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A little about Los Olivos

This charming historic town of 1,000 residents is located in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Recognized for its expansive views in the center of Santa Barbara's 50 wineries and horse ranches, it is a rewarding and relaxing village to visit. Los Olivos is noted for its eclectic art galleries, wine tasting, unique shopping, epicurean restaurant opportunities, antiques and generally friendly populace. Many of the downtown and residential buildings date back one-hundred years when Los Olivos was served by a stage line and the Pacific Coast Railway. Our historical ambiance is preserved by a Victorian architectural overlay.

The history of Los Olivos

In 1861, the Overland Coast Line Stage Station was established in Ballard, just south of Los Olivos. The stage coach route ran from San Francisco to Los Olivos, then to Los Angeles and San Diego. Anticipating the arrival of the Pacific Coast Railway, Felix Mattei opened a hotel in 1887. The hotel, now know as Mattei’s Tavern, accommodated rail and stage passengers making north and south connections in Los Olivos. Following the first whistle of the much anticipated engine, land auctions were held in 1887, creating the quaint village of Los Olivos. The town was first named after a nearby ranch made up of 5,000 olive trees. Presently Victorian architecture can be found sprinkled throughout this little western village. Many of the downtown buildings and residences date back over one-hundred years.

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