The Alamo Motel has a communal fire pit and wine bar hosted by Municipal Wines. There’s also plenty of grassy areas for picnics and swings hanging from big oak trees.
EAT
You don’t want to leave Los Alamos without grabbing some fresh bread from the best bakery in the Santa Ynez region. Famous for their insanely fresh bread and simple yet artisanal breakfast, typically has a long line so get there early if you can!
Located on main street of Los Alamos, Bell’s is an award winning family-run, French-inspired bistro with the most beautiful cocktails! Every dish we had was incredible and I would drive from Los Angeles just to eat here!
A dim sum pop-up located inside of Babi’s Beer Emporium, only open Friday-Sunday so be sure to pop in when they are open!
Full of Life Flatbread has some of the most delicious pizza! 100% handmade in Santa Barbara they have tons of toppings to choose from. Grab a pie and head over to Bodega for the perfect afternoon filled with good drinks and even better pizza!
[Lunch, Dinner, Drinks]
Norman, that’s Mr.Norman Bates to you, is the gorgeous restaurant perched at the top of the hill inside the Skyview Hotel and features a menu full of fresh and familiar eats along with an epic cocktail and local wine program. We had lunch, drinks, AND dinner at Norman during our two-day stay. And if you’d told me I had to dine at Norman for every meal I’d actually be thrilled. (That burger… MM!!) While dining inside still isn’t an option, for the time being, there is a cute and cozy little outdoor patio. Or you are welcome to dine for lunch poolside in a lounge chair (if you’re a guest of the hotel that is). Whatever happens though, whatever meal you’re enjoying, don’t miss out on their cocktails! A+ work happening up there on the hill, A+.
[Dinner, Fine-ish Dining]
The level of care that goes into the dining experience at PICO is just downright incredible, if not inspiring. PICO is known for their scratch cooking. Their humane practices, and their massively locally sourced goods (that goes for spirits and wine too) which allow for a truly one of a kind Los Alamos experience. Their garden space is beautiful right now and would make for the perfect date night.
[Breakfast & Lunch Tues-Sun, Dinner Fri-Sat]
Plenty On Bell is just a perfect “neighborhood” type restaurant that knows exactly what to fix you for breakfast or lunch to make you feel comfortable and at home. Think classic egg dishes, sandwiches, coffee, tea, comfortable and casual setting, and of course a great patio to boot.