Los Olivos: Day in the Country

Enjoy the pleasures of the wine country village on a sunny fall Saturday.

IS THERE MORE STROLLING, or more stopping, when you've reached a small and lovely village, the sort of walkable town that seems to have a plethora of restaurants, and wine shops, and stores selling all manner of home items, from garden chimes to kitchen goods? It depends if you're the sort of stroll-and-stopper who has pause in front of every door you pass by, just to see what might be on the other side. And while California has a considerable clutch of stroll-and-stoppable villages, each with their own foodie, wine-sophisticated, craft-funky vibe, a stroll-and-stop kind of traveler always wants to keep the antenna up for special events that draw on this notable ability. One such happening, at one of the most picturesque places in Santa Ynez Valley, and beyond the Santa Barbara-close wine country, too, is Day in the Country at Los Olivos. It's...

FREE TO ATTEND, though if you want to leave with some wine, or olive oil, or a colorful gewgaw for your yard, you'll want to come ready to buy. But buying is not essential, should you want to attend the Saturday, Oct. 21 happening just to soak up that distinctive Los Olivos atmosphere: Come and sightsee and enjoy. Some sweet stuff on the day-long calendar? Breakfast burritos to kick off the day at 7 a.m. at the Grange Hall, a community parade, "hundreds of local and regional crafters, artists, and food purveyors," and, you got it, a tractor show, that timeless fall staple. The hours of the festival proper? 10 to 4 in the afternoon. That Los Olivos charm? You need to go there to know it. Like every stroll-and-stoppable Golden State village, its distinctive town-dentity should be experienced, preferably with a breakfast burrito or glass of chardonnay in hand.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us