Source: slimpaley.com
Los Olivos, California
Recently my husband and I have been playing tourists very close to home.
Not quite sure what’s come over us, but it’s fun!
I guess these are the things you start to do when your children begin leading their own lives (the nerve)
Truth be told, we’d also become a little guilty of what I call “Disneyland Syndrome” – you know-living so close to something special that you end up taking it for granted?
Like the person who tells you they live within the shadow of the Eiffel Tower but have never been to the top and you’re thinking “Whhaa??? Are you nuts?!”
Well, that was us.
So on a day when Santa Barbara was tucked beneath a heavy duvet of marine layer, off we went to Los Olivos, located aprox. 40 minutes north east of us.
In less than 25 minutes we were feeling the kiss of the sun as we crested the top of the mountains separating the ocean from Solvang, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos…
home to some of the finest vineyards in California. World-class vineyards.
That’s right- there was WINE over there for God’s sake!
Slim Paley photo
and beautiful scenery, epically different than Santa Barbara’s.
Positively “Bonanza-esque”
Large animals with big horns
Slim Paley photo
Wind-thingies
Our first stop was Harrison Clarke Wine where Roger Harrison (accompanied by sweet Rita above) gave us a most enjoyable and educational tour of his vineyards.
Roger is a man in full with a real passion for what he does.
What a pleasure to see.
Slim Paley photo
Really, the photos don’t even do it justice.
Slim Paley photo
Magic beans!
Roger’s lovely wife Hilarie led us through a fun tasting, and I must say, the couple were very gracious about our total lack of wine knowledge.
We just knew that all the wines tasted good to us.
I was reminded of one of my most important New Year resolutions; To learn something new every day.
Doing fairly well on that front 
Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at “Sides” in the little town of Los Olivos.
Good thing a friend had told us of the restaurant.
As you can see, it exists quite happily with no signage.
Naturally I felt compelled to order sorbets to match the awnings.
The one on the right was lemon verbena flavored, fabulous.
We ended this most excellent day by stopping by the Clairmont Lavender fields
Which were not quite in full bloom (NOW is the time)
Meryl, the proud owner of the farm, shared a photo of her fields published.
Who knows what or where our next local adventure might be?
The infamous pea soup in Buellton??
It’s a beautiful life Rita.
Comprehensive List of Santa Barbara County wines & vineyards
Happy Weekend Everyone!
this place is amazing!