Santa Barbara County's Vintage Los Alamos
Victorian Hotel, Western Saloon and Antiques Galore Tempt Tourists
Mar 25, 2009
Located about 55 miles north of Santa Barbara, Los Alamos lies on the edge of the serene Santa Ynez Valley and is 10 miles from Buellton and Solvang. This small early California town feels like a walk into the past. One of the main streets in town, Centennial Street, was named when John Bell and James Shaw, ranch owners in the area, established the downtown section in 1876. The railroad soon arrived and the Union Hotel was built in 1880 to accommodate railroad employees and passengers. Although the building sustained fire damage, the restoration that was completed in 1915 left the hotel in its original Old West form. This landmark building and the adjacent Victorian Mansion add to the nostalgic character of this charming little town.
A Victorian Bed and Breakfast
One of the most impressive buildings in town is a pretty yellow and white Victorian that has been converted to a luxury B&B. The Victorian Mansion books rooms through their website,www.TheVick.com or by calling (805) 344-1300. Each suite is decorated in a period theme and most of the rooms are equipped with a fireplace, hot tub and fluffy robes. This special occasion place is the perfect setting to experience the relaxing little town of Los Alamos.
Antique Shops and Art Galleries in Los Alamos
Los Alamos is an antique hunter’s delight where half a dozen shops sell treasured relics. Once the depot for the Pacific Coast Railway, the Depot Mall, 515 Bell St., now holds over 60 antique vendors with jammed packed treasures from the floor to the ceiling. Everything from hand crocheted doilies and fine English porcelains to American oak furniture is on display here at any time. But antiques are not the only attraction at the Depot Mall, a massive mahogany bar and barstools take up a section of the store where wine tasting events are held on a regular basis.
Gussied Up Antiques, 349 Bell St., sets up shop in a turn of the century home directly across from the Union Hotel. The blue sided Leslie House makes an interesting place to browse for treasures and to walk through an early Los Alamos home.
Although antique shops dominate the scene on Bell Street, a contemporary art gallery features local artist’s works in oils, watercolors, sculpture and pottery. Craft shops with handmade items round out the offerings in town.
Restaurants and Cafes
For the daytime shoppers, several barbeque restaurants and sandwich shops are an easy walk on the main street. The Café Quackenbush, 458 Bell St., offers gourmet lunches, weekend breakfasts and coffee and bakery items during the day.
In the evening, the Union Hotel restaurant, (805) 344-2744, hosts western themed Mystery Dinners on Friday evenings. Pizza and American food establishments are available during the dinner hour.
Los Alamos Old Days
On the last weekend in September, Los Alamos presents Old Days and the town fills with celebrators. An old time parade features horse drawn carriages, tractors and local folks dressed in period costumes. All of the shops and local wineries participate in the festivities and the aroma of barbequed tri-tip and chicken fill the air.
Los Alamos could easily be missed by travelers in a rush on their way to Santa Barbara. But the road signs on Hwy. 101 lead the way to this slowed down old fashioned town that brings back memories of an early California heritage.
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