There’s a sense of discovery travelers feel “stumbling” upon a small town. This, of course, is often the evolution of tourism for many destinations, where the quaint can become contrived for the sake of commerce. But there’s plenty of places where both realities can exist. I grew up in Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley. At that point it was just a little town with a flagpole and a grange hall. A popular annual event called Los Olivos Day in the Country—now in its 45th year—broug...| 7x7 Bay Area
The Santa Ynez Valley lies between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the San Rafael Mountains. Its landscape recalls its agricultural roots, which include pastures for raising cattle and horses. This area is recognized as the land of the Chumash. Today, vineyards dot the countryside. The fertile soils contribute to the rise of the farm-to-table dining| The Written Palette