America’s Next Great Antiquing Destination is this Tiny California Town
Ditch the coast and you’ll find farm-to-table restaurants, horseback riding, and great antiquing.
The central California coast is home to many small towns that go big on on slow living and wine drinking in idyllic oceanside settings. But, one hour inland from Santa Barbara, the Santa Ynez Valley is an up-and-coming destination that offers all the makings of a fantastic small town vacation. We’re talking farm-fresh (and Michelin rated!) restaurants, beautiful trails for horseback riding, wineries aplenty, and, of course, an abundance of antique malls and vintage shops.
At the northern gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley, you’ll find Los Alamos, California (population: 1,634). Named for the Spanish word for cottonwood trees, the nearby hills once served as a hideout for Salomón Pico, the outlaw who inspired Zorro. Here, remnants of the Old West now shine as repurposed spaces—many of which house a host of delightful discoveries.
When it comes to fun things to do in Los Alamos and the greater Santa Ynez Valley, you definitely won’t run short. The restaurants are relaxed and unstuffy, yet deliver the absolute best in local food. Hotel options range from refurbished roadside motels to luxe private cottages, and the wine tasting rooms feature fresh vintages crafted with locally grown grapes. Then, of course, there’s the antiquing. Whether you prefer to spend hours sifting through densely packed displays or leisurely browse more edited collections, we guarantee you won’t be leaving without a one-of-a-kind treasure or two. So pack your bags (and maybe your riding boots!), because your next small town adventure awaits in central California. Keep reading for the very best things to do in Los Alamos, California.
Sarah Zlotnick is the Lifestyle Director at Country Living, where she covers a little bit of everything—small towns, life in the country, and, her favorite, antiques. A research buff at heart, she loves a deep dive into the history of vintage finds and uncovering the reasons behind old-as-time traditions.
Watch Next
![Video player poster image preview for Country Living US Section - All Sections & Videos](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/vidthumb/images/gettyimages-629702294-6419ed6d10fb8.jpg?crop=1xw:0.8209459459459459xh;center,top&resize=1200:*)
![a large building with a sign on it a large building with a sign on it](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/index-2-669bb10d52ffc.jpg?crop=1.00xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=360:*)
Pawhuska, OK: The Pioneer Woman Weekend Getaway
![antiques shop in prince edward county canada antiques shop in prince edward county canada](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/prince-edward-county-canada-663a86ebec89b.png?crop=1.00xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=360:*)
A Summer Weekend in Ontario's Prince Edward County
![a small building in a garden a small building in a garden](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/clx040124lingersmalltownsaturday-005-caryn-b-davis-65e1f26c6b2ff.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.167xw,0&resize=360:*)
A Weekend in Connecticut's Litchfield County
![The Gibson Inn the gibson inn in apalachicola, florida](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/florida-65e7a3470909a.png?crop=1.00xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=360:*)
Coastal Meets Country in This Tiny Florida Town